Vaxholm tells its story through fortresses, waterfront paths and a food culture shaped by herring fishing. At the Vaxholm Fortress Museum in Vaxholm Castle, you can explore the history of Sweden’s coastal defences and the fortress’s role over the course of 500 years. The main exhibition combines immersive displays with original artefacts from different eras, bringing the broad historical context together with tangible evidence.
Fortress History and City Life
The museum’s other exhibitions also take visitors through different chapters of history. One focuses on the Ytterby mine, where nine chemical elements were discovered over the years. The basement exhibition shows what life was like for the fortress’s civilian residents in the 1890s. Information brochures in English and German, among other languages, are available at the museum ticket desk.
Beyond the museum, the town’s cultural history continues along the water. The cultural heritage walk along Vaxholm’s waterfront promenade passes through Österhamnen and Västerhamnen; at selected stops, QR codes provide additional cultural and historical information. One of the town’s distinctive landmarks is the water tower: designed by Cyrillus Johansson, it was built in 1923 and is considered one of Vaxholm’s most important landmarks.
Local food culture also tells the story of the town. Herring fishing was historically central to Vaxholm; herring remains part of the town’s food culture and is served at its inns. The archipelago inns near Stegesund were part of the historic inn culture as early as the 17th century. In the 19th century, there were seven officially licensed inns in the town. The Wirströmska gårdarna are an important part of the town’s history; most of their buildings were built before 1820. The entire Tullbomen block is protected for its cultural and historical value.
Bogesund Castle also offers a glimpse into the history of architecture. The castle was built in the 1640s. A limited number of rooms are open to the public; several illustrate the building’s architectural history in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. As seasonal access may vary, check the latest visitor information before your visit. Rindö Redoubt was built between 1859 and 1864. Oscar-Fredriksborg Fortress is a state-listed historic building.
Nature Reserves and Landscapes
Since 2015, Bogesundslandet has been a nature reserve in Vaxholm Municipality, covering approximately half of the town’s land area. The landscape brings together moss-covered spruce forests, pine forests on rocky ground, wetlands, lakes, farmland and grazing meadows. The area is also known for its ancient oaks, which provide important habitats for many species. The wetlands around Dammstakärret are part of the European Natura 2000 network.
Kullö Nature Reserve covers the western part of Kullön. Established as the municipality’s first nature reserve, it was created for local recreation. It also protects valuable habitats shaped by the historic cultural landscape and includes a 300-metre-wide shoreline protection zone. The two reserves offer different insights into Vaxholm’s protected nature: Bogesundslandet encompasses several landscape types, while Kullö focuses on cultural landscape habitats and the shoreline.
Trails and Outdoor Activities
Bogesundslandet has marked hiking and riding trails, designated mountain biking routes, swimming spots, and picnic areas with fire pits and wind shelters. Vaxholm also has marked cycling routes and bike paths suitable for both road cycling and mountain biking.
For a comparison of specific routes, the Strömmingsrundan on Vaxön offers a five-kilometre yellow route and a ten-kilometre green route; both are open year-round. The yellow route is also suitable for bicycles, wheelchairs and strollers. The Blå leden trail runs for twelve kilometres within Vaxholm, from Söderhamnen on Vaxön to Kulla vägskäl, and then continues into Österåker Municipality. This gives you a choice of different distances and trail types without requiring them to be combined into a single trip.
You can also explore Vaxholm on the water: Skärgårdens Kanotcenter rents kayaks for independent outings or guided tours. The offerings also include winter tours and a hot sauna for relaxing after your trip. If you’re planning a kayaking trip, check current availability and seasonal information in advance.
More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Vaxholm, Upplands Väsby, Haninge, Stockholm, Boo, Norrtälje, Solna, Österåker.
For the main travel overview: Stockholm.
