ÖVÄRLD

Roslagen archipelago

Från fastland till ytterskär

Roslagens skärgård sträcker sig genom Österåker, Norrtälje och Östhammar, med över 13 000 öar, kobbar och skär. Här finns små ytterskär, stora naturreservat och öar med vandringsleder, gästhamnar och sommarkrogar. Sommaridyllen är på riktigt, men det är inte hela bilden. Hårda höststormar och stilla vinterdagar med blankis och rimfrost hör också hit.

Att besöka en ny ö varje dag skulle ta mer än 35 år. Välkommen.

Direkt till öarna ↓ Östhammar | Norrtälje | Österåker

Så tar du dig ut

Boat services to the islands

From classic archipelago boats to smaller pass boats and boat taxis - the Roslagen archipelago is reached in many different ways. Here you will find the options that take you out to the islands.

Plan your boat trip

Marinas & Boating

If you sail or come with your own boat, there are many guest harbours along the Roslag coast and in the archipelago. Here you will find harbours where you can moor and explore the islands further.

See guest harbours

Paddling in the archipelago

Kayaking or canoeing is a fantastic way to experience the Roslagen archipelago. Here you will find paddling trails and places where you can rent a kayak, canoe or SUP.

Paddling in Roslagen

Roslagens skärgård rymmer tusentals öar. Alla får inte plats här – men här är några av de största och mest lättillgängliga, från norr till söder.

Öar i Östhammar – Norra Roslagen

I norra Roslagen går det enkelt att ta sig ut till några av öarna med bilfärja eller mindre passbåtar. Längre ut tar en övärld vid som till stora delar kräver egen båt.

Örskär - Historic lighthouse island with dramatic nature and unique flora

Surrounded by open sea, orchid meadows and historic lighthouse environments, Örskär is one of Roslagen's most magnificent destinations. Here you will find tranquillity, dramatic nature and a rich history - perfect for those who want to experience the archipelago off the beaten track.

Rävsten - Natural paradise in the outermost strip of Roslagen

Experience open sea, grazed meadows and a unique cultural landscape. At Rävsten you will be greeted by beautiful hiking trails, bathing cliffs, rich plant and animal life and charmingly simple cottages for overnight stays. Perfect for a day trip or several days of nature tranquillity.

Gräsö - Archipelago island with a living landscape and local pride

Hike along winding paths, swim at pristine beaches or explore art and culture in the middle of Roslagen's outermost archipelago. Gräsö is a living island where nature and traditions go hand in hand - a destination for both tranquillity and experiences.

Öar i Norrtälje – Mellersta Roslagen

I Norrtälje breder Roslagens skärgård ut sig, från stora bebodda öar nära fastlandet till mindre öar längre ut. Broar, färjor och skärgårdstrafik gör det lätt att röra sig mellan fastland och övärld, även utan egen båt.

Yxlan - Pilotage, customs and telegraph community

A long narrow island with large wholesale villas with glass verandas and small red cottages where city officials lived. There are about 300 residents on Yxlan today, but in the summer the population increases significantly when all the holiday home guests and tourists come to the island. Despite this, you will find peace and quiet and a genuine archipelago feeling here on the island.

Vätö - Stone-cutting village and Roslag idyll

Vätö was probably first settled at the end of the Iron Age. There are several known burial grounds on the island. Harg, which means place of sacrifice, is the central village on Vätö. There is a memorial stone in Vätö granite here with the text: "Rest in gratitude to Vätö stone workers". At its peak, 500 people worked at the Vätö stonemasonry and the old stonemasonry villages are preserved on the island. It is a beautiful island with great cultural and historical value. Several parade buildings, quays and bridges in Stockholm have used the pink-red Vätö granite.

Väddö - the largest island in Roslagen

Roslagen's largest island with the Väddö Canal and the Åland Sea and art, design, locally produced delicacies, history, culture, beautiful nature and favourite spots everywhere. The Roslagsleden and Viking trails pass through here, and Väddö's winding roads are ideal for exploratory bike rides.

Tjockö - an old central island

The old archipelago settlement is well preserved here and many older residents have attended the school that is now Tjockö Bygård. The island was once known for piracy and shipwreck looting, but today it is probably the opposite - a quiet, genuine and peaceful island.

Söderöra - Winter scenes of the Salt Crow

Genuine archipelago settlement and beautiful nature. The island, together with Norröra, became famous in the 1960s from the filming of Saltkråkan. You can still recognise many of the settings from the winter scenes.

Svenska Högarna - Sweden's largest marine nature reserve

The 61,000-hectare marine reserve stretches three miles northeast of the archipelago and is home to a diverse underwater environment with rich wildlife. There are blue mussel reefs, species-rich seaweed and algae belts, deep oxygenated bottoms and important seabird colonies - as well as the largest grey seal population in the Baltic Sea.

Öar i Österåker – Södra Roslagen

I Österåker möter Roslagen Stockholms skärgård. Här ligger öarna tätt och många nås enkelt med färja eller skärgårdsbåt från fastlandet.

Finnhamn - a living archipelago island with nature and history

Finnhamn is a diverse and accessible archipelago in Stockholm's central archipelago. Here you will find lush nature, historic environments, seaside accommodation and a wide range of activities. Unlike more secluded islands, Finnhamn offers both tranquillity and services - perfect for both day trips and longer stays.

Örsö - Archipelago idyll with altitude and history

With its highest point at 42 metres above sea level, Örsö offers magnificent views of the central archipelago and a sense of seclusion in the middle of the open seascape. Here you are met by quiet forest paths, bathing-friendly rocks and traces of a long history - from the 17th century crofting life to today's quiet island life. For those looking for nature, silence and a genuine archipelago feeling, Örsö is an undiscovered gem well worth a visit. Pack a picnic basket and take the Waxholm boat to an island that offers simplicity, views and timeless charm.

Cemetery Island - from historic burial ground to exciting coastal defence museum

The island is home to the Siarö Fort, an exciting underground museum where you can see the impressive defences built by the Swedish Coast Guard to protect our coastline during the First World War. There are also scenic surroundings with cliff-top bathing areas and beaches. The island has a guesthouse with a café and restaurant, as well as a guest harbour for visitors with their own boat.

Mjölkö - historical idyll with bathing cliffs, summer meadows and crofting life in memory

The island is a lovely little gem in the Saxarfjärden with walking paths, bathing mountains and summer meadows. The name Mjölkö probably comes from the milk that was collected from the summer grazing cows and then transported onwards. Mjölkön belonged to the Margretelund farm. In the 1950s, plots were divided up and sold to holidaymakers.

Ljusterö and Östra Lagnö

Ljusterö is a large island with a wide range of amenities and 2000 permanent residents live here. In summer, the number grows to over 10,000. There is also plenty to do and discover - golf course, museums, art, crafts, farm shops and restaurants.

Ingmarsö & Brottö

These are living islands with about 180 residents and many businesses. There are boatyards, factories, farms, carpenters, contractors, shops, pubs and much more. It's easy to be active here with all the islands' hiking trails and you can walk, cycle, ride an Icelandic horse and kayak in Paradiset - a beautiful lagoon between Ingmarsö and Finnhamn.

Planning a visit to the Roslagen archipelago? Here you will find answers to some of the most common questions about islands, boats and experiences.

Frequently asked questions about the Roslagen archipelago

How many islands are there in the Roslagen archipelago?

The Roslagen archipelago is part of the Stockholm archipelago and includes thousands of islands, islets and skerries. In total, there are over 13,000 islands in the entire archipelago.

How do you get to the islands in Roslagen?

Many islands can be reached by archipelago transport from the mainland or from Stockholm. There are also car ferries, pass boats and boat taxis. Smaller islands and islets are often best reached by private boat or kayak.

Which islands can you visit in the Roslagen archipelago?

Roslagen has both larger islands with communities and services and smaller islands further out in the sea. On this page you will find a selection of islands in northern, centre and South Roslagen that can be reached by archipelago transport or other boat connections.

In addition, there are thousands of smaller islands, islets and skerries that you can discover by boat or kayak.

When is the best time to visit the archipelago?

Summer is the busiest time in the archipelago, with more frequent boat trips, open restaurants and many events. During spring and autumn, the pace is slower and nature takes centre stage.

Also winter in roslagen and the archipelago is a special experience. Boat traffic is less frequent and many businesses are closed, but the archipelago often offers silence, clear light and sometimes ice that completely changes the landscape.

What can you do in the Roslagen archipelago?

There are opportunities for paddling, sailing, bath, hiking and cycling. Many islands also have nature reserves, restaurants and various types of accommodation - from guesthouses and cottages to glamping near the sea.

On several islands there are also historical sites and attractions to discover.

More about the Roslagen archipelago

The Roslagen archipelago - an archipelago of contrasts

The Roslagen archipelago is a unique archipelago of over 13,000 islands stretching from Ljusterö in the south to Örskär in the north. Here you'll find a diversity that few other places can offer - from rugged cliffs and windswept outer islands to lush islands with sheltered coves and archipelago villages where traditions live on.

Busy harbours and quiet bays

The contrasts are palpable. There are busy guest harbours and archipelago communities, but also quiet bays and hundreds of natural harbours where the sea sets the pace. Between the islets and skerries, bays and straits spread out, and from the outermost islands the horizon opens up to the Åland Sea.

Life on the islands

The archipelago is not just nature - it is also a vibrant place for everyday life. Many islands have restaurants, cafés and accommodation where you can stay overnight during the summer season. Classic guesthouses and turn-of-the-century villas coexist with modern cottages, small hotels and glamping near the sea.

During the summer, piers, guest harbours and small archipelago ports are filled with boating and visitors. Sailboats and motorboats dock for lunch on the pier, an evening at the archipelago pub or a night in a natural harbour.

Experiences on sea and land

The Roslagen archipelago also offers many ways to experience the sea. You can paddle between islets and skerries, sail across the bays, swim from warm cliffs or hike along the island trails. Sailing competitions, swimrun and classic events such as the Roslagsloppet - one of the world's largest offshore races - are organised here.

But the experiences are also on land. Follow a sun-warmed path through pine forests where the scent of pine needles and sea is in the air, cycle along small dirt roads between piers and villages, or settle down on a sandy beach for a swim. On some islands, more adventurous elements await - like zip-lining between treetops or visiting old coastal artillery installations deep in the mountains. On other days, it's enough to sit on a rock and let the sea do the talking.

Traditions and archipelago culture

The archipelago has a long history. Vikings, fishermen, sailors and traders have lived and worked here for generations. Old wooden boats and ships used to sail between the islands, and traditions such as the mail row across the Åland Sea still live on today.

Here you will meet the rospigars - people who have lived near the sea for generations and who still leave their mark on life in the Roslagen archipelago. Today, the veggie hat may have been replaced by a cap and the chart by an app on your mobile phone, but the sea and knowledge of the archipelago are still passed on. On many islands, history lives on through community centres, small museums and local traditions.

Islands with their own character

Each island has its own character - from bustling harbours with restaurants and pier life to quiet coves and lonely islets at the edge of the sea. In some places, boats and people congregate around harbours and archipelago pubs, in others you'll be greeted only by cliffs, wind and open sea.

Whether you come here for boating, nature, food experiences or tranquillity, there is always something new to discover in the Roslagen archipelago. Maybe you'll find a new favourite island - or just a rock where you want to stay for a while.

Want to discover more of Roslagen?

Start at Roslagen.se or read more about Northern Roslagen (Östhammar) Central Roslagen (Norrtälje) and Southern Roslagen (Österåker)

Did you know that;

En ö om dagen fram till 2062. Ungefär så lång tid skulle det ta att beta av Roslagens drygt 13 000 öar, kobbar och skär.