Pampas marina in Solna - all you need to know

Pampas marina in Solna is a marina, where you will also find houseboats and a restaurant. Nearby are canoe hire and walking paths. We have lived here, in a houseboat, for almost seven years and now we thought it was time to write and tell you about our marina.

Our accommodation in Pampas marina

We moved to a houseboat in Pampas Marina in the summer of 2013. We've mentioned the marina in many blog posts and shown lots of photos, but it's only now that we've decided to write a post about "everything" in the marina.

The coronavirus outbreak means that we, like many others, are spending more time than ever at home. With that, we're getting a little extra good at discovering what we have close by, and what could be closer to us than the Pampas marina?

Pampas marina in Solna

Pampas marina in Solna is the largest privately owned marina in the Stockholm area. The harbour is located in Solna municipality, close to the border with the city of Stockholm. On the other side of Lake Ulvsunda is Hornsberg beach on Kungsholmen.

If you're not familiar with Solna, it's a municipality in Stockholm County where you'll find Karolinska Hospital, Friends Arena and Mall of Scandinavia.

Why is it called Pampas?

The name 'Pampas' is a bit special and is reminiscent of the fertile plains of South America sung by Evert Taube in the song about Fritiof and Carmencita. There is probably also a certain connection. Once upon a time, the cadets at Karlberg Castle are said to have called the training area behind the castle 'Pampas' because it resembled a plain.

Pampas marina AB

Today, Pampas marina is owned by Pampas marina AB. The company has owned the marina since 1991 and offers services such as boat lifts, berths, boat storage and kayak hotels. The marina also rents berths for 40 permanent houseboat accommodations and premises for about 15 companies.

Marine contracting

Pampas marinentreprenad has for many years conducted operations such as marine contracts, rental of work pontoons, salvage and towing. As of 31 January 2020, the business is run by Stockholms Vattenentreprenader AB (Sventab).

Berths for recreational craft

In summer, Pampas Marina has a total of 400 moorings in the marina and the Karlberg Canal. In winter, you can store your boat in an outdoor storage area or in an indoor storage hall. It is also possible to leave it in the water, as the harbour is kept partly ice-free. The marina also has a "kayak hotel" for those who need a place to store their kayaks.

Fine vintage boats

The Pampas marina has four large covered moorings, and in the summer you can see four beautiful vintage boats. All the boats are from the early 20th century and are very well maintained and beautiful. The boats here are:

M/Y Alba II
M/Y Atala
M/Y Speed
M/Y Sunflower

READ MORE: Vintage boats with an exciting history

Accommodation on water

The Pampas marina has 40 places for permanent year-round accommodation in a houseboat or floating villa. All the floating homes are included in the town plan, and the marina has no capacity to accommodate more houseboats. If you are interested in living on the water in the Pampas, you simply have to keep an eye out when any of the properties are offered for sale on Hemnet or similar sites. The accommodations available are:

25 aquavillage (floating villas built by Aqua Floating Group AB)
15 houseboats (various types of houseboats, barges, etc.)

Aquavillor

The 25 aqua villas located in Pampas have been built by Aqua Floating Group AB, located in Västervik and linked to Pampas marina AB. The company is working on three different projects:

Pampas marina in Solna
Marinstaden in Nacka
AquaVillage Västervik

The Aquavillas located in the Pampas marina are from different eras, with different designs and sizes. If you look at the AquaVilla website they are currently producing floating villas in the Laguna, Futura and Sea Villas 157, 194 and 210 models.

Houseboats in Pampas marina

In addition to the 25 aquavillas in the Pampas marina, there are 15 houseboats. These are a mixture of mainly older boats and barges that have been converted for houseboat accommodation. There are also three so-called 'Villa Voyager', which are oblong white floating homes.

Our houseboat

One of the 15 houseboats is our houseboat and home FREEDOM. We bought the houseboat in the summer of 2013, and it was in dire need of renovation. The wind was blowing straight in in some places, there were single glass windows and we had water in the hull.

We did some work while the boat was in the water, and then raised it on land for ten weeks. During this time we demolished most of the superstructure and built a completely new one. It was a lot of work, but we got a whole new home!

READ MORE: Converting a houseboat
READ MORE: Our houseboat - past and present

Now our houseboat is a comfortable home with insulation, heating, washing machine and dishwasher. We don't really miss anything and are enjoying ourselves immensely.

Living room on the upper deck of the houseboat

What is it like to live in a houseboat?

Many people ask what it's like to live in a houseboat. The short answer is that it is fantastic. You're always close to nature and constantly feeling the breeze. Here are the answers to some common questions about houseboat living in the Pampas marina (it may be different in other places):

Does it swing? Yes, but usually only very slightly. When there is a storm, it can swing more.
Is it cold in winter? Most houseboats are well insulated and have good heating systems. We are almost never cold.
How does it work with electricity and water? All houseboats in the Pampas are connected to electricity, and to municipal water and sewage.
Do you own or rent a houseboat? All houseboats in Pampas marina are privately owned. You rent the berth.
Are there any disadvantages to living in a houseboat? Not many, but loans and insurance can be tricky.

READ MORE: Frequently asked questions about living in a houseboat
READ MORE: What is it like to live in a boat in winter?

Canoes and kayaks

The Pampas marina is home to the Melker & Tahe Brand Store / Paddling in the Pampas, which sells and rents kayaks. Just outside the marina there is also the Point65 Kayak Centre, where you can rent a kayak and go kayaking. If you follow the Karlberg Canal a bit further, you can also rent a SUP (Stand Up Paddle board) from Surfbussen Stockholm.

Restaurant K4

You will also find a restaurant in Pampas marina. Some people still refer to it as "Sjökrogen", but after the restaurant changed owners a few years ago, it is now called K4 (since the address is Karlbergs strand 4).

The restaurant has a fantastic location by the water and has plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. It serves good food and we can especially recommend the brunch.

READ MORE: Brunch in Stockholm - try K4 in Pampas

Animals in Pampas marina

Wildlife in the marina consists mainly of birds. There are plenty of mallards, but also other ducks and, for example, coots. We also have a heron, which sometimes visits very regularly. In the summer, there are also plenty of spiders. If you want to see more animals, you have to go up to the small "forest" on the way to the Västra skogen metro station, where you can see both deer and rabbits.

All year round in Pampas marina

Many may think of Pampas Marina as a "summer harbour", with guests on the outdoor terrace and leisure boats constantly chugging in and out of the marina's inlet. We have to say that we think all seasons have their charm in the marina.

Autumn in Pampas marina

September can sometimes be one of the most beautiful months, with sunshine and warmth. Later in the autumn, autumn storms can arrive, so be prepared for fresh winds and moving houseboats.

Winter in Pampas marina

This year was a strange winter with very little snow. When the snow settles, it can otherwise be very beautiful in the marina. Since propellers move around in the water, most of the marina is usually ice-free.

Spring in Pampas marina

Spring is a wonderful time in the marina when many people start sitting out on the outdoor terraces with a beer or a lunch plate. Now the leisure boats are also being launched and there is a flurry of activity.

Summer in Pampas marina

Summer is perhaps the highlight of the year after all, with lots of leisure boats and children running on the piers. If the weather is nice, we like to enjoy it on deck!

Pampas marina in the future

HSB has bought parts of the Pampas marina area and plans to build a total of 200 new homes. According to their website, the restaurant, boat harbour, quay and promenade will be preserved, but renovated in cooperation with the marina.

The shipyard operations will be relocated before moving into the new homes. A new entrance from the metro, station Västra Skogen, is planned to be opened in connection with the area.

Things to see and do near Pampas marina

There is also plenty to see and do in the neighbourhood of the Pampas. Here are some tips starting from the marina.

Walk towards Sundbyberg

If you walk along the waterfront in the direction of Sundbyberg, you will have a nice walk. Along the way you will pass the floating restaurant Grodhavet and then Augustendal's 4H farm and Huvudsta farm.

READ MORE: Huvudsta farm in Solna - murder story and beautiful surroundings

Walk towards Vasastan

If you instead walk along the Karlberg Canal towards the centre of Stockholm, you will soon pass Karlberg Castle, with its beautiful park. Here you will also pass the remains of the famous Rörstrand porcelain factory.

READ MORE: Karlberg Castle Park - jogging trails and attractions
READ MORE: Rörstrand Castle in Stockholm - the castle you never knew existed

Walk towards Kungsholmen

Last but not least, you can choose to walk across the bridge to Kungsholmen, starting from Pampa's marina in Solna. Here you can walk along the beautiful Hornsberg beach park - where you can sunbathe, swim and barbecue in the summer. Kungsholmen also has many parks to discover.

READ MORE: Hornsberg beach park and Sandö Sugga lighthouse
READ MORE: 7 parks on Kungsholmen - and a swimming area

Facts about Pampas marina in Solna

Address: Karlberg beach 4
Municipality: Solna
County: Stockholm County
Location: By Lake Ulvsunda, not far from the Pampas traffic junction.
Owners: Pampas marina AB

Find the Pampas marina

Underground railway: Take the blue line towards Akalla or Kista. The nearest metro station is Västra skogen (about 10 min walk). It is also relatively close from Stadshagen metro (about 20 min walk).
Bus: There is a bus stop at Västra skogen, about 10 minutes from the marina. Bus 507 passes on the way from Odenplan and Karolinska Hospital to Tomteboda postal terminal.
Car: If you are coming from the south, drive on Essingeleden, and once you have passed Pampaslänken, turn off onto Ekelundsvägen. If you're coming from the north, take Ekelundsvägen as well, before reaching Pampaslänken.
Cycling/walking: It's nice to walk or stroll from central Stockholm along Kungsholm beach (about 45 min walk from T-centralen).

All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

READ MORE: What to do in Solna - 15 tips for activities and experiences
READ MORE: Experiences in Stockholm County - Norrtälje to Södertälje

Helena

12 April 2020 6:00

Houseboat life, Sweden

boats, houseboat, life in the marina, Uppland

Helena

Administrator

23 Comments

Add yours →

Liniz Travel says:

How interesting to read. Relatively close to me! Now I have to come and visit soon.

Hugs

12 April 2020 - 8:37

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, very nice if you come by! Let me know if you have the roads past here 🙂 .
  
  12 April 2020 - 20:18
  
  Reply
Ditte says:

Great reading! I can understand that you like it here.
A lot has happened here along the waterfront. The area is old and has been developed a lot over the years. These are my old "hoods" - since the late 1950s and until 1970 when I moved from Solna. I lived for a while in Karlberg and had the park there, Ingentingsskogen, Pampas and the area here by the water as a play area. Even later, when we lived very close to Huvudsta Farm, I spent a lot of time here.
Even now we take a trip here from time to time. I have a daughter who works in the neighbourhood so there are some walks along the water.

12 April 2020 - 9:31

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, I realise that a lot has happened over the years in this area! Glad that this is a familiar neighbourhood for you 🙂.
  
  12 April 2020 - 20:19
  
  Reply
Maria's memoirs says:

Sounds like a really nice area to live in ? By the way, the landscape of Ostrobothnia where I live is also sometimes called Pampas, because it's pure flatland (or "plattlandi" in dialect), especially near the coast ?

12 April 2020 - 9:31

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  How funny that Ostrobothnia is also called Pampas sometimes, I had no idea!
  
  12 April 2020 - 20:20
  
  Reply
Matts Torebring says:

What fun to read. What a massive post! I was under the impression that you were at anchor, a little further south. Now I know better. On the south side of Lake Ulfsunda, I have been as much as possible. On your side of the lake, maybe only a few times and I don't happen to be there.

I remember so well when you were equipping your boat. You wrote and talked every day, almost to the point of boredom, just as I did about my construction. How nice to have the documentation now in retrospect. You and we know what we did every day until it was finished. We have now lived in the motorhome for 180 days, you have lived in the boat for seven years. Fantastic!

12 April 2020 - 9:34

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, it was a bit bulky ... Now I decided to write down "everything" at once 😉 Yes, of course it was a lot of work when we were doing it, just like you also had. And I agree, fun to have it documented! 🙂
  
  12 April 2020 - 20:21
  
  Reply
Sandra Lifsresor.se says:

Nice to read about the marina. Maybe I could imagine a houseboat in the future. When the kids are out. ?

12 April 2020 - 9:36

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, it is nice to live in a houseboat! 🙂
  
  12 April 2020 - 20:22
  
  Reply
Deciree says:

You live very nicely you 2 🙂 we have been to your home and visited. Take care of you in these corona times Hugs to you

12 April 2020 - 11:15

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, so much fun that you came here and visited!!! 🙂 Take care of you!
  
  12 April 2020 - 20:22
  
  Reply
4000mil says:

Interesting! Never been to the area, but seen it from the other side of the water. I imagine it's a great feeling to always be so close to the water.
But remember that a houseboat (or rather floating villa, because it had never been a real boat) overturned during a party in the Turning Torso area of Malmö a few years ago.

12 April 2020 - 12:05

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, we really enjoy having the water around us. I remember the houseboat that overturned in Malmö, it happened just after we moved here ...!
  
  12 April 2020 - 20:23
  
  Reply
JoY says:

Thank you for a great story about your neighbourhood. You really do live on the water. Certainly there are many nice things around you. I have lived in the main part of the 60s and 70s and moved around in your area.
Enjoy your holiday.

12 April 2020 - 17:46

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you lived in the neighbourhood! Have fun and take care of yourselves!
  
  12 April 2020 - 20:24
  
  Reply
bmlarstravellingblog says:

Nicely written about your lovely neighbourhood!
Was so nice to visit you and see your houseboat IRL.
Keep up the good work!

12 April 2020 - 17:56

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Sooo funny that you came to visit! 🙂 Have a nice time!
  
  12 April 2020 - 20:24
  
  Reply
BP says:

What lovely pictures of life on the marina. Fun reading too. Have been to Pampas a number of times, but have never actually noticed the fine vintage boats. I know that Alba has been at the Boat Show in Älvsjö a few times, but that was a while ago.
I also remember how you worked on Freedom to make it as nice as it is now.

12 April 2020 - 20:28

Reply
Jan and Maj says:

You could call it quality of life, living like that.

12 April 2020 - 21:46

Reply
Lena - good for the soul says:

What fun to read a little more about your neighbourhood. a little different, to say the least. But I can imagine that it is really lovely most of the year. I have been there once. Had lunch at the pub and strolled around.

Hug Lena

13 April 2020 - 8:52

Reply
Ann says:

Can we have a little house tour of your boat?

I work in a marina where we have two houseboats and a number of people living on other types of boats.

13 April 2020 - 8:56

Reply
Mr Emil says:

Great reading and thanks for mentioning us (Paddling in Pampas)! We are so happy to have moved in and become a part of the Pampas 🙂.

13 April 2020 - 23:11

Reply

Pampas marina in Solna - all you need to know

Our accommodation in Pampas marina

Pampas marina in Solna

Why is it called Pampas?

Pampas marina AB

Marine contracting

Berths for recreational craft

Fine vintage boats

Accommodation on water

Aquavillor

Houseboats in Pampas marina

Our houseboat

What is it like to live in a houseboat?

Canoes and kayaks

Restaurant K4

Animals in Pampas marina

All year round in Pampas marina

Autumn in Pampas marina

Winter in Pampas marina

Spring in Pampas marina

Summer in Pampas marina

Pampas marina in the future

Things to see and do near Pampas marina

Walk towards Sundbyberg

Walk towards Vasastan

Walk towards Kungsholmen

Facts about Pampas marina in Solna

Find the Pampas marina

You might also like:

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23 Comments

Liniz Travel says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Maria's memoirs says:

Helena says:

Matts Torebring says:

Helena says:

Sandra Lifsresor.se says:

Helena says:

Deciree says:

Helena says:

4000mil says:

Helena says:

JoY says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Jan and Maj says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

Ann says:

Mr Emil says:

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