Vaxholm vs Sandhamn: which Stockholm island should you visit

The main harbor at Sandhamn in the summer, with boats tied to the pier and the hotel in the background.

The Stockholm archipelago is vast with more than 30,000 islands, but few define its character quite like Vaxholm and Sandhamn. While both are quintessential staples of a Stockholm summer, they offer experiences that couldn’t be further apart: one is a living, breathing historic town that acts as the gateway to the sea, and the other … Read more

Two-day Stockholm archipelago itinerary: Svartsö and Finnhamn

Two days in Stockholm’s archipelago is enough time to feel like you’ve genuinely left the city behind. This itinerary takes you through two islands in the central archipelago, Svartsö and Finnhamn, and the reason to pick these two specifically comes down to contrast. They sit close enough together to connect in a single trip, but … Read more

The best time to visit the Stockholm Archipelago

The archipelago in July and the archipelago in September share the same geography. Everything else differs. One runs on full timetables, with beaches covered in swimmers, ferries leaving every hour, and guesthouses booked out weeks in advance. The other is quiet, copper-lit, with water still warm enough for a swim and islands that feel like … Read more

The best Stockholm archipelago day trips

Stockholm sits at the edge of one of the world’s largest archipelagos, over 30,000 islands, islets and rocks stretching east into the Baltic. Most visitors see it from the city side: the water glimpsed between buildings, with the archipelago waiting just beyond the quays at Strömkajen and Nybrokajen. It’s worth actually getting on one of … Read more

Three-day Stockholm archipelago itinerary: Vaxholm and Sandhamn

Three days in Stockholm’s archipelago is enough time to see how different the islands can feel. This itinerary pairs two of the most useful places for a first overnight trip: Vaxholm, a proper small town with nearly 500 years of fortress history, and Sandhamn, an outer-archipelago classic shaped by sailing, beaches, pine forest, and busy … Read more

Stockholm trip checklist: What to book, pack, and know before you arrive

Most packing checklists look pretty similar, no matter the destination. Stockholm isn’t completely different, but there are a few practical details that tend to catch first-time visitors off guard. Things like how little cash is used, how alcohol sales are regulated, or how quickly accommodation fills up in summer can make a bigger difference than … Read more