Sweden has a secret, and it’s not a well-kept one. At least not among Swedes.
Every summer, they pack up, head to the coast, and disappear into an archipelago of around 267,000 islands. Now, word is starting to get out.
Many of Sweden’s islands are reached by ferry, some are completely car-free, and others have more nature than towns. Think bikes instead of cars, swimming instead of sightseeing, and vacations that finally feel like actual vacations.
Turns out, a lot of people want exactly that. Instead of fast-paced trips, packed itineraries, and crowded cities, this year, travelers want slower, quieter destinations where they can stay longer and spend more time outdoors.
Gotland is Sweden’s Most Popular Summer Island
Gotland is one of Sweden’s most popular summer destinations, where you can split your time between the medieval town of Visby and the beach.
In Visby, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll find hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants inside the medieval walls. Summer is when Visby’s outdoor markets and festivals fill the town, making it a wonderful time to experience the culture.
You can walk the old stone streets inside the city walls, swim at Tofta Beach, bike along the coast, stop at small farm cafés and markets, and day trip around the island.
Vacationers also enjoy visiting the sea stacks at Langhammars on the nearby island of Fårö, the fishing village of Ljugarn, and coastal cliffs at Högklint.
Öland is Known for Beaches, Windmills, & Coastal Bike Trails
Öland is great for biking and beach days and is famously a summer retreat for the Swedish royal family.
People come here to cycle along the coast, visit old windmills, explore Borgholm Castle, swim at the beaches, and drive the length of the island, stopping at small villages and cafés. Öland feels open and quiet, with big skies, long coastal roads, and small coastal villages.
One of the most popular areas to stay is Borgholm, a small town with restaurants, shops, and Borgholm Castle nearby. From there, visitors can explore the Stora Alvaret, a wide limestone landscape that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or head to beaches like Böda Sand in the north.
Marstrand is About Sailing, Seafood, & Summer by the Sea
The car-free island of Marstrand is known for sailing, but even if you don’t sail, you can walk around the island, visit Carlsten Fortress, eat seafood by the harbor, swim from the rocks, and watch sailboats fill the marina.
Marstrand feels lively in summer, with busy waterfront restaurants and people walking along the harbor in the evening. Marstrand is also known for its sailing events and regattas, which can attract hundreds of boats.
Travelers stay near the harbor, where historic hotels, guesthouses, and seafood restaurants are located. One of the main things to do is walk up to Carlsten Fortress for views over the island and coastline, then walk the path that circles the island along the water.
Brännö is a Car-Free Island with Small Harbors and Beaches
Brännö is a lively summer island in the southern Gothenburg archipelago. There are no private cars on the island, so you walk, moped, or bike everywhere.
Vacationers spend their days walking between small harbors, swimming from rocky shores, biking along quiet paths, kayaking around nearby islands, and eating lunch at small waterfront cafés. The island is widely known for its traditional summer dances.
Brännö has a few small neighborhoods connected by walking paths, and it’s common to spend the day walking from one harbor to another, stopping to swim along the way. There are small cafés and restaurants near the marinas, and many people rent cabins or stay in small guesthouses.
Even though it’s close to Gothenburg, Brännö feels far away from the city.
Utö is Where Stockholmers Go for a Summer Escape
Utö is popular for hiking, swimming, and biking. There are sandy beaches, rocky swimming spots, walking trails, and harbor cafés and restaurants. Part of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail, which spans 22 islands and more than 105 miles of hiking trails, it’s the perfect place for long walks with coastal views.
Summer days on Utö are usually slow-paced, with people spending time swimming, walking, biking between beaches, or eating outside near the harbor.
Most visitors arrive by ferry and stay near Utö village, where there’s a small hotel, hostel, bakery, and a few restaurants. From there, walking and biking trails lead across the island through forests, old mining areas, and along the coastline.
Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a Travel Journalist, Yahoo! Creator, MSN Partner, a member of both the Society of Professional Journalists and North American Travel Journalists Association, and the founder of Wander Worthy. She covers vacation destinations, travel news, and tourism trends.
