The day turns out to be a nice summer day, so we decide to take a trip in the archipelago from Stockholm to Vaxholm.
Looking at the map of Stockholm, you get the impression there are countless connections to the Baltic Sea. On closer inspection, you see that this is not correct. Actually, there are only two.
One of them is via Vaxholm. There is a narrow passage between the mainland and an island. Exactly here one built a fortress. The construction date back to King Gustav Vasa. The present fortress is from the 19th century.
Please watch the 4K UHD video
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Youtube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationThere is a second passage from Stockholm to the Baltic Sea. This is also protected by a fortification. We will see this on our ferry trip to Helsinki.
Archipelago
The Archipelago with about 30,000 islands, islets, and rocks, begins a few minutes away from the city of Stockholm.
We leave the port of Stockholm on board the historic S/S Stockholm. The boat trip to Vaxholm takes about 50 minutes and is free for Stockholm pass holders.
The many weekend houses quickly drag us into their spell. They are usually built of wood in the typical Swedish style.
Some islands are forested, with lush meadows in between. Some are also barren rocks, which are used for bathing.
The waterways between are studded with sailing and sports boats. So here travel the Swedes, who do not have a motor home :-).
Vaxholm
Vaxholm is a cozy harbor town with almost 5000 inhabitants. Until the construction of the first bridge in 1926, Vaxholm was only accessible by boat.
At the harbor we find a small fruit and vegetable market. Around the square, you find some restaurants. On this hot day, the ice-cream seller are very popular.
We go along the main street, the Hamngatan with its picturesque houses and turn into the Radhusgatan to the city hall.
This square also looks very picturesque with its telephone cell, which now serves as an information point, a public chessboard and lush plants.
We let the atmosphere work its magic before we walk along the water to the small fortress.
A modern free ferry boat runs to the other shore, but we do not visit the fortress.
In the Pippi Longstocking series, the Vaxholm fortress served as the movie location for the pirate stronghold in the movie Pippi in the South Seas. The father of Pippi was kept in prison here.
The M / S Cinderella I just sets sail. Since the ticket is also valid for this ship, we do not have to wait for the departure of S/S Stockholm, but can return to Stockholm immediately.
This excursion has conveyed a good impression of the strategic location of Stockholm, but above all also a wonderful insight into the leisure activities of the Swedes.
Pin it for later
Text, photos and video: Copyright © myVideoMedia