Stockholm Archipelago tour by wooden boat with guide

Stockholm boat tour, ten landmarks, guide's stories on city growth across archipelago

A 1 hour 45-minute sightseeing cruise through the Stockholm Archipelago aboard a classic wooden boat with a professional live guide in English, departing from Gamla Stan (Old Town) near the Gustav III Statue. The boat passes the Royal Palace, Djurgården Canal, Skeppsholmen, Gröna Lund amusement park, and Södermalm's mix of modern and industrial-era buildings, with the guide sharing stories about Stockholm's history and landmarks throughout. Soft drinks are available for purchase. A toilet is on board. The partially open design gives unobstructed views for photos.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stockholm Archipelago Cruise Highlights

• Start at Gamla Stan, Old Town
• Hear about Stockholm Royal Palace
• Pass by Östermalm neighborhood
• Pass by historic Skeppsholmen
• Glide through Royal Djurgården Canal
• Pass by Fjäderholmarna islands
• Sail past Nacka Strand and landmarks
• Pass through Hammarbyleden canal
• See Danvikshem building
• Pass by Gröna Lund amusement park
• Enjoy views of Södermalm district
• Return to Gamla Stan, Old Town

The experience

What makes a wooden boat different from a ferry is the pace. You're not moving people from point A to point B, you're moving slowly enough to actually see what you're passing. This tour starts at Gamla Stan, the founding point of Stockholm, and the guide begins talking about the Royal Palace as soon as you leave the dock. From there the route goes through the Djurgården Canal, a narrow waterway lined with the nature reserve, then past Skeppsholmen and out toward the outer islands where Fjäderholmarna sits with its crafts and traditional food, and where a sculpture called God Our Father on the Rainbow marks the Nacka Strand waterfront.

The boat then turns into Hammarbyleden, a tight canal that opens onto Hammarby Sjöstad: a former industrial district turned waterfront neighborhood that most visitors never see from the water. You'll pass Danvikshem, a castle-like building with an unexpected purpose the guide will explain, and Gröna Lund, Sweden's oldest amusement park, before the route swings back toward Södermalm. That's where the industrial past is still visible in red-brick warehouses standing next to newer buildings like Fotografiska, the Museum of Photography.

The partially open design of the boat means you're not sealed behind glass. The sea breeze is part of the experience, and the sightlines for photos are clear. Comfortable seating keeps the boat from feeling crowded, and a toilet is on board if you need it. Soft drinks are available to buy. The whole thing takes 1 hour 45 minutes from start to finish, all of it narrated by someone who knows the city's history and can answer questions as you go.

What’s included

• 1 hour 45-minute sightseeing cruise through the Stockholm Archipelago.
• professional live guide in English sharing stories about Stockholm's history and landmarks.
• comfortable seating on a partially open wooden boat with clear views for photography.
• toilet on board.
• soft drinks available for purchase.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to SundayDepartures at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sightseeing Ride

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see how Stockholm is actually built (spread across islands and water, with layers of history visible from the boat), and you want someone who knows the city to explain what you're looking at as you pass it.

Traveler reviews

4.74★★★★★★★★★★

413 verified traveler reviews

5 ★346

4 ★44

3 ★12

2 ★6

1 ★5

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is Hammarby Sjöstad and why does the boat go through there?

Hammarby Sjöstad is a waterfront neighborhood built on what used to be Stockholm's main Industrial District. The boat passes through the narrow Hammarbyleden canal to reach it, giving you a view of the transformation from industrial warehouses to a modern seaside town that most visitors see only from the street.

Does the guide speak English the whole time?

Yes, the guide is a live English speaker who shares stories and facts about Stockholm's history and the landmarks you pass throughout the 1 hour 45-minute cruise.

Is food or alcohol served on the boat?

Soft drinks are available for purchase. No alcohol is served on board, though you're welcome to bring your own refreshments.

Where does the boat depart from and how do I get there?

The boat departs from near the Gustav III Statue in Gamla Stan (Stockholm's Old Town), with flexible booking options available. Public transportation options are available nearby to reach the departure point.