Top 10 Islands to Visit in Stockholm Archipelago

Did you know that Sweden has the most islands in the world? Despite being a native Swede, I didn’t learn this until a few years ago. With over 200,000 islands, Sweden boasts the largest number of islands globally. 30,000 of these are in the Stockholm Archipelago, stretching into the Baltic Sea. The Stockholm Archipelago is a must-visit for anyone in Stockholm, offering charming villages, stunning landscapes, and a variety of outdoor activities. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the archipelago provides a perfect escape from city life and a unique Swedish experience, away from the busy streets of Stockholm Old Town.

Having spent nearly all my summers since childhood on the islands around Stockholm, I will break down the best places to visit in the Stockholm Archipelago in this blog post, including those suitable for day trips and those ideal for overnight stays.

Day Trip Destinations

1. Vaxholm

Known as the “Gateway to the Archipelago,” Vaxholm is the ideal starting point for anyone looking to experience the archipelago without traveling far from Stockholm city center. Vaxholm is more developed than other islands in the archipelago and is famous for its well-preserved wooden houses and the historic Vaxholm Fortress, which offers panoramic views and insight into Sweden’s military history. Despite being a picturesque town, Vaxholm can be crowded with tourists during the peak season of July-August, which might detract from the rustic, slow-paced archipelago vibe. However, if you visit outside the peak summer months, Vaxholm is much calmer and more relaxing.

How to Get There: Vaxholm is easily accessed by ferry from Stockholm (Strömkajen) in about an hour. Check out Waxholmsbolaget website for the most up-to-date information.

What to Do

• Explore Vaxholm Fortress: This historic fortress is accessible by a short ferry ride and offers interesting exhibitions about its role as the protector of Stockholm.
• Stroll through the Town: Enjoy a leisurely walk through the picturesque streets lined with charming wooden houses and small shops.
• Rent a Kayak: A great way to get in contact with nature (if the weather permits), is to go kayaking around Vaxholm’s beautiful waters. Kayaks can be booked and rented through Kayakomat.com.

2. Grinda

Grinda is perfect for nature lovers and families. This island is a haven of lush forests, open fields, and scenic shorelines. Locals, including myself, often travel to Grinda during the summer months to enjoy its many great swimming spots. The island is owned by Skärgårdsstiftelsen (Archipelago Foundation), ensuring its natural beauty is well preserved. Unlike Vaxholm, Grinda is much less developed, offering a slower and more relaxed pace. Grinda should be explored as a full day trip from Stockholm.

How to Get There: Grinda is accessible by ferry from Stockholm. With the operator Cinderella, the journey takes about 1 hour and 30 min, while with Waxholmsbolaget the boat is a bit slower and takes around 2 hours and 30 min. You save roughly 100 kr by taking the longer trip with Waxholmsbolaget. Check out their respective websites here for the most up-to-date information: Waxholmsbolaget & Cinderella

Where to Stay: Although doable as a day trip, Grinda Wärdshus, a charming inn on the island, offers comfortable accommodation if you choose to stay overnight.

What to Do

• Hiking and Cycling: Explore the island’s trails and enjoy the natural beauty. Mountain bikes can be rented at Grinda Värdshus.
• Farm Animals: Visit the local farm and meet the animals, which is a hit with children.
• Swimming: Go for a swim in the Baltic Sea or relax on the rocky shores.

3. Fjäderholmarna

Located just a short boat ride from Stockholm, Fjäderholmarna is ideal for a half-day trip or even just for dinner. This small island offers a mix of craft shops, art studios, and seafood restaurants.

How to Get There Fjäderholmarna is only a 30-minute ferry ride from central Stockholm. The cost is around 200 kr for a round trip.
Check out the website here for the latest information.

Where to Stay The island is primarily a day trip destination so there are no accommodations on the island.

What to Do

• Craft Shops and Art Studios: Explore the artisan shops and studios that showcase local crafts and artworks.
• Dining: Enjoy a meal at one of the seafood restaurants with beautiful views. I can recommend Fjäderholmarnas krog, which is a bit pricey if you are on a budget, but offers stunning views of the sea.
• Go swimming: Along the small path that leads you around Fjäderholmarna, you will encounter many cliffs from which you can jump into the sea and cool off on hot summer days.

Overnight Stay Destinations

Sandhamn

Sandhamn is a vibrant island known for its lively nightlife and rich sailing culture. It is a smaller version of Vaxholm but located farther out in the archipelago. Sandhamn boasts sandy beaches, inviting restaurants, and a bustling marina. Compared to Vaxholm, Sandhamn offers more of a rustic, laid-back archipelago feel, as areas beyond the main port are less crowded. This small island can be easily explored within a few hours, so there’s no need to rush to see all the attractions, however its best explore with an overnight stay.

How to Get There: Ferries from Stockholm to Sandhamn run all year round. During the summer months, the best option is to go with the Cinderella boats which take about 2 hours and 30 minutes and cost 500 kr for a round trip. Buy the tickets here.

Where to Stay: While a day trip to Sandhamn is technically possible, the 2-hour and 30-minute travel time is about the threshold where I would choose to stay the night. Sandhamn also offers several hotels and guesthouses if you wish to stay overnight.

Sandhamn Seglarhotell – The sailer hotel is the largest and one of the most popular hotels on the Sandhamn.

Sands Hotell – Another popular hotel on Sandhamn, offering several modern small to mid-sized apartments for rent.

Sandhamn Värdshus – Price worthy and giving you rustic feeling. Sandhamn värdshus to spend a night in Sandhamn.

What to Do

• Shopping: Sandhamn is famous for it’s sailing culture and offers many local stores with sailing and boat themes.
• Sailing: Watch the many different types of boats that are parked in the very busy port of Sandhamn.
• Beaches: Relax on the island’s sandy beaches and enjoy the serene coastal views.
• Nightlife: Experience the island’s vibrant nightlife with several bars and restaurants with a lively atmosphere in the evenings.

5. Möja

Finally, Möja! Since my parents have a summer house on Möja, I have spent most of my summers there, making it my favorite island of them all. Möja is the traditional archipelago island you’ve been looking for, retaining a laid-back, authentic atmosphere that Vaxholm and, to some extent, Sandhamn lack. The pace on Möja is calm, with unpaved roads and traditional red and white houses. Möja is one of the largest islands in the archipelago, with Berg being the area that offers the most in terms of restaurants, cafes, and accommodation.

How to Get There Ferries from Stockholm city center to Möja take about 3 to 4 hours to reach. Check out tickets here.

Where to Stay. Considering the long travel time and that Möja is a large island, an overnight stay is ideal. The most popular accommodation is run by the Swedish Tourism Association and is located in Berg. Rooms or beds can be booked here.

What to Do

• Cycling and Hiking: Rent a bike or hike around the island to explore its natural beauty and charming villages.
• Go swimming: Located about a 30 min walk from Berg plus a short 10 min walk through the forest lies a beach known as Saltvik which is ideal for going swimming in the summer months.
• Seafood Dining: Enjoy delicious seafood at one of the local restaurants located around Berg.

For more information about accommodations and things to do on Möja check out the following website.

6. Utö

Another great island to visit in the Stockholm Archipelago is Utö! The island is known for its military history and beautiful natural landscape. Just like Möja, Utö will give you that rustic, laid-back archipelago atmosphere. My top tip here is to rent a bike and ride from Gruvbyn across the island and visit the restaurant Båtshaket på Ålö which serves delicious seafood.

How to Get There: Getting to Utö is a bit more challenging compared other islands, since no boat leaves directly from Stockholm City Center, unlike the other islands mentioned above. Instead you need to take the bus (SL) to Årsta Brygga and from there hop on a 1 hour ferry ride to Utö. Get off at Gruvbryggan which is the main village on the island. In total the trip takes around 3 hours from Stockholm.

Where to Stay: Sine travelling to Utö takes around 3 hours, my recommendation is to spend a night on the island. Me and my wife once visited on a daytrip and felt ourselves a bit rushed. Utö Värdshus is a popular inn on the island, offering comfortable rooms and great food.

What to Do

• Old Mines: Explore the old iron mines and learn about the island’s mining history.
• Biking: Rent a bike to explore the island’s scenic trails and coastline.
• Explore beaches: Ålö Stora sand is one of the most popular beaches on the island.

7. Finnhamn

Not too far from Möja lies the island of Finnhamn (literally meaning the “Port of Finns), offering a peaceful retreat with idyllic cottages and beautiful natural scenery far out in the Stockholm Archipelago. It’s an excellent spot for just relaxing a weekend and enjoy the slow pace in contrast to the old town of Stockholm. Furthermore, the island has a small local supermarket and restaurant which serves delicious food and, naturally, with a sea view.

How to Get There: Ferries from Stockholm to Finnhamn take around 3-4 hours and leave from Strömkajen in Stockholm. Buy your tickets here.

Where to Stay The island has several cottages and a hostel for overnight stays, which are simple but offers you an authentic experience. Check it out here.

What to Do

• Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the island’s lush landscapes on foot.
• Kayaking: Rent a kayak and paddle around the calm waters to fully appreciate the island’s beauty.

8. Svartsö

Not far from Finnhamn lies Svartsö and is also perfect for those seeking tranquility and nature. With its forests, meadows, and small villages, in Svartsö you are one with nature and it’s a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Stockholm. The Island is also known for its restaurant, Svartsö Krog, mentioned in the Swedish restaurant guide: White guide, a restaurant that I have visited multiple times by boat from the nearby island of Möja.

How to Get There Ferries from Strömkajen in Stockholm to Svartsö take about 2-3 hours. Get off at Norra Svartsö where the main accommodation on the island is located. From there you can rent bicycles for 200 kr per day, to use to get around the island (which is quite large). From Norra Svartsö to Alsvik on the other side of the island is about 4 km. It is also in the area around Alsvik where a small super market and Svartsö Krog is located. Buy your tickets at Waxholmsbolagets website.

Where to Stay: As mentioned above the main accommodation on the island is located near Norra Svartsö and is called Svartsö skärgårdshotell och vandrarhem and offer several different living options for solo travellers and for families.

What to Do

• Walking and Cycling: Explore the island’s peaceful paths and enjoy the natural surroundings.
• Rent a Kayak: Rent a kayak near Alsvik and enjoy Svartsö from the sea.

9. Gällnö

A bit closer to Stockholm is Gällnö, a small serene island ideal for relaxation and enjoy the passing of time. Its traditional Swedish cottages and the popular Gällnö Krog restaurant create a welcoming atmosphere. For locals who own summer houses in the archipelago, Gällnö Krog is a popular place to visit by boat.

How to Get There Ferries from Strömkajen in Stockholm to Gällnö take about 2 hours. Buy your ticket here.

Where to Stay Gällnö offers a few options to overnight, with the most popular being Gällnö Vandrarhem (Gällnö Hostel) run by the Swedish Tourism Association. Rooms are simple but clean and comfortable, what more can you expect from a hotel located on a small island like Gällnö?

What to Do

Like many of the other islands on this list, the main thing to do is to RELAX and simply enjoy existence.

• Gällnö Krog: Visit Gällnö Krog, a popular garden restaurant serving delicious meals with locally produced ingredients.
• Hiking: Enjoy the island’s natural beauty on foot.

10. Nåttarö

Located a bit further from Stockholm, but I still thought it would be worth mentioning is Nåttarö, another calm and peaceful island located just a short boat ride from Nynäshamn. In case you are visiting Nynäshamn or any other place nearby, Nåttarö is a good option if you want the tranquil island in the Stockholm Archipelago and not wanting to take a long boat trip.

How to Get There To get to Nåttarö from the city center of Stockholm you first need to hop on the commuter train from T-Central to Nynäshamn and from there take a short 30-min boat ride before you arrive in Nåttarö.

Where to Stay At Nåttarö there are about 50 cabins for 2, 4, or 6 people that can be rented by the night. Additionally, there is also a hostel on the island for solo travelers. Another interesting option is Ängholmsstugan, a small red and white house located a 5-minute boat ride from Nåttarö, which is rented out weekly. The house has no running water or electricity. All drinking water is brought from Nåttarö. It’s an interesting option if you really want to disconnect and immerse yourself in nature for a full week or more.

What to Do

• Stora Sand Beach: Relax on one of the archipelago’s best sandy beaches. Here you have a view of the open sea, with nothing except water standing between you and the baltic states.
• Forest Trails: Explore the island’s trails and discover unique rock formations.
• Eat at Nåttarö krog: Eat some delicious seafood at Nåttarö Krog.

Practical Tips for Visiting the Stockholm Archipelago

Best Times to Visit The best time to visit the Stockholm Archipelago is during the summer months from June to August when the weather is warm, and all services are fully operational. However, spring and early autumn can also be lovely times to visit, with fewer crowds and beautiful natural scenery. However, do not expect that all accommodations or restaurants are open during this time. The best islands for visiting outside of the peak season are: Waxholm and Sandhamn, where something is going on all year round.

Family-friendly All islands mentioned above are family-friendly and suitable to visit with children. Do however note that the islands don’t have paved roads and can be a bit tricky push a stroller on if it has small wheels.

Final Thoughts

To summarize, Vaxholm and Fjäderholmarna are best visited if you are short on time and just want to get a quick feel for the archipelago and can both be visited as a half day trip. Whereas for Grinda you should allocate a full day to explore. If you have more time to spend and even spend a night on one of the islands then I recommend Sandhamn for a more vibrant vibe. Möja, Finnhamn, Svartsö, Utö and Gällnö are best suited for those of you who want to have a laid-back and slow paced visit to the Stockholm archipelago, which in my personal opinion is what the archipelago is all about!

Happy travels!