Visit Vaxholm - The Charming Gateway To The Archipelago

Vaxholm – The Ever Charming Gateway To The Archipelago

Northern harbor in Vaxholm, Sweden.

Vaxholm is one of the most popular destinations of the Stockholm archipelago. It’s a charming old town with a pleasant atmosphere and some interesting historic sites. The ferry from the capital’s centre takes you there in less than one hour, and is a joy on its own.

Arriving in Vaxholm is always something beautiful – even if you’re not lucky with the weather. See the harbor with its cafés and hotel, the silhouette of the town centre and the old fortress ... and you will forget the stress and speed of modern life in less than a second.

Vaxholm was not always that peaceful. In the 16th Century King Gustav Vasa turned the island into a military base, supposed to frighten the Danes and the Russians. The first fortress was built and the nearby settlement quickly became a lively town.

The municipality now has 9,500 inhabitants, of which 5,000 live on the main island. Stockholmers value the town. Many moved there or use it as a summer resort. It has become the gateway to the archipelago.

The military have long gone. The Vaxholm Kastellet (castle) on the rock at the east side is now a museum for coastal defense. There’s also a conference center and a very nice Bed & Breakfast accommodation.

Make a walking tour through the old town centre and you will find several other places of interest.

For example the Customs House from 1736, back then one of only three buildings that were allowed to be built in stone. The other two were the fortress and the church at Kungsgatan.

Also, go and see the town hall. It was rebuilt in 1925 and crowned with an onion-shaped dome at the roof.

Hamngatan, shopping street. Batteriet is the name of a hill from where you can sit and relax, enjoying a nice view over the bay.

Close-by is the small northern harbor which is simply too picturesque to miss. Make a walk in the area, stroll along the calm streets and you will understand why so many have fallen in love with this place.

Vaxholm is maybe too small to spend your whole vacation there, but if you don’t have much time but still want to catch a glimpse of the archipelago, then this is the place to see.

Since two bridges connected the island with the mainland, you can reach Vaxholm by car (take road 274) and bus (line 670, departing from the underground station Danderyd hospital).

However, you will miss a joyful boat trip then.

The ferry departs several times a day from Strömkajen, in front of the Grand Hôtel. Click here to find the time tables for your boat trip to Vaxholm.

SBI!