Explore the islands outside Stockholm

The outlying Stockholm Archipelago is a natural paradise offering something for everyone with its whispering pine trees, smooth islets and colourful orchid meadows. Incredibly, there are over 25,000 islands and smaller skerries just in the area around Stockholm, which have risen slowly after the last ice age some 10,000 years ago.

One of Europe's wildest and most unique areas

The islands actually start right in the middle of the city, with the islands near Stockholm being virtually suburbs of the Swedish capital. Other parts are uninhabited and are still among the wildest areas in Europe. None of the islands are quite like the other: Some are forest-clad, some rise high above the sea - others are low, bare slabs of rock called “skerries”. On some of the islands it takes several hours to walk from one end to the other whereas it is possible to swim around others in a couple of minutes.

Full day tour in the archipelago

This fantastic seascape, situated just outside an historic capital, might seem like it is a paradise for tourists. There are, however, few tourists to be seen in the archipelago even at the peak season in July. Here we will do full day trip by a comfortable ferry boat and by foot. We will also use row boats to be able to cross between the islands.

A full day in the Stockholm archipelago.

At 8.30 we will take the morning Waxholm ferry boat from the dock of Strömkajen, just in front of Grand hotel, on the other side of the water from the Royal palace. We will spend 2.5 hours on the boat passing hundreds of islands before we arrive at the islands of Finnhamn.

Here we will explore the sea shores and perhaps take a swim. Picnic lunch. We will use row boats to cross to the neighbouring island of Ingmarsö with its nature reserve Kålgårdsön. There are several options for walking, 6-10 km depending on the wishes of the group.

In the late afternoon we catch the ferry back to Stockholm, arriving about 8.30 pm. You can have dinner on board at your own cost.

Dates 2010

July 9, July 30 and August 13

Price

Adults: SEK 850
Students and children under 16 years: SEK 650

Included

• Full day in the archipelago with a qualified specialist guide
• Tickets on the Waxholm ferries
• A tasty picnic lunch
• Information package

Number of participants

2-16  

The hike

We have designed the hike so that everyone with some interest in walking can participate in an easy pace. Bring a bottle of water, a small rucksack, rain jacket, swimming gear and a jumper. Sturdy shoes are usually good enough for this hike unless it has rained a lot, when waterproof hiking boots are recommended. Even a good pair of sneakers will do if you are used to hiking in nature. Normally the weather in the archipelago is even sunnier than in the city.