Southern Islands

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

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

Restaurant and hotel on the pier in Donsö harbour.

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.

Bild tagen från havet på kajkanten Vrångö.

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

The house is located upstairs in an old Art Nouveau villa and has 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

Rooms for rent on Styrsö island.

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

Kusthotellet Styrsö

On Styrsö in Gothenburg’s southern archipelago is 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. Getting here is easy, take a bus or tram to Saltholmen and then continue by ferry. For those arriving by your own boat, there are 8 berths for smaller boats at the hotel. 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.

The entrance at the inn Brännö Värdshus. — Credit: Klara Hammerth/Göteborg & Co

Brännö Värdshus and Pensionat Baggen

At Brännö Värdshus, you can choose to stay in the newly built guest rooms 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 is located north of the river Göta älv estuary and mainly belongs to Öckerö Municipality. Unlike the southern archipelago, several of these islands are accessible by car via car ferries and bridges from Hisingen.

Photo of the guesthouse Nimbus at the isladn Hönö

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.

Boats in the foreground and the Nimbus hostel on Hönö in the background.

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. Bicycles 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

Enjoy activities such as hiking, cycling, kayaking – and stay in a beautifully restored archipelago house over a hundred years old.

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). Salty baths and sun-warmed rocks are found (in the summer) right outside the 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.

Hönö Sjöbodar, Hönö

Hönö Sjöbodar is beautifully situated with a view of the sea on the island of Hönö in Gothenburg’s northern archipelago. 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.

Accommodation

Hönö Sjöbodar

Accommodation in Gothenburg’s northern archipelago.

Photo of the outsida of the hotel Skärgårdshotellet at Hönö. — Credit: The tomato soup

Skärgårdshotellet, Hönö

Wake up to a magical view of the harbour and Långholmen. Here you can choose between 16 modern and bright rooms, located on the hotel’s second floor. Half of the rooms have patios facing the sea and the harbour entrance. In the newly renovated lower floor, breakfast is served with a view of the harbour.

Photo of the outsida of the hotel Skärgårdshotellet at Hönö.

Hotel

Skärgårdshotellet Hönö

Sleep with the ocean outside the window.

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.

Archipelago housing

Sjöboa Björkö Sea Lodge

Cosy accomodation on the archipelago island Björkö

Islands in southern Bohuslän

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 the west coast.

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

Accommodation facility, a short walk from Skärhamn on Tjörn.

Guest studios of the Nordic Watercolour Museum, Tjörn

On Bockholmen, opposite the museum itself, 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.

Accommodation

Nordic Watercolour museum guest studios

Cottages in the archipelago.

Pater Noster, Marstrand Credit: Erik Nissen Johansen/Westsweden.com

Pater Noster, Marstrand

For more than a hundred years they lived out here, on the conditions of the island and the sea. Now the door to the lighthouse keeper’s home has been opened again. A destination for sailors from near and far, for nature lovers and fun-seekers, for those looking for tranquility or community. Enjoyment in a place where the senses are enhanced. After careful renovation, the old lighthouse keeper’s home has been transformed into an international and award-winning hotel, with awards such as 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 – you will need your own boat to get there.

Island hotel

Pater Noster

A home on the horizon.

Hotels

Guides & articles

Places

Kusthotellet Styrsö