Vaxholm between fortress and harbor

Vaxholm combines fortress history with a townscape shaped by its harbor and activities on the water. When planning your trip, you might consider whether you would mainly like to explore historic sites, take a walk along the quays, or set aside time for paddling and other water activities.

The fortress and the history of the archipelago

Vaxholm Fortress was built between 1833 and 1863 on the orders of King Karl XIV Johan. At the Vaxholms Fästnings Museum, numerous exhibitions illustrate the history of the fortress and the defense of the archipelago across various historical periods. The museum is the largest museum in the archipelago.

The museum offers pre-booked guided tours for groups year-round; a tour lasts about 60 minutes and must be booked in advance. The Kastelletleden, a cable ferry inaugurated in 2016, takes visitors from Vaxholm to Vaxholm Fortress in two minutes. Services may be seasonal, so check the timetable before your trip if you plan to make the crossing.

Harbor communities and preserved buildings

Vaxholm retains some of the character of a fishing village. This includes the harbor, low-rise homes and boathouses. The townscape also features many well-preserved wooden villas dating from around the turn of the 20th century, in the light pastel shades characteristic of the archipelago.

Individual buildings also offer insight into different aspects of the town’s history: Vaxholm Customs House, built in 1736, is one of the oldest preserved buildings in Vaxholm. Vaxholms Hembygdsmuseum offers a glimpse into the life of a fishing family. Vaxholm Cinema Theater dates from 1918 and screens many major film premieres as matinees and evening shows. Vaxholms kyrka, whose official name is Gustav Adolfs kyrka, is used for church services, devotions, concerts and other musical events.

Walks and longer routes

The historic quay walk follows Österhamnen, Västerhamnen and Söderhamnen. At selected locations, QR codes link to films about the history of each place. This lets you focus the walk on the harbor areas and their history.

The Blå leden hiking trail offers a different scale: it is 35 kilometers long, 12 of which run through Bogesunds naturreservat. The trail leads from the quay in Vaxholm to Domaruddens friluftsgård in the municipality of Österåker. Compared with the quay walk, this involves planning a longer route with a different destination and a section through a nature reserve. As route details may change, it is a good idea to check them before setting out.

Water activities and getting there

In Vaxholm, there are opportunities for fishing, sailing, paddling, swimming and boat trips around the islands. Vaxholms Kanotsällskap rents out canoes, kayaks, Canadian canoes and SUPs. Availability and booking terms may vary by season; check with the provider for your travel dates.

Regular archipelago boat services call at Vaxholm’s quays and steamboat piers. Check timetables before your trip. From Västerhamnen, the yellow car ferry carries passengers and bicycles across the strait to Rindö; services and seasonal conditions may also change here.

For the main travel overview: Vaxholm.