Summer Coast Itinerary

Summer Coast — West Coast Islands, Stockholm Archipelago & Gotland

Swedish summers are brief, brilliant, and intoxicating. From mid-June to early August, the days are impossibly long — upwards of 20 hours of daylight in the south, true midnight sun in the north. Swedes flock to their coastline like pilgrims, and with good reason: the country boasts over 260,000 islands, tens of thousands of kilometres of shoreline, and crystalline waters that catch the late-evening light in shades of gold and silver.

This itinerary stitches together three of Sweden's finest coastal destinations over 10–14 days: the granite islands of the west coast, the vast Stockholm archipelago, and the medieval island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. It's a journey from shellfish shacks to Viking ruins, from weathered fishing villages to Hanseatic merchant streets — with wild swimming, cycling, and fika (the Swedish tradition of coffee and cake) along the way.

Day 1: Gothenburg & Southern Archipelago

Arrive in Gothenburg and spend the afternoon exploring the city's maritime character. Walk along the canals, visit Feskekôrka (literally 'Fish Church' — Gothenburg's famous fish market building), and eat your first west-coast seafood.

Evening: Take the tram and ferry to Saltholmen (the departure point for Gothenburg's southern archipelago) and hop across to Styrsö or Brännö — car-free islands where locals cycle between swimming spots and serve räksmörgås (the classic Swedish open prawn sandwich) on sunny terraces. Ferries run late into the evening.

Day 2: Marstrand

Drive or bus north (40 minutes) to Marstrand (a historic island fortress town), one of Sweden's most picturesque island communities. Cross the short ferry to the island.

Highlights:

• Carlstens Fästning — a 17th-century fortress crowning the island, with superb coastal views
• Swimming from the flat granite rocks (bring a towel; the rocks warm beautifully)
• Sailing — Marstrand is Sweden's sailing capital, and summer regattas add colour to the harbour
• Seafood lunch at one of the harbourside restaurants

Day 3: The Kosterhavet & Fjällbacka

A longer day trip north (2.5 hours from Gothenburg) to the crown jewels of the west coast.

• Kosterhavet National Park — Sweden's first marine national park, surrounding the Koster Islands. Take the ferry from Strömstad to Sydkoster or Nordkoster. Rent bikes and cycle between beaches, swim in Sweden's warmest saltwater, and spot seals basking on rocks.
• Fjällbacka — a photogenic fishing village backed by dramatic granite cliffs. Ingrid Bergman summered here; the village square bears her name. Wander the narrow lanes, swim off the smooth rocks, and try the local shrimp.

Sweden's Coastline — Explore the geology, marine ecosystems, and wildness of Sweden's 260,000 islands — on The Land.

West Coast Seafood — Prawns, oysters, lobster, and the seafood traditions of Sweden's Bohuslän coast — on The Table.

Days 4–7: Stockholm Archipelago

Transit: Fly or train from Gothenburg to Stockholm (1 hour flight or 3 hours by SJ high-speed train).

Stockholm's archipelago — Stockholms skärgård (Stockholm's archipelago, comprising around 30,000 islands) — is the world's second-largest archipelago. It stretches 80 km east into the Baltic Sea, from busy inner islands with summer restaurants to remote outer skerries where you might be the only visitor.

Day 4: Arrive & Inner Archipelago

Afternoon: Take a Waxholmsbolaget ferry from Strömstad terminal (central Stockholm) to Vaxholm — the "capital" of the archipelago. Explore the 16th-century fortress, stroll the town, and eat at the waterfront.

Day 5: Grinda & Möja

Catch a morning ferry to Grinda — a favourite island for swimming and picnicking. Flat rocks, pine forests, and an excellent restaurant at Grinda Wärdshus.

Continue by afternoon ferry to Möja — a more remote island with a working fishing village, Wikströms Fisk (a renowned fish smokery on Möja), and excellent kayaking. Stay overnight at one of the small guesthouses.

Day 6: Sandhamn

Ferry to Sandhamn — the outer archipelago's most famous destination. A sailing hub with a yacht-club atmosphere, sandy beaches (rare in the archipelago), and atmospheric narrow lanes. Visit the customs house museum, swim at Trouville (Sandhamn's beloved sandy beach), and dine at the Sandhamns Värdshus.

Day 7: Return to Stockholm

Morning ferry back, stopping at any island that catches your eye. Fjäderholmarna — the closest islands (25 minutes from central Stockholm) — make a good final stop for a seafood lunch before returning to the city.

Days 8–11: Gotland

Transit: Fly from Stockholm Bromma to Visby (45 minutes, BRA airline) or take the Destination Gotland ferry from Nynäshamn (3.5 hours, from ~250 SEK one way).

Gotland (Sweden's largest island, 90 km off the east coast, in the Baltic Sea) is unlike anywhere else in Sweden — and arguably anywhere else in Scandinavia. Sun-baked limestone cliffs, wildflower meadows, nearly 100 medieval churches, and the walled Hanseatic city of Visby make it one of the most distinctive destinations in northern Europe.

Day 8: Visby

The walled medieval city of Visby (Gotland's main town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995) is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Scandinavia. Spend a full day here:

• City wall walk — 3.4 km of 13th-century wall with 44 towers. Walk the exterior circuit for the best views.
• Church ruins — Visby once had 17 churches. Several stand as atmospheric ruins within the walls — St Karin's and St Nicolai are the finest.
• Gotlands Museum — Exceptional Viking and medieval collections, including the world's largest find of Viking-age silver treasure.
• Botanical Garden — Lush and subtropical, benefiting from Gotland's mild microclimate.
• Shopping & eating in the cobbled streets of Adelsgatan (Visby's oldest street).

Day 9: Cycling Gotland's East Coast

Rent bikes in Visby (widely available) and ride south along the east coast. Gotland is flat, the roads are quiet, and distances between villages are short — perfect cycling country.

Route highlights:

• Dalhem — a beautifully preserved medieval church with 13th-century stained glass
• Ljugarn — a charming seaside village with a long sandy beach
• Raukar at Folhammar — sea stacks — tall, eerie limestone pillars eroded by the Baltic — dot the coastline. Gotland's most iconic natural feature.
• Swim from the beaches — the east coast is sheltered and warm by Swedish standards

Day 10: Fårö

Ferry (free, 10 minutes) to Fårö (a smaller island off Gotland's northern tip, famous for its raukar and as Ingmar Bergman's home).

Fårö was the home and retreat of filmmaker Ingmar Bergman for over 40 years. Several of his films were shot here, including Persona and Through a Glass Darkly. Visit the Bergman Centre for exhibits and screenings.

Beyond Bergman, Fårö offers:

• Langhammars — the most spectacular sea stack formations in Sweden
• Sudersand — a stunning white-sand beach, regularly ranked among Sweden's best
• Fårö Church — a simple medieval church in a landscape of windswept heather

Day 11: Southern Gotland & Departure

Explore southern Gotland before catching your ferry or flight:

• Petes — dramatic cliff formations on the far south coast
• Hemse — one of Gotland's finest medieval churches
• Local farm shops selling lamb, saffron (Gotland grows Sweden's only saffron), and gotländsk lammkorv (Gotland lamb sausage)

Gotland Food — Lamb, saffron pancakes, and the island's distinctive food culture — on The Table.

Days 12–14: Optional Extensions

With extra days, consider:

• Öland — Sweden's second-largest island, connected to Kalmar by bridge. UNESCO-listed Stora Alvaret (the Great Alvar, a unique limestone plain on Öland), windmills, and the royal summer palace at Solliden.
• The High Coast (Höga Kusten (a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Sweden's northeast coast)) — dramatic land uplift scenery, red granite cliffs, and island-hopping by boat.
• Malmö — cross the Öresund Bridge from Copenhagen or train from Gothenburg. A multicultural city with a beach, excellent food scene, and the Turning Torso.

Budget Breakdown (Per Person, 10 Days)

Packing for a Swedish Summer

• Layers — even in summer, evenings can be cool (12–15°C)
• Swimsuit (you'll swim almost daily)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses — especially on Gotland
• Wind-resistant jacket (the archipelago and Gotland are breezy)
• Comfortable cycling clothes
• A good book for those long ferry rides

For full advice, see our Packing Guide.

Recommended Gear & Reading

• Dryrobe Advance Short Sleeve — warm up after Baltic Sea swims; a game-changer for wild swimming along the coast (affiliate link)
• Lonely Planet Sweden — comprehensive guide with coastal itinerary suggestions, island-hopping routes, and restaurant picks (affiliate link)
• Archipelago: Portraits of Life in Sweden's Islands — a beautiful photographic exploration of Swedish island life (affiliate link)

Wild Swimming in Sweden — The right to swim anywhere, the best lakes and coastlines, and the culture of Swedish outdoor bathing — on The Land.