Under the Bridges vs Archipelago Cruise — Which Stockholm Boat Tour?
Both are relaxed sightseeing cruises, but they go different places: Under the Bridges loops the central city's canals and locks; the archipelago cruise heads out to the islands. Here's the side-by-side.
Available
4 options
Avg. rating
4.8 - 2,658 reviews
From
$373 SEK
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Free up to 24h before
Under the Bridges vs Archipelago Cruise: what to know before booking
Both are relaxed sightseeing cruises, but they go different places: Under the Bridges loops the central city's canals and locks; the archipelago cruise heads out to the islands. Here's the side-by-side.
- Availability
- 4 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $373 SEK before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.8 stars across 2,658 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Both depart from the central waterfront quays at Strömkajen and Nybrokajen, near Gamla Stan and Djurgården
- Best time
- Morning for calm water; golden-hour evening departures for the best light
- Ticket note
- Date- and departure-time specific; arrive at the quay 15 minutes early
Under the Bridges vs Archipelago Cruise in Stockholm
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Side-by-side: Under the Bridges vs archipelago cruise
If it's your first day and you want to understand how Stockholm's 14 islands fit together, take the Under the Bridges cruise — it loops the city, passes through the Hammarby lock, and shows you the landmarks from the water. Choose the archipelago cruise when you want the postcard Stockholm of open water and forested skerries beyond the city. With time for both, do Under the Bridges early to orient yourself, then head out to the archipelago for the landscape.
Everything you should know before you book
Stockholm is built on water, and two relaxed sightseeing cruises dominate the booking lists — but they're not the same trip. The Under the Bridges cruise stays in the city, looping the central islands, canals and the Hammarby lock that links Lake Mälaren to the Baltic. The archipelago sightseeing cruise leaves the centre behind and heads out toward the islands and skerries that make Stockholm's setting famous.
The choice comes down to city or islands. Under the Bridges is the better orientation and the classic 'see Stockholm from the water' loop; the archipelago cruise delivers the open-water landscape. The table below compares route, scenery, duration, and price so you can pick the right one — or sequence both.
Frequently asked questions
Should I do Under the Bridges or the archipelago cruise?
Under the Bridges for a city overview from the water, including the Hammarby lock — ideal early in your trip. The archipelago cruise for the open-water islands and skerries Stockholm is known for. They show different parts of the city.
Which Stockholm cruise is longer?
The archipelago cruise tends to run longer, roughly 2–3 hours depending on how far out it sails, while Under the Bridges is around 2 hours looping the central city.
Can I do both in one trip?
Yes, and many visitors do — take Under the Bridges first to get oriented around the central islands, then head out to the archipelago later for the wider landscape.