Vangstad's guide to the Swedish archipelago

A dynamic photographic overhead view of summer activities in Vaxholm’s surrounding archipelago: a cluster of small rocky islands covered in pine trees and smooth sun-warmed granite, surrounded by deep blue water. A bright red kayak glides between islands, leaving a delicate wake, while a classic white motorboat anchors near a flat rock with a neatly folded towel and a picnic basket resting on it. The golden evening sun creates sparkling reflections on the water and long, soft shadows from the trees, giving a sense of adventure and freedom. The composition uses rule of thirds with crisp realism and vibrant colors, perfectly illustrating playful summer fun in the Vaxholm area.

Island Hopping

Meet the closest islands, how to reach them, and what makes each stop worth the detour.

Sandhamn Route

Illustration of a stack of folded shirts

Grinda Escape

A serene photographic scene of Vaxholm Fortress seen from the water, its round stone walls and red-roofed buildings rising from a small island covered in green grass and leafy trees. The camera is positioned low on the surface of the water, capturing gentle waves in the foreground and the fortress centered in the distance. Soft, slightly overcast light diffuses evenly across the scene, creating subtle textures in the stone, foliage, and water without harsh shadows. A white archipelago ferry passes in the background, slightly blurred to emphasize the historic structure. The mood is calm and slightly adventurous, with a realistic, documentary feel that showcases this iconic local landmark.

“We planned our entire island-hopping week from Vaxholm using this guide—every boat trip felt effortless.”

— Aya Nakamura

Getting Here — The Ferry from Stockholm

The best way to arrive in Vaxholm is by boat. Waxholmsbolaget boats leave from Strömkajen in central Stockholm, right by the Grand Hôtel. The trip takes about an hour through the inner archipelago — past Skeppsholmen, through narrow straits, between pine-covered islands — and it’s an attraction in itself. By the time the Vaxholm Fortress comes into view, you’re already in the right headspace.

The money tip most visitors don’t know

Vaxholm is inside Stockholm’s SL zone, which means a standard SL single ticket (43 kr) works on the Waxholmsbolaget boat — and covers your metro or bus to Strömkajen too. One ticket, door to dock. The Waxholmsbolaget single costs around 104 kr. Most tourists buy it without knowing they don’t have to. On weekdays, SL commuter ferry line 83 is another option, fully covered by SL tickets and travel cards.

Practical notes

Boats leave from Strömkajen (closest metro: Kungsträdgården, blue line)
Check timetables at sl.se or waxholmsbolaget.se — schedules vary by season
In summer, boats run frequently; in winter, plan ahead
Bring a jacket even in summer — it gets breezy on deck

Take the boat, settle in, and let the city slip away behind you. By the time you step off in Vaxholm harbor, you’re already on holiday.

Ferry Tickets and Costs — What You Need to Know

If you’re just going Stockholm–Vaxholm, an SL single ticket (43 kr) is almost always your best bet. It covers the Waxholmsbolaget ferry from Strömkajen and the metro or bus you use to get there. Tap in once, ride all the way — locals use this, tourists rarely do.

Waxholmsbolaget also sells their own distance-based singles, roughly 61–186 kr depending on how far out you're heading. You can pay by card on board or sort it in advance via the SL app. Keep the paper ticket or have your phone ready: you hand it over or show it when you step off, not when you board.

The seasonal Cinderella boats are the pretty option: older-style ships, open decks, more of a cruise vibe. A return Stockholm–Vaxholm is around 390 kr. They run far fewer departures than the regular ferries, so think of them as a scenic day out, not a flexible commute.

In summer, regular Waxholmsbolaget boats to Vaxholm run several times an hour, so there's no need to sprint for a specific departure. For current timetables and live prices, the SL app is the thing that's actually up to date — schedules shift between summer and winter, and prices quietly creep up now and then.