Plizio Visual Lab
Vaxholm
ℹ️Practical info — Vaxholm
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Take the Waxholmsbolaget ferry from Stockholm instead of the bus; the journey through the archipelago is incredibly scenic.
- To visit Vaxholm Fortress, you need to take a short cable ferry (linfärja) across the strait from the town center.
- Summer weekends get very crowded. Visit on a weekday or early in the morning for a more relaxed experience.
- If you take the SL commuter ferry, your standard Stockholm public transport card is valid for the trip.
🍽 Food
Try the crispy fried Baltic herring, often served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries at harbor kiosks.
Enjoy fresh shrimp and local fish at one of the waterside restaurants overlooking the fortress.
A local specialty pastry made with almond paste and pastry cream, available in traditional cafes.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Stroll down the main harbor street for small shops selling maritime-themed interior decor and summer clothes.
Check out the small galleries in the old town featuring paintings and crafts inspired by the archipelago.
A slightly elevated park offering panoramic views of the fortress and passing ships, away from the harbor hustle.
A nature reserve just outside the town center, well-suited for peaceful hikes through forests and along the coast.
Water temperature…
Vaxholm is widely recognized as the gateway to the Stockholm archipelago, situated on the island of Vaxön in Stockholm County. The town was granted city rights in 1647 and functioned for centuries as a strategically vital defensive outpost for the Swedish capital. The Vaxholm Fortress, established in the 16th century on a small adjacent island, was built to prevent enemy fleets from reaching Stockholm. Today, the fortress houses a museum of coastal defense and stands as a major cultural landmark. Vaxholm is defined by its pastel-colored wooden houses and narrow alleys, epitomizing the aesthetic of a traditional archipelago town. Serving as a major hub for the Waxholmsbolaget ferry line, it is the primary starting point for visitors exploring the outer islands. Despite its proximity to Stockholm, Vaxholm has meticulously maintained its maritime heritage and historical significance in boatbuilding and fishing.
- Location: Sweden
- Top sights: Kadettbryggan · Tenöbadet · Eriksöbadet
- Nearby: Oskar-Fredriksborg (5 km)
- Population: ~4.849
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | -1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 47 | 39 | 38 | 35 | 43 | 67 | 59 | 66 | 53 | 63 | 62 | 56 |
Geography
Facts
- Granted city rights in the year 1647
- Vaxholm Fortress dates back to 1548
- Major hub for Stockholm archipelago ferries
- Located on the island of Vaxön
- Strategically vital for Stockholm's defense
- Known for its iconic pastel wooden buildings
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Begin your walking tour at the breezy Kadettbryggan, setting the tone for an active day by the water. The morning is all about inhaling the fresh Baltic air as you make your way to the peaceful inlet of Badviken for a mid-morning rest. Around midday, the route takes you to the popular Eriksöbadet, bustling with local life. Here, you can take a refreshing dip and enjoy a packed lunch on the sandy shores. In the afternoon, a leisurely stroll leads you to Tenöbadet. The calm, shallow waters and green lawns offer a perfect setting to stretch your legs and perhaps indulge in a sweet treat from a local kiosk. As evening approaches, your final stretch brings you to a charming local Badplats. This quiet spot provides stunning twilight views over the archipelago, wrapping up your day with peaceful reflections.
Kadettbryggan
Badviken
Eriksöbadet
Tenöbadet
Badplats
Morning starts at the misty harbor with Kadettbryggan's wet planks. At noon, we walk along the coast, accompanied by the scent of rain-soaked forests towards Badviken. By afternoon, the wind may pick up around Eriksö; seek shelter under the dense trees. In the evening, the lights of the darkening piers reflect in the puddles after a refreshing, wet walk through Vaxholm's shores.
Kadettbryggan
Badviken
Eriksöbadet
Tenöbadet
Badplats
On a frosty morning, Kadettbryggan's icy planks require extra caution. At noon, the low winter sun illuminates the frozen bays as we head toward Eriksö. By 17:00, darkness already falls; dress in warm layers against the biting wind. Evening arrives quickly, and the lit-up, snowy streets of Vaxholm offer a magical, fairy-tale winter atmosphere.
Kadettbryggan
Badviken
Eriksöbadet
Tenöbadet
Badplats
Kick off your cycling journey at Kadettbryggan, where the open water invigorates you for the ride ahead. Pedal briskly towards Badviken, enjoying the scenic coastal paths and a tranquil morning atmosphere. By midday, arrive at Eriksöbadet for a swim, then cycle on to the secluded Fridhemsbadet. These spots are perfect for a picnic, offering both lively beach vibes and quiet natural retreats. The afternoon ride is smooth and scenic as you make your way to Tenöbadet, followed by a quick pedal to a local Badplats. The varying coastal views keep the journey visually stunning and highly engaging. Wrap up your biking adventure at Grönviksbadet. Park your bike and settle on the wooden piers to watch the sunset paint the sky, a rewarding end to a day exploring the archipelago on two wheels.
Kadettbryggan
Badviken
Eriksöbadet
Fridhemsbadet
Tenöbadet
Badplats
Grönviksbadet
The cycling day starts at the wet quay of Kadettbryggan. At noon, the slippery paths towards Badviken demand full concentration while pedaling. In the afternoon, the thick forest near Tenö offers some protection from the showers. Towards evening, we return through the wet, glistening streets of Vaxholm, where the sea air feels especially fresh.
Kadettbryggan
Badviken
Eriksöbadet
Fridhemsbadet
Tenöbadet
Badplats
Grönviksbadet
An icy start at Kadettbryggan harbor requires warm gloves on the handlebars. At noon, hoarfrost glistens on the paths to Badviken under the pale sun. In the afternoon, we must hurry as daylight fades by 17:00. Returning in the dark requires excellent bike lights while gliding through the silent, frozen Vaxholm.
Kadettbryggan
Badviken
Eriksöbadet
Fridhemsbadet
Tenöbadet
Badplats
Grönviksbadet
Start your road trip at Kadettbryggan, taking in the morning sea views before a short, scenic drive to Badviken. The car gives you the freedom to easily transport your beach gear for a morning dip. As midday approaches, cruise over to Eriksöbadet and then to the peaceful Fridhemsbadet. You’ll have plenty of time to explore these beautiful coastal stops, setting up comfortable picnic spots along the way. In the afternoon, drive smoothly to Tenöbadet and the nearby Badplats. Having a car makes it simple to hop between these diverse bathing areas, ensuring you catch the best of the afternoon sun. Finish your journey with evening stops at Grönviksbadet and Måldepån. The convenience of driving means you can stay out late, capturing stunning sunset photos over the archipelago before heading home.
Kadettbryggan
Badviken
Eriksöbadet
Fridhemsbadet
Tenöbadet
Badplats
Grönviksbadet
Måldepån
The rainy day begins relaxed in the car by the harbor. At noon, the wipers dance to the rhythm of the rain on the way to Badviken. In the afternoon, we enjoy the view of the lashing sea from the warm, dry interior near Tenö. In the evening, headlights reflect in the wet streets as we glide safely and comfortably through the rainy Vaxholm.
Kadettbryggan
Badviken
Eriksöbadet
Fridhemsbadet
Tenöbadet
Badplats
Grönviksbadet
Måldepån
The winter day starts in a preheated car by the harbor. At noon, we admire the snow-covered landscape on the way to Badviken from the warmth of the cabin. In the afternoon, the sun sets early, and we enjoy the golden light on the ice near Tenö. By 17:00, darkness envelops Vaxholm as we glide comfortably through the magically lit, snowy streets.
Kadettbryggan
Badviken
Eriksöbadet
Fridhemsbadet
Tenöbadet
Badplats
Grönviksbadet
Måldepån
Sights in the town Vaxholm (16)
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from Stockholm to Vaxholm?
What is Vaxholm Fortress?
Is Vaxholm the 'capital of the archipelago'?
What can you do in Vaxholm's Old Town?
Are there good restaurants?
Vaxholm: where is it located?
Vaxholm: what is there to see?
Vaxholm: when is the best time to visit?
Vaxholm: why is it worth visiting?


















