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Esquilo CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Stockholm Archipelago

Islands

A chain of some 30,000 islands east of Stockholm reached by ferries; popular activities include boating, kayaking, fishing and visits to summer villages such as Vaxholm and Sandhamn.

Stockholm Archipelago Djurgården Gamla Stan Kungsholmen Norrmalm Södermalm Vasastan Östermalm Tourist areas, not official boundaries. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsVasa MuseumKungsledenStockholm City HallSkansenSwedish Army MuseumStockholm Olympic StadiumSt. Eric's CathedralStockholm ObservatoryLångholmenHötorgetStockholm Archipelago
In this guide

Stockholm Archipelago essentials

Country: Sweden
Driest months: Feb-Apr
Pay in: Krona (kr)
Language: Swedish

Stockholm Archipelago at a Glance

About Stockholm Archipelago

The Stockholm Archipelago is a sprawling maritime landscape east of Stockholm composed of roughly 30,000 islands, islets and skerries, extending many tens of kilometres into the Baltic Sea.

The archipelago is popular for boating, island-hopping, sailing and summer cottages; services include a public passenger ferry network that links Stockholm with multiple island destinations. Key visitor centres and towns such as Vaxholm and Sandhamn provide year-round and seasonal visitor facilities, moorings and services for yachts and day visitors.

Islands range from small rocky skerries to larger inhabited islands with villages, and many islands offer walking trails, beaches and low-density tourism infrastructure.

The archipelago begins at Stockholm’s eastern quays and stretches east into the Baltic Sea.

  • Scale and extent: Composed of roughly 30,000 islands, islets and skerries, the archipelago begins at Stockholm’s eastern waterfront and extends for many tens of kilometres into the Baltic Sea.
  • Transport network: A regular network of passenger ferries and commuter boats serves populated islands and visitor destinations during the navigation season.

What to See#

  • Vaxholm: Vaxholm town acts as a conventional gateway for passenger ferries into the inner archipelago and contains a 19th-century fortress at the harbour.
  • Sandhamn: Sandhamn is a well-known yachting and sailing hub popular during the summer season.
  • Grinda and Utö: Grinda and Utö are examples of islands with visitor facilities, hiking trails and simple guest services for day trips and overnight stays.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Stockholm Archipelago

Best in summer (June-August) for island-hopping, long daylight and full services; shoulder seasons can work for fewer crowds.

Summer (high season)
Jun-Aug · 15-23°C
Longest daylight, warm enough for boating and island-hopping; services and cafes on islands are fully open and it's the busiest time.
Shoulder seasons (fewer crowds)
May, Sep · 5-15°C
Cooler but still navigable by ferries; fewer tourists and more tranquil islands while some seasonal services may start or close.
Winter (limited access)
Nov-Mar · -5-5°C
Cold, short days; many island services are reduced and some waterways can be icy-not ideal for typical archipelago boating activities.

Weather & Climate near Stockholm Archipelago

Climate

Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -5°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (533 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 24 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
28°
Warmest Month
-19°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -4° - 1° -7° 38 mm overcast 92% 5.5 m/s 0.0 low 6.7h
February Poor -5° - 0° -8° 25 mm overcast 92% 5.2 m/s 0.1 low 9.0h
March Poor -3° - 3° -5° 33 mm overcast 88% 4.9 m/s 0.2 low 11.6h
April Acceptable 0° - 8° 0° 33 mm partly cloudy 83% 4.6 m/s 0.6 moderate 14.3h
May Good 5° - 14° 7° 29 mm partly cloudy 81% 4.5 m/s 1.0 high 16.8h
June Very Good 10° - 19° 14° 45 mm partly cloudy 78% 4.5 m/s 1.3 high 18.2h
July Very Good 13° - 21° 17° 59 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.3 m/s 1.3 high 17.5h
August Very Good 12° - 20° 16° 59 mm partly cloudy 79% 4.3 m/s 0.9 moderate 15.3h
September Acceptable 8° - 15° 12° 53 mm overcast 83% 4.9 m/s 0.5 low 12.6h
October Acceptable 5° - 10° 4° 52 mm overcast 87% 5.1 m/s 0.1 low 10.0h
November Poor 1° - 5° -2° 59 mm overcast 91% 5.4 m/s 0.0 low 7.4h
December Poor -3° - 2° -6° 48 mm overcast 92% 5.5 m/s 0.0 low 5.9h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Stockholm Archipelago

The Stockholm Archipelago is reached from central Stockholm by ferry or fast boat. Regular services (Waxholmsbolaget and private operators) depart from central quays such as Strömkajen, Nybroplan and Slussen to islands like Vaxholm and Sandhamn; departure points are a short walk from Stockholm’s central metro and commuter‑rail stations and travel times vary by island.

Tips for Visiting Stockholm Archipelago

  • Take the Waxholmsbolaget or Strömma ferries from central Stockholm (Strömkajen/Strandvägen) and plan island hops rather than a single return trip-public ferry lines give the most flexible, cost-effective access to multiple islands.
  • Visit islands on weekdays or take the earliest scheduled ferries to avoid weekend day-trippers; if you want quieter harbors and walking routes, aim for late spring or early autumn outside the peak July weeks.
  • Check ferry timetables in advance (schedules change seasonally) and pick one or two islands to explore thoroughly-smaller islands off the main routes are often far less crowded than Vaxholm or Sandhamn.