Winter in the archipelago - Stockhom, Sweden

A wintertime tour of the Stockholm archipelago is at least as lovely as one in summer.  The air is fresh and crisp, and the dark water is a stark contrast to the snow-droped islands. It is quiet, peaceful.  Finnhamn, Moja and Sandhamn are some of the islands you can visit in winter.
u can also take a guided tour, eat a Christmas buffet or ride to a Christmas market, for example on Uto.

Stockholm Archipelago

1.   Grisselehamn is a genuine fishing village in the northern archipelago.  Here you can buy freshly                                   smoked fish, eat locally from the dairy farm, visit Albert Engstrom's artist home
                             and relax at Hotell Havsbaden. You can also take a ferry to Aland.

2.  Norrtalje, the idyllic main town in Roslagen, has a charming down-town with cozy shops, bakeries                       and restaurants.  There is plenty to see here for art lovers, as well as museums and                                     interesting events all year long.

3.  Ljustero, one of the archipelago.s bigger islands, offers beautiful nature experience, numerous                                accommodations and restaurants, and a variety of activities. Kayaking, swimming, visiting
                    museums and discovering the Ostra Lagno nature reserve are just a few of all  the things
                    you can do here.

4.  Grinda is a pleasant excursion ust over an hour by boat from Stockholm.  The island offers beautiful                    rocky and sandy beaches,, a charming inn with a popular  kitchen and fun activities like                          kayaking.

5.  Vaxholm  is a popular destination all year long that is easy to reach; by boat or bus; you'll arrive in
                     about an hour.  The town is known for its well-preserved  wooden houses in traditional
                     archipelago architecture from around the turn of the last century.

6.  Nacka is the municipality where the city and archipelago meet.  Visit the eighteenth century
                residences Svindersvik and Stora Nyckelviken, the Dieselverkstaden cultural center, design
                hotel Hotel J, or the Hellasgarden and Vilamsund nature reserves.  The new Hamn is
                Sweden's first battlefield museum, with exciting history and exhibitions.

7.   Gustavsberg is the  seat of Varmdo' Municipality, which consists entirely of islands.  Here, you can
                           visit the porcelain factory and shop, a fabulous gallery and glass expo, glassworks and
                           pleasant shops and cafe's.

8.  Sandhamn  is situated in the enchanting seascope of the outer archipelago. A natural gathering place
                        for sailors, the island bustles with entertainment in the summer.  The charming village
                        is home to inns, hotels, restaurants, bars an the Royal Swedish Yacht Club.


9.  Djuro  is located five miles east of Stockholm and connected to Stavsnas via a beautiful bridge with                  grand views of Kanholmsfjarden.  The area has a  rich history reflected in spaces such as the                  beautiful wooden church from 1683.  Stavsnas harbor is a lively hub.

10. Dalaro in the southern archipelago, can be reached quickly by car or bus, and is the perfect
                  destination for those looking to enjoy beautiful nature, see unique  cultural sites like
                  shipwrecks, and relax in a genuine archipelago setting.

11,  UTO is a popular year-round island in the southern outer archipelago, known for its swimming
                 beaches and lovely kayaking.  Here, you will find Sweden's oldest iron mine and the
                 famous Uto Vardshus with a hotel, hostel and restaurant.

12. Nynashamn  is said to be the one place in Stockholm County where you can see open ocean from                               the mainland.  Hike along Strandvagen, visit the Iron Age house in Korunda or
                           popular islands like Landsort / Oja, Nattaro, Rano and Alo'.  You can also climb,
                           hike, play golf,dive and much more.

13.  Gallno north of Varmdo offers a genuine archipelago setting, beautiful swimming, and lush
                   meadows and pastures.  The buildings are concentrated in Gallino village, with shops,
                   postal service and a self-catering hostel.  In the summer there is a cafe' and bar.

14.  Popular Finnhamn is a nature reserve consisting of the islands Idholmen, with the best beaches and
                                      an organic farm shop.  Stora Jalpan, with a hostel, summer shop, cafe and
                                      pub, and Lilla Jolpan, with untouched nature and beautiful walking trails.

15.  On Svartso, one of the central archipelago's biggest islands, the environment varies from tall hills
                            to smooth rock, and from deciduous and coniferous forests to open meadows.  Here
                            you will find a lovely pub, cottage rental, bed and breakfast, shops and other
                            services. Svartso Lanthandel is also located here, which was named "best
                            archipelago shop" a few years ago.

16.  Moja with its authentic archipelago environment is wonderful to explore by bike.  Here you will
                 find a hostel, bed & breakfast, cottages, a grocery store, guest harbor and several restaurants.
                 It is also fun to rent a kayak and paddle around the island. Large areas of the archipelago
                 east of the island  are part of a nature reserve, which makes paddling particularly special.

17.  Sigtuna, a charming town by Malaren, was founded in the 900's making it Sweden's first city.  The
                     small, idyllic, pedestrian - friendly town has beautiful wooden houses, a renowned
                     eighteenth century town hall, shops, little cafes, restaurants, hotels and a museum.  The 
                     Sigtuna area has four palaces, including royal Rosersberg Palace and Skokloster Castle.
                     Sigtuna can be reached by train and bus in about an hour.  Boat trips during summer.
         
                      www.destinationsigtuna.se

18.  Mariefred is a picturesque and historic town built around Gripsholm Castle, which is known as
                        Gustav Vasa's castle and was founded in 1537.  Explore the castle's beautiful halls, see
                        the unique royal portrait collection, and take a stroll on romantic Slottsholmen.
                        Mariefred's beautiful town center has cafes, restaurants and shops.  In the summer
                        months, you can get here from Stockholm on the historic steamship Mariefred,
                        launched in 1903.  It has traveled the same route for 105 years.  The journey takes three
                        and a half hours.  Eat lunch or dinner on board in he ship's beautiful dining hall.
                        Train trip from Stockholm takes one hour.

                         www.strangnas.se

19.  Trosa  is a delightful town with narrow streets and pleasant shops.  The short wooden houses         
                  along the Trosa River to the outermost harbor pier add to the picturesque town scenery,
                  and the guest harbor is a lively meeting place in the summertime. Here you can paddle
                   a sea kayak, visit the spa, explore the Tullgan and Nynas palaces, visit medieval churches                       and stroll the 900-km long Sormlandsleden trail.

                    www.trosa.com

20.  Uppsala is Sweden's fourth biggest city and an important university town just north of Stockholm
                     Visit the three Royal Mounds in Old Uppsala; the cathedral Scandinavia's biggest   
                      cathedral; Museum Gustavianum Uppsala University' s museum; and the charming shops
                      and cafes.  Uppsala is also the location of the home and gardens of Flower King Carl
                      Linnoeus.

                      www.destinationuppsala.se