Everything You Need to Know About the Stockholm Highlights Boat Tour

Stockholm’s close relationship with the water is obvious the moment you visit. And how could it not be? After all, the city is built across no fewer than 14 islands—with plenty more in the nearby archipelago. When visiting the Swedish capital, taking a boat tour is an absolute must-do. 

Even after visiting the city 5+ times and previously living there, I still regularly take boat tours in Stockholm. My top recommendation for first-time visitors is the Stockholm Highlights boat tour, operated by Stromma. This was one of the first activities I did on my initial visit to the city, and since then, I’ve been back to get all the information (and photos) you need to plan your own trip. 

All of that information, which also integrates my broader knowledge of Stockholm, is now condensed into this handy guide. You’ll learn everything you need to know about the Highlights tour, such as when it departs, what to expect on board, and what you will see from the water. 

What Will I See on the Boat Tour?

The Stockholm Highlights boat tour lasts for 2 hours and 15 minutes, but it can sometimes run for longer. When I joined the tour on one of my previous trips, this was the case; I didn’t mind, though, since we didn’t have any set-in-stone plans afterward. I suggest also being flexible. 

On the tour, you will pass many of Stockholm’s main sights and see them from a different angle. For example, you’ll see the iconic Stockholm City Hall around halfway through the tour. On the other side, you can see the island of Södermalm and Skinnarviksberget—the city’s highest natural point. You should make some time to visit Skinnarviksberget, along with nearby Monteliusvägen and Mariaberget, after the tour.

At the beginning and end of the ride, you will pass Gamla Stan—also known as Stockholm’s Old Town. From the boat, you’ll see the spires of Storkyrkan and St. Gertrude’s Church; these are two of the most famous churches in the Swedish capital. You will also see the top of Riddarholmskyrkan, which is on the nearby island of Riddarholmen. 

You will also see the Swedish Royal Palace from the water, along with the pretty island of Skeppsholmen (which, as a side note, you should definitely visit). 

Away from the main sights, you will also see parts of Stockholm that tourists seldom visit. For example, you’ll pass through the modern district and former industrial area known as Hammarby Sjöstad. It’s one of my favorite districts in the city, and to get here, you’ll go through a lock. Waiting for the water to rise so you can pass is interesting if you’ve not experienced it before. 

The Stockholm Highlights boat tour passes parts of the island of Södermalm that tourists don’t visit, too. Some of these parts feel miles away from the city, with nice trails weaving through forests and some more traditional Swedish houses. You’ll see modern architecture, too.

As you approach Stockholm’s City Hall, you’ll see the neighborhood of Kungsholmen as well. At certain points on the tour, you can see Kaknästornet—a large TV tower built in the 1960s.

Good to Know: The Tour Runs for Most of the Year

While most tourists visit Stockholm during the summer, you can join Stromma’s Highlights in the spring and autumn as well. The tour itself runs from the end of March until just before Christmas. 

If you’re visiting Stockholm in the winter instead, Stromma has a winter boat tour that you can join instead. It’s shorter than the Highlights one, but you’ll still get to see Stockholm’s main sights from the water. 

Departure Times Differ Throughout the Year

Depending on when you’re in Stockholm, you may have more or fewer departure times to choose from. From October to December and late March until the final few weeks of April, there’s one daily departure at 11:00. 

During the summer, you can choose from more departures. From 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00, one tour boat leaves every hour. This season runs from around 22 June until mid-September; the start and end dates change slightly each year. 

From late April until the first week or so in June, there are always daily departures at 11:00 and 14:00. However, you can join two additional tours from Friday to Sunday at 12:00 and 15:00. 

In the final two weeks of September, departures are at 11:00 and 14:00 daily—with no extra times on weekends. 

What to Expect On Board

The Stockholm Highlights boat tour is quite similar to options you’ll find in other cities. It reminds me a lot of a similar tour I took when visiting Hamburg in Germany. 

You can open some windows for unobstructed views. If you want to take photos, I recommend sitting in these seats. Otherwise, I suggest sitting outside. 

The audio guide over the loudspeaker is in English. But if you want to listen in another language, don’t worry. At the front of the boat, you’ll find headphones you can borrow; you can listen to audio in other languages on your phone. 

There are instructions on how to listen to audio in alternative languages on the boat. If in doubt, ask the person checking your tickets as you board. Languages available include German, French, Spanish, and Italian. There are some glaring omissions, though, such as Chinese and Japanese. 

You can buy basic food and drink on board. These are useful if you’re feeling really hungry or want to enjoy a soft drink while you take in the views. However, the main reason for me to join this tour is for the views; assuming that you’re the same, you don’t *need* to buy anything on board. 

As for other facilities, you’ll find toilets and free Wi-Fi on the boat.

Buying Tickets for the Stockholm Highlights Boat Tour

I recommend buying tickets for the boat tour in advance. It’s one of Stockholm’s main tourist attractions (and one of the best things to do in Stockholm), so it naturally gets busy. This includes waiting in line; we tried to buy tickets in the summer once and decided against it because the queue was annoyingly long. 

You Can Combine the Boat Tour With Other Attractions, Too

If you’re not planning to visit other attractions and museums, buying tickets for just the boat tour makes sense. However, I do recommend adding some of the city’s amazing museums to your Stockholm trip itinerary. 

Buying one of GoCity’s Stockholm passes is a better alternative if you plan to visit 3-4 other attractions, such as Skansen Open Air Museum or Fotografiska. For a smaller number of museums, you can use the Essentials Pass; this lets you choose the boat tour, along with two other attractions. 

If you plan to visit lots of museums in Stockholm, you can get the Essentials Pass instead. This includes 70+ attractions and activities, including another boat tour to the Stockholm Archipelago. 

When using GoCity’s Stockholm passes for the Highlights boat tour, you’ll need to redeem yours at the ticket kiosk close to the starting point. The receptionist will scan your pass and give you a ticket to show when boarding the boat. If you want to compare GoCity’s Stockholm passes, you can do so here.

Get to the Meeting Point Early for the Best Seats

I mentioned earlier that the tour is usually busy; if you show up just before the departure time, you probably won’t get the seats you want. And I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t like settling for the “best of the rest”. 

To get the seats you actually want, I’d recommend showing up at least 30 minutes before the departure time. The Highlights tour departs from Strömkajen (address: Nybroplan 2), close to the Royal Palace and outside Grand Hôtel Stockholm. I’ve added the Google Maps Link here 📍. 

You can get to the meeting point by taking the Metro to Kungsträdgården. It’s a 10-minute walk from there; type “Stromma | Stockholm Highlights Boat Tour” into Google Maps for directions. 

Are There Alternative Stockholm Boat Tours?

I’ve already mentioned the winter boat tour you can join, but it’s not the only option if you’re in Stockholm.  

If you’re feeling active, kayaking is very popular in the Swedish capital and around the nearby archipelago. You can join a winter kayaking experience in the islands near Stockholm; your guide will pick you up from within the city. During the warmer months, you can kayak around the archipelago and have a picnic. 

Other boat tours that don’t require you to be active also exist. You can join an electric boat tour during the summer, which is shorter than the Highlights tour but will show you some of Stockholm’s highlights. 

Final Thoughts

The Stockholm Highlights boat tour is, in my opinion, the best way to see the Swedish capital. It’s ideal for first-time visitors, but I’ve been back even on future trips after becoming more of an expert on Stockholm. You’ll pass many of the city’s main attractions, along with learning more about each of them. 

While you can’t do the Highlights tour in the winter, Stromma has an alternative for these months. And throughout the year, you can enjoy kayaking in and around the Stockholm archipelago if you want to be more active. 

Booking your tickets in advance is a good idea, and I also strongly suggest arriving at the meeting point early. You should also think about whether individual tickets or passes with access to more attractions work better for you.