Experiences
Glimmer Season: Winter Boat Tours in Stockholm and the Archipelago
Some of our boats stay in the water during the winter half of the year. Discover Stockholm and the Stockholm archipelago by private boat in Glimmer Season, from Christmas cruises in December to quiet trips in January.
By Stockholm By Boat · · 5 min read
Stockholm does not stop being a city on the water when summer ends. Some of our boats stay in the water during the winter half of the year, so you can discover Stockholm and the Stockholm archipelago by private boat in winter too. We call this time of year Glimmer Season, and it has become one of the most appreciated periods of the year among our guests.
This guide is about Glimmer Season: what a winter boat tour in Stockholm is like, why the city and the archipelago feel so different in the dark months, and how a Christmas cruise fits in. If you are planning a company Christmas party on the water, also read our guides to a Christmas party on a boat in Stockholm and Christmas cruises in Stockholm for companies.
What is Glimmer Season?
Glimmer Season is our name for the winter half of the year in Stockholm. The summer crowds are gone, the days are short and the evenings come early. That is exactly what makes it special: lights from the city and the islands glimmer on dark water, and a trip on the water feels calm and personal rather than busy.
Most visitors only think of a boat trip in Stockholm as a summer activity. In Glimmer Season you see a side of the city that many people who live here have never seen from the water.
Stockholm in winter, seen from the water
Stockholm is built on islands, and in winter the waterfront becomes a string of lights. A private boat lets you see the city from the water at a pace that suits you, with your own licensed captain and nobody else on board.
A winter boat tour in Stockholm suits many occasions:
- A private evening tour for two, a family or a group of friends.
- A celebration in December or January, such as a birthday, an anniversary or a New Year gathering.
- A company evening or a client event that feels different from another restaurant booking.
- A first look at Stockholm for visitors who arrive in the off-season.
The boat is private for your group and the captain is included, so you do not need a boating licence. Most of our charters depart from Strandvägen in central Stockholm.
The winter archipelago Stockholm visitors rarely see
The Stockholm archipelago stretches out to the east of the city with tens of thousands of islands. In summer it is full of boats and visitors. In winter it is quiet, and that quiet is a big part of the experience. Close to the city, Fjäderholmarna is about 15 minutes from Strandvägen by motorboat.
Which routes are possible on a given day depends on the boat, the weather and the season, so we plan each trip together with you and the captain. Many island restaurants are seasonal, and we check what is open when we plan your route. For a broader look at the year, read our guide to the archipelago seasons, and for a more general overview of winter on the water, see winter chartering in Scandinavia.
A boat trip in Stockholm in December: the Christmas cruise
December is the heart of Glimmer Season. On our Christmas cruise you charter the entire boat for your company, family or friends. You can choose a traditional Swedish Christmas buffet served on board, or a candlelit dinner at a sea-view island restaurant in the archipelago.
The Christmas buffet is a full Swedish julbord, with pickled herring, gravlax, Janssons frestelse, prinskorv, meatballs, Christmas ham, freshly baked bread, lingonberries and a pot of glögg. The captain, host and chef are included, so you simply step on board.
December dates go quickly, so send your request early. See the boats in the Christmas fleet on the Christmas cruise page.
A boat trip in Stockholm in January and later in the winter
After the holidays, Glimmer Season continues. January and the rest of the winter are quieter on the water, which makes it a good time for a private trip without the Christmas rush. A boat trip in Stockholm in January can be a calm evening tour of the city, a dinner on board with a private chef, or a trip out to a private sauna in the Stockholm archipelago, where a swim between sauna rounds is, in the words of our sauna page, sharp and unforgettable in the colder months.
Why choose a private boat in winter in Stockholm?
- Privacy: the boat is yours, with no other guests on board.
- Flexibility: we tailor the route, the timing and the food to your group.
- Atmosphere: dark water, city lights and candlelight on board make winter evenings feel special.
- Fewer crowds: the waterways are calm compared with the summer season.
How to book a winter boat tour in Stockholm
Tell us your date, the size of your group and what you would like to do, whether it is a city tour, a Christmas cruise, a dinner on board or a sauna trip. We will tell you which boats are available in Glimmer Season for your date and come back with a plan. You can see all our boats in the fleet and reach us through our contact page.
Questions and Answers
Can you take a boat tour in Stockholm in winter?
Yes. Some of our boats stay in the water during the winter half of the year, so you can discover Stockholm and the Stockholm archipelago by private boat in winter too.
What is Glimmer Season?
Glimmer Season is our name for the winter half of the year in Stockholm, when city and island lights glimmer on dark water. It is one of the most appreciated periods of the year among our guests.
Can we book a Christmas boat in Stockholm?
Yes. On our Christmas cruise you charter the entire boat and choose a traditional Swedish Christmas buffet on board or a candlelit dinner at a sea-view island restaurant. The captain, host and chef are included.
Can we book a boat trip in Stockholm in January?
Yes. Glimmer Season continues after the holidays. Tell us your date and group, and we will tell you which boats are available and suggest a plan.
Which boats are available in winter?
It depends on the date and the size of your group. Contact us with your wishes and we will tell you which boats are available in Glimmer Season.
Where do winter boat tours depart from?
Most of our charters depart from Strandvägen in central Stockholm. Tell us your preferred meeting point when you contact us.