The southern islands of the Gothenburg archipelago

Gothenburg’s southern archipelago consists of a number of car-free islands that belong to the City of Gothenburg. They are all part of a marine nature reserve, and many boast unique ecosystems and rich birdlife. The islands are accessible by ferry from Saltholmen or Stenpiren in the city centre.

Getting to the Gothenburg archipelago

Whether you want to visit car-free swimming islands or explore the range of services on the larger islands, there are several easy ways to get out into the Gothenburg’s archipelago.

The southern islands of the Gothenburg archipelago

Curious about what the islands in the southern archipelago has to offer? If you’re looking for good food, impressive outdoor experiences and relaxation then this is the place to go. Get inspired and explore the different islands in our guide.

A hotel room with green walls, a bed and a window
Isbolaget, Donsö Credit: Klara Hammerth/Göteborg & Co

Isbolaget, Donsö

At the far end of the pier in Donsö harbour, in the middle of Gothenburg’s archipelago, you’ll find the Isbolaget, an old ice house where in the old days the fishing boats were supplied with ice. The old history sits in the walls where the ice rubbed off the paint and the balcony where you stood and chopped the ice is still there. With a gentle hand, the ice house has now been converted into a restaurant with a lovely rustic menu. At the top of the house are 14 hotel rooms, where you get a fantastic view of the sea and the fishing harbour.

Hotel and restaurant

Isbolaget Donsö

Isbolaget Donsö is a restaurant and hotel at the far end of the pier in Donsö harbor. Here you can eat in a historic setting with the sea right outside.

Exterior image of the hotel Kajkanten at the island Vrångö.

Kajkanten, Vrångö

Kajkanten’s boathouse apartments are located in the middle of the genuine archipelago settlement in Vrångö Harbour. It’s a ten-minute walk from the additional place for the archipelago boats to Kajkanten. The apartment hotel has 11 boathouses with 2-7 beds. Each boathouse apartment has a shower, toilet and kitchenette for self-catering. The larger boathouses have a comfortable staircase up to the sleeping loft. Next to Kajkanten is the grocery store Måsens livs, both Kajkanten and the store are open all year round.

A group of people bathing in a hot tub out in the archipelago

Boat-house hotel

Kajkanten Vrångö

Seaside activities and accommodation on the small island Vrångö.

Styrsö Tången Bed & Breakfast from the outside. The charming Art Nouveau villa, painted white with a red tiled roof, surrounded by a lush garden.

Tången Bed and Breakfast Styrsö

In an old Art Nouveau villa you can rent accomodation with a private entrance, four bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. It can accommodate up to ten guests. In the garden, you’ll often encounter cats and chickens. There’s also a guest terrace – perfect for meals and relaxing moments. The convenience store is just around the corner. The place is a six-minute walk from the Tången ferry terminal – a lovely stroll through the beautiful old fishing village.

Styrsö Tången Bed & Breakfast from the outside. The charming Art Nouveau villa, painted white with a red tiled roof, surrounded by a lush garden.

Guesthouse in the archipelago

Styrsö Tången Bed & Breakfast

On the car-free island of Styrsö, just a 30-minute ferry ride from Gothenburg, a peaceful and personal island stay awaits in a beautiful Art Nouveau villa.

The facade of the Kusthotellet with the pool area in front of it.
Credit: Klara Hammerth/Göteborg & Co

Kusthotellet Styrsö

On Styrsö you’ll find Kusthotellet Styrsö, about an hour from central Gothenburg. Here you’ll be greeted by a unique blend of archipelago surroundings and timeless elegance. The hotel has 50 rooms, 10 of which are suites, a restaurant, a wellness area, a heated outdoor pool and a gym. When you step ashore on Styrsö, you are welcomed by the scent of the sea and a genuine island atmosphere. The island offers beautiful hiking trails, cliffs for tranquility by the sea and a hotel that serves as the perfect base for both relaxation and experiences all year round.

The facade of the Kusthotellet with the pool area in front of it.

Hotel in the Gothenburg archipelago

Kusthotellet Styrsö

Hotel located on Styrsö in Gothenburg’s southern archipelago.

Brännö värdshus, ett hus med rött tak och ett trästaket.
Credit: Klara Hammerth/Göteborg & Co

Brännö Värdshus and Pensionat Baggen

At Brännö Värdshus, you can choose to stay in the guest rooms above the inn or at Pensionat Baggen. The guest rooms are ideal for those seeking maximum comfort and close proximity to the restaurant. Pensionat Baggen is perfect for larger groups, guests who want access to a kitchen and/or lounge, or those looking for more simple accommodation.

The entrance at the inn Brännö Värdshus.

Inn and guesthouse

Brännö Värdshus & Pensionat Baggen

Enjoy a dinner at the Inn on Brännö and stay overnight in a beautiful archipelago setting.

Northern islands

Gothenburg’s northern archipelago consists of ten islands in Öckerö municipality. Take a car, bus or bike out to the ferry terminal at Lilla Varholmen and take the road ferries further out to the islands.

archipelago with people standing on a cliff next to a light house when the sun is going down.
The northern islands of the Gothenburg archipelago

Just a short trip from central Gothenburg, the tranquillity of the archipelago awaits. The northern part of the archipelago offers everything from coastal villages to untouched cliffs and secluded coves. With short distances between the islands, it’s easy to plan a tour, even over a weekend. Here’s a guide to the ten islands that make up the northern archipelago.

Getting to the Gothenburg archipelago

Whether you want to visit car-free swimming islands or explore the range of services on the larger islands, there are several easy ways to get out into the Gothenburg’s archipelago.

Några personer leder cyklar längst en brygga med ett hus, Nimbus Öckerö, i bakgrunden.
Credit: Jonas Ingman/westsweden.com

Nimbus, Öckerö

At Nimbus, Öckerö, you can choose to live right by the sea in one of the hotel’s cottages out on the jetty, or at the hostel, where you live comfortably in fresh rooms. The cabins have their own toilet & shower and kitchen, and in the hostel there are toilets & showers in the corridor and a kitchenette where you can cook your own food.

A few people leading bicycles along a pier. In the background are red cabins, Nimbus Öckerö.

Accomodation in the archipelago

Nimbus Öckerö

Accommodation, restaurant and conference centre open all year round.

The bed & bike villa at the island Öckerö.

Bed & Bike Öckerö

A true oasis awaits here – perfect for both adventure and relaxation. Sleep well in beautiful rooms with a peaceful atmosphere and start your day with a delicious breakfast. With the sea, swimming spots, and scenic waterfront paths just a stone’s throw away, it’s easy to unwind. Bikes are available for hire on site, and you’ll get great tips on cycling routes, hiking trails, and kayaking tours.

Archipelago accommodation

Bed & Bike Öckerö

Just steps from the sea, in a charming century-old archipelago house, you’ll find the accomodation Bed & Bike Öckerö in the northern Gothenburg archipelago.

Drone shot of Hotel Havskatten on Hönö.

Havskatten, Hönö

Come and stay close to the sea in one of Havskatten’s 12 rooms, all just a few meters from the quayside. Here you can invite your loved ones to a party in the hotel’s large party room, have a company conference, go lobster fishing or learn to bake authentic Hönökaka (Hönö bread). Here you have salty swims right outside your door.

Drone photo of Havskatten Hotel and Hostel on Hönö.

Hotel and hostel in the archipelago

Havskatten Hotell och Vandrarhem

Waterfront hotel and hostel on the island Hönö.

Drone footage of the sea and red houses

Hönö Sjöbodar, Hönö

Hönö Sjöbodar is beautifully situated with a view of the sea on the island of Hönö. Here you live in one of six boathouses, which have everything you need in the form of a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom and the most beautiful sunset you can imagine. The goal is to make it feel like you are coming home to your very own holiday apartment with room for the whole family. A homely place on the first floor facing the sea.

Drone footage of the sea and red houses

Accommodation

Hönö Sjöbodar

On the island of Hönö in Gothenburg’s northern archipelago, six charming sea lodges await, with front-row views of the open sea and evening sun.

A number of people are standing at a counter and talking.
Credit: Anders Ersman/westsweden.com

Skärgårdshotellet, Hönö

Stay comfortably with the sea as your neighbor. The archipelago hotel Hönö offers 16 bright rooms, several with a patio and sea view. Breakfast is served with a view of the harbor, and the building also has a restaurant called Skafferiet with local flavors. Dog-friendly rooms are available, as is the annexe Klovabo Bed & Breakfast a few hundred meters away.

Photo of the outsida of the hotel Skärgårdshotellet at Hönö.

Hotel

Skärgårdshotellet Hönö

At Skärgårdshotellet Hönö, in Gothenburg’s northern archipelago. The hotel is open all year round for both hotel guests and diners.

A red wooden house located by a harbor with boats in the water.
Credit: Anders Ersman/westsweden.com

Björkö SeaLodge, Björkö

Just a few meters from the quayside in Björkö Harbour you’ll find the small hotel Björkö SeaLodge. Here you can relax and stay in cosy rooms near the sea, with 16 beds spread over five rooms with their own kitchen and bathroom. The hotel’s new room, Gottskär, has a relaxation room with both a sauna and a hot tub with a view of the inner harbour in a cosy environment.

A red wooden house located by a harbor with boats in the water.

Archipelago housing

Sjöboa Björkö Sea Lodge

Beautiful seaside accommodation on the island Björkö with sea views, a terrace and genuine archipelago atmosphere, just 30 minutes from Gothenburg.

Islands in southern Bohuslän archipleago

For those who want to discover more of the archipelago, you can head about an hour north of Gothenburg, to Marstrand and Tjörn, which offer several seaside accommodations.

Salt & Sill on Tjörn Credit: Tony Meyer/ Westsweden.com

Salt & Sill, Tjörn

In a harmonious and peaceful location on Tjörn you’ll find the Sweden’s first floating hotel Salt & Sill. Here you can hold conferences and socialize with a view of cliffs and skerries. Salt & Sill is located on beautiful Klädesholmen, which is an archipelago island on Tjörn.

Hotel & restaurant

Salt & Sill

Hotel and restaurant at Klädesholmen, Tjörn.

Hav & Logi, Tjörn

Here there are salty baths and beautiful Bohuslän cliffs within walking distance. At Hav & Logi there are accommodations in different price and standard classes. Choose a simpler accommodation in the hostel or a quality accommodation in one of the family houses, which are spacious with a high standard interior. They are located directly on the cliffs of the west coast in a beautiful natural environment.

Accommodation

Hav & Logi

Just a stone’s throw from Skärhamn on the island of Tjörn, you’ll find Hav & Logi, a versatile accommodation site with something for everyone!

A waterway with a gray buildings with large windows.
Credit: Peter Kvarnström/Göteborg & Co

Guest studios of the Nordic Watercolour Museum, Tjörn

Next to the Nordic Watercolour Museum there are five guest studios next to the water. Here, overnight guests have the opportunity to rest as well as inspiration with direct proximity to the museum. Unwind with the landscape as your next-door neighbor and indulge in creativity that doesn’t require a internet connection. The studios are primarily used for artistic and art science research and development activities. Among other things, they are used for the museum’s own card scholarship 7Dagar. The studios can also be rented by artists, course participants and private individuals. In each studio, a maximum of two people can stay overnight and self-catering regarding food, bed linen and cleaning applies.

A waterway with a gray buildings with large windows.

Accommodation

Nordic Watercolour museum guest studios

On the island of Tjörn, you’ll find the Nordic Watercolour Museum and the guest studios. A perfect place for creativity and calm.

Red houses on a meadow right by an open sea
Pater Noster, Marstrand Credit: Amanda Båmstedt/Göteborg & Co

Pater Noster, Marstrand

At the far end of the Bohuslän archipelago lies Pater Noster, a historic lighthouse with a luxury hotel in the former lighthouse keeper’s residence. The hotel has been named the World’s Best Hotel Concept 2021 and the Great Tourism Award 2022. The hotel offers 9 well-designed rooms with beautiful views and sleeping accommodations for up to 24 guests. Please note that there is no public transport to the island, if you book accommodation, transport there and back is included.

A island with a red light house and dramatic waves around it.

Old lighthouse and island hotel

Pater Noster

At the far end of the Bohuslän archipelago lies Pater Noster, a historic lighthouse with a luxury hotel in the former lighthouse keeper’s residence.