6 Best Sights in Vaxholm and the Archipelago, Side Trips from Stockholm

In the archipelago, 12 miles east of Stockholm, stands this art and cultural venue, a 110,000-square-foot, primarily glass structure in which you can check out art exhibits, marvel at Swedish design, dig into local organic cuisine, or listen to world-class music. You might also just want to come to soak up the fresh breeze along the waterfront here.

If you'd prefer to stay on board a boat and simply cruise around the islands, seek out the Blidösund. A coal-fired steamboat built in 1911 that has remained in almost continuous service, the Blidösund is now run by a small group of enthusiasts who take parties of around 250 on evening music-and-dinner cruises. The cruises depart from a berth close to the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

In the 19th century these four secluded islands were the last chance for archipelago residents to take a break before rowing into Stockholm to sell their produce. After more than 60 years as a military zone, the islands were opened to the public in the early 1980s. Today they are crammed with arts-and-crafts studios, shops, several restaurants and cafés, a traditional boat exhibit, an ingenious "shipwreck" playground, and a smoked-fish shop. It takes a 25-minute ferry ride to get here from Stockholm; boats depart from Slussen and Strandvägen, May to early September.

The island of Grinda has been popular with Stockholmers for a long time. Walking paths cut through the woods and open fields, making exploring easy. It takes just 15 minutes to walk from one end of the island to the other. If you want to stay longer, there’s an inn, Grinda Wärdshus, that dates from the turn of the 20th century and also has a noted restaurant, as well as kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and Jet Skis for rent. The trip from Stockholm to Grinda takes about two hours.

One of the most popular excursions is to Sandhamn, the main town on the island of Sandön, which is home to about 100 permanent residents. The journey takes about three hours by steamship, but there are faster boats available. The Royal Swedish Yacht Club was founded here at the turn of the 20th century, and sailing continues to be a popular sport. Its fine-sand beaches also make it an ideal spot for swimming. Another option is to try scuba diving—introductory lessons are available. Explore the village of Sandhamn and its narrow alleys and wooden houses, or stroll out to the graveyard outside the village, where tombstones bear the names of sailors from around the world.

At the far southern tip of Stockholm's archipelago lies Trosa, a town full of wooden houses that's right on the Baltic Sea. The tiny river that runs through the middle of the town is flanked by beautiful villas painted white, red, yellow, and mint green—a reflection of Trosa's heritage as a seaside retreat for stressed but wealthy Stockholmers. Around the small, cobbled town square are arts-and-crafts shops and market stalls selling fish, fruit, and vegetables.