Stockholm Archipelago

The Stockholm Archipelago (Stockholms skärgård) is one of Scandinavia's most impressive natural wonders: Over 30,000 islands, islets, and skerries stretch from the city limits out into the open Baltic Sea — an 80-kilometer-long archipelago of granite rocks, pine forests, and rust-red wooden houses. The archipelago is what Stockholmers call "home" — many families have had a summer house (stuga) on one of the islands for generations.

The islands are divided into three zones, becoming increasingly barren and wild:

Inner Archipelago (30–60 min from Stockholm)

• Vaxholm: The "capital of the archipelago" — reachable by ferry in 35 minutes. A charming small town with colorful wooden houses, the Vaxholms Fästning (fortress on a nearby island, reachable by a small ferry, 30 SEK), pretty cafés, and fish restaurants. Perfect for a half-day trip. Freshly smoked fish is available directly from the boat at the harbor.
• Fjäderholmarna: The closest islands (25 min from Nybroplan) — with craft studios, breweries, and restaurants. Perfect for a relaxed afternoon if time is short for more distant islands.

Middle Archipelago (1–2 hours from Stockholm)

• Grinda: The "bathing island" — beautiful bathing cliffs, hiking trails, and an inn (Grinda Wärdshus). The perfect island for a summer day: take the ferry in the morning, spend the day on the rocks, return in the evening.
• Möja: Atmospheric fishing village on the outer edge — Möja Värdshus serves the freshest fish in the archipelago. Only about 200 people live here year-round.
• Finnhamn: Hiking paradise with accommodation options (stugor and hostel). Three connected islands with marked trails, bathing cliffs, and absolute peace.

Outer Archipelago (2–3 hours from Stockholm)

• Sandhamn: The most famous place in the archipelago — historic sailing harbor (the renowned Gotland Runt regatta takes place here), white sandy beaches (Trouville — one of the most beautiful beaches in the region), restaurants, and a lively summer atmosphere. Fans of the crime series "The Sandhamn Murders" (Viveca Sten) know the island from TV.
• Utö: The southernmost inhabited island of the archipelago — with Sweden's oldest iron mine (since the 12th century), beautiful bike paths, and one of the best inns in the archipelago (Utö Wärdshus, since 1721!).
• Landsort: The southernmost tip — a nature reserve with a lighthouse and dramatic rocky landscape.

★★ Artipelag

An art center in the archipelago (Gustavsberg, 20 km from Stockholm) that combines architecture, art, and nature: The spectacular building by Johan Nyrén is embedded in the rocks and pine forest, with huge glass fronts facing the water. Changing exhibitions of contemporary art, an excellent restaurant, and nature trails by the water. Accessible by bus or boat from Stockholm. Tip: The combination of art exhibition, lunch, and a forest walk makes a perfect half-day trip.

Admission: 150 SEK (13 €). Bus 474 from Slussen (30 min) or archipelago ferry.

Getting There & Ferries

Waxholmsbolaget operates the public ferry network — the boats are white with a green stripe and depart from Strandvägen (Nybroplan) and Strömkajen in Stockholm. Day tickets (180 SEK / 16 €) and multi-day tickets are available. In summer, ferries run until 11 p.m. The ships have cafeterias on board — the journey itself is an experience, with changing views of islands, lighthouses, and red wooden houses.

Cinderellabåtarna is a faster alternative (express boats) to more distant islands like Sandhamn and Möja — more expensive but time-saving (from 250 SEK one way).