Vaxholm: Fortress History and Nature Reserves

In Vaxholm, the history of Sweden’s coastal defences, historic sites and distinctive natural landscapes come together. The Vaxholm Fortress Museum tells the story of the fortress over five centuries, while nature reserves cover a large part of the land area. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose to focus on cultural history, walks or outdoor activities.

Fortress history and historic sites

The Vaxholm Fortress Museum is located in Vaxholm Castle. Its main exhibition combines immersive displays with original artefacts from different eras, recounting the history of Sweden’s coastal defences and the role of the fortress over 500 years. Another exhibition is devoted to the Ytterby mine, where no fewer than nine chemical elements were discovered over the years. The basement exhibition explores the lives of the fortress’s civilian residents in the 1890s. The museum thus brings together military history, scientific history and everyday life.

Visitors can explore the open quarry at the Ytterby mine on their own. Information boards and films accessible via QR codes cover the site’s history, scientific discoveries and the Cold War. The mine was designated a historic landmark by ASM International in 1989 and by the European Chemical Society in 2019.

Other buildings also tell the story of Vaxholm’s past. The water tower was designed by Cyrillus Johansson, built in 1923 and is considered one of the town’s most important landmarks. Rindö Redoubt was built between 1859 and 1864. Oscar-Fredriksborg Fortress is listed as a state-owned historic building. Bogesund Castle was built in the 1640s. A limited number of its rooms are open to the public; several rooms illustrate the castle’s construction history in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. As public access is limited and may vary by season, check the current visitor arrangements before your visit.

Waterfronts, houses and local culture

The cultural heritage walk along Vaxholm’s waterfront takes you through Österhamnen and Västerhamnen. At selected stops, QR codes provide additional cultural and historical information. The Wirströmska gårdarna offer another glimpse into the area’s architectural history: most of the houses were built before 1820, and the entire Tullbomen block is protected for its cultural and historical value.

The local history also includes the inn culture. Archipelago inns existed near Stegesund as early as the 17th century, and in the 19th century Vaxholm had seven official inns. Herring fishing was historically of central importance. Herring remains part of Vaxholm’s food culture and is served at the town’s inns. In summer, Vaxholm also hosts an exhibition about herring fishing and the way of life of a fishing family at the end of the 19th century.

Vaxholms Biografteater combines a long history with film screenings: it was built in 1918, carefully renovated several times and modernised with updated technology. Many major film premieres are shown there as matinees and evening screenings. If you’re planning a trip to the cinema, it’s worth checking the current programme.

Nature reserves and landscapes

Bogesundslandet has been a nature reserve within Vaxholm Municipality since 2015 and covers approximately half of the town’s land area. Its landscape ranges from moss-covered spruce forests and pine woods on rocky ground to wetlands, lakes, farmland and pastures. 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. It was established as Vaxholm Municipality’s first nature reserve to provide opportunities for local recreation. At the same time, it protects valuable habitats shaped by the old cultural landscape and includes a 300-metre-wide shoreline protection zone. Together, the two reserves showcase different aspects of Vaxholm’s natural environment: the diverse landscapes of Bogesundslandet and the protected habitats of Kullön.

Trails and outdoor activities

Bogesundslandet has marked hiking and riding trails, designated mountain biking trails, swimming spots, and rest areas with fire pits and wind shelters. The routes on Vaxön also vary in length and course. Within Vaxholm, the Blå leden runs for twelve kilometres from Söderhamnen on Vaxön to Kulla vägskäl, then continues into Österåker Municipality. On the Strömmingsrundan trail on Vaxön, you can choose between a five-kilometre yellow route and a ten-kilometre green route. Both are marked year-round; the yellow route is also suitable for bicycles, wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Vaxholm has marked cycling routes and cycle paths suitable for both road cycling and mountain biking. Kayak tours offer another perspective on the archipelago: Skärgårdens Kanotcenter rents kayaks for independent exploration or guided trips. The centre also offers winter tours and a hot sauna for relaxing afterwards. As availability may vary, check the current offerings when planning a tour.

Planning your stay

Vaxholm’s tourist information centre provides information about attractions, events, activities, restaurants and accommodation. It also offers maps of walking and cycling routes in the municipality. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, it may help to decide what you’d like to focus on first: would you mainly like to discover fortress history and historic sites, or spend more time on the trails and in the nature reserves? The range of attractions provides concrete ideas without requiring you to limit yourself to just one side of Vaxholm.

Discover more destinations: Vaxholm, Sollentuna, Norrtälje, Solna, Upplands-Bro, Lidingö, Huddinge, Boo.

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