So you are eager to start exploring the blue waters around Stockholm? Why not start with a boat trip to Vaxholm – the gateway to the archipelago of Stockholm. Just an hour away, passing the beautiful scenery of the Swedish capital along the way. Sitting on the deck of a turn-of-the-century steamship, wind in your hair and staring in awe at the many luxurious wooden houses lining the shores and crowning the islands. I could not think of a better way to spend a sunny summer’s day.
How to get to Vaxholm
You can go by a few means of transportations to Vaxholm. We choose to go by the boats of Waxholmsbolaget that depart from Strömkajen in front of Grand Hotel. A five-minute stroll from Sergels Torg. You buy the ticket on board. To Vaxholm, the ticket price is 93 SEK, single way. Time table.
You can also board a Cinderella boat from Strandvägen. They are of a more modern touch, take 50 minutes and cost from 125 SEK, single way. You can buy tickets online. If you prefer to go by land transportation, take bus 670 from Tekniska Högskolan/Östra Station. It takes about 45 minutes and will cost you 37 SEK, single way. Ticket info and time table.
Waxholmsbolaget is a Swedish shipping company who runs boat and ferry services in the Stockholm archipelago. The services are mostly tax-funded and are a part of the public transport system in Stockholm County. Some ferry lines run all year round. 60 boats traffic the many islands and mainland harbours and, during the summer, 299 jetties are docked between Arholma island in the north to Öja island in the south. 1,8 million passengers use the facilities of Waxholmsbolaget each year.
First stop Nacka Strand
The first stop between Strömkajen and Vaxholm is Nacka Strand. The quay is lined with people fishing Baltic herring. A small, silvery fish, quite easy to catch. It is a Swedish delicacy. In my opinion, it’s filled with far too many fish bones to be worth your while.
Nacka Strand has the famous fountain sculpture by Carl Milles, God our Father on the Rainbow. It also boasts the four-star Hotel J, which is a great stay if you would like to explore a more urban archipelago near the city of Stockholm.
Arriving in Vaxholm
As you get closer, you will see two landmarks significant to Vaxholm: Waxholms Hotell and Vaxholms Kastell. The four-star hotel overlooking the harbour has a classic restaurant, a summer bistro, a bar and offers spa treatments. Vaxholms Kastell is a former fortress from the 16th century, now offering a bed & breakfast, a summer café, conference facilities, art exhibitions, a museum, guided tours and adventurous family activities.
The boat docks just in front of Vaxholms Hotell. The small harbour is the perfect place to start exploring Vaxholm. If you arrive early in the morning, or whenever really, sit down at the café by the water and have a coffee or an ice cream. Or bring your own breakfast and have a seat at one of the many benches. People-watching is one of our favourite activities.
Vaxholm
Vaxholm’s ”main street”, Hamngatan, Harbour Street, runs from the right edge of the harbour, past Vaxholm Hotell, through the roundabout and further along Vaxön, which is the name of this island. Near the harbour, the street is lined with small shops and restaurants.
One of the main things you should do when in Vaxholm is walking. Walking and observing. It truly is a treat just strolling around the residential neighbourhoods with the many turn-of-the-century houses crowning the small hills overlooking the water. One of our favourite buildings is the wooden house in the unusual colour of pink(!) on Lotsgatan. Such a dream house with the most spectacular view!
Closer to the waters of Norrhamnen, Cronhamnsgränd gives you idyllic red cottages and boathouses. Walk down to the cliffs and take a swim if the water is warm enough, or take the stairs up on the hill to the lookout. Eat your lunch sitting on the grass or try one of Vaxholm’s restaurants.
To do and see in Vaxholm
Apart from the free and lovely activity of walking, there are plenty of other things to do in Vaxholm. Here are our favourites:
Vaxholms Kastell
You reachVaxholms Kastell by a short ferry ride from Österhamnen. Read more about the history here.
Among the things to do at Kastellet, we find these two very interesting: Kastellet Escape Adventure sounds thrilling. You have 45 minutes to escape from a prison cell by solving interactive puzzles and riddles. Fun or claustrophobic? Not a summer activity of course, but the Christmas smorgasbord at Vaxholms Kastell has been on my bucket list for years. The food, the atmosphere, the ambience!
Summer market and rowing competition
Each year, on the third Saturday in August, the well-visited market in Vaxholm takes place. The program includes the traditional Strömmingsrodden, an hour-long rowing-competition starting from Norrhamnen. Also, there is music entertainment and many market stalls selling products from the islands.
The sculpture park
Since 2011, an annual outdoor art exhibition is arranged in Ekuddsparken. Artists from all over Sweden are showing pieces of various techniques and materials. I like the sculpture park for its accessibility all around the clock. Art becomes a natural and fascinating part of nature.
Art exhibitions at Roddarhuset
In addition to the sculpture park there are also art exhibitions indoor at Roddarhuset nearby down by the water.
In Roddarhuset you will find art, handicrafts and design in galleries and a shop. They show around 15 art exhibitions each year as well as musical evenings and art classes. They have a café and outdoor seating by the water.
Eating in the harbour area
Having lunch in the sun at Grekiska Grill & Bar can be recommended. The food is delicious and the service is very welcoming. And the location at Söderhamnsplan in the harbour is perfect. There are more restaurants around the harbour and along Hamngatan. You can have pizza, pasta and hamburgers at 10’an Sportsbar or more exclusive food at Waxholms Hotell. The ice-cream shop at the corner of the hotell is very popular. Magasinet i Vaxholm has a roof-top bistro at Strandvägen with views over Kastellet .
Visit and explore Vaxholm!
Hopefully, we have been able to spark your interest for a day trip to or a weekend in Vaxholm. The perfect place for that summery and Swedish seaside feeling. You cannot go wrong by visiting Vaxholm – the gateway to the archipelago of Stockholm.
We will continue our weekend with a visit to Fredriksborg Hotell on Värmdö. Read about the weekend it here! And read our hotel review here.
