Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
Photo: Henrik Trygg
A sea of change Stockholm marks the beginning of one of the biggest archipelagos in the world, stretching along the eastern cost of Sweden. Adored by Stockholmians for hundreds of years, this extraordinary collection of islands, rocks and islets has started to spark a great amount of interest among an international crowd too. By Pia Petersson | Photos: Anne Sofie Eriksson
“I think it’s hard to visualise it before you’ve actually visited. It’s so much more than a collection of islands in the Baltic Sea,” says Tina Larsson, project manager at Stockholm Archipelago. She is talking about the slight difficulty of describing this collection of 30,000 islands scattered across the sea just outside Stockholm to visitors. How do you define a place that is so vast and includes everything from hiking trails, masses of open blue sea and picturesque little towns, to guided underwater tours of old shipwrecks and more? Yes, we will come back to the shipwrecks. 56 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Dynamic interdependency Once upon a time, the archipelago was full of fishing communities and small farms; however, these days, they are largely gone. Instead, the area mainly functions as the go-to place for busy Stockholmians longing to relax in the countryside and by the sea. Larsson remarks that the relationship between the archipelago and the capital is and always has been somewhat symbiotic. “I think the archipelago works as a great contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. They complement each other very
well,” she says. Indeed, the archipelago is easily reachable from Stockholm. For those prepared to do just a little bit more research before their visit to Stockholm, the archipelago might just be the perfect place to spend a couple of relaxing days in a dramatic landscape after an exploration of the Swedish capital.
Ship out Just like the contrast between city and countryside, the archipelago also appeals both to those looking for an active holiday and to those who long for some peace and quiet. The tranquil little villages and towns as well as the breath-taking natural scenery of the archipelago will guarantee a greater sense of calm among any visitors. Moreover, a visit to the archipelago suits those who are looking for a taste of adventure and excitement. “There are great