The Gothenburg Archipelago is dotted with thousands of tiny islands © Jorma Valkonen, vastsverige.com
The pace of life out in the archipelago is enviably sedate – a trip to any of the islands offers a rare chance to slow down and take it easy.
No matter whether you arrive in Gothenburg by ferry or by plane, you can’t fail to spot the array of coastal islands which lie just off the city’s southwestern peninsula. The southern part of the archipelago is the easiest to get to and is a favourite summer playground for holidaying Gothenburgers – and for good reason. Not only are the islands easy and inexpensive to reach, they offer some of the city’s best beaches and sunbathing opportunities. Perhaps best of all, though, they are car-free: transport on the islands is by bike or motorised three-wheeler mopeds which are used for deliveries. Accordingly, the pace of life out in the archipelago is enviably sedate – a trip to any of the islands offers a rare chance to slow down and take it easy: cycle down winding lanes decked with wild roses, stroll through leafy woodlands or lay out your towel on the smooth rocks which line these shores and soak up the summer sunshine. Connections to the mainland are frequent and reliable, making it perfectly feasible to spend the night in the archipelago in a hotel or guesthouse should you choose to do so.