One of the world's most unique hostels — accommodation on a beautifully preserved 19th-century full-rigged sailing ship moored at Skeppsholmen island, just minutes from Gamla Stan. The adjacent hostel building has budget dorms and private rooms.
The AF Chapman is a full-rigged steel sailing barque built in 1888 in the United Kingdom and acquired by the Swedish state in 1915. Since 1949 it has been permanently moored at Skeppsholmen, the small island between Gamla Stan and Djurgården, and for decades has served as one of Stockholm's most distinctive budget accommodation options. The ship offers berths in historic cabins, while the adjacent Skeppsholmen hostel building on the island provides conventional dormitory rooms and private rooms for guests who prefer sleeping on solid ground.
The location on Skeppsholmen is genuinely special: the island is car-free, immediately surrounded by water and historically connected to the Swedish navy, giving the surroundings a calm and almost secluded character despite the fact that Gamla Stan is a three-minute walk and the city centre is easily reachable on foot or by bus. Moderna Museet (the Museum of Modern Art) and ArkDes (the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design) are both on Skeppsholmen and accessible without leaving the island.
Cabins aboard the ship are compact, reflecting the scale of a working vessel rather than a hotel room, but this is inseparable from the experience's appeal. The shore building has more spacious dormitories and private rooms, with shared bathrooms throughout. A self-catering kitchen and café serve guests on the island; Wi-Fi covers the main areas.
The hostel is operated by STF (Svenska Turistföreningen), ensuring a baseline standard of cleanliness and service consistent with the national network. The setting makes it a natural choice for travellers interested in maritime history, contemporary art and the distinctive atmosphere of Stockholm's inner archipelago.
Amenities
- wifi
- common room
- self-catering kitchen
- café
Location
Västra Brobänken, Skeppsholmen, 111 49 Stockholm
59.3250, 18.0827 View on map
Highlights
- Accommodation aboard a preserved 1888 full-rigged sailing ship — one of the most architecturally distinctive hostels in Europe
- Location on the car-free Skeppsholmen island with Moderna Museet and ArkDes directly on the doorstep
- Gamla Stan's medieval Old Town is a three-minute walk across the water, without the noise and crowds of that neighbourhood
Tips for visiting
- Ship berths book out very early in the year — reserve months in advance for summer stays on the AF Chapman itself rather than the shore building
- Moderna Museet has free entry on certain days; check the museum website before your visit to plan accordingly
- The walk from Skeppsholmen to Djurgården via the bridge takes about 15 minutes and passes the Navy Museum — a good early-morning loop before crowds arrive
Accessibility
The ship is not suitable for guests with mobility limitations; the shore building offers better but not fully step-free access — contact STF for current details.