Sailing in Sweden

What do you want from a sailing holiday? A gorgeous unspoiled coastline sprinkled with archipelagos? Tick. Island life Swedish-style; undisturbed nature, sheltered waters, clean beaches, your very own deserted island, or islands and coastal fishing villages with fabulous seafood restaurants, bars and activity stop-offs. Tick.

The sailing season in Sweden is June-September and darkness falls for just 3 hours a day in high summer. So there is almost constant daylight as you sail the waters of the north, south, east and west coasts. 

You can sail the waters of the Gulf of Bothnia in Swedish Lapland and go onshore to experience the weird and wonderful geology of the High Coast from the east coast of Northern Sweden. Or why not opt for the Stockholm archipelago and the islands of Finnhamn, Grinda, Utö and Sandhamn, all of which have restaurants, bars and nature and adventure activities. There are some 24,000 islands in the Stockholm archipelago, so you are literally spoiled for choice.

Go medieval

For a bit of medieval Sweden set course for the Baltic island of Gotland, with its perfectly preserved medieval town of Visby and/or the island of Öland for its ancient Viking settlements and taste of Swedish island life. 

Want to combine sailing with your interest in food. Then head for Sweden’s West Coast. This area is rightly becoming famous for its fabulous shellfish; lobster, oysters and prawns. From Gothenburg and its Michelin-starred restaurants, to the summer town of Smögen and beyond you can enjoy a taste of West Sweden.

Islands

Off the coast is the western archipelago of more than 1,000 islands – from deserted pink granite islands and skerries to ‘yachty’ and upbeat Marstrand with its regattas and famous Carlsten Fortress. And if peace and quiet is what you are after head for the Koster Islands nature reserves and the Koster Havet marine national park.