#uniquedestinations
Vaxholm, Sweden is the stunning capital of the Archipelago of Stockholm, situated on the island of the same name. For more than a century, this region, reminiscent of a setting from a fairy tale, has remained untouched and preserved its distinct beauty. A visual palette of vibrant homes, charming structures, quaint coves, gorgeous cafes, and the archipelago vista are all worthy of admiration. Vaxholm is easily reachable from Stockholm by car (since a bridge connects the island with the mainland) or by ferry.
The story of Vaxholm
When Gustav Vasa built Vaxholm Fortress in 1548, the history of Vaxholm officially began. Vaxholm was founded as a town in 1558. Later on, it was granted the status of a commercial town (köping). The Djurgårdens Ångbåts-Aktie-Bolag started offering steamboat transportation from Stockholm to Vaxholm in 1849.
Because of this, Vaxholm developed into a well-liked resort town in the 1860s, particularly for bathers, and numerous wooden summer homes were constructed by Stockholm residents. Houses could not be constructed with materials other than wood until 1912. These days, many Stockholm residents use it as a popular day trip location for swimming and other water sports in the summer.
A walk around Vaxholm
The square in front of the Town Hall (Rådhustorget) is a good place to start a stroll in this gorgeous little town. The Town Hall building’s distinctive towering turret and clock make it stand out in the Vaxholm skyline. The huge outdoor chess board stands right in front of it in the charming square, challenging onlookers to a quick game of checkmate.
From the square, follow the road to the left to reach the picturesque marina of Norrhamnen. It is undoubtedly the most photographed spot in Vaxholm. It is a beautiful cove of the archipelago, surrounded by colourful wooden houses, and the city’s most recognisable image.
Additionally, there’s a tiny beach, and strolling around the cove on either side is a delightful experience. Norrhamnen is one of those locations that will inspire travel memories for a lifetime.
From the small cove, follow Fiskaregatan to the east. This is a street full of beautiful houses with picturesque yards and colourful fences. Continuing right on Kilgatan and turning right again at the first narrow street, you will find yourself on Hamngatan, the main shopping street.
Hamngatan is a charming street with a number of stores offering groceries, apparel, flowers, and home accents. Aside from the typical wooden homes on this street, there are a lot of constructed two-story buildings with stunning facades and striking architectural features. The waterfront, home to the port, the sea promenade, and the majority of the cafes and restaurants, is where the street finishes.
Waxholms Choklad, a store on Hamngatan, is certainly worth a visit. It sells both traditional Swedish candies (like the white-red polkagris) and their own collection of chocolates.
Waxholms Hotel
The Waxholms Hotell building stands out over the harbour. This historic hotel opened for business in 1902. Being entwined with the city’s history, it quickly gained popularity as a top tourist destination for people living in nearby Stockholm.
The waterfront in front of the hotel offers views of the archipelago, the opposite islands, and, of course, the impressive Vaxholm Fortress. Finally, there are canteens on the port where you can get food and desserts and sit at the available benches.
Vaxholm Fortress
Gustav Vasa initially built the stronghold in 1548 to protect Stockholm against eastern shipborne invasions. Larger ships of the day were having trouble navigating this strait during the later part of the 1800s, and as a result, the fortress’s military significance decreased. The Vaxholm Fortress Museum is located within the fortress. The museum features two primary collections: one on the fortress’s history and the other on “Animals at War.” Stories of bears that recruited, pigeons that saved soldiers, dogs on perilous missions, seals on submarine searches, brave horses, and many more stories are featured in the exhibition. The Katheset ferry, an electrically driven cable boat that crosses the strait from Vaxholm town, is the way to get to the fortress.
Hembygdsgårds Café
And of course, a visit to Vaxholm is not complete without a visit to the enchanting Hembygdsgårds Café. It is located at one end of Norrhamnen, and apart from the interior rooms, it has two beautiful terraces overlooking the sea.
In the centre of the shop, there is always an impressive buffet with sweets. Here you will find the whole range of traditional Swedish sweets, which are prepared daily in the cafe’s kitchen. At the same time, you can try excellent traditional dishes and drink beer or coffee. Visiting Hembygdsgårds Café is a unique experience that you must try.
Colourful memories
A trip to Vaxholm will leave you with colourful travel memories that are sure to brighten your days. It is a serene, deeply traditional place with breathtaking natural beauty. For a true taste of Sweden, make sure to include Vaxholm on your itinerary if you’re ever in Stockholm.
