Värmdö between the archipelago, nature and culture

Värmdö’s nature is shaped by its proximity to the sea and an ancient cultural landscape. The thousands of islands of Värmdö form a large part of the Stockholm archipelago. Other places in the regional overview include Skälvik, Ingaröstrand, Kalvsvik, Möja, Gustavsberg, Runmarö, Ingarö and Sandhamn.

Nature

Värmdö has 44 nature reserves and one national park. Nämdöskärgården National Park comprises 1,353 islands, islets and skerries; 97 percent of its area consists of water. In the national park, you can hike, climb, swim and snorkel. Nämdöskärgården National Park can only be reached by boat; during the high season, excursion boats run from the winter harbor of Stavsnäs on Värmdö to the entrance near Bullerö.

You should bring your own food when visiting the national park, as drinking water is available there only in limited quantities. In Björnö Nature Reserve, you can hike through typical archipelago nature with open cultural landscapes, forests and rocks. You can swim from the rocks and at Torpesand sandy beach.

Culture

The Gustavsberg factories and their history involving renowned Swedish designers are valuable from a national perspective. The Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum is located in Gustavsberg on Värmdö, in a former drying house of the porcelain factory. It presents the history of Gustavsberg porcelain from the 19th century to the modern era and opened in 1915.

Fotoparken is a permanent outdoor exhibition of contemporary photography in Gustavsberg on Värmdö. The exhibitions there can be visited free of charge at any time throughout the year. The Archipelago Museum focuses on old images and stories from the Stockholm archipelago; groups can book guided tours there year-round. Artipelag is located on Hålludden by Baggensfjärden in Värmdö Municipality in the Stockholm archipelago.

Trails

The Värmdöleden is approximately 25 kilometers long, divided into three stages, and designed with several possible starting and ending points. It runs mainly through scenic areas of cultural and historical interest. Värmdö also has many trails and paths for training, hiking and walking through impressive landscapes and nature reserves.

Along the trails on Värmdö, there are rest areas and wood-fired barbecue sites that can be used for preparing food. Information boards along the trails help visitors discover the local nature and sites of cultural and historical interest. Naturkartan provides information about trails, swimming spots, rest areas and outdoor barbecue sites on Värmdö.

A 1.7-kilometer-long, easily accessible trail runs along the Kolström waterway from Ingarö Church to Dyviken. It partly passes through Ingarö’s old parish center and is also suitable for wheelchair users.

Activities

At Gustavsbergsbadet, guests can swim, bathe, exercise and relax. Siggesta Gård on Värmdö has three mountain biking trails. In the Stockholm archipelago and Lake Mälaren, fishing with hand-held equipment is free; a TDA card is required for trolling, drag trolling, and fishing with a float or ice-fishing rod.

For the higher-level travel overview: Värmdö.