Asking people what country has the most islands has been the ultimate trick question at bar trivia for years.
Don’t be fooled by the tropical countries- Sweden is a land of islands. With over a quarter million islands to choose from, there’s nothing more Swedish than island hopping!
Let’s briefly ignore the fact that the capital city of Stockholm is itself made up of 14 islands so I can tell you about my favorite island to visit from Stockholm; Vaxholm!
This popular island is known as the ‘capital of the archipelago” and is well suited for first time visitors.
How To Get To Vaxholm
Vaxholm is accessible by land and by boat. The fastest way to get to Vaxholm is to take Bus 670 from Tekniska högskolan to Vaxholm. This trip will take about 50 minutes one way.
Alternatively, if the weather is nice, I highly recommend taking a ferry. This route is slightly longer, taking about an hour and ten minutes but is worth it for the ocean views.
There will be people from Strömma and Cinderella selling tickets along Stockholm’s ports, but the ferry is also available and can be paid for using a regular SL transit card.
I took Stromma’s ferry for about $40, but I imagine that the ferry is cheaper.
There are two ‘Vaxholm’ stops on this route, one more populated than the other. Make sure that you’re hopping off at the second, busier stop. You’ll see a big yellow hotel building and likely a crowd!
What to Do in Vaxholm
Vaxholm Fortress
Pretty much the first thing you’ll notice when arriving the Voxholm is its fortress- which makes sense, right? This building sits slightly apart from town on its own island- this is the stop you don’t want to get off (unless you want to visit the fortress).
The 16th century fortress now houses a museum, hotel and conference center.
Waxholms Hotell
The pale yellow Vaxholm Hotel is the first thing you see when you get off the ferry in Vaxholm. This historic hotel has been open since 1902 and offers modern rooms with great views of the archipelago.
Wander The Town
While you’re in Vaxholm, make sure to leave time to leisurely explore the town. I found a bunch of really cool thrift shops to explore, and I really liked hopping through all the specialty shops- especially the bakeries.
For some reason, when I pictured Vaxholm, I was specifically picturing their Falu Red Houses. This red color is a byproduct of Falun copper mine, and is traditionally used to help weatherproof wooden houses. It also makes them extremely picturesque! Just keep in mind that people do live in these houses, so be respectful of their neighborhood when visiting.
Kayak
Being an island, there are a ton of opportunities to explore the water, with kayaking being particularly popular. Vaxholm has several rental units that offer equipment for visitors- they’re kind of like lockers. You’ll have to download an app, select your equipment (I.e single kayak, double kayak, stand up paddle), and how long you want to use it. After paying, your selected item will unlock and you can use it to your heart’s desire.
I was excited to try kayaking here, but cell service was not great and we had a lot of trouble with the app. The launching point at the rental unit we chose was a little tight, and honestly we didn’t have that much time before we had to head back to Stockholm, so we ended up scrapping the kayaking plan.
Swimming
If kayaking not for you, you can always swim at the local beaches for free! I wasn’t getting wet on my visit (a Swedish August isn’t that warm when you’re coming from a daily temperature of 90F!), but these beaches are recommended by Stromma.
SkyPark Vaxholm
For a more adventurous visit, check out Stockholm’s largest adventure park! SkyPark Vaxholm offers climbing parks, zip lines etc
Where to Eat and Drink In Vaxholm
Vaxholm Hembygdsgårds
If you only see one thing in Vaxholm, make it this. This charming cafe is located in a colorful yellow house right on the water! Pastries are laid out on a big table together and you can choose what you like from the selection. I got a drink from the bar out back and spent much of a sunny day sipping on my spritz in the lovely garden.
I would genuinely make it a point to go back here if I found myself back in Stockholm- that’s how much I enjoyed this cafe!
Glass på Hörnet
Just past the ferry port, Glass på Hörnet is a tempting stop for a sweet treat. They offer 20 different types of handmade gelato, ice cream, and yes- even some vegan friendly sorbets! Its a great way to cool down on a hot day.
Hamnkrogen Vaxholm
This local restaurant has been serving locals and visitors alike since the 50s! With its great location along the water, its the perfect place to stop for food or just drinks with a view!
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