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Activities Lake Mälaren Roslagen Södertörn The archipelago Adventure |
The Archipelago
While the Stockholm Archipelago seems practically infinite, it actually consists of "only" 24,000
islands, islets and rocks you can choose to explore. Close to the mainland, the islands are larger
and more lush, the bays and channels wider, and the year-round residents more numerous. But
as you go further out toward the sea, the scenery becomes more rugged. Finally, you come to
the outer reaches - where sea and land meet, in a place of tiny islets and windblown, low
vegetation.
The summer archipelago is filled with sailboats, since once one has sailed its water, one returns
again and again. Many Stockholm families sail their own boats, but visitors, too, can experience
the archipelago. Just come along on one of the many white steamboats which have connected
the larger islands for over a century.
The archipelago is closer than you think
If you don�t have much time, but want to experience something of the famous archipelago, the
Fjäderholm Islands may provide the solution. A half hour�s boat ride from Stockholm will bring
you to the closest islands of the archipelago, and put you far away from the big city pulse. These
islands have provided night lodging for mariners on their way to or from Stockholm. Today,
they offer handicraft workshops, a smoke-house, a summer stock theatre, the Baltic Aquarium
and Fjäderholmarnas Krog, a top-rated restaurant with European Master Chef.
Another hour of so by archipelago boat will bring you to Grinda. This is the place for all kinds
of sports and exercise, from a leisurely walk in the woods, a swim among the rocks or a game of
boule to ocean kayak trips, mountain-bike races and mountain climbing. Grinda Wärdshus, an
art nouveau inn from the turn of the century, provides another example of fine dining in the
Archipelago (see lunch and dinner tour package on page ?), and you can even spend the night
there. The towns and forts of the archipelago On your way to Grinda, you�ll pass through Vaxholm, a little, vibrant town of wooden houses, and lots of summer visitors. Sailboat enthusiasts stop here before their extended cruises, ostensibly for supplies, but just as much to look at the handicraft studios, art galleries, and perhaps, to have a meal at Hotel Waxholm, with its magnificent harbour view. If you have a little more time, visit Waxholm Castle. Of course, the castle isn�t the only defence installation in the archipelago. The entrance to Stockholm has always been guarded in various ways, and at various locations. In fact, there is an entire underground base on the island of Siarö in the northern archipelago, used for decades by hundreds of soldiers, and unnoticed by the rest of the world. When the Swedish armed forces moved out, a museum occupied the underground caverns and tunnels. Vaxholm is a perfect day-trip destination. During the summer months, boats leave from Stockholm virtually every hour. In Sandhamn, furthest out to sea, pilots meet large ships and guide them to Stockholm through all the rocks and shoals. Sandhamn is also a yachtsman�s paradise. This is the point of origin for many great sailboat races, such as the �Around Gotland,� and the island is a meeting place for hundred of thousands pleasure boaters who stop at the harbour for supplies, or a visit to the Inn or Sailor�s Restaurant. In the summer, boats are �triple-parked� at the piers. Don�t worry if you don�t have your own boat; you can still take an unforgettable three hour steamboat ride through the whole archipelago. The residents of the archipelago have not all been fishermen and farmers. On Utö, in the southern archipelago, the iron mine was the principal employer for several centuries. About a hundred years ago, the island became a famous holiday resort for Stockholmers, and today, the Mining Museum, inn, family hotel, youth and family hostel and the bicycle, kayak and Icelandic horse rental are good sources of income for the approximately 250 year-round residents of the island. Holiday in the archipelago If you don�t want to return to the city as soon as it begins to get dark, you can spend the night in the archipelago. But reserve your room in plenty of time, since staying in the archipelago is popular. You can choose among hotels, family hotels, private rental cottages, and youth and family hostels (high standard). Many are located in various historically or culturally interesting buildings, so you can sleep in a Victorian style home, or in what once was a quarantine station. Bed and Breakfast is a more personal alternative, since you get to stay with a local family. Some places offer their guests cooking facilities, and almost everywhere, a genuine Swedish breakfast is included. The Excursion Shop at Sweden House can help you book accommodations at hotels, cottages and youth and family hostels. If you contact them in advance, they will send you the Bed & Breakfast Catalogue, with pictures and descriptions of each place. Unlimited travel among islands and islets Buy a "båtluffarkort" - a ticket that entitles you to unlimited boat travel in the whole archipelago, from Singö in the north, to Nynäshamn in the south. You can use the ticket for day-trips from Stockholm, or more extensive excursions, spending a night or two at camping sites, youth and family hostels or hotels. There are two types of båtluffarkort tickets. The first provides unlimited travel for sixteen days. The second type is valid for seven days, but includes guided tours on board and on land, as well. Both types can be purchased at the Excursion Shop at Sweden House, which has more information, as well, about finding your way in the Stockholm archipelago. Thousand Island Cruise Enjoy a whole�day cruise on Waxholm III, a restored archipelago boat built at the turn of the century. An unforgettable day in the archipelago awaits you. The boat trip starts in the inner archipelago with its wooded islands and pretty houses. The middle archipelago is more barren but there are some farms and people who live there and make a living by fishing and handicraft. We will stop and go ashore on some of the islands. Price: SEK 735, including lunch, welcome drink, two�course dinner, coffee and guide. Explore the Archipelago by Bike Utö is one of the largest islands in the Stockholms archipelago and has many beautiful beaches which are ideal for bathing. It also has quaint winding cycle paths. There� s lots to discover. Take the boat from Stockholm and a bicycle will be waiting for you when you arrive. Lunch is served at Utö� s famous inn. Price: SEK 230 Fjäderholmarna � an Archipelago Island Close to the City A 25�minute boat trip brings you to a genuine archipelago island where you will find an old smokehouse, several taverns, stalls selling handicrafts, a farm with animals and a large archipelago museum. There is always something to enjoy on Fjäderholmarna, whatever your age. Price: SEK 60 Inter�Skerries Card Inter�skerries cards are special tourist cards that you can use for boat trips in and around the archipelago. You can travel as far and as often as you like for 7 or 16 days. The cards can be used for several journeys or for trips between islands, staying at local hotels, hostels or camp�sites. Price: SEK 250 The Island Town of Vaxholm Take a relaxing boat trip through the beautiful inner archipelago and visit the idyllic island town of Vaxholm. Sights include the impressive fortress which was once in the front line of Stockholm� s defences. The building now houses a museum and restaurant. A visit to Vaxholm is also an ideal day trip for large groups. Price: SEK 210�390, including round�trip ticket and lunch or dinner at Waxholm�s fortress. Archipelago Inn at Grinda Grinda, with its excellent swimming off the rocks and fine sandy beaches, is just one hour by boat straight out into Stockholm� s archipelago. Food is served at Grinda Inn, a beautiful art nouveau house built in 1908. Take a day or evening trip and experience this wonderful archipelago island. Price: SEK 170�260, including lunch or dinner and round�trip boat ticket. Sandhamn a mecca for sailors A visit to Sandhamn is the perfect way to wile away a whole day far from the crowd. The island is one of the last outposts of the archipelago and is famous for its sailing regattas. Eat lunch at the guest house which has been open to seafarers every day since the middle of the 17th century. Price: SEK 235 incl. boat journey and lunch Candlelight Cruise Two hours under bridges of Stockholm in the beautiful twilight glow. Our journey takes us through two locks and across two different types of water � the brackish waters of The Baltic and the fresh inland waters of Lake Mälaren. On board we serve you a drink and an appetizer. Price: SEK 180 |
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Paddle a kayak in the archipelago
Go on a four hour long guided kayak trip in the southern part of the Stockholm Archipelago. Together, we�ll pack our sea kayaks with a change of clothing and a lunch basket, and then it�s out to sea. After two hours of paddling our kayaks, it�s time for a wellearned break. Lunch is served in some lovely, protected cove, and there will be time for a little swim, as well. The boat ride from Stockholm to Utö, the outer island where our expedition begins, takes about three hours. Price: SEK 470 |