15 hidden gems in the Stockholm archipelago – updated list for 2026

What is it? Ingmarsö Bakery launched during the pandemic in a rustic corrugated iron barn by two young, creative entrepreneurs. Since then, the couple have developed the concept further and also opened a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Why go? You’ll find delicate cinnamon buns, the famous Ingmarsö loaf, their own Ingmarsö beer and one of the archipelago’s cosiest terraces here – perfect for a fika after the beach or dinner on warm summer evenings. Enjoy sea views, wood-fired pizzas or a drink alongside both island locals and tourists who’ve made it out to this little gem.

Don’t miss: During the summer, the bakery hosts barbecue evenings, themed dinners with menus and music from different parts of the world and troubadour nights, so keep an eye on their website. Ingmarsö is also a lively island year-round, meaning the bakery is often open on weekends during the low season too.

Getting here: Waxholmsbolaget boats from Strömkajen take around 2.5-3 hours.

Address: Båtdragsvägen 2, Ingmarsö. Expect to pay: Around SEK 250 for a main course and roughly SEK 200 for a pizza. Opening hours: Weekends during the low season, check ingmarsobageri.com for more information. From June 25-August 9 the bakery is open daily 8.00-21.00.

What is it? The first feeling: is this really Sweden? Because it honestly feels more like stepping onto a Greek island when you arrive at Torpesand beach in Björnö Nature Reserve on the eastern tip of Ingarö.

Why go? Because it’s so easy to get here, by car or SL bus from Slussen in just an hour – and suddenly feel like you’re in another world. Get a quick dose of archipelago life on a day trip or take the opportunity to explore the reserve’s beaches, coves, cliffs and forests by camping overnight at one of Björnö’s campsites. After a walk along forest trails, turquoise-blue water glimmers seductively between the pine trunks. The white, fine-grain sand is so soft it feels like walking on warm butter. A snorkelling trail marked with underwater signs guides anyone wanting to explore the sea life and plant life beneath the almost crystal-clear surface.

Don’t miss: Bring food for the grill and have a barbecue at the designated beach grilling area. The sunset at Torpesand overlooking Nämdöfjärden is almost ridiculously postcard-perfect.

Getting here: Take SL bus 428 from Slussen to the Björnö Nature Reserve stop.

What is it? Sandhamn is known as perhaps the archipelago’s most glamorous island and a sailing paradise. Here, guessing which international movie star or tech billionaire has docked their giant yacht this time is practically a sport.

Why go? To stand on a cliff at the edge of the archipelago and gaze out across the sea stretching all the way to Finland. But also to stroll around the main harbour or explore the surprisingly extensive restaurant scene for an island destination.

Sandhamn, whose actual name is Sandön, (Sandhamn is the village itself) is one of the more populated islands and also offers plenty of conveniences, shops and activities for anyone tired of soaking up the sun on the rocks at Fläskberget. Play padel, rent a windsurfing board or join a yoga session. Pick up a sailor bun from the bakery, a new dress at Sommarboden or a new coffee table book from publisher Max Ström. At the centre of it all stands the large red sailing hotel with its parasol-covered outdoor terraces. During summer, the stage hosts live artists and musicians before the DJ takes over and transforms the bar into the archipelago’s best nightclub.

Don’t miss: The best meal – thanks to both the food and the friendly staff – can be found at Sands’ gravel-covered, lilac-scented outdoor terrace, which brings southern France to mind.

Getting here: From Strandkajen in central Stockholm the journey usually takes around two hours. You can also take a bus from Slussen to Stavsnäs followed by a shorter boat ride.

Opening hours Sands: Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the high season. Expect to pay around SEK 300 for a main course.

What is it? A fantastic little getaway for anyone wanting a break from the bustle and crowds of neighbouring Utö and longing for simplicity, nature, tranquillity and delicious seafood.

Why go? The smokers and grills are fired up from morning until evening, serving everything from prawns to salmon and turbot. The sunset you soak up from the wooden deck is pure magic. Ålö Nature Reserve is reached via a small bridge from Utö and the restaurant itself is tucked between salt-sprayed cliffs in a secluded bay. Choose between sitting indoors in the charming old boathouse or out on the sunny wooden terrace overlooking the water.

Don’t miss: Ålö has beautiful hiking trails, so why not take a walk through the stunning archipelago scenery before settling in at the restaurant and treating yourself to a good dinner or a drink as a reward? Or perhaps rent a bike on Utö and cycle the 10 kilometres to the restaurant?

Getting here: From Utö, walking, cycling or arriving by private boat are the only ways to reach Ålö, but boats from Nynäshamn fishing harbour operated by Waxholmsbolaget/UtöExpress run year-round and take around one hour.

Address: Ålö Brygga. Expect to pay: Main courses cost around SEK 200-300. Opening hours: Daily from 10.00-16.00.

What is it? Stockholm’s closest archipelago islands are just a 20-minute boat ride from the city centre. The islands, which belong to the Royal National City Park, are a bit like an archipelago version of Skansen – everything is slightly curated for tourists, with nature and craft shops, but instead of moose you’ll be greeted by screeching seagulls.

Why go? Enjoy beautiful views, creaking jetties and an ice-cold beer at Fjäderholmarnas Brewery. After walking around the island, taking a dip from the cliffs and drying off in the sun, you might start feeling a little thirsty. Then all you need to do is wander over to the main quay and grab a seat on one of the benches outside the brewery.

With red wooden façades as your backdrop, you can order a tasting tray for a self-guided journey through the brewery’s different IPAs, APAs and stouts. Beer tastings hosted by the staff are also held a few times a month. If you’re interested in crafts, there’s also a forge, a ceramics studio and a glass-blowing workshop to visit, among other things.

Don’t miss: Settle in on the cosy terrace at Röda Villan or challenge your group to a game of boules in the leafy garden.

Getting here: During the summer, boats depart daily with Strömma, Waxholmsbolaget and Fjäderholmsbåtarna. Expect to pay between SEK 150 and 200 return.

What is it? Rödlöga is one of the easternmost outposts in the archipelago and as far as you can travel by regular boat service from central Stockholm before reaching the Åland Sea. The charming country store Rödlögaboden opens around Midsummer and stays open until sometime in August.

Why go? Rödlögaboden is famous for its staffed delicatessen counter stocked with cheeses, charcuterie, smoked fish and their homemade Skagen mix – the philosophy being that even boaters deserve a little luxury as a break from dull dry goods and canned food. The shop stays open throughout the summer season, so why not make a full-day excursion from the city on a sunny day? Buy something delicious from the store, then find a secluded rock or sheltered bay – there’s no risk of crowds here. Swim, sunbathe and enjoy the sea views, wild birdlife and silence – because it really doesn’t get more archipelago than this.

Don’t miss: Every summer, tourists, islanders and sailors flock here for the season’s highlight – the so-called Gösta Day – to buy French, Spanish, Swiss and Swedish cheeses, have fika at Café Truten, browse art exhibitions at Gammelstugan and take part in the annual tribute to Rödlögaboden founder Gösta Söderman. The steamship Blidösund traditionally docks at Rödlöga during the celebration, so anyone wanting to join the boat excursion from Norrtälje can book tickets through Blidösundsbolaget’s website.

Getting here: Waxholmsbolaget operates year-round services to Rödlöga from Strömkajen. Daily during summer, with fewer departures during the rest of the year. The journey takes around four hours.

Address: Rödlöga. Opening hours: From Midsummer until mid-August, 10.00-18.00 or 11.00-16.00.

What is it? Idöborg is a privately owned island just outside Stavsnäs on Värmdö that has attracted gourmands, island locals, tourists and yogis for decades. On this tiny island – you can walk around it in under half an hour – you’ll find cottage rentals, a beachside restaurant, a sauna and a kayaking centre.

Why go? Because it’s the closest you’ll get to the feeling of being on a deserted island. This little oasis, cut off from the outside world, can be reached by Waxholms boat from Stavsnäs in around half an hour. During summer there’s plenty happening at Strandbaren with its large wooden terrace – singalong evenings, concerts with well-known artists and blissfully hot sessions in the wood-fired sauna. But the restaurant quietly opens on weekends already in spring and keeps going well into autumn.

Don’t miss: Back in the 1980s, an oasis for yoga and wellbeing was created here on Idöborg. That tradition has continued through the decades and every year, mainly during autumn and spring, a number of retreats and workshops are organised by established wellness instructors. If outdoor life is more your thing, you can rent kayaks or join a guided kayaking tour. Fancy an even bigger challenge? Sign up for open-water swimming, try a swimrun safari or take part in other adrenaline-filled activities organised from the island.

Getting here: Waxholms boats run year-round from Stavsnäs to Idöborg and take around 40-45 minutes.

The cottage rentals are open year-round. Strandbaren is open on weekends during spring and autumn, and from June 13-August 31 from 8.00-22.00. Expect to pay: A main course at Strandbaren costs around SEK 300-400.

What is it? Bullerö is the gateway to Sweden’s first marine national park in the Baltic Sea – Nämdö Archipelago National Park – which was inaugurated as recently as 2025 with much celebration.

Why go? Just an hour from the mainland and the city, you can experience the rugged and windswept outer archipelago with hiking, climbing, salty swims from cliffs and beaches, and snorkelling. The island has a guesthouse with an outdoor kitchen open during the high season as well as a year-round shelter cabin and wood-fired sauna. Visit for a day trip or stay overnight – bring a tent and camp in the designated camping meadow, or, for those preferring more comfort, stay at the guesthouse, which is open between May 1-November 2.

Don’t miss: The island is also home to the old hunting lodge and studio of famed wildlife painter Bruno Liljefors, with exhibitions about both the national park and the artist’s own works – it was this part of the archipelago that inspired many of his paintings. After walking around the island, it’s easy to understand why creativity flowed so freely in this magical meeting of raw nature and dramatic scenery. And why he so often invited cultural friends Anders Zorn and Albert Engström to share in the beauty.

Getting here: During the high season from May-October, the Bullerö Line boat travels to the entrance of Bullerö from Stavsnäs winter harbour on Värmdö, taking around 50 minutes.

What is it? A newly inaugurated hiking trail for outdoor enthusiasts wanting to explore the Stockholm archipelago on foot.

Why go? Because it’s the perfect way to combine spectacular scenery with outdoor life and an active holiday. The Stockholm Archipelago Trail stretches a total of 270 kilometres across 20 islands from Arholma in the north to Landsort in the south. The trail is divided into 22 standalone stages of varying difficulty – from easy to moderate and challenging. Why not challenge your nature-loving friends and bring them along for a hike across one or more sections of the trail?

Don’t miss: STF (the Swedish Tourist Association) offers several packages for those wanting to hike the trail, including both boat travel and hostel accommodation. Choose between the northern and central archipelago. Waxholmsbolaget also offers a five-day travel pass with unlimited journeys so you can create your own route. During the summer weeks, from Midsummer until mid-August, you can also travel on the north-south line connecting most islands daily. But the best time to visit, if you prefer a calmer atmosphere and fewer crowds, is outside the peak season in May-June or August-September.

Getting here: All islands can be reached by regular Waxholms boats or SL bus. For more information visit stockholmarchipelagotrail.com.

What is it? Smådalarö Gård is the old captain’s manor transformed into one of Stockholm’s most complete destinations for bon vivant living. Think woven armchairs, muted tones and a wood-fired sauna by the water just over 50 minutes by car from Stockholm.

Why go? Come here for a relaxed yet sophisticated spa experience year-round. The resort is one of the larger ones in the archipelago but still feels personal. There are several pools, restaurants and bars and, naturally, a tennis court too. During summer, events such as champagne tastings and live performances are organised and the lakeside sauna is perfect for a dip from the jetty.

Don’t miss: Taking a walk down to the jetty before breakfast; the light across Hemviken is often ridiculously beautiful and does more for your wellbeing than any face mask ever could.

Address: Smådalarö Gård, Dalarö. Number of rooms: 110.
Expect to pay: Between SEK 2,800 and 5,500 for a package including a standard room, breakfast, a three-course dinner and spa entry, depending on season and day of the week.

What is it? Djurönäset on Värmdö is another year-round archipelago destination with a packed programme including concerts, piano bar, DJs, champagne and oyster bar and plenty of other happenings.

Why go? Maybe you don’t want to travel too far from the city but are still looking for a peaceful nature-filled oasis where you can unwind and add a little luxury to everyday life. In that case, Djurönäset hits the mark. On warm summer evenings guests gather on the jetty at Sjöboden, where famous musicians perform and the grills are fired up. Djurönäset is also known for its excellent spa with saunas, heated pools and magnificent sea views. The restaurant serves top-class cuisine with seasonal produce and a Nordic touch. Wellness events, children’s performances and traditional Swedish pentathlon games are also organised in Folkparken.

Don’t miss: Djurönäset is also a true winter paradise. During these months a completely different calm settles over the place, with sky-high cosiness levels – crackling fires, steaming hot baths, views over the misty bay and long walks through the white archipelago landscape.

Getting here: It’s quick to get here by SL bus 434 from Slussen in just under an hour or by car. Stop: Djurönäset.

Address: Seregårdsvägen 1, Djurhamn. Number of rooms: 274. Expect to pay: From around SEK 1,900 to 4,500 for a standard package (overnight stay, breakfast, three-course dinner and spa entry). Prices vary depending on whether it’s a weekday or a popular Saturday.

What is it? Every summer, evenings of live music by well-known artists are held aboard the coal-fired steamship Blidösund.

Why go? Because you get the chance to experience Stockholm in summer at its absolute loveliest. It’s a full-evening experience you won’t soon forget. Glide away from the quay beside the Royal Palace and out onto the water on a summer night. Listen to great music, enjoy the sound of the waves and the beautiful inner archipelago in the evening sun, classic archipelago cuisine in the dining room or a drink on deck at sunset. In addition to music evenings, Blidösundsbolaget also arranges food cruises and other excursions during May and August to various islands in the Stockholm archipelago themed around wildlife, nature and culture.

Don’t miss: The legendary steamship steak, prepared in the Byssan, the ship’s kitchen. This classic dish, which is as much cultural history as it is a meal, has remained on the menu for more than half a century. The dish itself is fairly simple, consisting of beef, fried potatoes, onions and gravy. But when you bite into the meat you’re tasting authentic Swedish home cooking in a historic setting, where the overall experience – steam engine, wooden interiors and archipelago views outside the windows – is the true charm.

Address: Blidösund departs from Skeppsbron below Slottsbacken. Expect to pay: Tickets are booked via Blidösundsbolaget’s website. Individual cruises cost SEK 380. You can also buy the Blidösund Live Pass for SEK 499, which includes your first booked performance. After that you only pay SEK 100 per show.

What is it? The popular and multifaceted island of Möja in the Värmdö archipelago is perfect for exploring by bike.

Why go? Möja offers loads of exciting nature, culture and countless fun activities during summer. Gravel roads across the island connect the small, characteristic former fishing villages from north to south and along the way you can stop at various hidden gems. Both Möja Hamncafé at Kyrkviken and Möja Hostel in the village of Berg rent out bicycles.

Start your journey in Berg, the island’s central hub, where cafés, bakeries and restaurants serve everything from French-inspired fish dishes to classic archipelago food and homemade bread. Continue on to the island’s local history museum, where you’ll learn about Möja’s dramatic past. More history awaits in Ramsmora and the Roland Svensson Museum, dedicated to the famous archipelago artist and writer. Then head north to meet the long-necked residents at the island’s ostrich farm in the village of Löka before finishing your route at charming Jeppes Gästgiveri, the cult-status restaurant of a beloved Möja personality. It’s neither luxurious nor fine dining, but that’s more than compensated for by its rustic charm and laid-back atmosphere.

Don’t miss: Check out the events calendar at Möja dance pavilion. During summer it hosts everything from concerts and flea markets to workshops, cinema screenings, dance nights and discos.

Getting here: Waxholmsbolaget boats depart from Strömkajen to Möja’s jetties – Berg, Möjaström, Löka, Långvik and Ramsmora – and take around 3-4 hours.

What is it? One of the Stockholm archipelago’s oldest cinemas and cultural venues that’s still going strong.

Why go? Because it’s wonderful to break up a beach day with a dose of culture in a beautiful archipelago setting. And because the atmosphere is so special. Blidö Bio isn’t part of any commercial cinema chain but instead a cosy and intimate countryside cinema run by the local Folkets Hus association, where you can really feel the wings of history in the walls. The historic building was originally constructed as a parish hall back in 1919 and has screened films since the 1950s. Culture continues to flourish at Blidö Bio today, with a packed programme of films, variety shows, concerts and art exhibitions. The cinema is run by world-famous opera singer Barbara Hendricks and her husband, both passionate about the island’s cultural life.

And by visiting, you’re also helping keep culture alive in the archipelago.

Don’t miss: Why not turn your Blidö visit into a full experience? Nature, sea, fika, dinner and a film – then stay overnight at one of the island’s hostels or guesthouses.

Getting here: Since Blidö is connected to the mainland by car ferry, you can travel here by car, SL bus from Tekniska högskolan or Waxholms boat from Strömkajen. The boat journey takes around 2.5-3 hours and the bus roughly 2.5 hours.

Address: Blidövägen 149. Opening hours: Vary depending on the programme, see blidobio.se.

What is it? With the motto of fresh ingredients, respect for animals and love for what they grow, Bistro Sågen has created a small culinary gem on Svartsö. The owners’ strong focus on sustainability, the environment and reuse also feels exactly right.

Why go? Because the three creative women and passionate entrepreneurs behind the restaurant have created a warm and natural meeting place in the archipelago that brings together islanders, tourists and summer visitors year-round. Locally produced, seasonal food from their own gardens and the surrounding archipelago is served here. Throughout the year Bistro Sågen throws lively parties and events – during summer the programme is packed with live music, music quizzes, DJ nights and festivals.

How about a goat walk with fika? A cooking class? Dancing under the stars? Even during the low season there’s everything from pub nights to lamb Saturdays, wine tastings, Christmas buffets and Oktoberfest celebrations. The rough-and-ready restaurant is housed inside an old sawmill previously owned by one of the founders’ families – hence the name Sågen. In summer, guests sit outside on the lawn terrace.

Being a guest at Bistro Sågen feels like coming home to a dear old friend who always has a new adventure up their sleeve.

Don’t miss: Stay overnight on Svartsö and book a room at nearby Svartsö Hotel and Hostel, which is also open year-round. There’s also a sauna below Sågen available to rent for anyone wanting to unwind with a hot sauna session before or after their meal.

Getting here: Waxholmsbolaget boats serve Svartsö’s jetties year-round and the journey takes around 2.5 hours. The closest jetty to Bistro Sågen is Svartsö Norra, about a 25-minute walk away.

Address: Svartsö Abborrvass 229, Skälvik. Opening hours: Vary during the low season. From June 22-August 15 the restaurant is open daily 12.00-22.00.