Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen: the museum island and the citadel

Cross the bridge from Blasieholmen onto Skeppsholmen, the naval island turned museum island inside the Royal National City Park, past the hostel ship af Chapman and the domed Skeppsholmskyrkan to Moderna Museet, then over the low bridge to Kastellholmen, where the Swedish naval flag has flown every day since the 1660s.

Best time: Any day; check Moderna Museet's hours on its site (open 10-18 on the days checked in October 2026)

The route, stop by stop

1. 1
   Skeppsholmen Bridge

   The bridge from Blasieholmen to Skeppsholmen; the first one here was built in 1638-1640. From it you see the tower of Skeppsholmskyrkan, the Admiralty House and the masts of af Chapman. 5 min.

   The iron bridge from Blasieholmen to Skeppsholmen with a gilded crown on its railing at the midpoint. From the crown you get a classic view across the water to the Royal Palace.

2. 2
   af Chapman

   Full-rigged steel ship launched in 1888 at Whitehaven in England, moored on the western shore of Skeppsholmen and now a youth hostel. 10 min.

3. 3
   Skeppsholmskyrkan

   The former naval church (officially Karl Johans kyrka), finished 1833 and consecrated 1842; deconsecrated and now Eric Ericsonhallen, a concert hall and choral centre. 10 min outside.

4. 4
   Moderna Museet

   Sweden's museum of modern and contemporary art, founded 1958, with painting, sculpture, photography and film from 1900 on. Adult ticket SEK 170 (museum site, 2026). 90 min.

   One of Europe's leading collections of 20th- and 21st-century art, Picasso, Dalí, Duchamp and Swedish modernist Siri Derkert, in Rafael Moneo's building on Skeppsholmen. ArkDes…

5. 5
   Kastellholmsbron

   The short low bridge to Kastellholmen; earlier timber bridges here go back to the 1640s. 5 min.

6. 6
   Kastellet

   The citadel of 1848, built after the old one exploded in 1845. The Swedish naval flag has been flown here every day since the 1660s. Walk round the 3.1-hectare islet, which also has a skating pavilion. 20 min.

   A small red-brick citadel on Kastellholmen, rebuilt in medieval-romantic style after the 1845 explosion of its gunpowder store. The Swedish naval ensign has flown here every day…

Walking directions

More walks in Stockholm

• Gamla stan beyond the crowds: Riddarholmen, Stortorget and the back lanes2.5 km · 2 h 30 min
• Söder heights at sunset: Mariaberget, Monteliusvägen and Skinnarviksberget1.7 km · 2 h
• East Södermalm: Fjällgatan, Vita bergen and the 18th-century wooden houses2.4 km · 2 h 40 min
• Djurgården: Vasa, Rosendal and the art villas to Blockhusudden5.8 km · 6 h
• Östermalm and Strandvägen: Hallwylska, the market hall and the waterfront boulevard2.4 km · 3 h 20 min
• Kungsholmen waterfront: City Hall, Norr Mälarstrand and Rålis to Västerbron3.2 km · 2 h 40 min
• Långholmen and Reimersholme: the prison island and the bathing rocks2.7 km · 2 h 40 min
• Hagaparken: Gustav III's pavilions and the Copper Tents on Brunnsviken2 km · 2 h 30 min
• Vasastan: Strindberg's Blue Tower, the observatory hill and Asplund's library1.6 km · 2 h 10 min
• Skogskyrkogården: Asplund and Lewerentz's Woodland Cemetery (UNESCO)1.6 km · 1 h 40 min
• Tunnelbana art ride: T-Centralen, Kungsträdgården, Rådhuset, Solna centrum, Stadion, Tekniska högskolan14.8 km · 2 h