Asperö is one of the smaller islands in the Southern Gothenburg Archipelago – known for its quiet fishing village, beautiful swimming spots and small hiking trails. A visit out to one of the islands in the Gothenburg Archipelago makes the perfect day trip from Gothenburg all year round, with a mix of things to do. In this guide to visiting Asperö, I have outlined a few of the best things to see and do, and a guide of how to get there!
The pictures in this article are from a fix fo trips in both the summer and winter seasons! While the summer is the best time for swimming and island hopping, the winter also gives so much beauty to the archipelago – especially on snowy days!
Interested in visiting more of the archipelago? Check out these guides:
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How To Get To Asperö Island, Gothenburg Archipelago
To get to Asperö island you will need to take the ferry from the mainland. This is usually from Saltholmen, however, in the summer there are more frequent routes that run from Lilla Bommen. To get to Saltholmen you will need to take tram number 11 to the end of the line.
There are two ferry terminals on Asperö: Asperö Norra or Asperö Östra. The trip takes 14 minutes and 9 minutes respectively, however, Asperö Norra usually has a more regular ferry schedule. Asperö Östra is often the stop for ferries travelling further south to islands such as Styrsö, so can be a great option if you want to do some island hopping around the archipelago. However, if you are planning on island hopping, it is in Asperö Norra where you will want to catch the ferry on to Brännö and Galtero!
On both visits I have made to Asperö I have taken the ferry from Saltholmen to Asperö Norra, explored the island for a few hours, and then taken the ferry back from Asperö Östra. There are so many ways to plan your trip, it’s worth checking ferry times from both terminals. You can find the schedules and buy tickets either on the Vasttrafik website or To Go App!
Things To Do On Asperö
Explore The Fishing Village
The small Harbourside fishing village on Asperö is one of the cosiest places to wander around when visiting the island. By the water you will find Asperö Norra ferry terminal, a very picturesque stop with small sailing boats parked up in the surrounding docks. By the harbour you will find Asperö Hembygds Museum (map) – a small museum celebrating the history and culture of the island housed in an old cabin. Make sure to wander down to the far side of the village where you will find a row of red boat houses typical to Sweden’s west coast (map).
Take In The View From Valen Viewpoint
The best view point on Asperö is Valen, located on the hill overlooking the fishing village. To get here, the best way is to follow Kvisteviksvägen from the harbour and across the rocky path. After a few hundred meters you will see a sign pointing to the left indicating a viewpoint. Follow this right to the end of the path (past the view of the lake) and you will find Valen Viewpoint. From here, you get a beautiful view over the archipelago and the cute little boat houses on Rivö opposite.
Walk The Asperö Island Loop
If you enjoy walking, then you can take a loop walk around the island which passes through the village, past the bathing spots and the viewpoint. Below you will see a picture of the map with the route that we have walked several times before, the walk takes around 2 hours in total without taking long stops.
Take A Swim At Kvisteviksbadet
Kvisteviksbadet is the best swimming spot on Asperö, with a big bridge and rocky cliffs to swim from as well as a small sandy beach. This is one of the best places to swim in the Gothenburg Archipelago, especially if you want a more established bathing spot rather than finding your own private secluded area. To get here, follow the path over the rocks from Asperö Östra or simply head to the end of Kvisteviksvägen. You can find a map above with all the walking paths marked out!
Find The Hidden Boutique On Kvisteviksvägen
Somewhere you won’t see advertised so much online is the hidden boutique on Kvisteviksvägen housed in the garden and greenhouse of one of the houses in the village. The boutique sells all sorts of beautiful homewares and plants and is open every day.
Island Hopping From Asperö
If you want to combine your trip to Asperö with some Gothenburg archipelago island hopping, then a good combination is to visit Asperö, spend a few hours wandering around, and then get on ferry number 283 from Asperö Norra to Brännö Rödsten. You can spend more than a few hours on Brännö and Gälterö so it’s worth taking an early morning ferry out to Asperö.
Asperö Island Tours and Activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a café on Asperö?
There is not a café on Asperö, however, there is a small grocery store (Affären på Asperö)where you can buy snacks, ingredients for sandwiches etc. Otherwise, the best way is to bring your own lunch with you and eat it at one of the many picnic spots around the island.
Asperö, Sweden: A Gothenburg Archipelago Day Trip
Asperö Island in the Gothenburg Archipelago is a great day trip from the city. What makes this a great trip is that the island is relatively small, so you only need a few hours to see and do everything! Spend a few hours swimming, walk the island loop, eat lunch at Valen Viewpoint and then take the ferry back to the city or further on towards Brännö!
Continue Reading
- Read all about the islands in the Gothenburg Archipelago
- Southern Gothenburg Archipelago Islands of Styrsö, Vrångö, Donsö, and Brännö and Galterö
- Northern Archipelago Island of Hönö
- Take a day trip out to Vinga Island and Lighthouse
- Gothenburg Itineraries: One Day or Two to Four Days
- West Sweden Map with over 300+ Restaurants, Hikes, Villages, Viewpoints and more!
- All Gothenburg Guides
