Exploring The Gothenburg Archipelago (Göteborgs Skärgård): A Visitor’s Guide
Published August 4, 2025
This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!
On my recent trip to Sweden, I was blown away by the natural beauty of the Gothenburg Archipelago. It’s an idyllic island chain full of colorful fishing villages, beautiful rocky coastline, and short hikes that lead to breathtaking views. If you’re staying in the city of Gothenburg, taking a day trip to the archipelago is easy thanks to the metro area’s excellent public transit network. You can visit the Göteborgs Skärgård using a combination buses, trams, and ferries.
As shown in the map above, the Gothenburg Archipelago is located in the Kattegat (the small sea that separates Sweden from Denmark) directly west of Gothenburg city. The archipelago stretches from Björkö and Öckerö in the north down to Brännö and Vrångö in the south.
Because the Gothenburg Archipelago has two distinct sections, it’s often divided into a northern group (also called the Northern Gothenburg Archipelago, or “Göteborgs norra skärgård” in Swedish) and a southern group (also called the Southern Gothenburg Archipelago, or “Göteborgs södra skärgård”). This blog post will highlight most of the main islands in both groups.
To skip down to any particular topic in this post, click or tap the corresponding link below.
The Northern Group
Of the two island clusters that make up the Gothenburg Archipelago, the northern group is quieter and less touristy. On a map, it looks farther away from Gothenburg than the southern group. However, express buses allow travelers to get from the city center to the northern group in about an hour and a half.
One major difference between the two island clusters is that the Northern Gothenburg Archipelago allows cars, while the Southern Gothenburg Archipelago heavily restricts motor vehicle use. On the day that I visited the northern group, I explored the islands of Hönö, Fotö, and Öckerö entirely on foot. Needless to say, it was a lot of walking. For visitors who don’t want to be on their feet all day, a few local bus routes serve the Northern Gothenburg Archipelago. Read more about them here.
Hönö
Hönö is arguably the main island in the northern group, and it’s the first one you’ll step foot on if you take the ferry from Lilla Varholmen. The island of Hönö is mostly residential.
Klåvan
I spent much of my time on Hönö wandering from the ferry terminal in the northeast down to the village of Klåvan on the southwest shore. Klåvan is a bustling little hub for tourists that has numerous bars and restaurants, plus a local museum.
By this time, my stomach was rumbling, so I strolled up and down the main waterfront strip in Klåvan before settling on “Tullhuset Restaurang” for lunch.
Tullhuset Restaurang
Address: Västra Vägen 3, 475 42 Hönö, Sweden
Website: https://www.tullhuset.se/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tullhuset/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurang_tullhuset/
Lunch at this little bistro on Hönö was a culinary highlight of my entire Gothenburg trip! That’s because I got to try langoustines here. Also known as Norway lobsters, langoustines are a delicacy that I had never even heard of before visiting Sweden. They’re sort of like a mix between lobster and shrimp, but the shells are pretty tough.
I found the meat in the langoustines to be tender and not too fishy or salty. At least at Tullhuset Restaurang, they were served cold. The softest part of the langoustines is their claws, but because they’re so small, it’s difficult to get the meat out! The restaurant provided special utensils to break the shells and get the claw meat out, but it took some practice. Be careful as well of the sharp spines on the outside of the langoustines (especially on the underside). I accidentally pierced the skin on my thumb with one during this meal.
For my second course at Tullhuset, I ordered fish soup. Pairing this yellow stew with the langoustines as an appetizer made for a big meal, but I managed to finish all of it. The soup included white fish, crème fraîche, and saffron. It had a creamy texture and a pleasant, mild flavor.
Fotö
Fotö is the smallest island I visited in the northern group, and it’s located directly south of Hönö. The two are connected by a bridge that cars, pedestrians, and bikes can cross. As far as I can tell, the public ferry system does not have a terminal on Fotö, so the bridge is the only way to get there. One of the local bus routes also serves Fotö approximately once every half hour during the day.
This rocky island doesn’t have much vegetation. Although there are houses here, the island was very quiet while I was walking around. A few cafes can be found in the vicinity of Fotö’s small harbor, but there are significantly fewer dining options here compared to Klåvan on Hönö.
Öckerö
Öckerö appears to be the northern group’s second-most prominent island after Hönö. The ferry from Lilla Varholmen doesn’t travel directly to Öckerö, so I crossed the short bridge that connects Hönö to Öckerö on foot.
Since I visited the Northern Gothenburg Archipelago as a day trip from Gothenburg, I only had an hour or two to explore Öckerö’s southeast coastline. This area was somewhat industrial, but the views of colorful architecture and boats in the harbor are still picturesque.
The most noteworthy landmark I visited in Öckerö was the Björnhuvudets Naturstig, a small rocky hill close to the water that offers impressive views of Öckerö to the west and the small island of Kalvsund across the water to the east.
How to Visit the Northern Group
Getting from the center of Gothenburg to the Lilla Varholmen ferry terminal is pretty straightforward on the city’s public transit system. When I visited, I took the X6 bus. I would highly recommend using the Västtrafik mobile app to plan your trip (which looks like the screenshots shown below).
As of summer 2025, Google Maps navigation was often wrong about where bus and tram stations were located and what time they were scheduled to depart. The Västtrafik app was better. Once you arrive at Lilla Varholmen, you’ll be able to board the ferry. If you want to visit the islands featured so far on this blog post, make sure you get on the boat to Hönö, not Björkö.
The ferry I took from Lilla Varholmen to Hönö is shown in the two images above. The seating area for walk-on passengers is basically just a long bench, but it is sheltered from the elements. In contrast to the ferries that serve the southern group, these bulky yellow ones didn’t seem to have a cafe or lounge seating. Luckily, the ride from the mainland to Hönö was pretty quick, so these weren’t big issues.
The Southern Group
The Gothenburg Archipelago’s southern group seems to be more popular among tourists than its northern islands. That’s partly because they’re a little closer to Gothenburg city. In addition, a tram runs from Gothenburg to Saltholmen ferry terminal, which acts as a gateway to the southern group. In contrast, visiting the northern group from Gothenburg city involves taking a bus (albeit an express one).
For all intents and purposes, the southern group is car-free. That means to get around, you should expect to walk. Islands in the southern group are pretty compact, but they’re not tiny. As such, I suggest bringing comfortable shoes.
Brännö
I would say the island with the most tourism infrastructure in the Gothenburg Archipelago is Brännö. If you’re having a hard time deciding which island to visit first, this is a great option. It’s the closest major island to Saltholmen on the mainland, which makes it easy to get to.
Brännö Lookout Spot (Brännö Utkiken)
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
This panoramic viewpoint is only about a 15-minute hike from the Brännö Rödsten ferry terminal, so you shouldn’t miss it! The best view from up here is facing east, which allows you to overlook the town and see the neighboring island of Asperö.
Husvik
If you walk all the way to the south side of Brännö, you’ll find yourself in the village of Husvik. It’s home to a rocky beach, a small marina, and a ferry terminal. However, Brännö Husvik terminal seems to only have two or three services per day. In contrast, Brännö Rödsten has ferries scheduled hourly at the very least.
Le Shack Brännö
Address: Brygga, Husviksvägen, 430 85 Brännö, Sweden
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Le-Shack-Br%C3%A4nn%C3%B6-100092374238566/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leshack_branno/
I ate lunch at Le Shack Brännö, a little food vendor with outdoor seating located on the pier in Husvik. They serve drinks, snacks, and chilled seafood on toast, a classic Swedish treat! I tried one with fish and one with shrimp, plus a white wine. It’s very refreshing in the summer heat, and I love that it’s served with dill on top! My only issue at Le Shack Brännö is that wasps started swarming my food as soon as I sat down.
Brännö Ramsdal
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
This beach area has a few sandy shores, but it’s mostly made up of giant boulders sticking out of the water. I was surprised how busy Brännö Ramsdal was! If you visit during a sunny summer day, expect to share the sand and water with quite a few other visitors.
Galterö
Galterö was probably the most unique island I saw while exploring the Gothenburg Archipelago! It has no towns or villages; in fact, there aren’t even any buildings on Galterö. The entire island is a nature preserve that feels otherworldly in the best way possible!
The only way to get here is a wooded, unpaved path called the Galterövägen on the island of Brännö. It’s a beautiful walk, especially towards the end as it hugs the rugged shoreline.
At the end of the Galterövägen, you’ll encounter a small stone bridge with a latched gate. Cross it, and you’ll finally be on Galterö! This island has some trails, but in order to get around, you’ll also have to walk across rocky terrain. Luckily, it’s generally flat and easy to navigate, but you’ll still want to exercise caution.
Galterö has a few sandy beaches, as well as some grassy meadow areas. When I was there, I only saw a few other people exploring, but the beaches were busier than other parts of the island.
Without a doubt, the best part of Galterö was the flock of sheep grazing in this general area. They were seriously so adorable! This grassy area was also such an idyllic spot to take photos. I don’t know if the sheep are there all the time, or if they roam the island, but keep an eye out for them if you hike around Galterö!
Styrsö
The island of Styrsö is located in the middle of the southern group between Brännö and Vrångö. The northern half of Styrsö is developed into a cluster of villages, while the southern half is mainly covered by woods.
Styrsö Lookout Spot (Stora Rös)
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
If you visit Styrsö, I highly recommend hiking up to Stora Rös. It was probably the longest uphill hike I did in the Gothenburg Archipelago, but the views from the top are also probably the most expansive. From the edge of town, the hike, which follows a wooded trail, takes about ten minutes. From the Styrsö Bratten ferry dock, it takes about twenty minutes.
From the top of Stora Rös, you’ll be able to look down on all of Styrsö. My favorite view from up here was facing east though, looking towards the neighboring island of Donsö.
Donsö
I only spent about an hour on Donsö in the late afternoon before boarding the ferry to return to Gothenburg. Donsö is connected to Styrsö by a small bridge, which I walked across before heading further south along Donsö’s western edge.
The island’s only ferry port is not nearly as busy as the terminals on Brännö or Styrsö, so if you plan to use it, make sure to check the schedule and be on time for your boat. Donsö is small enough that there’s really only one town that takes up most of the island’s area. If I had more time, I would’ve loved to try a restaurant here or done a bit more exploring.
Vrångö
As the southernmost major island in the Gothenburg Archipelago, Vrångö feels more remote than many of the other islands featured above, especially Brännö. However, it’s one of the most gorgeous destinations in the archipelago! If you only have time to visit two islands in the southern group, I’d suggest seeing Brännö and Vrångö.
Vrångö Lookout Spot (Lotsutkiken)
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Out of all the panoramic viewpoints in the Southern Gothenburg Archipelago, this one on Vrångö is probably the easiest to hike to. You basically just have to climb an outdoor staircase that brings you to an overlook right above the village rooftops. With these views to the east and water views to the west, this easy-to-access lookout spot was more crowded than the ones on Brännö and Styrsö.
Nötholmen
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
This tiny peninsula on the south side of Vrångö makes for an excellent short hike through a little beachside meadow. It only takes about ten or fifteen minutes to walk here from the Vrångö ferry port, Nötholmen offers a glimpse of the island’s natural beauty.
Hamnkrogen Lotsen/Fiskeboa Vrångö
Address: Kattholmsvägen 31, 430 83 Vrångö, Sweden
Website: https://www.hamnkrogenlotsen.se/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hamnkrogenlotsen/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamnkrogenlotsen/
Vrångö doesn’t seem to have tons of options for restaurants, so no matter where you go, expect a bit of a crowd. That was the case at Hamnkrogen Lotsen/Fiskeboa, but the delicious fish and chips here were worth the modest wait! They also serve local beers, and their dining area is an open-air covered space with fun nautical decor.
How to Visit the Southern Group
Before embarking on a day trip to the Southern Gothenburg Archipelago, consider downloading the Västtrafik mobile app (see what it looks like in the screenshots below). As of summer 2025, Google Maps seemed to have many errors regarding Gothenburg’s tram lines, especially the locations of stops. The Västtrafik mobile app was much more accurate. Västtrafik also allows you to buy electronic day passes that work on trams, buses, and ferries.
Two different tram lines connect Gothenburg city center with Saltholmen ferry terminal: the 11 and the 9. Both run regularly throughout the day. Saltholmen is the end of the line for 11 and 9 trams heading westbound, so it’s unlikely you’d get lost along the way.
Once you get to the ferry terminal, you’ll have to decide whether you want to take ferry route 281, 282, or 283. Each one is labeled with its final destination, and most of them stop at other islands along the way. In my experience, ferry staff were approachable and helpful if you’re not sure which boat you need to board.
The ferries that travel around the southern group all look like the one shown in the picture below. Their white exterior and distinctive shape make them easy to spot even from a distance.
Onboard, most ferries have a cafe that sells snacks and drinks. The passenger seating areas are decently comfortable. Part of the fun of visiting the Gothenburg Archipelago is taking in the view from the ferry as you sail between ports! Be sure to spend some time on all the passenger decks (front, back, and upper level when applicable). The front of the ship was my favorite spot for photography.
Enjoy Your Swedish Island-Hopping Adventure! 🇸🇪
A trip to Gothenburg is not complete without at least one day trip to the archipelago of the same name! In fact, on my five-day trip, I spent three of those days roaming the islands of the archipelago. That’s how stunning they are!
Although I visited most of the major islands in the Göteborgs Skärgård, I didn’t see them all. If I ever get a chance to go back, I’ll be sure to check out some of the islands I missed on this trip and update this post!
Are you heading to the Gothenburg Archipelago? If you’ve already been, which island was your favorite? Leave me a comment below to let me know, and thanks for reading!
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This post was published on Aug 4, 2025
This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!
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