Go island hopping in Stockholm’s archipelago
The best way to experience the Stockholm archipelago is to travel by ferry from island to island. Load up your backpack and leave your troubles behind on the mainland. Lapping waves, sunny rock ledges, and unparalleled scenery await you. Boats run year-round. Here’s your guide!
How:
Single ticket – For those only making a few trips. Ticket prices vary according to route from SEK 50 to 150.
Island hopping pass – Good for five days and costs SEK 420. Valid on Waxholmsbolaget’s boats and regularly scheduled trips on the somewhat faster Cinderella boats.
Monthly pass – For those planning to stay out for several weeks, it is more economical to buy a monthly pass. Ride as much as you want for a month. This pass also applies to the Cinderella boats’ regular schedules. The price is SEK 750 for adults and SEK 450 for children ages 7-19 and some senior citizens.
Where:
Ask for a Waxholmsbolaget’s island hopping map when you buy a pass or ticket. It has suggestions for different routes and things to do along the way. The area is divided into the northern, central, and southern archipelagos.
Stay:
There are many lodging options. Camp, stay at hostels, or check into hotels, but make reservations well in advance. Hostels fill up particularly quickly. Read more about different hotels and lodging options here and in Waxholmsbolaget’s brochures.
Do:
There is a lot to do and see and you may find it difficult to fit everything in. Hike the islands’ marked trails, go fishing, or rent a kayak and give your arms a good workout. You can rent bikes, go to museums and theaters, visit sites that have inspired music, novels, TV series, and films, or check out the local shops. Or just take it easy with a book and a lounge chair and take a dip or two if it happens to be swimming season.
Tips:
Take along warm, wind-breaking clothes, mosquito repellant, tweezers for removing ticks, and drinking water, since it can be difficult to get fresh water on some islands. A cell phone is also recommended, and don’t forget to tell others where you are going. There are 30,000 islands in the Stockholm archipelago, and you would be hard to find if anyone needed to contact you.