Arholma: Nature, Beaches and History

The Stockholm Archipelago Trail runs from Arholma in the north to Landsort in the south. On Arholma, the stage begins at the island’s landing point. The complete stage is approximately 13 kilometres long and leads through meadows and forest paths, past old farms, viewpoints and historic defensive installations.

Nature

Arholma is part of the Arholma-Idö Nature Reserve, which is managed by the Archipelago Foundation. The agricultural landscape of Arholma and Idö forms a mosaic of fields, shore meadows, grazing land and former hay meadows. The open areas of Arholma are maintained by grazing animals. The habitats in the area are important spawning and nursery grounds for fish.

Culture and History

The Arholma BÃ¥k was built in 1768 as a permanent maritime navigation mark. In summer, it is open to the public as a viewing tower. During the war against Russia in 1809, the Arholma BÃ¥k served as one of many optical telegraph stations along the coast of Uppland.

Batteri Arholma is a coastal defence installation from the Cold War, completed in 1968, and is now a museum. During the main season, guided tours of the underground Batteri Arholma facility are offered.

Arholma Church stands on Kvarnberget above Kägelbacken. Music evenings are held at Arholma Church in summer. Arholma’s Midsummer pole has three arches that resemble a ship’s mast with square sails. For the Midsummer celebration on Arholma, the Midsummer pole is erected on Midsummer’s Day.

In Österhamn, the skeletal frame of the schooner Apollonia still protrudes from the water, recalling the island’s former heyday.

Beach and Water

Ahlmansviken beach is located next to the campsite and the northern guest harbour, about 400 metres from the northern landing point. At Arholma Nord, there is a small sandy beach, rocks for bathing and a bathing jetty. Arholma can be explored by bicycle or kayak.

Getting There

Waxholms boats serve Arholma in spring and summer. A 15-minute boat trip from the Simpnäs landing point takes you to Arholma.

When choosing a hotel for Arholma, travel dates, room category and cancellation policies may be given different priorities. Those planning their stay around the seasonal boat connection can review these details together with their preferred travel dates and room category; cancellation policies are also relevant features of the hotel offers. The three details represent different decision levels: the period concerns the trip, the room category the preferred type of accommodation, and the cancellation policies the applicable conditions. When planning a trip to Arholma, they can be considered alongside information about boats, paths, beaches and historic sites without conflating these destination-specific topics. This keeps the choice of hotel as a separate part of the planning process.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Grisslehamn, Norrtälje, Yxlan, Bergshamra, Hallstavik, Herräng, Rånäs, Väddö.

To the overview of the overarching destination: Norrtälje.