The Stockholm Archipelago - A Spectacular Destination

About 80 kilometers separate the city centre from the Baltic. And in this whole area you find almost nothing but islands, rocks and water.

Some islands are flat, other hilly. Some are covered with only a few bushes, other with forest. Some have beaches, other have rocks.

Have been there yourself? Tell others which island you like most!

The video below was taken during a boat trip to Grinda island. Press the Play button to watch the video.

The Stockholm archipelago was created at the end of the Ice Age. It stayed intact ever since.

Only few people have their homes there. Most of these live in the gentle fisher town of Vaxholm, one of the pearls of the archipelago. But many Stockholmers spend their holidays on one the numerous islands, staying in cottages of all sizes. From plain wooden sheds to palace-like buildings: there are houses for every one.

The archipelago – in Swedish Stockholms skärgård – is stunningly beautiful. Even in winter many Swedes defy the cold to enjoy the area.

You can make guided boat tours from the heart of the capital to the archipelago. Or just use the ferry service which works like a bus on water.

Ferry boats leave several times a day from Strömkajen and Nybrohamnen, in every season.



Some islands that are worth to visit:

• Finnhamn – Small, but a perfect place for nature lovers. The forests and meadows are great for long walks. There is a hostel, in case you want to stay overnight. The boat takes you there in about three hours.
• Grinda – Beaches, rocks, a restaurant, a youth hostel, camping ground, summer cottages, cycle tracks. Grinda is a great place for hobby fishermen. The archipelago is said to be one of the world’s best waters for pike! The boat trip to Grinda takes about two hours.
• Vaxholm – Island inhabited since the 16th Century. The location was of military importance long time ago. The citadel reminds you of that. The harbor of the lovely town is blessed with a permanent holiday feel. The boat trip from Strömkajen to Vaxholm lasts only one hour. Read more here.
• Utö – Inhabited since the Viking age, although still only 300 people live here permanently. This island with its sandy beaches and beautiful cliffs is one of the most popular holiday destinations of the Stockholm islands. All facilities (restaurant, hotel, hostel etc.) are available. Getting there by boat takes about 2,5 hours.

This is only a small selection. It is very well possible that you will discover your own favorite once you make a trip.

You won’t find many capitals in the world with such a large area of unspoiled nature just around the corner!

There are 20,000+ islands in the Stockholm archipelago. That's quite a number to choose from! So... make it easier for others, and tell us which island has kept your heart and why.

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Husaro 
We love to go to Husarö. It's not as well known as Utö or Finnhamn (which is the neighboring island) and it's not a big island but there's a lot you can ...