With 267,570 islands to choose from, where do you even start?
We’ve made it easier by rounding up nine favourites where Swedes themselves love to spend their holidays, so that you can holiday like a local.
Sweden has more islands than any other country on Earth – and while most are uninhabited, many have become beloved summer spots for locals. From UNESCO-listed gems and royal retreats to car-free havens where time seems to stand still, here are nine Swedish islands that Swedes return to year after year.
Many say there’s something magical about Gotland. Sweden’s largest island lies in the middle of the Baltic Sea and is known for its unique landscapes and sunny climate. A road trip is the best way to take it all in – from mile-long beaches and weathered sea stacks to farm stays and roadside flea markets. Take time to wander Visby’s cobbled streets, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s best-preserved medieval towns, surrounded by a striking city wall.
Connected to the southeast mainland by a six-kilometre bridge, Öland is a summer favourite for many Swedes, including the royal family. Expect fine-grained beaches, birdlife and coastal meadows dotted with windmills. The vast limestone plain Stora Alvaret is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its unique natural and cultural landscape. Öland is ideal for cycling, and Borgholm makes a great starting point. Don’t miss an open-air concert at Borgholm Castle, often called the most beautiful castle ruins in Scandinavia.
Floating between Sweden and Denmark, Ven is said to have been formed by a giant who dropped a lump of earth in the sea. This small island is perfect for a summer day trip, best explored on one of the iconic yellow rental bikes. Pedal between beaches, bathing jetties and an ice cream factory. Don’t miss the Tycho Brahe Museum, built on the very site where the eccentric nobleman studied the stars in the 16th century. There’s also Spirit of Hven – a whisky distillery with a restaurant and hotel, in case you stay the night.
One of the most beloved islands in the Stockholm Archipelago, Utö has something for everyone. Families enjoy shallow beaches and mini golf, food lovers head to the cosy fish shack Båtshaket, or grab freshly baked breakfast rolls from Utö Bakgård. Others dance into the summer night at Bakfickan. In recent years, hikers have discovered the island, too. Utö’s scenic 16.7-kilometre stretch of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail is often described as the entire trail condensed into one scenic section.
Located in the Bohuslän archipelago, Marstrand stretches across two islands and is a west coast gem with royal flair. Sweden’s largest guest harbour fills with yachts in summer, and the car-free cobbled streets are lined with turn-of-the-century villas and glazed verandas. Highlights include the nude beach, the GKSS Match Cup in July, and Carlstens Fortress – where Sweden’s legendary thief Lasse-Maja was imprisoned for 27 years. Guided tours bring his colourful story to life.
Just a short boat ride from Gothenburg, Brännö feels like stepping back in time. The island has been inhabited since the Viking Age, and its narrow roads, wooden houses, flatbed mopeds and grazing sheep all add to the nostalgic charm. Brännö is best known for its traditional summer dances on the jetty – immortalised in the song “Dans på Brännö brygga” by Lasse Dahlquist. Håkan Hellström’s “Brännö serenad” is another musical nod. Listen, and you might find yourself dreaming of visiting one day.
A short boat ride from the town of Gränna – famous for its red-and-white candy canes – lies Visingsö. According to legend, a giant threw a tuft of grass into Lake Vättern so his sweetheart would have somewhere to step. Today, the island attracts both history lovers and families. Explore the impressive castle ruins of Visingsborg and the royal chapel Brahekyrkan. Families can join a treasure hunt, meet the island’s alpacas and even go glamping in their pasture. Visingsö is ideal for cycling, but the most charming way to explore is by horse-drawn carriage, known as a ‘remmalag’.
A true summer idyll in the Blekinge archipelago, Tjärö offers red cottages, small bathing bays and open landscapes where cows and sheep roam free. There’s plenty to do: try fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or hiking. Or stretch out on a sun-warmed cliff and enjoy the art of doing nothing. For those craving a thrill, Tjärö’s famous 12-metre-high rock is perfect for a heart-pounding leap into the sea.
Sandön is the largest island in the Luleå archipelago and, as the name suggests, it’s made entirely of sand. In summer, you can row there from Luleå city centre; in winter, a road is prepared across the frozen sea. Expect long, shallow beaches, shingle fields and undisturbed forest that’s home to rare species. For humans, Klubbviken Havsbad is the central meeting point, with a guest harbour, restaurant and cottages for rent. Thanks to its location near the Arctic Circle, the sun hardly sets in summer, and the Northern Lights ripple across the sky in winter.
That’s nine islands that the Swedes keep coming back to. Which one will you start with?
