Hop On Hop Off Boats

When I visited Fotografiska this past weekend, I decided to use the Hop On Hop Off Boat to get from the downtown area to the museum (to re-familiarize myself with them).

Boat coming in to Nybroviken stop.

If you happen to be unfamiliar with the concept of "hop on hop off" sightseeing... it is sightseeing by bus or boat with stops. These stops are generally at the city's main attractions or hubs. At these stops you can choose to get off the bus or boat to visit the attraction. When you have finished your visit, you just jump on the next bus or boat that comes by (which they do on a regular basis, especially during high season). This is an especially great way to get around if you just have a short time in the city and want to see and do the most during your visit.

Information at stop showing routes and attractions.

Of course, you don't have to get off at the stops. You do have the option of staying on board for the whole tour, which is guided. The question I get most asked about this tour is "how long is the tour if we don't get off?". The answer is 50 minutes. However, if that is your plan, I would instead recommend one of the regular sightseeing boat tours like Under the Bridges or Royal Canal tours.. otherwise you are wasting time waiting while the boat stops to drop off and pick up guests every 10 minutes.

Gamla Stan from the water.

Besides the Hop On/Off Boat, there is a Hop On/Off Bus tour as well. Another question I often get asked is which of the two (bus or boat) I would choose. Both are good choices, but there are some differences... the boat hits the main attractions but misses City Hall (Stadshuset). The bus tour is a little longer (90 minutes), stopping not only at the main attractions but also several popular squares and streets. However, it does not stop at Fotografiska (which the boat does). If you still have trouble deciding, they do offer a combination ticket as well for both bus and boat.

Another Hop On/Off boat passing Kastellholmen.

When it comes to tickets, besides the combination ticket they also give you the choice of buying tickets good for either 24 hours or 72 hours. The time period starts from the first time you use it. In other words if you buy a 24 hour ticket for the boat at 3pm on Tuesday (time period starts when you first use the ticket), it is good until 3pm on Wednesday. Tickets can be purchased online (website linked above), on the bus or boat (cash or credit card) or, if you are staying at the Rival Hotel, through me!

Picking up passengers at Nybroviken.