This Contemporary Cultural Centre Is Hidden In A Swedish Forest

They say it’s the journey that counts, not the destination. With all due respect, those who say that have clearly never been to Artipelag. Nestled on Värmdö in the Stockholm Archipelago, surrounded by pine trees and calm waters, Artipelag offers both a picturesque journey from the center of Stockholm and is a vibrant destination for art, good food and cultural events.

Where nature meets purpose

Back in 2000, BabyBjörn founder Björn Jakobson wanted to create “a beautiful building for art and cultural experiences somewhere in the Stockholm archipelago.” Soon, the perfect location was found: Hålludden, by Baggen’s Bay in Värmdö just 12 miles east of Stockholm. The location combines nature trails, a long stretch of wide, wooden footpaths that lead all the way from the docks of the marina to the main building, rocks, pine trees and crisp air. The name of the venture speaks of its diverse nature as well: Artipelag is a combination of the words “art” and “archipelago,” which serves as a destination that combines breathtaking views, art exhibitions that defy categorization, inspiring activities, and great food.

The building itself, designed by architect Johan Nyrén, blends organically with the landscape. The bevelled, pitch pine planks that grace the walls were carefully sourced from the nearby area, whereas the entrance hall thoughtfully combines all four elements: fire, crackling in the fireplace; earth, the building’s foundation; clear, pine-scented air and water, framing the site.

Apart from the large art hall, there is also a gift shop with custom-design products, a concert event space, conference rooms and two restaurants. And speaking of the restaurants, both the formal venue and the café/buffet have outdoor seating, serve organic food, and can be booked for parties and events – or even weddings.

Putting the “art” in “archipelago”

But of course, the crown jewel in Artipelag is its art gallery – one of Stockholm’s largest, at 32,000 sq ft. The main exhibition room is washed in natural light, offering a mesmerizing view of the forest and the water, but the art exhibited here has no problem reclaiming your attention. Renowned artists like Giorgio Morandi, creative powerhouses like Andy Warhol, as well as contemporary Swedish artists like Jan Håfström have all graced Artipelag’s walls with their work.

There’s also an impressive Artbox with impossibly high ceilings that can take up an audience of up to 1,000 people. The Artbox hosts cultural activities like opera performances, studio recordings for large orchestras, film, TV and commercial production – and it’s available to book.

There and back again

Although seemingly secluded, there are many ways to reach Artipelag. There is a private bus from Vasagatan in Stockholm on weekends and public holidays (the ride from Stockholm to Artipelag is free, but the trip back costs SEK 50), as well as three public transportation options – one of which will leave you right outside the door. You can also drive (there is ample parking space) or arrive by boat. There are regular boat tours to Artipelag from Stockholm in the summer months, or you can moor your private boat in the marina any time of the year.

Exhibitions at Artipelag usually last the whole season, so that more people have the time to visit. This season, until September 30, the current exhibition is called “Bloomsbury Spirit“, a tribute to the radical Bloomsbury Group that was active in Great Britain during the early 20th century – with members including Virginia Woolf, Leonard Woolf and E.M. Forster. You will have the chance to see works of art on loan from the TATE and the Victoria & Albert Museum (among others) in an exhibition that spans across different genres, from painting and photography to fashion and garden art. Yet another proof that at Artipelag art is like a force of nature – diverse and defying categorization.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.