Stockholm archipelago

Stockholm archipelago, the islands worth the boat trip and how to get there

12 min read| Updated: 21 October 2026| by Rasmus Bodholdt

The Stockholm archipelago begins just outside the city and stretches far out into the Baltic Sea. Here are the islands worth the boat trip, from Fjäderholmarna, a short ride from town, to the sandy beaches of Nåttarö. You will also find out how to get there, where to eat and stay, and what to do along the way. The most comfortable way to see the archipelago is a boat tour in Stockholm straight from the heart of the city.

The aft deck of the classic archipelago steamer Blidösund

The Stockholm archipelago at a glance

The Stockholm archipelago stretches from the city far out into the Baltic Sea, with about 30,000 islands, islets and skerries according to Länsstyrelsen, the county administrative board. Around 200 of them are inhabited. It is usually divided into a northern, middle and southern archipelago, though the borders are not sharp. Swedes also talk about the inner archipelago, with large islands close to the mainland, the middle archipelago, with wooded islands and sheltered bays, and the outer archipelago, with bare skerries and open sea. The largest islands are Värmdö, Väddö, Ingarö and Ljusterö. Fjäderholmarna, Vaxholm and Grinda are close to the city, while Sandhamn, Utö and Nåttarö take longer to reach.
The classic archipelago boat M/S Riddarholmen on the water

How to get to the archipelago

Public boats in the archipelago are run by Waxholmsbolaget, which serves 299 piers in summer. Many boats leave from Strömkajen by the Grand Hotel, and the trip to Vaxholm takes about an hour. Between Strömkajen and Vaxholm a regular SL ticket is valid all year. Further out you need a Waxholmsbolaget ticket, or a combined SL and Waxholmsbolaget ticket in the SL app that is valid for three hours. In the low season, 14 September to 29 April, SL tickets valid for 30 days or longer are valid on all Waxholmsbolaget boats. For the southern archipelago you usually go to the mainland first, by bus to Årsta brygga for Utö or to Nynäshamn for Nåttarö. The timetable changes four times a year, so check waxholmsbolaget.se before you go. If you would rather not plan connections, take a guided archipelago tour straight from the city.

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View over Vaxholm

Vaxholm, the capital of the archipelago

Vaxholm is often called the capital of the archipelago and is about an hour by archipelago boat from Strömkajen. The town is spread over several islands and has colourful wooden houses, cafés and small shops. Vaxholm Fortress sits on its own islet. The first fortification was finished in 1560 under Gustav Vasa, and today's fortress was completed in 1863 after 30 years of building. It guarded one of the two channels larger ships could take into Stockholm. If you want to stay the night, there is Waxholms Hotell, open since 1902, and Waxholms Camping with cabins.

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A red wooden house on the rocks by the water on Fjäderholmarna

Fjäderholmarna, closest to the city

Fjäderholmarna are the islands of the archipelago closest to the city, with boats from Stockholm and Nacka Strand. They are first mentioned in a document from 1381. During the Second World War the navy handled ammunition here, and since 1995 the islands have been part of the Royal National City Park. Today there is a wooden boat exhibition, craft studios and several places to eat, including Fjäderholmarnas Krog, Rökeriet and Fjäderholmarnas Bryggeri. It is a summer island. The 2026 season ended on 13 September, so check this year's dates before you go.

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The guest harbour on Grinda with piers, meadows and forest

Grinda, a nature reserve near the city

Grinda is a peaceful island for nature lovers and families looking for some quiet. It is a nature reserve owned and run by Skärgårdsstiftelsen, the Archipelago Foundation, with forest, open meadows and rocky shores. You can walk the trails, swim or eat at Grinda Wärdshus. Boats run all year from Stockholm, Vaxholm and Värmdö and call at Norra and Södra bryggan. To stay the night there are hotel rooms, a hostel, a cabin village and a tent site.

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A red wooden house with a glass veranda on Gällnö

Gällnö, farmland and a sandy beach

Gällnö lies in the middle archipelago between Värmdö and Möja. It has an old farming landscape, the sandy beach at Torsviken and a glacial pothole from the Ice Age, and Båtluffarleden, a rowing route between the islands, passes here. You get there by Waxholmsbolaget boat from Stockholm, or by bus to Sollenkroka or Boda and then by boat. In Gällnö village there is a general store with a restaurant, a hostel and cabins, and there is a tent site at Torsviken.

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A gravel road through the village of Ramsmora on Möja with red houses

Möja, villages and strawberries

Möja lies in the middle archipelago and has around 150 year-round residents. People have lived here since the Viking Age, and strawberries and fish were once shipped from here to Stockholm. Boats come from Stockholm via Vaxholm or from Sollenkroka and call at five piers, Berg, Långvik, Ramsmora, Löka and Möja Ström. The Roland Svensson museum is at Ramsmora pier. You can eat at Jeppes Restaurant and Möja Inn, among others, and stay at Karlbergs Pensionat, Möja Inn or the Möja hostel.
A woman on the beach looking out at a lighthouse islet

Sandhamn, the sailors' island

Sandhamn, on the island of Sandön, is a lively harbour village with a long sailing tradition. The island has wooden houses and sandy beaches such as Trouville, and it is home to Sandhamn Seglarhotell. Boats run all year from Stavsnäs via Runmarö, and in summer there are also boats from Stockholm via Vaxholm.

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Utö Värdshus with its lawn and trees on a summer evening

Utö, the mining village in the south

Utö lies in the southern archipelago and is known for its mining history. Iron ore was mined here as early as the Middle Ages, in what is now called Gruvbyn, and the island has Sweden's oldest preserved windmill, from 1791. There is also the sandy beach of Ålö Storsand. All year you get there by bus from Västerhaninge to Årsta brygga and then by boat, and in summer there are also boats from Stockholm. You can eat at Utö Värdshus, Nya Dannekrogen and Seglarbaren, and stay at the hotel, in hotel cabins, at the hostel or at the campsite.

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The rocky coast and sea on eastern Nåttarö

Nåttarö, beaches and dunes

Nåttarö is the southernmost island in this guide, between Utö and Landsort, and one of the county's first marine nature reserves. It is known for its sandy beaches and dunes, and there is a snorkel trail by the steamboat pier. You get there by Waxholmsbolaget boat from Nynäshamn. In summer Nåttarö Krog is open, and there are cabins, a hostel, tent sites and a guest harbour.

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Hiking trail in the Stockholm archipelago

Hiking in the Stockholm archipelago

The Stockholm Archipelago Trail is a 270 km route over 20 islands, from Arholma in the north to Landsort in the south. It takes you through pine forest, over granite rocks and along sandy beaches, and the sections can be reached by public ferry, so you can do it without a car. Hiking is only one of the best ways to explore Stockholm.

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Kayaking in the Stockholm archipelago

Kayaking in the Stockholm archipelago

With roughly 30,000 islands, the Stockholm archipelago is a fine place to paddle, whether you are a beginner or experienced. You can rent kayaks and join guided tours on several of the islands.
M/S Riddarholmen moored in central Stockholm

Guided archipelago tour from central Stockholm

Take a two and a half hour tour through the inner Stockholm archipelago with Sightseeing Ride's archipelago tour. It leaves from central Stockholm, so there are no boats or connections to plan, and a guide on board tells you about the islands, the channels and archipelago life as you go. There is a bar on board.

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Frequently asked questions about the Stockholm archipelago

Answers to the most common questions about the Stockholm archipelago and how to experience it.

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