If you’re visiting Stockholm and want to experience the magic of the Swedish archipelago without renting a boat or planning an overnight trip, Vaxholm is your answer. Just one hour from the city by ferry, this charming island town is packed with colorful wooden houses, fresh seafood, a 16th-century fortress, and the kind of slow, quiet energy that makes you want to stay forever. Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect Vaxholm day trip from Stockholm.
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Why Visit Vaxholm?
Vaxholm is often called the capital of the Stockholm archipelago. It’s one of the most accessible islands from Stockholm, making it an easy add to any itinerary. But easy to get to doesn’t mean it’s a tourist trap — it’s actually the opposite. Colorful wooden houses, a quiet harbor, and a town with a lot of character. You won’t find any crowds. It’s just a really charming Swedish island.
How to Get to Vaxholm from Stockholm
Getting to Vaxholm is half the fun. You have a few options:
By Public Ferry (Waxholmsbolaget): The most scenic and affordable option. Ferries depart from Strömkajen in central Stockholm (opposite the Grand Hotel) and take about one hour. You can use your SL transit card to board — no need to book in advance. Check the Waxholmsbolaget app for schedules, as frequency varies by season.
By Guided Boat (Strömma): If you’d like commentary along the way, Strömma operates a classic archipelago vessel called S/S Stockholm that departs from Strandvägen. The journey takes about 1.5 hours and includes live narration about the archipelago. A faster 50-minute ferry option is also available.
By Bolt or Uber: You can also take a rideshare from Stockholm, though availability to and from Vaxholm isn’t always guaranteed — so don’t rely on it as your only plan, especially for the return trip (we learned this the hard way!)
Pro tip: Arrive at the dock early on weekends, especially in summer. Ferries can fill up quickly.
Things to Do in Vaxholm
Start with a Floating Sauna at Vaxholms Bastubåt
If you really want to do Vaxholm right, book a session at Vaxholms Bastubåt before anything else. This floating sauna sits right on the water and offers one of the most uniquely Scandinavian experiences you can have. You alternate between the heat of the sauna and jumping into the cool archipelago water, with stunning views all around you. It’s the perfect way to kick off the day and fully embrace the Nordic way of life. You can learn about our full experience there on our blog post: Stockholm’s Floating Sauna Experience.
Explore Vaxholm Fortress
The fortress is Vaxholm’s most iconic landmark and for good reason. Built in 1544 to guard Stockholm’s sea routes from enemy ships, it sits on its own tiny island just across the harbor from town. You can admire it up close by boat — the view of the fortress rising straight out of the water with the Swedish flag flying above is genuinely impressive. In season (mid-May to mid-September), a cable-operated ferry takes you across to explore Vaxholms Fästnings Museum, which has an extensive collection of cannons, mines, and exhibits about military history and daily life on the island through the centuries.
Lunch at Hamnkrogen
For lunch, head to Hamnkrogen, one of Vaxholm’s best waterfront restaurants. The menu leans into classic Swedish flavors. We had cured salmon carpaccio, Jerusalem artichoke soup with bacon and croutons, Swedish meatballs with lingonberry and mashed potatoes, and a burger, but they offer a lot of seafood options as well. The portions are generous, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the harbor views are great. They also have a lot of local beer options. The water taxi driver we had from the sauna actually suggested this as it is a local favorite, so I’m glad we went!
Wander the Colorful Streets of Vaxholm
After lunch, set aside time to simply explore on foot. Vaxholm’s streets are lined with beautifully preserved wooden houses in classic Swedish colors — soft greens, warm yellows, deep reds. There’s no particular route to follow. Just walk, look up, and take it all in. The town is small enough that you won’t get lost, and every corner has something worth photographing.
While you’re wandering, a few spots worth seeking out:
- Batteriparken — A former military area turned into a lovely park with panoramic views of the fortress and the archipelago.
- Vaxholms Kyrka — The town church is pretty and well-kept, and worth a quick look even from the outside.
- Roddarhuset — A charming gallery and café in one, where you can browse local art and crafts and stop for a glass of wine, a light meal, or a fika with homemade cakes.
- Galleri Lena Linderholm — Another local art gallery with colorful ceramics and artwork. This is a great spot for picking up a unique souvenir.
- Vaxholms Hembygdsgårds Café — A beloved local café set in a beautiful spot by the water. Highly rated and well worth a stop for traditional Swedish fika.
- Norrhamnsbadet — If you’re visiting in summer and feeling brave, this is a popular local swimming spot right on the Baltic Sea.
- Vaxholm Cykeluthyrning — Prefer to explore on two wheels? This bike rental shop is just a two-minute walk from the ferry and is a great way to cover more ground at your own pace.
Stop for a Coffee or Drink at Waxholms Hotell Before You Head Back
Before you catch the ferry back to Stockholm, stop into the iconic Waxholms Hotell for a coffee or a drink. This historic hotel sits right on the harbor and its lounge is exactly the kind of cozy, old-world Swedish space you’d want to end a day in — striped armchairs, copper tables, and windows looking straight out over the water. Order something, settle in, and resist the urge to book a room on the spot.
Where to Stay in Vaxholm
While Vaxholm makes a great day trip, it’s also worth considering an overnight stay if your schedule allows.
- Waxholms Hotell — The classic choice and the most central option on the island. Rooms overlook the harbor and the hotel has a lovely restaurant.
- Sjövillan B&B — Easy access to ferry, plus kayaking and other water sports.
- Vaxholm Fortress B&B — For something truly unique, you can actually stay within the fortress walls. Limited availability, so book well in advance.
- Stockholm (as a base) — If you’re day tripping, staying in central Stockholm gives you easy ferry access. We stayed at the Hilton Stockholm Slussen, which was a great option right in Old Town.
Practical Tips for Your Vaxholm Day Trip
- When to go: Vaxholm is lovely year-round but is at its best from May through September when the fortress is open and the outdoor seating at restaurants is buzzing.
- How long to spend: A full day (6–7 hours) is ideal. You can do it in half a day if you’re short on time, but you’ll want longer.
- Getting around: Vaxholm is entirely walkable, or rent a bike for a different perspective.
- Cash vs. card: Sweden is largely cashless. Cards are accepted everywhere.
- Rideshare: Bolt and Uber can work but availability to and from Vaxholm isn’t always guaranteed — the ferry is your safest bet for the return.
- What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, layers (the sea breeze is real), and a camera you’ll actually use.
Wrapping Up Vaxholm Day Trip
Vaxholm is one of those places that doesn’t try too hard. It’s simply a beautiful, quiet island town with great food, a fascinating fortress, and the kind of unhurried atmosphere that reminds you what travel is actually for. Whether you’re sweating it out in a floating sauna, eating meatballs by the water, or just wandering streets lined with colorful wooden houses, a day in Vaxholm is a day very well spent.
