Holiday apartment in Öckerö: Archipelago trails, nature and island culture

Öckerö is considered an archipelago of ten islands. Here, a rugged archipelago landscape, coastal trails, wetlands and a visibly preserved island history come together. Among rocky shores by the sea, Öckerö gamla kyrka, artists’ studios and fishing boats, a multifaceted picture of the destination emerges.

Nature

The rugged and exposed outer archipelago landscape of Öckerö Municipality includes beaches, cliffs, mountains, meadows, heathlands, natural areas and cultural landscapes. Two nature reserves have been established to protect particularly valuable natural areas. Rördammen is one of the largest wetlands in Öckerö Municipality and is known for its rich birdlife.

Kärrsvik and Hummerviken have extensive rocky shores that continue into the sea, set in a flat and barren coastal landscape. Near Öckerö is also the Rörö Nature Reserve, with a trail through an almost treeless heathland landscape to extensive rocky shores and viewpoints.

Trails and coastline

The Öckerö nature area and exercise trail feature a 4,600-metre gravel path with branches towards Hummerviken, Rördammen and Rävholmen. The gravel loop around Rördammen is wide and gently undulating, making it easily accessible. Hjälvik has a bathing beach and a beach volleyball court.

The Göteborgs skärgårdsled is a 35.3-kilometre coastal hiking trail with three stages and two circular loops. On Öckerö, it passes Rördammen, Hummerviken and Hjälviks badplats. The trail’s third stage runs across Öckerö and is 7.8 kilometres long. On Hönö, a 2.2-kilometre training loop leads from Hönö Cemetery towards Jungfruviken and Engelsmännenes hage.

Boat trips in the Gothenburg archipelago include journeys from Hönö to Vinga and seal safaris.

Culture

Around 200 known archaeological monuments have been preserved on the Öckerö Islands.

Öckerö gamla kyrka is a stone church built in the mid-15th century that replaced an older stave church. It features ceiling paintings from the late 18th century by Jean Liljedahl.

Konstvågen takes place on the first weekend in August in Öckerö Municipality. During this event, visitors can visit artists in their studios, homes, boathouses and gardens. Öckerö Library hosts several author visits every year. The library also houses a municipal exhibition hall with exhibitions on a wide range of topics, featuring different artistic techniques and forms of expression.

The Öckerö local heritage farm consists of four red-painted houses, two of which are more than 200 years old, as well as several historic outbuildings. Historical tools and objects from farming, carpentry, fishing, education and former local businesses are on display there. Bagebrö “Hönökaka” is often baked in the bakery at the Öckerö local heritage farm; private individuals can also make bookings there.

The seabed around the Öckerö Islands is home to wrecks of sunken ships and objects from bygone times. Numerous larger and smaller fishing boats can still be seen at the quays of Hönö Klåva, Öckerö, Rörö and other harbours.

Getting around

The Hönöleden connects Lilla Varholmen with Hönö/Öckerö via a 2.5-kilometre car ferry route; the crossing takes 13 minutes and is free of charge. Öckerö Municipality directs visitors to an official tourism portal with information about attractions, restaurants, accommodation and events. InfoPoints on the islands provide brochures and practical tips for getting around.

The individual listings allow you to compare included services, price components, and booking and cancellation conditions. The binding details are provided with each individual listing.

Other places: Hönö, Kalvsund, Brännö, Asperö, Björkö, Källö-Knippla.

To the higher-level travel overview: Öckerö.