Roslagen archipelago
Lighthouses, archipelago villages, rugged cliffs and sheltered coves. This is where the island world begins.
The Roslagen archipelago consists of over 13,000 islands, islets and skerries - from Ljusterö in the south to Örskär in the north. Here, outer islands, nature reserves and living archipelago islands meet with harbours, cafés and small communities. Here you will find inspiration and tips for discovering the islands of Roslagen.
How to get out in the Roslagen archipelago
At sea - in several ways
Boat services to the islands
Marinas & Boating
Paddling in the archipelago
The Roslagen archipelago is home to thousands of islands. Not all of them fit here - but here are some of the largest and most accessible, from north to south. Maybe you'll find your new favourite.
Islands in Northern Roslagen
Outside Östhammar and Öregrund lies the northern Roslagen archipelago with both larger visitor islands and many smaller islets and skerries - often best to discover by boat.
Islands in Central Roslagen
Outside Norrtälje, the archipelago of central Roslagen spreads out, with many well-visited islands and several boat connections from the mainland.
Islands in Southern Roslagen
Österåker's part of the Stockholm archipelago is located in southern Roslagen, with several popular islands and good boat connections from both the mainland and Stockholm.
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.
Did you know that;
"Roslagen has over 13,000 islands, islets and skerries? The archipelago is one of the most extensive in the world, with a unique mix of rocky outcrops, lush forest islands and small sandy beaches. You can discover new places every day - from historic fishing villages to pristine wildernesses where seals and sea eagles reign."
Want to discover more of Roslagen?
Start at Roslagen.se or read more about Northern Roslagen (Östhammar) Central Roslagen (Norrtälje) and Southern Roslagen (Österåker)