Discover the Gothenburg Archipelago

One of the best things you can do in Gothenburg, especially during the summer season, is to jump on one of the regular ferries departing from the city centre and discover the archipelago of Gothenburg.
The archipelago, composed by over 20 islands and just a stone’s throw away from Gothenburg, is an absolute must, no matter the season. It extends along the coast like a nest of pearls and offers stunning nature trails, charming villages and plenty of activities. Here you will find a selection of some of the best islands of the archipelago. So put on your swimming suit and discover the hidden gems of Gothenburg!

Northern Archipelago
The ten northern islands are accessible by car, bus, bike from Lilla Varholmen ferry terminal, where you can take your car in the ferry free of charge. The northern islands are popular with tourists and are easily connected by bridges, so take your car or rent a bike and discover the northern islands!

• Hönö

Hönö is the largest island and is very popular for its restaurants, shops and activities. It is only 12 minutes by ferry from Lilla Varholmen ferry station and offers a wide range of things to do, as scuba diving, kayaking or the Fishing Museum.

• Öckerö

Öckerö consists of inhabited islands easily reached from Hönö and is connected by bridges to other islands like Fotö and Hälsö. It is served by bed and breakfasts and hostels and has plenty of spots for swimming.

• Björkö

This lovely island is one of the biggest of the Gothenburg archipelago. The harbour has a lot of places including shops and restaurants and also offers child friendly swimming spots. In the north part of the harbour you can find a good swimming spot with beautiful views of Källö-Knippla. From Björkö you can easily reach other islands by ferry like Kalvsund, Öckerö and Källö-Knippla.
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• Kalvsund

Kalvsund is a beautiful small, car-free island located between Björkö and Öckerö and easily reached by ferry from Lilla Varholmen via Björkö. Here you will find pleasant areas for swimming and lovely sandy beaches. At the centre of the island, in the ancient tower "Båken", you can enjoy magnificent views.


​Southern Archipelago
All the islands of the Southern archipelago are car free and easily reached with ferries from Saltholmen boat terminal. You can find all the detailed information about how to get to the islands at the Göteborg Tourist Office website. Since no cars are allowed, the South is the perfect destination for long walks and bike rides!

• Asperö 

This island is just 10 minutes from Saltholmen boat terminal and has a fish-trading history as many of the islands in the archipelago. The old and picturesque harbour is really worth a visit. On the northern part of the island there is Valen hill, with splendid views over the port of Gothenburg. It is the perfect island for a day on the beach or you can go explore the island by foot around nature trails that never seem to end.

• Styrsö 

Styrsö is considered as the heart of the southern archipelago. It is the largest island with a population of 1,400 people and located between around 20 minutes from Saltholmen. On this island you can find shops, restaurants, cafés and guesthouses. It has also popular swimming areas and family-friendly beaches. The south part of the island is calmer and less populated and has great fishing spots. From the highest point of the island, Stora Rös, you can enjoy great views over all the neighbouring islands.

• Brännö 

This lovely island with only 800 inhabitants has a different past to the other islands: its history revolves around farming rather than fishing. Thus, the island is rich in pasturelands and sheep are a common habitant on the island. It has small child friendly-beaches and is famous for its traditional summer dances at Bränno brygga.

• Vargö

This small and beautiful island is a nature reserve located about 35 minutes from Saltholmen. It offers great walks and good swimming and fishing spots. This rocky island also has a rich birdlife, so it’s worth a visit for nature-seekers and bird watchers. There are no shops on this island, so remember to bring a packed lunch!  ​