The Tjust archipelago: 5,000 islands on the doorstep

Off Västervik begins one of Sweden's largest and most unspoiled archipelagos: the Tjust archipelago, with an estimated 5,000 islands, islets and skerries between the town and the open Baltic. To immerse yourself for a day, you don't need your own boat — in season, excursion boats regularly depart from Västervik's harbour, heading out to car-free islands in the middle of the water.

The starting point is quickly reached from Ullevi: Västervik is about 40 kilometres away, a good three-quarters of an hour by car. Setting off early leaves you a whole day for one island — or even two.

Which boat goes where

The classic excursion boat from Västervik connects the two best-known archipelago islands several times a day in high season: Hasselö, the largest and most famous island in the archipelago, and Idö, right at the outer edge of the skerries. Both islands are car-free — exactly what gives them their particular charm.

For something quieter and more unspoiled, take the mail boat instead: it departs several times a week from the Gränsö canal and supplies the smaller islands of Sladö, Torrön, Hasselö and Norra Malmö — with post, parcels and passengers alike. Seats are limited, so booking the day before is advisable. Those wanting to go even further can cross from Oskarshamn (a good further half-hour's drive south of Västervik) all the way to the national park island of Blå Jungfrun — a day trip in its own right, with legends of witches and a fabled blue mountain.

Timetables, departure times and prices change from season to season — the most reliable source is the Västervik tourist office or the website of the relevant boat operator. Tickets are usually available right at the quay or at the tourist office in town.

What you can experience on the islands

On Hasselö, a fine sandy beach awaits — unusual for the otherwise rocky archipelago landscape — plus a small summer shop with a café right on the beach for snacks and ice cream, a restaurant with a lunch buffet a little further inland, and a guest harbour. Those who fancy it can rent a bike or sea kayak on site and explore the island independently.

Idö is smaller and more unspoiled: dense vegetation, clear Baltic air and a viewpoint with a sweeping outlook over water and skerries. Some boat trips from Västervik even offer a small eagle and seal safari — bring binoculars.

An island-hopping holiday day from Ullevi

The day works best with one island as your goal: morning drive from Ullevi to Västervik, take the boat to your chosen island, arrive, enjoy the beach or the walking trails, have a relaxed lunch — and return in the afternoon on one of the later boats. If you have time, combine the boat day with a stroll through Västervik's pretty old wooden-house town centre or a short stop at Gränsö Slott right by the harbour. And if you'd rather paddle than sail, you'll find the active alternative in Kayaking Through the Archipelago Near Västervik.

  • Departure: Västervik harbour (Idö/Hasselö) or the Gränsö canal (mail boat)
  • Distance from Ullevi: approx. 40 km / a good 40 minutes by car to Västervik
  • Islands: Hasselö (sandy beach, café, restaurant), Idö (viewpoint, eagle & seal safari)
  • Further out: Blå Jungfrun National Park, from Oskarshamn
  • Tickets & times: Västervik tourist office or direct from the boat operator — timetables change by season