Summer Adventures
Plan your sunniest Vaxholm days with kayaks, swims, saunas, island trips, and picnics.
Vaxholm Camping & Outdoor Activities
Vaxholm Camping on Eriksö Island is a hub of outdoor fun for all ages. Whether you’re scaling treetops, paddling the calm waters, or putting your way through a sunny game of mini golf, there’s something for every kind of adventurer.
Vaxön Skypark
A treetop adventure park with obstacle courses and zip lines among the pines — great for families and thrill-seekers alike. Suitable for both kids and adults looking for a little forest excitement.
Camping Mini Golf
A classic mini golf course right at the campsite — perfect for a relaxed afternoon game with family or friends. Casual, fun, and open to all ages. A great way to wind down after a morning on the water.
Vaxön Camping
Beautifully situated on Eriksö with full facilities, bookable padel courts, and easy access to the water. A perfect base for exploring the island and launching day trips further into the archipelago.
Canoeing & Rowing Club
An active club right on the water with an illuminated running track around the grounds — open to visitors. A wonderful spot to paddle out at dusk or take an evening lap along the shoreline.
Vaxholms Kastell — The Fortress in the Water
Vaxholms Kastell is one of the most iconic sights in the entire archipelago — a 16th-century fortress sitting on its own small island just a short boat ride from Vaxholm harbor. It has guarded the sea route to Stockholm for centuries, and today it’s one of the best-preserved military fortifications in Sweden.
The fortress now houses Vaxholms Fästningsmuseum, run by the Swedish National Fortifications Agency, with exhibitions on its history, the soldiers who lived here, and Sweden’s coastal defense.
Getting There
Take the small ferry Kastellet from Vaxholm harbor — it runs frequently in summer and takes only a few minutes. The crossing itself is part of the experience.
What to See
- The fortress walls and cannon placements
- The museum inside the keep
- Stunning 360° views of the archipelago from the ramparts
- The peaceful grounds inside the walls
Go in the late afternoon — the light on the water from the ramparts is something I never get tired of, even after 18 years.
Agaton Vangstad
Local Ice Cream Worth the Walk
After a day on the water, nothing beats a proper Swedish glass. Here’s where Agaton goes — and where you should too.
Glass på Hörnet
Right in the heart of Vaxholm city, just beside the old Vaxholm Hotel. It’s the kind of spot you stumble upon on a waterfront stroll and immediately know you’ve found the right place. Agaton’s personal pick — go for a scoop, stay for the view.
Pricing
Harbour Day
Most summer activities in Vaxholm are pleasantly affordable. Expect guided walking tours and museum visits from around 80–150 SEK per person, kayak or SUP rentals from roughly 200–350 SEK for a couple of hours, and full‑day bike rentals from about 250–400 SEK. Classic boat trips out into the archipelago usually start around 150–250 SEK for short hops to nearby islands, with longer sightseeing cruises and seal safaris typically ranging from 350–650 SEK depending on length and season.
✓ Fika break
✓ Kayak rental
✓ Beach access
✓ Sauna session
Island Escape
To budget a typical Vaxholm day, plan roughly 400–800 SEK per person for activities if you mix a few highlights. A relaxed, lower‑cost day might be a scenic ferry ride to a nearby island (150–250 SEK), a short kayak or SUP session (200–300 SEK), and ice cream on the waterfront. A more activity‑packed day—such as a full‑day archipelago cruise (400–650 SEK), bike rental (250–400 SEK), plus entry to local attractions—can land closer to 700–1,200 SEK per person, depending on choices and timing.
✓ Boat tour
✓ Ice cream
✓ Bike hire
✓ Island maps
Insider
Get seasonal tips, last-minute island ideas, and local updates.
Vangstad's guide to the Swedish archipelago 