Best Stockholm Boat Tours

The Swedish capital, Stockholm, is a city built on the Baltic Sea archipelago, which encompasses an impressive system of islands and numerous bridges. Because of these conditions, boat tours are one of the best things to do in Stockholm, whether you want to take a look around or explore some of the islets in more detail.

You can board a classic boat to sail under Stockholm's bridges and tour the canals in an environmentally friendly way on an electric boat. You also have the option to discover the coast of the island of Sodermalm and the municipality of Nacka in a speedboat, move along the coast of Södermalm and the island of Skeppsholmen in an amphibious bus, among other adventures that I will soon tell you about.

There are many boat trips that you can do during your stay of at least 2 days in Stockholm but certainly the most popular is the tour under the bridges of the city. From the canals you will see at least 15 of these monumental constructions and discover an amazing urban and natural contrast.

This adventure usually starts at the Strömkajen pier, where you will board a traditional boat. You can sit on deck or stay in the main cabin, relax and enjoy the view while breathing fresh air and taking amazing pictures.

Throughout this experience, you will get a different perspective of the old town and its main buildings, such as the Royal Palace with its baroque architecture. You will also marvel at the lush natural scene of Djurgården Island, known for housing some of the best museums in Stockholm.

Also, on this boat ride under Stockholm's bridges you will have the opportunity to sail by the island of Södermalm, located south of the city center; and the small island Lilla Essingen, which concentrates a residential area with large blocks of apartments. In addition, you will pass by the island Stora Essingen, which houses several villas.

Information of interest

• Price: the price of this boat trip starts at approximately 36€ per person.
• Duration: the experience lasts about 2 hours.

Enjoying the Stockholm archipelago from the sea is another of the adventures you can undertake on your trip. You will see a series of historical monuments and natural spaces of great scenic wealth. In addition, you will learn about the cultural importance of the islands and destinations along the way.

This activity, considered among the best tours of Stockholm from the sea, usually starts at the City Hall pier. There, you will board a boat and, together with a guide, you will sail along the coast on a round-trip route from the Swedish capital to the city of Vaxholm.

As the boat moves away from the mainland, you will begin to have a fairly wide panoramic view of the city, being able to see, for example, the City Hall from a different perspective. Likewise, you will identify other places of historical relevance such as the Royal Palace, St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Palace of Parliament, among others.

With this panoramic cruise through the Stockholm archipelago you will not only have the opportunity to enjoy a privileged view of this amazing system of islands, some of them populated and others deserted. You will also learn about the archipelago: cultural aspects, historical and even religious facts. All this, thanks to the commentary of a guide on board.

Information of interest

• Price: the average price of the activity is about 36€ per person.
• Duration: the tour usually lasts about 3 hours.

With this type of tour you will not only see different perspectives of the city, but you will also learn about the monuments and natural spaces hidden in the islands of this archipelago. All this, while living an adventure full of excitement aboard a speedboat, which is ideal if you are traveling alone, with friends or you are in Stockholm with children.

This adventure starts from one of the docks in the old city center, so you will get a panoramic view of the 17th century buildings of Gamla Stan from the water. You will be accompanied by a guide along the main waterways of the Swedish capital and you can make a few stops to see the islands as you pass by.

Some of the places you will visit on this speedboat tour of the Stockholm archipelago include the following:

• Vaxholm Fortress; this is a 17th century national monument where you will find a museum.
• The Royal Canal of Djurgårdsbrunns, surrounded by lush vegetation.
• The coast of the island of Sodermalm, which is one of the largest in Stockholm.
• A series of islands, some of them rocky and uninhabited, while from others you will see the facades of their picturesque houses and some fishing villages.

Information of interest

• Price: the approximate price of this experience is 122€ per person.
• Duration: the speedboat tour of Stockholm lasts approximately 60 minutes.

Another way to see Stockholm from the water is through a kayak tour, which is ideal if you are a water sports enthusiast. You will paddle through the calm waters of the city, contemplating some of the most emblematic places that the Swedish capital hosts.

For this tour you will have to connect with the guide in charge, either in the city center or in the bay of the old town. Before getting into the kayak you will receive some basic tips so that you do not have any inconveniences when you are on the water. Afterwards, you will start paddling and enjoy the surroundings.

Throughout this kayak tour of Stockholm you will have the opportunity to see tourist, historical and cultural destinations such as:

• The City Hall, located on the island Kungsholmen, right at the water's edge and whose tower stands out for its three golden crowns.
• The Riddarholmen Church, where Swedish monarchs from King Gustav II to King Gustav V rest.
• The Gamla Stan area, known as the historic center of the Swedish capital.
• The Langholmen Island, which among other jewels houses a memorial museum of the musician Carl Michael Bellman.

Information of interest

• Price: the value of the experience starts at 58€ per person.
• Duration: the adventure can last about two hours.

The free-stop boat is the best option for those who want to move around the city's lakes and canals at their own pace. You can hop on and off at the nine available stops along the island, accessing the most popular sights and tourist attractions.

You will depart from the pier in the old center of Stockholm and have the option to take a full scenic route around the central islands of the city. In addition, you can get off the boat at the desired stop to explore the site and then board another boat to continue the tour. Quite similar to the Stockholm sightseeing bus, but by water.

In either case, you will see a panoramic view of Gamla Stan, sail by Djurgården Island, Skeppsholmen Island, among others. In addition, you will have the opportunity to stop at places like City Hall, the Royal Palace, the cultural center Stadsgården, the amusement park Gröna Lund, the Vasa Museum, etc..

Useful information

• Price: from approximately 70€ per person.
• Duration: the complete tour lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes, but this time could be extended if you make some stops.

Any time of the year is a good opportunity to explore the Swedish capital by boat. Therefore, if you are in Stockholm in winter you should not miss the opportunity to sail through its canals. You will be enveloped in a nostalgic atmosphere as you contemplate the icy panorama.

Among some of the destinations you will visit on this boat tour are the following:

• Some of Gamla Stan's historic buildings, such as the Royal Palace, Riddarholmen Church, City Hall, among others.
• The docks of the city, with its picturesque view.
• The island Fjäderholmarna, composed of four islands: Rövarns Holme, Stora Fjäderholmen, Libertas and Ängsholmen, as well as some islets.
• Djurgården Island, where you will have the opportunity to see the Royal Garden. It is a natural lung with lush vegetation and a history dating back some 400 years.

You will then return to the mainland to continue discovering the so-called Venice of the North. And, if you wish, join a guided tour of Stockholm's old town, or take a stroll along the Drottninggatan shopping street for some shopping, among other activities.

Information of interest

• Price: the approximate cost of the boat ride is 31€ per person.
• Duration: the activity can last about 75 minutes.

The Royal Canal is another boat tour you can take on your 3-day stay in Stockholm or longer. You will sail through the city center from Nybrokajen Pier to the island of Djurgården in the southern region, enjoying what is considered the greenest area of the Swedish capital.

Once on the boat, you should put on your headphones to listen to some important facts about the monuments and natural areas along the way. All this, while you relax on deck and tour this ancient canal built in 1834 by King Calos XIV

During the tour you will move through the calm waters of this canal full of forests, gardens and parks over 400 years old. And, if you're lucky, you might see some birds of prey such as herons and owls, which are characteristic of the region.

Upon arrival at Djurgården, you will circle the island and see a number of historic buildings. You will also see in the distance the large amusement park Gröna Lund, visited annually by hundreds of tourists and locals; the Nordic Museum, with its imposing neo-Renaissance architecture; the Vrak, the Stockholm Shipwreck Museum, among others.

Information of interest

• Price: this boat tour can cost about 21€ per person, approximately.
• Duration: the average duration of this tour is 50 minutes.

Another of the best boat tours in Stockholm is the route along the canals in the western region of the city, namely Kungsholmen Island and Långholmen. There, there are several places of historical and architectural interest that you can see from the sea, getting a unique perspective of them.

Due to the location of the islands, this adventure usually starts from the pier of the Stockholm City Hall. You will board a boat and set sail. As you sail away from Gamla Stan or Old Town you will identify some buildings: the Royal Palace, the outstanding tower of the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, etc.

After a few minutes you will be circling Kungsholmen Island, located in Lake Malaren and dotted with beautiful green areas. In this region you will see:

• A series of art deco style buildings, with their geometric patterns and vertical windows.
• The Palace of Justice, representative of the architectural style of modernism.
• The Kristineber Palace, built in 1750.
• The Serafen Hospital, considered the first modern medical facility in the city, built in 1752.

Next, you will pass by the island of Långholmen, which until 1975 housed the state prison. Today, this building is still standing, but it has been restored and occupied as a hotel and youth hostel.

Interesting information

• Price: the price of the boat trip is approximately 20€ per person.
• Duration: the boat ride lasts about 50 minutes.

If you want to break with tradition when it comes to boat rides in Stockholm, then you will have to board the amphibious bus. You will tour the city in a different way and experience a unique moment when you go from the pavement to the waters of the Baltic Sea without having to transfer to a boat.

The adventure begins with a land bus tour with a specialized guide. You will walk around the outskirts of the 19th century Royal Opera House, the lively Birger Jarl Street, the Royal Library with its Nordic Classicism architectural style and finally the Östermalm area.

Afterwards, you will leave the pavement behind and join a slightly uneven path until you begin to float on the water. Thus, you will start an amazing scenic ride in which you will see destinations such as:

• Djurgården Royal Island, with the Vasa Museum and the Gröna Lund amusement park.
• The facades of the buildings in the old town whose history dates back to the 16th century.
• The island of Skeppsholmen, which houses the Royal Palace and the famous ship Af Chapman, occupied in the nineteenth century as a naval station.
• The coastal island of Södermalm, considered one of the largest in Stockholm.

You will then return to the mainland to continue your itinerary, which may include joining a culinary tour of Stockholm, strolling along Marten Trotzigs Gränd (the city's narrowest street) or connecting with the Stockholm Airport transfer service, should this be your last day in the Swedish capital.

Useful information

• Price: the average price of the amphibious bus tour corresponds to 30€ per person.
• Duration: the approximate duration of this experience is about 60 minutes.

Although Stockholm stands on 14 islands, its surroundings and the archipelago have more than 24,000 islands in total, which you can see by taking a day cruise through the waters of the Baltic Sea. You will get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, breathe fresh air and enjoy the natural beauty of these paradisiacal places from the deck of the boat.

Among some of the islands you will see are the following:

• Kymmendö Island, known for having served as inspiration for the Swedish playwright August Strindberg, in his 1887 novel People of Hemsö.
• Bullerö Island, dotted with picturesque paths and surrounded by a few coves.
• Sandhamn Island, with a rich maritime history dating back to the 17th century, wooden houses, lush vegetation and crystal clear waters.

After this experience, you will return to Stockholm at night to, if you wish, continue exploring the city. For example, you could join a ghost tour of Stockholm and discover the mysteries it conceals, or perhaps take a stroll through the discos and clubs to enjoy the lively nightlife.

Useful information

• Price: the cruise can cost up to about 175€ per person.
• Duration: about 12 hours approximately.