Archipelago memories from Gällnö.
It is two weeks now since my long Swedish summer vacation ended. In many ways, this summer has been different due to the ongoing pandemic. Longer holiday trips have not been possible, but by boat in the Stockholm archipelago, the holiday has really been wonderful. We visited Gällnö, an island in Stockholm’s central archipelago. Gällnö has been inhabited since the days of King Gustav Vasa in the 16th century. The island was ravaged by Danes in the 17th century, and during the Russian ravages of 1719.
Despite the proximity to Stockholm, a visit to Gällnö is as far from the stress of the big city as you can get. The well-preserved old archipelago buildings remind you of another time. Agriculture is still practiced and in the lush meadows the animals graze freely. The pastures are mixed with forest, cliffs and beaches. For those who want to explore the island properly, there are nice walking and cycling paths.
In the summer, Gällnö is in full swing. Guests come to the hostel from all corners of the world and the bay is filled with leisure boats. Stockholmers come out to their summer houses and the otherwise quiet village is transformed into a small metropolis with a bar, shop and café.
You can sit down to eat a piece of food or just have a glass of wine under the apple trees at the bar and the café offers home-baked bread and freshly roasted coffee. The shop ensures that you can get to Gällnö without having to drag the food from the mainland.
We anchored at Gällnönäs near a friend from Paris but who has lived on the island during the summer and regularly has led outdoor Friskis&Svettis exercise. If you know Swedish, there is a lot of information about Gällnö on the association’s “Gällnö Natur och Kulturstig” website: gallnostigen.se
8 Comments
Tokens of Companionship
It looks lovely and peaceful. An escape from the hurly-burly of city life. You had nice end-of-summer weather, too.
Michael
Yes, Gällnö was a very nice island! There are lots of islands in the archipelago but I will for sure visit Gällnö again.
walkaboutsweden
Vilket häääärligt somrigt inlägg.
Ser ut som en riktig pärla – Gällnö.
Tack!
Michael
Åh, tack! Ja, Gällnö är en pärla!
Kathleen Jennette
What a beautiful spot to see and enoy. I’d love to visit there. Looks calming.
Michael
It is a very nice island, but there are many such islands in the Stockholm Archipelago. I have had my boat now for five seasons, and have many more to explore! 🙂
Thérèse Amnéus
Vilket fint inlägg om Gällnö! Jag var där för två somrar sen – tog båten till Karklö och gick över den lilla ön till båtluffarleden, där jag kunde ta en båt och ro över till Gällnö. Precis som du skriver var det mycket trevligt och riktigt fullt med fart i Gällnö hamn:)
Michael
Åh, tack! Ja, Gällnö blev en favorit. Det är roligt att upptäcka öarna! 😊