Stockholm Archipelago: How To Visit It As A Tourist

Sweden boasts an astonishing 200,000-plus islands, claiming the title for the country with the most islands globally. Surprising, isn’t it? I only discovered this fact two years ago myself. Over 30,000 of these islands are part of the Stockholm Archipelago, a destination many tourists have likely heard praised. If you’re wondering how to best explore this unique place in the world, you’re in luck. As a Stockholm native who has spent virtually every summer since childhood in the archipelago, this blog post will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how you, as a tourist, in the best way possible can.

About Stockholm Archipelago

While the Stockholm Archipelago is vast and contains thousands of islands, only about 200 islands are inhabited with in total of about 10,000 people living there year-round. During the summer the archipelago transforms and comes to life, with many Sweden owning summer houses on these islands. The influx of summer visitors provides a significant boost to the local economy. While many islands have limited services during the off-peak months (almost all months besides June to August), summer sees a blossoming of cafes, restaurants, and other businesses catering to both the summer residents and tourists. The culture of summer living in the archipelago is deeply ingrained in Swedish culture. It represents not only a physical escape but also a mental and emotional one. Many Swedes associate the archipelago with cherished childhood memories, traditional Midsummer celebrations, and the long, light-filled Nordic summer nights.

Islands To Explore

Before we jump into how to explore the archipelago in Stockholm, you need to decide how much time you have to explore the archipelago. You could easily spend the whole summer exploring different islands in the archipelago of Stockholm, after all there are 30,000 different islands located just in Stockholm. However, as a tourist your time is most likely limited and I would therefore recommend that you choose between doing a day trip to one of the islands closer to Stockholm or a trip to one of the island further out in archipelago including an overnight stay.

Day Trip Alternatives

Vaxholm

Vaxholm is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Stockholm Archipelago,” or the “Capital of the Archipelago”, and for good reason. It’s one of the most accessible islands from Stockholm and encapsulates much of what the archipelago has to offer in a single location. Historically, Vaxholm was of strategic importance in defending Stockholm from naval invasions, and the town is best known for the Vaxholm Fortress, built on an adjacent islet to guard access to the Swedish capital. Today, Vaxholm is an idyllic small town, that is easily accessible by boat from Stockholm city center.

How to get there: Boats leave from Strömkajen in Stockholm regularly using Waxholmsbolaget and takes about 1 hour. Check out their website for the most accurate timetable. Tickets cost around 100 SEK for a one-way trip. 

You can also embark on a journey to Vaxholm aboard one of the historic vessels from the early 20th century, such as the M/S Stockholm or M/S Östanå I. These boats typically feature onboard restaurants, allowing you to enjoy a meal in the timeless setting of an early 20th-century boat. I’ve personally experienced this voyage, and while the ambiance is fantastic, and the trip well worth it, the food was somewhat mediocre, so don’t expect something out of the ordinary. A round-trip ticket is priced at approximately 360 SEK, departing from Strandvägen, and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach Vaxholm. Tickets can be bought through the following website.

Utö

One of my absolute favorite islands in the Stockholm Archipelago is Utö. The island of Utö is far from the tourist hoards of Gamla Stan and is more of an off-the-beaten-path destination where many Swedes have summer houses. Here the pace is significantly slower with only a handful of restaurants, stores, and guesthouses. I recommend renting a bike on a sunny summer day and exploring the island’s natural beauty and beaches. One beach I highly recommend you visit is Ålö Stora Sand. It’s a secluded beach with shallow waters and a place where you easily can spend a whole afternoon. I forgot my car key there when I visited the place so if you see it lying in the sand, shoot me a message!

How to get there: Utö is reachable from Stockholm using the public transportation system to Årstabrygga. From here you need to take a short 40-minute boat trip over to Gruvbryggan (Utö).

Fjäderholmarna

If you are really short on time but still want to experience the Stockholm Archipelago and only have an afternoon to spare, I suggest visiting Fjäderholmarna. Located a 30-minute boat ride from the city center of Stockholm are the islands of Fjäderholmarna. Here, there are many restaurants, stores, and places where you can go for a swim. I recommend taking the boat out mid-afternoon, at around 3 p.m., and having dinner at one of the restaurants before taking the boat back.

How to get there: Boats leave from Strandvägen every 30 minutes (depending on the season) starting at around 10 am with the last one back at around 11 pm. Tickets cost 185 SEK for a round-trip. Tickets can be bought in the ticket booth right next to where the boat leaves from. As boats leave regularly there is no need to buy tickets in advance.

Overnight Trip Alternatives

Sandhamn

Sandhamn, located in the outer-part of the Stockholm Archipelago, is a picturesque and lively island known for its pristine sandy beaches and vibrant social scene. During the Middle Ages, Sandhamn was an important meeting spot for sailors and merchants due to it strategic location in the outer archipelago, working as a gateway between the open sea and the inner waterways. In late 19th and early 20th centuries the island transformed into a sailing hub, particularly after the Royal Swedish Yacht Club chose it as a central location for its regattas. Today, Sandhamn is a popular destination for many Swedes and also recognized in popular culture through Swedish crime novels and television series. During the summer, the roughly 100 permanent inhabitants welcome around 100 000 summer guest to the island.

How to get there: From Stockholm’s city center, you can, during the summer months, catch a ferry to Sandhamn from Strömkajen, which is located right in front of the Grand Hôtel and the Royal Palace. The ferry is a scenic journey through the Stockholm Archipelago and it takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to reach Sandhamn from Stockholm. Check out the website for the ferry operator (Waxholmsbolaget) for the latest update on the timetable. However, their website is not the best and not everything is translated into english. Tickets can be boat onboard the boat.

Another option is taking the Cinderella boats which are operated by the company: Strömma. Boats run to Sandhamn from Strandvägen (berth 13), from April until end of September. The cinderella boats are quick and comfortable and also features a restaurant onboard with surprisingly good food. Their website is also alot more adapted for tourists. Check out the operators website for latest info on timetable.

Considering the distance and journey time from Stockholm, it’s highly recommended to spend at least one night in Sandhamn. While a day trip is possible, the island’s remote location in the outer archipelago means that much of your day would be consumed by travel. If you are looking for a place to stay consider checking out Seglar Hotellet which also features a spa, however, like most things in Sweden they don’t come cheap.

Möja

Last but not least is the island of Möja, which is also a place that lies close to my heart. I’ve spent almost every summer there since I was a kid. For me, it’s a place full of happy memories, sunshine, and relaxation. The vibe is similar to the one of Utö – A slow-paced island with only a handful of restaurants and cafes. As with many islands in the Stockholm Archipelago, Möja comes to life during the summer months of June to August. Just like Sandhamn, Möja is located in the outer part of the Stockholm Archipelago and and roughly a 2.5 to 3 hour boat ride from Stockholm city center.

How to get there: The most confortable way of getting to Möja from Stockholm city center is by taking the Cinderella boat that leaves from Strandvägen during the summer months of June to August. Tickets can be bought in advance through the boat operator (strömma). Berg is where most restaurants and cafes are located and i suggest that you get off here. There is also a supermarket (close to Berg jetty) on the island in case you need to buy some snacks or water.

What to do: There are plenty of things to do in Möja to occupy yourself with including kayaking, hiking, swimming or renting a bike. If you are looking for a beach to relax on that is not too far away from the Berg, I can suggest Saltvik. Also, don’t forget to check out if there are any performances on Möja Dance Hall. They also have a small cinema where they show movies during the summer months, which is a very cozy and out of the ordinary experience. Opposite to the supermarket there is a small tourist information desk which can advice you further advice on things to do on the island.

Where to stay: Due to the size of Möja, options in terms of places to stay are quite limited. My suggestion would be to check out the STF Vandrarhem, located only a stones throw away from Berg jetty. Be sure to book in advance since available rooms on the island are limited.

Conclusion

No matter which place choose to visit on the list you will be satisfied and have experienced the Stockholm Archipelago. However, if you are looking for a more relaxed and local island in the Stockholm Archipelago, Möja or Utö is my recommendation. On the flip side, if you enjoy a more lively island with restaurants, cafes, and stores, Sandhamn or Vaxholm is your best shot. Fjäderholmarna can, due to its close proximity to Stockholm, be enjoyed as place to have dinner after a full day exploring the city center of Stockholm. If you happen to be visiting Stockholm during our beloved midsummer tradition (end of June), the Stockholm Archipelago is best experienced then.