The islands of Sweden

Tourists in Sweden are attracted by natural beauty and attractions : the stern tundra of Lapland and wooded cliffs in Northbotten, green fields and picturesque hills where you can meet a variety of wild animals. Individual interest in travelers is caused by islands and archipelagoes located in the Baltic Sea. In total there are about 24 thousand of them in the country.

Large islands of Sweden

If you look at the map of Sweden, then it shows that the islands of the country are mainly located along the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia and in the middle of inland waters. Some of the islands are inhabited, there people live, there is a developed infrastructure and leisure facilities, others are nature reserves with pristine nature. Nature lovers and ecotourism will appreciate such places.

The largest areas of land, washed by water, are:

1. Gotland is the largest island in Sweden and has many attractions. Here you can see the picturesque coastal and sea landscapes, fields and rocks, as well as the medieval fortress Visby , which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List with the surrounding old city, churches (total 94 churches) and the ramparts. The most ancient buildings are Romanesque constructions erected in the XI-XII centuries. Fans of beach holidays will find cozy bays surrounded by coniferous and deciduous forests.
2. The Island of Öland in Sweden occupies the second place in its size. It is also called the land of windmills, since there are more than 400 of them. Tourists will be able to visit here the Eketorps Borg fortress erected during the Iron Age, the lighthouse, the museum of medieval life, as well as the ruins of the castle of Borholm and the palace Solliden, which in former times served as a summer residence for the royal family.
3. The island of Lilla Karlsö (Lilla Karlsö) in Sweden - has a round shape with a total area of ​​1.6 square meters. km and is a nature reserve, which was chosen by a lot of birds and the famous gutefår ("Gotland sheep"). Here there are such birds: diver, guillemot, hawk, lentil, small flycatcher, green sneer, etc. Animals had a significant impact on the terrain landscape. During the 3-hour excursion, tourists will be able to see the various caves and 320 species of vascular plants, for example, skolopendrovy and leaflets, oakwood oak and other species of flora.

What other islands are there in Sweden?

The list of the most significant islands in Sweden includes such land areas:

1. Urust (Orust) - is in the strait Kattegat and refers to the Vestra Etaland flax. Its area is 346 square meters. km, and the number of local residents is 20 thousand people.
2. Hisingen - covers an area of ​​199 square meters. km, here live 125 thousand indigenous people.
3. Chern (Tjörn) is located in the Kattegat Strait. Its territory occupies 148 square meters. km, the number of local residents is about 10 thousand people. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, the length of which is 664 m.
4. Fårö is located in the Baltic Sea in the north of the country. The area of ​​the island is 113 square meters. km, and the population reaches 600 people. There is no hospital, police, banks, post office, and the road network is poorly developed.
5. Visingsö (Visingsö) - is located in the south of Lake Vettern , between Jencheping and Grenna. The island has a length of 14 km and a width of 3 km, the total area is 24 square meters. km. According to the local legend, it was created by a giant named Vist for his wife, who could not cross the pond.
6. Gotska Sunden - is located in the Baltic Sea and has an area of ​​36 square meters. km. The island belongs to the Gotland province. Its length is 9 km, and the length is only 6 km.

The islands of Sweden near Stockholm

The capital of the country lies on 14 islands, which form the Stockholm archipelago. It has a length of 60 km, is considered the largest in the Baltic Sea and is washed by the Strait of Norström and the lake of Mälaren . The most popular sites of land in these waters are:

1. Värmdön - the total area of ​​the island is 181 square meters. km, and the population reaches 10 thousand people. It is classified as Stockholm, but it is divided between the communities of Nakka and Vermde.
2. Vaxholm is a crowded and beautiful island, with shops, hostels, a supermarket and excellent beaches and the famous Vaxholm fortress . This is a popular place for recreation among tourists. From here it is convenient to get to the neighboring parts of the land.
3. Grinda (Grinda) - a picturesque island with a virgin nature. Here there are small houses, a shop, a cafe, a camping site, a small base with water attractions and a farm where sheep, goats and cows live.
4. Djurgarden (Djurgarden) - in former times the island was a favorite hunting ground for Swedish monarchs, today it is considered a famous landmark . Here are such museums :

• Unibbaken ;
• the historical museum of Scandinavia;
• museum of Vasa (dedicated to the surviving vessel Vasamuseet, built in the XVII century);
• Aquaria (it is inhabited by representatives of the marine fauna of the country);
• Ethnographic museum Skansen , showing Sweden in miniature.
All institutions have unique exhibits and attract interest from visitors.

Features of visiting the islands of Sweden

The weather on the land sites located in the Baltic Sea is mitigated by the warm winds blowing from the Atlantic. The average air temperature in summer is + 17 ° C, and in winter -14 ° C. In the northern part of the country, the subarctic climate prevails.

The main way that tourists get to the islands of Sweden is to travel by boat on the water. Cruise ships often, they can be rented as a taxi and go round several islands at the same time. They differ in speed, comfort and size. Many holidaymakers prefer steam-powered vessels: at least to travel for them and longer, but more comfortable and interesting.