Stockholm’s archipelago is a world of 30,000 islands and skerries, but its true essence is captured in the charming town of Vaxholm.

On this self-guided tour, you’ll hear the stories behind Sweden’s coastal defense and the summer paradise that wealthy Stockholmers have cherished for over 150 years.

This tour starts and ends at the harbor in front of the historic Waxholms Hotel, with views of the imposing Vaxholm Fortress. You’ll weave through the Fishermen’s Town with its distinctive wooden architecture, stroll past centuries-old water pumps, and explore charming streets where Swedish summer life has flourished since steamboats first connected Vaxholm to Stockholm in the 1840s. Along the way, you’ll discover how this strategic defense point has shaped the town’s unique character.

You’ll hear stories about brave fishermen’s wives who rowed fresh herring to Stockholm markets each day, and the tale of a Polish-Lithuanian princess who chose imprisonment with her husband over freedom.

Suitable for all physical fitness levels