Sight guide · Gothenburg · Sweden
Visiting Southern archipelago islands
The car-free islands of the southern archipelago, among them Styrsö, Vrångö, Brännö, Donsö and Asperö, have granite rocks for swimming, small harbours and walking paths between wooden summer houses.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Southern archipelago islands is an island in Saltholmen, Gothenburg. Allow half a day to a full day; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Island
- Area
- Saltholmen
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- outdoors, nature, views and couples
- Best months
- May–July
About Southern archipelago islands
The car-free islands of the southern archipelago, among them Styrsö, Vrångö, Brännö, Donsö and Asperö, have granite rocks for swimming, small harbours and walking paths between wooden summer houses. Tram 11 runs to Saltholmen, where public ferries leave for the islands; the ride takes between about 20 minutes and an hour depending on the island.
Tip: Head to Vrångö, the furthest island, for a nature reserve and sandy coves, and pack lunch and swimwear as island cafés keep limited hours outside summer.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Half a day to a full day.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Saltholmen.
Best time to visit Southern archipelago islands
Southern archipelago islands is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- June: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
- July: 21°C (70°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- May: 16°C (61°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-June the sun sets at about 22:14 local time (calculated for Gothenburg).
When to visit Gothenburg has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Southern archipelago islands is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Liseberg and Haga and Haga Nygata.
- No. 4 of the 20 sights in our Gothenburg things-to-do list.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Gothenburg.
- A family favourite in Gothenburg with kids.
If you like Southern archipelago islands
- Skansen Kronan — Haga, 45 minutes
- Slottsskogen — Linnéstaden, 2–3 hours
- Gothenburg Botanical Garden — Slottsskogen, 1.5–2 hours
- Trädgårdsföreningen and the Palm House — Inom Vallgraven, 1 hour
Staying near Southern archipelago islands
Where to stay in Gothenburg compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Southern archipelago islands?
Plan half a day to a full day.
+Is Southern archipelago islands free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Southern archipelago islands?
May–July for the most comfortable weather. Head to Vrångö, the furthest island, for a nature reserve and sandy coves, and pack lunch and swimwear as island cafés keep limited hours outside summer.
+Do I need to book Southern archipelago islands in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Southern archipelago islands good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Gothenburg. Gothenburg is one of the easiest Nordic cities to visit with children: Liseberg, Universeum, the free animals in Slottsskogen and a floating ship museum are all reachable by tram, and the archipelago gives safe rocky swimming in summer.