Sweden 2016: Day 9

The boys loved exploring Fjaderholmarna so much that they both kept asking if we were going back to the Archipelago, so that's exactly what we did. There are thousands and thousands of islands in the Stockholm Archipelago, and most are not easily accessed for a day trip. After a fair bit of research, we settled on the island of Vaxholm, which is one hour by ferry.

We were on an early ferry to Vaxholm and arrived before the town was quite awake. We passed some time playing chess at the town square before gathering maps and brochures from the visitor center.

As it turns out, Vaxholm is quite different than Fjaderholmarna and there were fewer rocks to climb and more shops in which to browse. 

One of the big attractions in Vaxholm is the Vaxholm Fortress, 

which is on its own tiny island that is accessed only by boat. We took the cable ferry across.

Looking back at the ferry and Vaxholm

Once again, we arrived before the museum opened, so we walked around the island and explored. There has been a fortress on this site since 1548 and the current citadel was built between 1833 and 1869 and has been, at times, instrumental in the defense of Stockholm.

 

No rocks to climb, but it was still gorgeous!

We found lots of artillery and cannons.

 

Inside the citadel

After touring the museum and eating lunch, we noticed ominous gray clouds overhead and decided to take the next ferry back to Stockholm. 

We ended up getting back to Stockholm before the rain came but then got caught in a torrential downpour on way to get ice cream at FRYST, which our airbnb host said was the best in town! We dried off back at the apartment and ventured out for a final dinner in our little neighborhood. We ended up at an Italian restaurant that was delicious (the boys ordered carbonara) 

and then it was back home to pack up and get ready for one last day in Stockholm!