Skip to main content
Stockholm archipelago
Every island in Stockholm arhcipelago has its own little harbour, pier or dock.
Photo credit: Agence les Conteurs

Explore Stockholm archipelago

The Stockholm archipelago of 30,000 islands, skerries and rocks fans out 80 kilometres east from the city, into the Baltic Sea. The excellent boat connections make the islands accessible to visitors, who can enjoy swimming, outdoor activities, traditional Swedish cuisine – and the fresh archipelago air.

The most popular way to get around the Stockholm archipelago, called the 'skärgården' by locals, is by ferry. You can book a range of trips with the ferry service Cinderella and the ferry company Waxholmsbolaget with boats departing from central Stockholm multiple times a day. Tickets for the Cinderella boats can be pre-booked online, but tickets for Waxholmsbolaget's boats can only be purchased on board.

The commuter service of SL operates boat number 83 between Stockholm City, Vaxholm and Rindö. Those visiting Stockholm in the low season (mid-September to April) receive an extra benefit. During this period, those with an SL period ticket valid for at least 30 days can also travel with Waxholmsbolaget at no extra cost.

Activities

There are lots of things to do in the Stockholm archipelago. For example, you can boat, hike, fish, sea kayak, bike, swim and even ice yacht. Many of the accommodations on the islands have kayaks and bikes for hire. The staff (and the locals) can give you tips on the best routes. If you prefer a calmer activity, you can relax on a sandy beach or a secluded rock by the sea. Some islands have spa hotels where you can treat yourself to a soothing relaxation and just soak up the archipelago atmosphere.

Another cosy activity is to visit the small villages on the islands, with their genuine charm and local farm shops and craft stores. If you want a taste of the Swedish nature, forage for wild berries and mushrooms in early autumn. Cook your own fish at BBQ stations at campsites or go gourmet at some of the well known restaurants on Fjäderholmarna, Grinda and Värmdö.

1 / 7

Stockholm archipelago

Every island in Stockholm arhcipelago has its own little harbour, pier or dock.

Photo: Agence les Conteurs

/ 7

Stockholm archipelago

Photo: Agence les Conteurs

Stockholm archipelago

Photo: Agence les Conteurs

Grinda island, Stockholm archipelago

Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se

Stockholm archipelago

Photo: Agence les Conteurs

View from Grinda, Stockholm archipelago

Photo: Agence les Conteurs

Stockholm archipelago

Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se

Kayaking near Gräsö, Stockholm archipelago

Photo: Kerstin Söderberg

Where to stay

Once the refuge of farmers and fishermen, the Stockholm archipelago – the largest in Sweden – is now home to some of the poshest Stockholmers and has over 50,000 holiday homes ranging from red-painted, wooden one-room cottages to full-scale 'I’ve-won-the-lottery' villas. But you don’t have to be a local to stay overnight. There are many different types of accommodation in the Stockholm archipelago. You can stay at a camping site (or a glamping site), in a hostel or rent a cottage. You can also stay in traditional country guesthouses as well as in exclusive spa hotels.

Where to eat

You will not go hungry during your visit, since there are several places to eat in the Stockholm archipelago. The bigger islands, like Vaxholm, Värmdö and Utö have a range of restaurants, bars and cafés to choose between. The smaller islands may have a narrower selection, but the love of quality food is just as great.

At Möja, a small island with 250-year-round residents, you’ll find the famous restaurant Wikströms Fisk. Founded by Rune Wikström, the restaurant is now run by his daughter. Möja island has five villages that are connected by unpaved roads, and most accommodations and restaurants are family-owned. Wikströms Fisk serves different types of fish, that Rune and his family catch themselves.

On the island of Tranholmen, David Enmark has turned his home into a restaurant – DavidAtHome. David welcomes around 40 guests every Friday evening. The restaurant is closing around 10 pm, when the last boat leaves. The menu is based on locally produced ingredients that’s in season, which supports David’s philosophy to reduce food waste. Dinners here get booked up very quickly, so book a table well in advance.

If you’re looking for a different archipelago food experience, pay a visit to Artipelag Restaurant. It's located on the coastal egde of Värmdö, with panoramic windows overlooking the bay Baggensfjärden. The menu is inspired by the surrounding nature and seasonal products. Artipelag is also an art museum, offering exhibitions related to art, architecture and nature.

On the small island of Grinda there is an inn called Grinda Wärdshus. It offers a traditional menu with a genuine archipelago atmosphere. The restaurant serves food that once characterised life among the islands, but with a modern touch. Try their Toast Skagen, Swedish meatballs or fish dishes. In the summer, the inn also operates a drop-in restaurant in the harbour, with a simpler menu, and a grocery store.

1 / 4

Glamping at Island Lodge, Stockholm archipelago

Glamping (glamorous camping) at Island Lodge in the Stockholm archipelago.

Photo: Anna Hållams

/ 4

Glamping at Island Lodge, Stockholm archipelago

Photo: Anna Hållams

STF Gällnö, Stockholm archipelago

Photo: STF/www.swedishtouristassociation.com

Restaurant Artipelag, Värmdö

Photo: Jesus Roger/Artipelag/imagebank.sweden.se

Grinda Wärdshus, Stockholm archipelago

Photo: Agence les Conteurs