Part of an archipelago west of Gothenburg with ten islands connected by ferries and bridges. Home to granite cliffs, fishing museums, and the unique Ömål dialect.
Öckerö Municipality includes ten inhabited islands west of Gothenburg, reached by a short ferry trip. You can visit Hönö, the largest island, and Öckerö, where the municipal offices are located; bridges and ferries connect them. See granite cliffs at Hönö Röds, walk the Konstvågen art trail each August, explore the Ersdalen nature reserve, and learn about fishing history at the Hönö Klåva Fishing Museum. Life here centers on the sea, with easy-to-reach landscapes and individual island communities.
Getting to Öckerö and Moving Around
You need a ferry to reach the Öckerö islands. Drive or take bus line 24 from Gothenburg to the Lilla Varholmen ferry terminal. Free car ferries run by Västtrafik leave often for Hönö (12 minutes) and Björkö (6 minutes). In summer, a direct passenger boat operates from Stenpiren and Eriksberg in Gothenburg to Hönö Klåva. Bridges link Hönö, Öckerö, Hälsö, and Fotö, so cycling or driving between these is simple. Use smaller local ferries from Burö or Björkö to get to Rörö, Hyppeln, Källö-Knippla, Grötö, or Kalvsund. Check the Västtrafik ToGo app for current ferry and bus times. Rent a bicycle from Paoloscykel at Hönö Klåva, Hönö Sjöbodar, Bed & Bike Öckerö, or Nimbus Öckerö to see the islands.
Practical Information for Your Visit
Find places to stay like bed and breakfasts, hostels, cabins, Bed & Bike Öckerö, or Nimbus Öckerö. Öckerö island has a pharmacy, post office, and grocery store. Consider island-hopping packages for multi-day trips; these often combine cycling, ferry travel, and accommodation, letting you see Rörö, Björkö, Grötö, Kalvsund, and Fotö. Verify opening hours for the Hönö Fishing Museum, Hönö Konsthall, and Galleri Gårda before you go, as they might not open every day. The islands deliver a West Coast experience focused on the sea, nature, and local life.
Nature and Recreation
Experience coastal landscapes and recreation spots. The Ersdalen nature reserve on Hönö draws visitors, especially the granite cliffs at Hönö Röds, a well-known place for bouldering. You can climb there any time of year on hundreds of routes. Birdwatchers use hides in the reserve to see the many species. Rörö island has its own nature reserve on the west side, with large boulder fields, a sandy beach good for swimming, and heathlands sometimes used by wild horses and sheep. Swim at spots across the islands; Hjälvik on Öckerö has an access ramp. Hike parts of the Gothenburg Archipelago Trail (Kuststigen) crossing Hönö, Öckerö, Hälsö, Knippla, and Hyppeln; the trail goes through villages and along the coast.
History, Culture, and Community
Fishing deeply influenced the islands' past and character; the municipal coat of arms shows ten herrings for the ten islands. Learn about this at the Hönö Klåva Fishing Museum, which has old boats and tools. Öckerö Old Church is a historical building. People here speak the Ömål dialect, mixing Gothenburg Swedish and English. Each island has its own feel, from main harbors to smaller places like Bovik on Björkö or Apelvik on Rörö. See the preserved old settlement on Fotö to understand traditional island living. Visit artists' studios and workshops across all ten islands during the Konstvågen art trail, held the first weekend of August.
Things to Do
Cycling works well for seeing Hönö, Öckerö, Hälsö, and Fotö because bridges connect them; rent bikes easily. Play boule at courts such as the one outside Havskatten on Hönö. Take a boat tour for a different view; M/S Belle-Amie runs guided trips from Hönö Klåva to the Vinga lighthouse, taking roughly 2.5 hours. Go to Hönö Klåva harbor, a busy spot with independent shops, cafes like Cederleüfs & Svenheimers Bageri och Konditori, and restaurants including Tullhuset and Franses Skärgårdspub, famous for shrimp sandwiches on Hönö bread. Find local sports clubs like Öckerö IF.
