Things to do in Vaxholm

Explore Stockholm hassle-free with Go City's all-inclusive sightseeing pass. Choose a 1 to 5 day pass and visit as many attractions as you like. Visit the stunning Royal Palace in the heart of the old town. Step back in time at the Vasa Museum and explore the 19th century replica town complete with craftspeople demonstrating their skills. Relax on a cruise or boat tour exploring the archipelago's many islands. With over 50 museums, historical sites, boat tours, and other iconic sites to choose from, there's something for everyone. The Stockholm Pass includes entry to top activities including the most popular things to do in Stockholm: • The Vasa Museum • The Royal Palace • Gröna Lund Amusement Park (June to September) • Skansen • The Viking Museum • Royal Canal Tour (1 hour) (April to December) • Nobel Prize Museum • Drink at ICEBAR Stockholm • Stockholm Hop On-Hop Off Bus (April to October) • Nordiska museet • SkyView Stockholm • Traditional Swedish Fika at Systrarna Andersson • Drottningholm Palace • Storkyrkan - Stockholm Cathedral • Fotografiska - The Photographic Museum And more! Attractions and tours are subject to change. Check the Go City app or digital guide for the full list of inclusions, opening times, and reservation instructions (where applicable). *Savings based on sample itineraries on the Go City website. 

Join us for an exciting winter kayaking adventure at Skärgårdens Kanotcenter, where our experience speaks for itself in handling special conditions! 'Skärgården' is the Swedish word for 'archipelago,' and that's exactly where your winter adventure begins. Paddle under the guidance of our professional kayaking guide, who will lead you through every step of winter kayaking: from slipping into a cozy drysuit to a safety briefing for cold water conditions, and, of course, kayaking! Our journey takes us through the heart of Stockholm’s Archipelago, with Vaxholm as its archipelagic capital, weaving between charming islands and picturesque Swedish cottages. Pass by the historical Vaxholm fortress that once guarded Stockholm and discover Bogesunds nature reserve and its wildlife. Enjoy the scenic winter views, learn about local life and history through fascinating stories and find yourself immersed in the tranquility of nature, all within just a 30-minute journey from Stockholm. In true Swedish fashion, warm up with a Swedish Fika at the end of your trip. Are you up for the full archipelago experience? Consider our traditional wood-burning sauna and a refreshing cold dip in the sea after your winter kayaking adventure.

Jump into an RIB for a speedboat tour of the awesome Stockholm Archipelago. Admire the colorful 17th-century buildings of the Old Town from the water. Explore landscapes of lush and rocky islands and cruise under impressive bridges. Make your way to the waterway to meet your friendly guide and group for the day. Climb into the RIB boat and feel the wind in your hair as you set off for the Archipelago. Pass by Gamla Stan, Stockholm's Old Town, and watch the reflection of the colored houses in the water. Pick up speed until you enter the Archipelago and view the summer houses on inhabited islands. Cruise around the shore of Sodermalm island and the Nacka Municipality before being immersed in wild scenery of rocks and forests. Head back to Stockholm and enjoy the beautiful view and the history of the Vaxholm Fortress before going under the historic bridges of the Djurgårdsbrunnscanal.

Explore the Stockholm Archipelago on a boat tour from the city center. Admire the natural beauty of the archipelago and learn about the history of the area from your guide. Depart from Skeppsbrokajen, near Bröd och Salt, in Gamla Stan. Along the way, your English-speaking guide will share stories about the sights you pass, the boat itself, the Swedish royal family, and local traditions. Sights on the Stockholm Archipelago Boat Tour include Fjäderholmarna, the Nyckelviken Nature Reserve, Stora Höggarn, and Granholmen. Pass by the Vaxholm Fortress, which dates back to the 16th century and was commissioned by King Gustav Vasa to defend the archipelago. The original fortress withstood attacks twice—once by the Danes and later by the Russians. In the 19th century, the old fortress was replaced with the current one, but tests showed it couldn’t withstand modern attacks, leading to the construction of a new fortress at Oskar-Fredriksborg.

The adventure begins at Skärgårdens Kanotcenter, where you’ll meet your kayaking guide and take part in a short safety briefing. Once you’re familiar with the basic paddling and safety rules, it's time to hop into your sea kayak and explore the archipelago from the perspective of the water. Follow your guide as you paddle around islands, admire typical picturesque wooden cottages and explore the beauty of Vaxholm. With its famous fortress, it's the perfect place to get the full archipelago experience. Immerse yourself in the spectacular natural environment, despite being just 30-minutes from Stockholm. After we’ve done some work out, it’s time to enjoy a "fika" on an island, also known as the Swedish coffee break… and perhaps a dip in the Baltic sea for those who wish. Returning to the water, watch out for local wildlife like beavers and coastal birds, making the experience even more magical. At the end of an unforgettable experience, it’s time to begin the journey back to the starting point, admiring the last of the views along the way. After kayaking, there is the opportunity to book sauna to add a little luxury to the experience. Contact us ahead.

Discover the ultimate escape in the Stockholm Archipelago. Experience a traditional wood-fired sauna, followed by a refreshing plunge into the cold Baltic Sea. Enjoy this exclusive sauna experience with your friends and family, creating a personal and intimate atmosphere that you'll cherish together. Conveniently located at the kayak rental base, the waterfront sauna is pre-warmed and ready for you upon arrival. Enjoy the sauna exclusively with your friends and family, creating a personal and intimate atmosphere. Part of the authentic experience includes tending to the fire yourself, with wood provided on-site. The sauna maintains an optimal temperature range between 60 to 80 degrees Celsius, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Please note that there is no shower available, as the traditional practice of sea dips is embraced year-round. This unique combination of sauna and sea bath offers a holistic approach to relaxation and wellness.

Begin your adventure at Skärgårdens Kanotcenter, where you'll receive your kayak and all necessary paddling equipment. After a thorough safety briefing, you'll be ready to embark on your kayaking journey through the serene waters of Bogesund Nature Reserve, a place where Vikings lived about 1,000 years ago. The calm waters of Bogesund are perfect for everyone, even beginners. Follow our recommendations to discover your favorite island, spot native wildlife like beavers and coastal birds, and perhaps even take a swim in the Baltic Sea. Enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of the archipelago, making lasting memories whether you're seeking a peaceful paddle or an exciting exploration.

Discover Stockholm Archipelago the way it's meant to be discovered - glide along in your kayak in the glow of the sunset light. Perfect and relaxing activity for the end of the day! Your guide will meet you at the kayak center. After the safety briefing and gearing up, we'll jump into our kayaks to explore the archipelago and the nearest nature reserve Bogesund with amazing farms and forests where Vikings were living about 1,000 years ago. We go kayaking in the nearby waters to enjoy the calm and relaxing evening filled with all the wonderful scents of nature. The pace for these tours is a little slower than our normal 4-hour Archipelago Kayak Tour. While the setting sun is the main draw of this tour, wildlife viewing is always on our agenda so we will try to spot native wildlife including beavers, roe deers and coastal birds. The biggest advantage to the sunset kayak tour is definitely the quiet waters. Fewer boats are out at this time of day. Immerse yourself in the spectacular natural environment, despite being just 30-minutes from Stockholm. After kayaking, there is the opportunity to rent a sauna to add a little luxury to the experience. Contact us ahead.

- At 10 am, we embark on a 1900's ship from Stockholm city centre to Vaxholm, a Swedish summer coastal town. - At 11 am, we arrive in Vaxholm and we take another short-ride ferry to explore the 16th-century fortress where battles were fought and military battalions scouted enemies arriving via the Baltic Sea for centuries. - Break for a picnic lunch and then we head back into town via the ferry. - Pass by the old artillery battery tracks on our way to the Vaxholm beach, a place where adults and children alike can enjoy a dip in the Baltic Sea. - Head towards some of Vaxholm's gems, like its main town square and a typical Swedish Midsummer café, where we enjoy some nice fika (pastries and drinks) by the seaside. - Around 4 pm, we return to Stockholm via public transportation. We arrive around 5 pm.

We’ll pick you up from central Stockholm on our stable RIB boat for you to embark on an exhilarating adventure through the stunning Stockholm archipelago with our thrilling RIB boat experience combined with a visit to the beautiful Island of Grinda. Feel the rush of adrenaline as you speed across the sparkling waters aboard our high-speed RIB boat, cutting through the waves with ease. Take in panoramic views of the archipelago’s pristine landscapes and rugged coastline as our expert guides navigate through the scenic views. Your guide will give you the stories about the historic sites and houses you will pass, as well as the history of the archipelago. After an invigorating ride, step ashore on Grinda Island to experience the archipelago’s natural beauty. Grinda is a nature reserve owned by the Archipelago Foundation, so there’s no privately owned properties on the island. You’ll have 2 hours to explore the island’s beaches, woods, restaurants and farm. When you are satisfied your captain is waiting to take you back to the city centre.