9 BEST Things to do in Vaxholm: A Perfect Stockholm Day Trip
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Vaxholm, Sweden, let me save you some time!
During my last solo trip to Stockholm, I took this exact, perfect one-day trip from Stockholm to Vaxholm, and now I’m excited to show you exactly what’s worth seeing.
From the ferry ride itself (honestly, one of my highlights!) to exploring leafy, colourful streets and enjoying fika at a quaint harbourside cafe, Vaxholm is just as dreamy as it looks in all those photos you’ve seen – plus it’s one of the easiest day trips from Stockholm.
I’ll take you through all of my favourite spots, like Cronhamns Gata’s little wooden houses, the picturesque Norrhamnsbadet, and of course the imposing Vaxholm Fortress.
So whether you’ve got a few hours or a full day in Vaxholm, this guide will help you squeeze in all of the best bits – without rushing from must-see to must-see.
You ready? Let’s get into it!
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Where is Vaxholm, Sweden?
Vaxholm is a small, colourful town in the Stockholm Archipelago, around 35 km northeast of central Stockholm. It’s often called the “capital of the archipelago.”
The regular public ferry from Strömkajen (next to the Grand Hotel in central Stockholm) takes about an hour, making Vaxholm one of the simplest and most beautiful day trips from Stockholm.
Is Vaxholm Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Vaxholm might not have the size or countless things to do of Stockholm, but that’s the biggest part of its charm!
Instead, Vaxholm has a more traditional Swedish coastal charm, with a historic fortress, cosy cafes perfect for fika, and colourful streets to wander.
For solo female travellers (like me!), especially, Vaxholm is a perfect Stockholm day trip. It feels very safe to explore alone, it is easily walkable, and you won’t have any issues exploring all of the highlights on foot in one day!
You don’t need a car, you don’t need to stress about logistics, and there are plenty of spots to sit, relax and enjoy the breathtaking archipelago views!
How to Get From Stockholm to Vaxholm
The easiest, most affordable and most beautiful way to get from Stockholm to Vaxholm is by public ferry.
The Waxholmsbolaget ferries leave regularly throughout the day from Strömkajen, opposite the Grand Hotel in central Stockholm, and the journey takes about one hour.
You don’t need to pre-book, you can just tap your card when you board, making Vaxholm perfect for a spontaneous day trip too!
If you’re looking for the Vaxholm ferry schedule, check the Waxholmsbolaget official site or at the terminal before you go, as the frequency depends on the season.
If you’d prefer your day trip to Vaxholm to be more structured, you can also choose to book a guided boat tour with Stromma.
This 1.5-hour each-way boat trip comes with either live or pre-recorded commentary, which is great if you want to learn more about the archipelago and Stockholm itself.
The downside is that, with this option, you are locked into certain timings, which is less flexible and means you’ll have less time to explore Vaxholm.
Katie’s Top Tip: Personally, after taking both options, I much preferred the public ferry. It’s (a lot!!) cheaper, easier, and more flexible – plus it follows almost exactly the same route, so you’re not missing out on any iconic archipelago views.
The 9 BEST Things to do in Vaxholm in One Day
1. The Ferry From Stockholm to Vaxholm
Yep, I know this isn’t technically in Vaxholm, but I had to mention it again because the ferry ride through the archipelago to reach Vaxholm was one of the highlights of my entire trip to Stockholm!
The ferry takes you past forested islands, colourful wooden summer houses, docked boats bobbing in the water, and open stretches of water, too. The entire route is just breathtaking.
You’ll want your camera ready for this ferry ride, as you watch the city quickly turn into calm, natural beauty!
Katie’s Top Tip: Sit on the outdoor deck of the ferry (yes, even if it’s chilly!) and make sure your camera is fully charged and ready to go. The views of Stockholm city centre slowly turning into forested islands and cute, traditional summer houses are unforgettable!
2. Batteriparken
Once you step off the ferry in Vaxholm, it’s only a few minutes’ walk to Batteriparken.
From the ferry terminal, cross the small square in front of the Vaxholm Hotel, then follow Hamngatan (the street running along the waterfront). The water will be on your right as you walk, and within a few minutes, down a gravel road, you’ll spot the park up ahead.
Batteriparken is, in my opinion, the very best welcome to Vaxholm. It’s leafy and calm, with plenty of benches for sitting and taking in the spectacular view across the water.
You’ll also get a beautiful view of Vaxholm Fortress from here, just offshore.
Katie’s Top Tip: Grab a bench or set up a picnic blanket facing the water and let your fellow ferry passengers take their photos and move on before you continue with this Vaxholm itinerary. Even when I visited on a sunny, early-autumn day, waiting fifteen minutes gave me much quieter views at all of the next stops!
3. Norrhamnsbadet
From Batteriparken, it’s just a minute’s walk to our next stop: Norrhamnsbadet beach.
At the far end of the park, you’ll see a set of stone steps leading down toward the water. Follow them and you’ll come out right at this tiny sandy beach.
It may be small, but if you sat and enjoyed the views in Batteriparken for a while, the majority of tourists should’ve moved on, and you’ll have the beach largely to yourself.
Norrhamnsbadet is also the perfect spot to test out swimming in the famously chilly Swedish waters, if you’re feeling brave enough!
But even if you don’t want to swim, the views here are gorgeous.
In my opinion, this is one of the best viewpoints for Norrhamnen Harbour, with its boats bobbing in the foreground and colourful wooden houses lined along the waterfront.
Katie’s Top Tip: If you do fancy a swim, make sure you bring some water shoes. The shore is rocky, so they’ll make getting in and out of the water a lot more comfortable.
4. Wander Vaxholm’s Most Picturesque Streets
From the beach, cut left through the gap in the fence. It feels like you’re walking into someone’s back garden (but don’t worry, it’s completely fine to walk through here!) and follow the path onto Cronhamns Gata.
This small street is stunning and is my favourite in Vaxholm, with colourful wooden houses, leafy trees and beautiful gardens.
Along the way, you’ll also spot a few other side streets worth stopping by and admiring, lined with yet more traditional wooden houses in reds, yellows, greens and blues.
Some of my favourite streets to explore in Vaxholm are:
- Cronhamns gata
- Norhamnsgaten
- Fiskaregatan
- Tradgardsgatan
Katie’s Top Tip: Even though the walk to Norrhamnen Harbour is short, don’t rush it. Take your time to admire the colourful buildings and embrace local life for a while!
5. Norrhamnen Harbour
From Cronhamns gata, you can’t miss Norrhamnen Harbour: a small cove surrounded by more of Vaxholm’s famously colourful houses, the Hembydsgårds Café (more on this next!), and boats bobbing in the water.
My favourite photo opportunity at Norrhamnen Harbour is a spot marked on Google Maps as “anchor,” just off Fiskaregatan.
It sits at the centre of the harbour, so you have spectacular views of both sides, with the wider archipelago in the background.
Katie’s Top Tip: If you want photos without other people in them, wait for the ferry tourists to pass or be sure to visit early in the day, before the Stromma tourist boats arrive.
6. Hembydsgårds Café
From the anchor viewpoint, it’s just a short walk along the harbour via Fiskaregatan and Tradgardsgatan to the iconic Hembydsgårds Café.
You’ll find the cafe directly at the end of Tradgardsgatan, so you can’t miss it.
Hembydsgårds Café is the very best place for fika (the Swedish tradition of relaxing with coffee and cake), in Vaxholm.
And the cafe is most famous for its strawberry cake, so be sure to give that a try!
But the best part is that, while you relax and enjoy the delicious cakes and coffee, you can enjoy some of the best views overlooking the harbour!
Katie’s Top Tip: If it’s nice weather, the outdoor seating has the best views. But if you are visiting Vaxholm on a less nice day, the interior of the cafe is just as lovely, with cosy seating and welcoming staff.
7. Vaxholm High Street
Once you’ve enjoyed your fika, it’s time to head away from the water.
In just a couple of minutes’ straight walk back up beautiful Tradgardsgatan, you’ll be on Hamngatan – Vaxholm’s main high street.
If you’re anything like me, you love browsing local shops when exploring a new place, and Vaxholm’s high street is packed with independent boutiques, cosy restaurants, art galleries and gift shops to browse or shop at.
Here are some of the best ones to check out:
- Waxholms Choklad: perfect for gifts, with traditional Swedish chocolate and sweets.
- Lilla Handelsboden: a cute gift and toy shop.
- Bland Kobbar & Skär: my favourite spot for traditionally Swedish gifts.
- Blomsterinspiratören: a gorgeous florist with truly stunning bouquets for sale.
- Entrénd: a stylish lifestyle and home décor boutique.
8. Vaxholm Fortress
No trip to Vaxholm is complete without a visit to its famous fortress – it’s the big stone castle you will have been admiring at all of Vaxholm’s best viewpoints throughout this day trip!
Vaxholm Fortress can be found on its own little island just across the harbour.
It has guarded Stockholm’s archipelago since the 1500s, back when this area was an important defence line against enemy ships.
Today, it’s one of the best and most unique Vaxholm, Sweden attractions, with a short cable-operated boat ride to reach it, daily 15-minute tours in English, and a fascinating museum to visit.
The museum is home to exhibits about military history, shipwrecks and daily life on the island over the years, and is one of the best things to do in Vaxholm.
You could even choose to stay at the charming B&B within the fortress walls for a truly unique and unforgettable stay in Vaxholm!
And getting here couldn’t be easier either:
From Vaxholm town centre, walk back towards the main ferry terminal. You’ll then see the small dock just opposite, where the cable ferry runs a few trips an hour between May and September.
Tickets are available from the vending machine by the dock, so there’s no need to stress about booking ahead.
Katie’s Top Tip: The fortress closes in the off-season (October – April), so if you’re visiting outside summer, admire it from the ferry terminal or from Batteriparken instead.
9. Kayaking Around Vaxholm
If you want to swap walking for paddling, kayaking around Vaxholm is another great (and more active!) way to see the archipelago from the water.
From the water, you’ll get to admire the colourful houses, little fishing boats and the fortress you’ve spent the day admiring on land, from a whole new perspective!
I recommend this Stockholm: Archipelago Islands Kayak Tour and Outdoor Picnic for an easy, beginner-friendly trip.
You’ll paddle past Vaxholm’s colourful cottages and the fortress before heading to a remote island, where you can enjoy Swedish fika or a picnic lunch.
Plus, all the gear and guidance you need is provided, so there are no logistics to stress over!
If you’re visiting in winter, the Stockholm: Winter Kayaking, Swedish Fika, and Hot Sauna tour lets you see the archipelago when it’s at its quietest.
You’ll stay warm in a full dry suit with waterproof boots and gloves, stop for cosy outdoor fika, and thaw out in the sauna afterwards (or take the plunge into the Baltic if you’re feeling brave!)
Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re travelling solo, this is a great, low-stakes way to meet new people!
Vaxholm Travel FAQs
Where to Stay in Vaxholm?
If you’d like to turn your day trip to Vaxholm into an overnight stay, you’ve got a few great options, and they’re all close to the centre, so you won’t need a car.
Waxholms Hotell: Right opposite the ferry terminal, this historic hotel has the best location in town. Rooms are bright, Scandinavian-style, and a lot of them have amazing views of the harbour and fortress too!
Vaxholm Bed & Breakfast: This cosy, homely option is just a short walk from Vaxholm town centre. It’s perfect if you want something more personal and local than a hotel!
Kastellet Bed & Breakfast: For something unique, you can actually stay overnight inside the fortress! The rooms are simple, but waking up on your own little island is unforgettable!
Is One Day in Vaxholm Enough?
Yes, one day in Vaxholm is plenty of time to see the highlights, and that’s why it’s such a popular day trip from Stockholm!
The ferry from Stockholm only takes about an hour, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the town centre, enjoy fika, relax at the tiny beach and even hop over to the fortress.
If you follow this one day in Vaxholm travel guide, you won’t feel rushed.
But, if you love slower travel, staying overnight is definitely worth it.
The town is much quieter once the day trippers leave, so you can experience a more authentic, local side of Vaxholm.
Where to Eat in Vaxholm?
For traditional fika, Hembygdsgårds Café is the absolute must – their homemade cakes are famous and the quiet garden overlooking the harbour is truly stunning!
For a proper meal, the Hembygdsgårds Café also serves light lunches, or the Vaxholms Hotell Restaurant is more upscale with fortress views.
If you want something casual and more affordable, Skafferi is a good bet for sandwiches and lighter bites.
Best Time to Visit Vaxholm?
The best time to visit Vaxholm is late spring to early autumn (May–September).
This is when the ferry to Vaxholm from Stockholm runs most frequently, the fortress and cafes are open, and the island is lively with both locals and day trippers.
July and August are peak season in Vaxholm, which means it will be very busy for exploring, and you won’t have the beauty spots to yourself. But these months do have the best weather for swimming, kayaking and enjoying outdoor fika – so it really depends on your priorities.
If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, aim for May, early June or early September. The weather can still be lovely, but the streets will be a lot quieter for exploring.
My favourite time I’ve visited Vaxholm is early September.
Winter trips are possible, but the ferry schedule is more limited, many places close, and you’ll miss out on things like the fortress and the Hembygdsgårds Café.
Final Thoughts
Between the ferry ride through the archipelago, the colourful harbourside houses and the imposing fortress, the little town of Vaxholm is a truly stunning addition to your Stockholm itinerary!
It’s small enough to explore easily in just one day, but also offers plenty of amazing things to do in Vaxholm: from swimming in the Baltic and walking around the colourful Norrhamnen harbour, to visiting the imposing island Fortress and enjoying fika in a cosy cafe!
If you’re putting together your perfect Stockholm itinerary, don’t skip a day trip to Vaxholm!
I want to hear from you: which spot in Vaxholm are you most excited to visit during your next trip to Stockholm? Let me know in the comments!
Read More About Travel in Sweden:
- 9 BEST Things to do in Vaxholm: A Perfect Stockholm Day Trip
- Is Stockholm Worth Visiting as a Solo Traveller? (2025)
- 15 Best Things to do in Stockholm Alone as a Solo Traveller
- Is Stockholm Safe for Solo Female Travellers? + Safety Tips
- 3 Days in Stockholm: The Best Stockholm Itinerary for 2025
