The east façade of The Royal Palace on Gamla Stan

We had time for an early morning walk through Gamla Stan before boarding the ferry to Vaxholm at noon.  The tour groups were already on the streets by 8 am.

A palace guard.

The sign to the Livrustkammaren, the Royal Armoury museum and oldest museum in Sweden. Gustav II’s stuffed stallion from 1632 is in the museum

We did some window shopping, which is all you can afford here.  The beautiful sweaters were around SEK 1800 – 1900.  The small Dala Hests were SEK 500.

SEK 1900 sweaters

Dala hests in the window

A street in Gamla Stan

We went back to Stortorget square in the early morning light.   The fountain is off a well dated from 1778.

We checked out of The Rica hotel in Gamla Stan and boarded a ferry to Vaxholm.  It was beautiful pulling out of the harbour and cruising through the islands.

The Rica lobby in Gamla Stan

Leaving Stockholm on the ferry to Vaxholm

Gamla Stan from the water

The ferry ride from Stockholm to Vaxholm lasted about one hour.  We had to take another small ferry to the b&b in the Kastellet.

The Kastellet, a small island fort near Vaxholm. This is the b&b where we spent two nights.

We walked the small town of Vaxholm and had lunch.  Lunch was reasonable, SEK 230 for two.  The last ferry to the b&b was at 5 pm.  A co-op and a farmers’ market provided snacks for dinner on the island, since there is no restaurant at the Kastellet.

Lunch spot in Vaxholm

Farmers’ market in Vaxholm

Relaxing in the sun and waiting for the ferry to the b&b.

Vaxholm, taken from the top of the tower on the Kastellet