With more than 24,000 islands – some fringed with white sand beaches, others dotted with pretty fishing villages – the Stockholm Archipelago is an amazing place to stay.
Not all the islands are inhabited – some are little more than a rocky outcrop, while others are wooded islets with just a few simple summer cabins or a campground.
Others boast surprisingly lively villages (in summer, at least) with swanky fish restaurants and upmarket, but understated, hotels.
In summer, many Stockholm residents decamp to these islands to swim, kayak and fish – and some of the islands are even near enough to the city to commute by ferry.
So if you’re tempted by a summer stay in the Stockholm Archipelago (and who wouldn’t be?), check out some of these super-special places to stay.
Stay on a private island
For a real archipelago experience, why not stay in a cabin on a private island? We love Idöborgs Stuguthyrning, a series of pretty wooden cabins on the island of Idöborg, next to Nämdö – just 90 minutes from the city by ferry.
Some cabins are tucked into the trees, others have sea views and all have an authentic simple Swedish island style.
But it’s not all back-to-basics – there’s a restaurant, sauna and yoga room on the island, and you can also rent kayaks to explore the nearby islands.
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Sleep in a castle on Värmdö
Fredriksborg Hotel is on Värmdö in the historic Fredriksborgs fortress, a national monument and now a smart hotel.
Some of the comfortable en-suite rooms are in the castle itself, with original features such as a tiled stove, but we like the ones in the former officers house dating from 1724, each with a lovely terrace looking over the sea.
The views are great, the hotel restaurant is good, and you can borrow bikes to explore the rest of the island.
Go glamping on Ingmarsö
This is camping but with all the comforts of home – and more. This luxurious teepee in the archipelago has a wooden deck over the sea for al fresco meals, an outdoor fireplace, a sauna and comfy cushions and lights inside, as well as a private bathroom.
You can rent a kayak and go out exploring, but our favourite thing to do is just sitting on the deck with a glass in hand and watching the watery world go by.
Splash out at a spa hotel on Trehörningen
The comfortable Nynäs Havsbad sits right by the waterfront in leafy grounds on the island of Trehörningen in the southern archipelago, but just 30 minutes from Stockholm.
It’s been an upmarket spa resort for more than a hundred years, though it’s now refurbished with smart, comfortable rooms and powered by 100 percent renewable energy.
What we like best about it is the waterfront spa with an outdoor hot tub on a wooden deck by the sea and a sauna with sea views.
Enjoy a rural idyll on Grinda
Protected within a nature reserve, the wooded island of Grinda is clean, pretty and tranquil, and home to the Grinda Wärdshuset.
This traditional red-painted wooden guesthouse still has some original features, including a classic fireplace and a lovely outdoor veranda.
You can stay in comfortable en-suite hotel rooms or more basic cabins in the woods, and you can rent kayaks, bikes or SUPs to explore the island.
We particularly like the food options here – there’s an en-site restaurant serving local seafood and seasonal fruit and veg dishes, plus a waterfront barbecue restaurant with lovely sea views for warm summer evenings.
Stay in the heart of town at the Waxholm hotel
Right on the waterfront in the centre of the historic town, the Waxholms Hotel has been welcoming guests to the island of Vaxholm for more than a century.
It makes a great base from which to explore the attractive well-preserved town lanes, lined by painted wooden houses, and the neighbouring fortress and harbour.
The rooms may be a bit small, but the harbour views and being in the heart of the town make this a special place to stay.
Stay in style at the Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden
The Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden is indeed a grand old hotel in a majestic building by the waterside – it even had its own train station built.
Set in attractive grounds, it’s got a pool, sauna and spa plus great views of the sea and a beach nearby, as well as an excellent restaurant serving Swedish seasonal food.
And if you really want to stay in style, you can book the room where Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner once stayed.
It’s not strictly in the archipelago (it’s on the mainland, close to the water) but we love that it’s under half an hour from Stockholm by car so you can combine a city break with some waterside relaxation and luxury.
And for something simple and special…
We love that you don’t have to spend a fortune to stay somewhere special – sometimes basic places can be the best, like this simple hostel on the island of Svartsö.
It may not be luxurious, but it’s in such a lovely location, surrounded by woods, and close to the sea and the ferry jetty.
All the rooms are clean and simply furnished with a private entrance – some have their own terrace and some are even en-suite – and the hotel has bikes to explore the island.
We think this is a great choice for families – there are quad rooms, a communal kitchen and lounge, plus barbecue grills so you can easily self-cater.
