One of Europe's largest and best-preserved medieval city centers, Sweden's capital city of Stockholm is a lively place built on 14 islands connected by some 50 bridges on Lake Malaren which flows into the Baltic Sea. Some 24,000 islands and islets stretch 80 kilometers east of the city, forming Stockholm's spectacular archipelago, the largest in Sweden. With modern Scandinavian architecture and distinctive saffron- and terra cotta-colored buildings, Sweden is known for its production of sleek designs. Beautifully preserved cobblestone streets can be found in the old town of Gamla Stan, while castles, waterfront villas, stately manors, flats, and family homes are the properties of choice for residents.