Hej!
We are planning to visit Stockholm for maybe 3 nights in late June 2025, and then hoping to "escape" the city and spend 4 nights in the Archipelago islands, with the intent of doing about 5-7 mile walks/hikes each day on different sections of the Archipelago Trail.
Does anyone recommend any quaint town/villages in the islands to stay overnight, that would have easy access to the trail?
Ideally, the island towns should have easy ferry access to/from Stockholm.
We would like to stay maybe 2 nights in 2 different island towns.
Thanks in advance for any guidance on islands, ferries, lodging, and trail sections.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7261 posts
I don't know how far you are planning to hike each day. But keep in mind that even if the trail is long, if you want to hike further than one island you need to consider the ferry schedule.
The trail goes through the outer part of the archipelago which is less populated compared to the inner parts, but there are still enough populated islands to choose from and most major islands have direct ferries from Stockholm, and you rarely have to change ferry more than once to get where you want to go.
Sandhamn is probably the largest village in the outer archipelago and popular in the summer. Has a couple of hotels, restaurants and shops. But if you leave Sandhamn itself it is on a nice island mostly covered in forest and with several sandy beaches.
You can also have a look at Möja, there are six small villages on the island and a couple of hostels, a few shops and restaurants. All in all a very charming island and it's easy to combine with others.
Svartsö, Brottö, Ingmarsö and Finnhamn are a couple of islands close to each other that are very easy to combine. They have a bit more of a rural feeling but are still popular enough to offer places to sleep and a couple of restaurants.
Just keep in mind that late June might mean Midsummer, during which the archipelago can get very crowded.
The ferries are run by Waxholmsbolaget, their schedules and information about tickets can be found at www.waxholmsbolaget.se
Posted by
Gothenburg, Scandinavia
114 posts
The outer archipelago islands will let you gaze peacefully into the infinity of the horizon. Consider Utö, to the south, with its legendary cinnamon buns.
Posted by
OP
Pennsylvania, USA
4 posts
Thank you Badger and Cherryplanter. We are currently researching Uto and Sandhamn, they are at the top of our list.
We also have read some nice things about Grinda. Any thoughts on that island and trail?
We are planning to visit and hike three different islands, maybe stay a night on each island.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7261 posts
Grinda is also a great choice, much closer to Stockholm so it has a bit of a different character. And much smaller than Möja, so not that great if you're looking for a long hike. But if it's large enough for you it's not a bad option. And there is a popular hotel and restaurant on island .