Stockholm  - Greek President Karolos Papoulias arrived Tuesday for a three-day state visit that included a ride in a horse- drawn carriage from the Royal Mews in downtown Stockholm to the Royal Palace with King Carl Gustaf.

Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria rode in a second carriage.

The Swedish royals hosted a private luncheon for the president that was also attended by the king's sister, Princess Christina and her husband Tord Magnuson.

The president also visited parliament and met with speaker Per Westerberg and later had talks with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.

The programme included a visit to the Swedish Academy that awards the Nobel Prize for Literature and also the Nobel Museum. Both institutions are located in Stockholm's Old Town.

Greek author Odysseus Elytis won the coveted literature prize in 1979.

A gala banquet at the Royal Palace was to cap Tuesday's events.

During his visit the president was also to attend a business conference organized by the Swedish Trade Council, and on Thursday was due to travel with the king to the west-coast city Gothenburg for a visit to Volvo Car Corporation. (dpa)