Stockholm archipelago. What to see in Stockholm besides museums, parks and palaces: islands of the Stockholm archipelago Stockholm Archipelago
– beautiful city with a comfortable climate, cultural attractions and magnificent natural landscapes. Popular tourist route Stockholm is the Stockholm Archipelago (Stockholms skärgård)- about 24 thousand islands, islets and rocks, which are located east of the city. The archipelago has a length of 60 kilometers. To the east of it are located (Åland)- Swedish autonomous territory consisting of. The South Kvarken Strait flows between Åland and the Stockholm archipelago (Sodra Kvarken).
The geography of the archipelago in Viking times had a different look - the islands were few in number and inhabited by fishermen. The current island diversity is due to land uplift.
Stockholmers build country houses on the islands of the archipelago, and tourists love to stroll among the islands on boats. There are islands on the archipelago that are small and uninhabited, and there are those on which dacha communities are located. Vaxen Island (Vaxön) famous for the fact that the city of Vaxholm was built on it (Vaxholm), which covers an area of 1.64 square kilometers. To the east of Vaxjon is the island of Grinda (Grinda), popular for travelers and tourists, on which rural houses are built. Record holder for area - Varmdön Island (Värmdon), the sixth largest in Sweden. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Sandhamn (Sandhamn)- resort island.
In the 19th century, wealthy Swedes built villas on the islands, which were converted into hotels. In the past, the islands were popular with writers and artists.
Stockholm Archipelago: How to get there
The most comfortable way to travel around the islands of the archipelago is by ferry. The ticket price depends on the distance. On the ferries of the Waxholmsbolagets company, which was founded in the middle of the 19th century, a one-time ticket costs from 4.9 to 14.60 EUR, for children under 19 years of age and elderly people over 65 years old - 3.65-9.6 EUR, children up to 6 years travel free. You can purchase a Travelcard for five days or a month. Ferries are interesting because they sail to hundreds of islands in the archipelago, transporting islanders to work, children to school, and delivering food to the islands. Most popular berths: Strömkaen (Strömkajen), Kungsträdgården (Kungsträdgården) and Nibrocaen (Nybrokajen) located in the center of Stockholm. Suburban piers are connected to the city center by metro and buses. Traveling from suburban piers is cheaper, and during the peak tourist season they are not as busy.
Some islands can be reached by car or bus. Buses to the northern archipelago depart from Tekniska Högskolan metro station (Tekniska högskolan). Buses in Varmdø (Värmdö) go from Slussen station (Slussen). Suburban trains depart to the southern archipelago from central station Stockholm (Centralstation Stockholm).
Stockholm Archipelago: Lifehacks
The islands of the Stockholm archipelago offer a wide range of nature, from the lush greenery of the inner archipelago to the barren cliffs of remote outposts. Some islands have restaurants, hotels and country shops, while others are completely deserted. The archipelago has ancient fortresses and citadels, art exhibitions, and museums.
On the island of Vaxholm (Vaxholm) Vaxholm Fortress is located (Vaxholms fästning), built in the 16th century. It houses the Stockholm Defense Museum, ticket costs about 8 EUR, free for children under 18 years old. The island can be reached by ferry or by bus No. 670, which runs from the Tekniska Högskolan metro station.
On the island of Sandhamn (Sandhamn) The most popular Royal Swedish Yacht Club is located (Kungliga Svenska Segelsällskapet). The island can be reached by direct ferry from the center of Stockholm (it takes 5 hours). From the city center there is a bus to Stavšnjas Island, and from there a ferry to Sandham.
On the island of Varmdø (Värmdö) there is an art museum “Artipelag”, which hosts exhibitions, music concerts, a restaurant, and workshops for children and adults. You can get to Värmdø from Stockholm by bus from Slussen station (Slussen) or by ferry.
Overnight in a hotel on the islands - from 100 EUR, budget accommodation (camping as an option) - from 30 EUR, bicycle rental - 16 EUR, mountain bike - about 37 EUR, kayak - from 37 EUR.
Ferries pick up islanders on demand. On the pier there is a round folding sign called a semaphore. The semaphore should be placed in an upright position while you wait for the ferry. This signals to the captain of a passing vessel that someone wants to step aboard.
There is nothing like this anywhere in the world large quantity islands in such a small space as in the Stockholm archipelago. Anyone can admire the beautiful landscape of this place.
Sandhamn
Sandhamn is the eastern island of the archipelago and has almost everything to offer. Here you will find wonderful views and small sandy beaches. There are hotels, restaurants and small shops. But above all, there is a settlement very similar to the fairy-tale world of Astrid Lindgren. All the houses are closely adjacent to each other, and in fact it is easy to get lost in the alleys between them. You can go to this island straight from Stockholm by taking a seat on a ship. You can stay overnight at any of the local hotels.
Vaxholm
Vaxholm is often called the capital of the archipelago. There is a cute little town there that can be reached by bus or boat. There is a large castle in the harbor, which is now a museum.
Vaxholm has quite a few small shops and galleries. For those who want to combine a visit to both shops and the archipelago, this island is the right place. There are many restaurants and small cafes there. Café Silltruten, located on the harbour, is decorated in a 1920s design style.
Fjederholmarna
The island of Fjäderholmarna is located near Djurgården. And if you have some time, be sure to visit it.
There are restaurants and some nice shops there, and they often host various exhibitions. There are also several glassblowers, potters and blacksmiths on the island. Mackmyra has its own branch on the island where you can taste their local whiskey. There's also the Fjederholmarn Brewery, where you can watch beer being brewed and then taste it. You can sunbathe on the local rocks, but Fjäderholmarna is not the best island for swimming.
Utyo
Utö is one of the largest islands in the archipelago. In old, already abandoned mines in the XII - 19th centuries iron ore was mined. But now it is a popular place for walking.
Many people arrive on the island for the whole day. Here you will find interesting cycling paths and many other interesting attractions. On the southeast side there are rocky and sandy beaches. If you rent a bike on the island, you can visit the Båtshaket restaurant.
You can take a boat to Nynashamn and then take a local train.
Grinda
Grinda is ideal for those who want to combine walks in the forest with sunbathing. There is a charming hotel called Grinda Wärdshus, considered a center of business activity.
Many people come here to have lunch or dinner, but it's great to stay in a hotel for one night or rent a cottage for a week. The island has many suitable places for swimming with clean beaches. You can also rent a kayak or visit the sauna there. Grinda is an hour's boat ride from Stockholm.
Finnhamn
Finnhamn is located in the center of the archipelago. There is a village where you can stay in any of the magnificent hostels overlooking the archipelago or choose a tent site.
Finnhamn is an active center with boating, kayaking, football, paintball and other sports.
Myoya
Möja is one of the most famous islands archipelago containing several large villages.
It's nice to go there day trip and, by renting a bicycle, get to its various outskirts. It's pretty big Island! There are three restaurants, one of them, Wikströms Fisk, is open all year round. In the city of Ramsmoor there is a museum of the artist Roland Svensson, where he exhibits most of his works of art.
Landsort
Landsort - the most southern point Stockholm archipelago. The local fishing village dates back several hundred years, and Landsort Lighthouse, built in the 1670s, is the oldest in the archipelago.
You can organize a day trip there. To do this, you need to take a bus to the port of Ankarudden, and from there a tourist boat will take you to the island, where you can stay for a night or two. The view from the hotel of the surrounding area is simply stunning.
Nottarö
The most beautiful sandy beaches in the archipelago are located in Nåttarö. You can also rent bicycles there or go on an exciting underwater journey along a specially marked route in the marine reserve. Information boards will tell you a lot of interesting things about fish and underwater plants.
Feiyan
Fejan is a former quarantine station outside Norrtälje, built in late XIX century, when raging cholera devastated the countries of Europe. It is now an interesting secluded spot and the lovely old hospital building is now a hostel with lovely views of the island.
Khuvudsker
The Huvudskär archipelago consists of almost 200 islets and skerries, and until the early 1940s it was inhabited by fishermen and customs officers. There is a classic lighthouse on the main island, and the modern hostel is a former customs house. You can get to the archipelago from Dalarø, from where a boat departs several times a week.
Rödlöga
Rödlöga is one of the best islands Stockholm archipelago. There you will have a couple of hours to wander around the island or go to the Truten cafe.
Bullerön
Bullerön is a real pearl in the belt of islands of the Stockholm archipelago. The famous artist Bruno Liljefors lived there, and actress Greta Garbo organized evening events.
You can go to the island by tourist boat from the town of Stavsnes, located on the outskirts of the island of Värmdø. You can stay a night or two on Bullerøn. Here is perhaps the most fashionable hostel in the archipelago. In addition, there is a beautiful wood-burning sauna with a fantastic view of the lake, open to all visitors.
Fjerdleng
The island of Fjärdlång is home to one of the most beautiful hostels in the archipelago, originally built for financier Ernest Thiel. A gallery of Scandinavian paintings in Djurgården, which he began collecting in 1896, is named in his honor. There are no restaurants, bars or hotels on the island. But there you can walk along the fabulously beautiful rocks and visit a wooden sauna. You can get to Fjerdläng by boat from Utö.
Stora Kalholmen
Stora Kalholmen gives the visitor the opportunity to feel a little like Robinson Crusoe. There is only one on the island big house, built in 1914 as a summer residence. It is now one of the most beautiful hostels in the archipelago. Stora Kalholmen is an island where you can relax and sunbathe on the beach.
Based on materials from the site https://www.expressen.se “Latest news about Sweden and the world”
One of the most amazing places in Sweden, which gives you the chance to see the Riga-Stockholm ferry - this is the Stockholm archipelago. Judge for yourself! 24 thousand rocky islands and rocks are scattered within a radius of 100 kilometers. Even Stockholm itself half belongs to this archipelago, capturing as many as 14 islands of varying sizes. Seeing these pieces of sushi is a real pleasure for any traveler.
The most important thing here is not to oversleep. You need to get up with the first rays of the sun and, dressed warmly, hurry to the upper deck. Almost completely alone it is worth watching this magnificent sunrise. The only people who will share your company will be a couple of other equally restless passengers with overweight cameras, and several young people, barely alive after a sleepless night of partying in the bowels of the ferry.
It’s a real miracle to see how the first pieces of rock appear in the rays of the morning sun. Then there are more and more of them. Islands, like mushrooms, begin to climb from all sides. Their bare stones are covered with sparse northern vegetation, and along with pine groves, the first fishing houses appear on them.
Further more. The first villages are already visible. Houses are getting bigger and more luxurious. Only one thing is constant - near each such structure there is always a small pier. These places are not suitable for agriculture. You can hardly grow even a normal vegetable garden here. From time immemorial, these lands were the vodka of fishermen.
However, sensible Swedes found another use for them, starting to build their summer residences here, analogues of our hacienda dachas. In winter they are empty, and in summer Swedes come here to the bosom of nature to go fishing, yachting or just enjoy the clean sea air. The main mode of transport on the archipelago is water.
Some islands are connected by bridges, somewhere by ferries. The easiest way is to sail here on your own boat. Wealthy Swedes have no problem with this. Agree, it’s nice to have a small island on your property.
But of the entire Stockholm archipelago, only a small part is inhabited. Whatever it is, these places are harsh, the sea is cold, the weather is unpredictable. Not everyone likes such property, which requires considerable investment. And the Swedes take care of this God’s gift to anyone without selling it or making a dubious business out of it.
At some point we pass round structures with turrets. This ancient Swedish fort served as the main checkpoint on the approaches to Stockholm. As the Swedish capital approaches, not only are there more houses, but also factory pipes and storage facilities.
Nevertheless, Stockholm leads the way as one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world. Even fish caught in the very center of the city can be eaten without fear. The number of plants and factories here is also minimal, and fines for violators of cleanliness are as high as possible.
One of the fun things to do on board the ferry is to feed the seagulls. Birds can snatch the treat prepared for them directly from your hands if you just pull them up.
Stockholm – a beautiful city, delighting its guests with unusual architectural and cultural monuments and no less beautiful natural attractions. One of these can be called the Stockholm archipelago, which is a large group of islands located in the Baltic Sea. This picturesque area is considered one of the best holiday destinations in Sweden and is very popular among tourists and residents of the capital.
Islands of Stockholm. Their history and modernity
Landscapes have changed quite actively throughout their history; this is mainly associated with the annual rise of land by several millimeters. This is what happened with the archipelago: a few centuries ago it was only a small territory where local fishermen lived, but now it is one of the most popular places for recreation not only for residents of the capital, but also for visitors.
reaches a length of almost 80 kilometers and has in its arsenal about 30,000 islands of different sizes and rocks. Some of its islets boast large populations and are renowned for being the best summer party spots, while others feature virtually untouched rocks and grassy hills.
You can travel between the islands using the resources of the Stockholm fleet, which numbers about 100 snow-white ships, which, despite technical progress, continue to move in pairs. Such short sea voyages are often an excellent option for a romantic dinner or just an interesting walk.
Each of the islands of the archipelago is perfect place for fruitful fishing, in many of them you can even rent a boat or sailboat for these purposes. In addition, some areas provide bicycle or horse rental services.
Stockholm Archipelago: the most remarkable places
Among the incredible diversity of natural resources, special attention should be paid to some of the most interesting islands. These include:
1) Sandhamn – large island, having the glory of the main pier. It is very convenient to go on a sea voyage on yachts and ships. In addition, the largest regattas in the Baltic Sea start from this island. Also, its territory is considered the most suitable for a beach holiday.
2) Lidingö – the best place for those who like to stroll through gardens and parks. It is famous for its perennial plantings, which were planted several centuries ago, as well as small modern houses, ideal for a modest holiday.
3) Vaxholm is a huge area called a city. Its population reaches 5 thousand people, and its peculiarity is considered to be the widespread placement of exclusively wooden houses and a stunning castle built under Gustav Vaso.
4) Nåttarö is a wonderful island for fans of extreme recreation among mountains and caves.
Where to stay in Stockholm Archipelago?
Great amount islands of the Stockholm archipelago opens up excellent opportunities for recreation and tourism. However, despite the many such areas of land in the middle of the sea, only about a thousand people are considered suitable for living, so choosing a place to stop among all these natural beauties can be called very difficult.
It should be noted that regardless of the island you choose, the most interesting areas can be visited using regularly sailing boats, steamers and other watercraft.
You can find a place to stay overnight in the vastness of Sweden's most popular natural attraction on the most developed islands, where there are many bungalows, houses and even villas. Therefore, the specific room depends on your preferences and the thickness of your wallet. In addition, there are many hotels on the archipelago with varying quality of service and room comfort.
Stockholm Archipelago: how to get there?
The islands of Stockholm stretch along the eastern border of the Swedish capital. You can get to it by land or by sea. This picturesque attraction is reached by:
- buses, for example, passenger cars, following route No. 670.
- trains
- ships and steamships, they depart from the piers of Blasieholmskajen and Nybroviken.
Was it a sunny day in Stockholm? Perhaps it is worth spending it not on museums, but on nature, for which Stockholm is famous, despite the fact that it is the capital. There are a lot of parks in the city itself and outside the city, and one of the most interesting green areas is stockholm archipelago, a group of islands and peninsulas just 20 kilometers from Stockholm.
In this post we talk about how to visit the Stockholm archipelago and what is worth seeing if you only have one day and are by car. On public transport the path will have to be shortened - you won’t be able to do everything.
– the capital of the Stockholm archipelago and the place where you should start visiting it. You can get here by bus or boat. Bus number 670 (ticket costs 31 CZK) departs from Danderyd Sjukhus; ferry (75 CZK) – from Strömkajen. Unlike the bus, ferry tickets can be purchased on board.
To get from Vaxholm to other islands and peninsulas of the archipelago that do not have bridges, you can use free ferries. These ferry crossings are part of the Stockholm highways and are therefore free. The only ferry you have to pay for is from Vaxholm to a tiny island with a fortress, no more than a kilometer from Vaxholm (30 kroner round trip). 
Now the fortress is a museum that tells the fascinating history of the development of Swedish coastal defense. Even if the museum is closed on the day of your visit (and it is mostly closed during the off-summer season), you can still get inside the fortress. The fortress was built in 1863 and remained an army unit until the beginning of the 21st century. 
Don't forget to take a photo of Vaxholm from the fortress! 
If you're interested in defense and fortification, the Stockholm archipelago is a must-see. In addition to the fortress, you can visit the Kullarna cannon battery in the center of Vaxholm, the redoubt, fort and artillery unit on Rindø, as well as the Fredriksborg fortress.
used to be a fishing pier, but now former houses Fishermen's houses are some of the most expensive in Stockholm and are used as artist residences, cafes and hotels. 
In Vaxholm you can also see the bell tower. 
IN gallery Roddarhuset
hold exhibitions and vernissages, be sure to check it out!
What we liked most about the gallery was the souvenir shop, where you can buy (expensively, of course) these figures made from metal nets. 
Bogesund
There is a bridge from Vaxholm to Bogesund. 
Bogesund mainly – nature reserve, designed for outdoor recreation in a broad-leaved forest. There are up to 115 species of birds on Bogesund, paved hiking trails, but the most interesting thing here is . It was built in 1640 for a noble Swedish family, but acquired its fairy-tale appearance in the 1860s, when it was rebuilt according to the romantic trends fashionable at that time. Seven-story towers, a chapel and a winter garden appeared exactly then. 
Then the castle was empty for more than a hundred years, which however saved it from modernization. After many years of neglect, the state accepted new law about the alienation of abandoned property, and the castle was repaired. Today the castle still belongs to the state. 
When we were in the castle, horses were grazing around it, old cars were driving around, and elderly Swedes were walking with hunting dogs. It feels like you've been transported back at least 100 years into the past. 
You can get to Rindø by free ferry. 
Rindo is definitely worth a visit for fans of defense structures: here, in particular, is located, built in the 19th century. Above ground, only the tip of the iceberg can be seen: most defense structures are underground. Compared to earlier fortifications, which were designed to impress with their high towers and walls, the fort was almost invisible, covered with earth and turf. 
From Oskar Fredriksborg it is visible on the island opposite. 
Swans swim in search of food. 
If you find yourself in this place around 18.00, you can see huge ferries sailing to Helsinki or Tallinn. 
An unexpected attraction awaits you in Varmdø - a farm Siggesta Gård with mini-golf courses, restaurants and other opportunities for interesting pastime, and most importantly, a mini-zoo with alpacas. You can watch these animals forever and they are amazingly soft to the touch. 
Finally, you can do some shopping on the archipelago by visiting one of the glass and porcelain outlets on Gustavsberg.