Beyond the capital, over 30,000 islands are scattered through the blue-black waters of the Baltic, just 200 of which are inhabited. Spend a leisurely day sailing on a yacht to explore this archipelago close up, gliding between narrow straits that can’t be accessed by larger vessels.
With a maximum of eight passengers on board, it’s an intimate, personal experience, and the captain can choose a route that best suits your interests. You’ll have the opportunity to get off the yacht and explore one or two of the islands, perhaps taking a swim if the weather’s warm enough. You might also have the chance to sail the yacht yourself under the captain’s guidance.
You’ll be picked up from your Stockholm hotel and taken by private vehicle to Vaxholm, a small group of islands about 40 minutes outside of the city. Here, you’ll board your yacht and meet your captain, who’ll discuss what you could see and where you could go, depending on the weather and your interests.
You might explore the contrast along the shores between the charming 19th-century houses and the super villas that have been built in the last few years, their large windows designed to make the most of the views. Alternatively, cross into bigger bays to reach wilder, uninhabited islands and focus on the wide array of pristine nature reserves — look out for seals, ospreys, white-tailed eagles and oystercatchers, among many other species.
Throughout the cruise you'll have the opportunity to disembark on a number of the archipelago islands, some of which have been inhabited since the 6th century. You might opt to swim in the blue-black water or explore the chiseled coastline. Your captain might also give you a chance to take control of the yacht for a short time.
A traditional Swedish lunch is served on board during your sail — the menu changes, but might include salad, Swedish meatballs and a local dessert. Afterwards, you’ll return to Vaxholm, where you’ll be picked up for the return drive back to Stockholm.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Sweden specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Sigtuna and Uppsala day trip
Enjoy a day filled with history as you explore two important Swedish towns, Sigtuna and Uppsala, with a private guide. The tour is tailored to your interests, but you might see cathedrals, runestones, traditional wooden houses and medieval ruins.
Walking food tour with local guide
This privately guided tour will give you a chance to explore the city’s lively gastronomic landscape, from modern chefs creating photogenic neo-Nordic dishes to traditional foods. You’ll also learn about the role that food and drink has played in the country’s culture.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
