Brännö, one of the larger islands in the Southern Gothenburg Archipelago, is the perfect day trip. Connected by a bridge to the island and nature reserve Galterö, Brännö is a bathing paradise in the summer, with beautiful sandy beaches spread around the island. The famous Brännö Brygga comes to life every Thursday when people travel from all over Gothenburg for live music and dancing, and the picturesque village is the perfect example of West Sweden.
Living in Gothenburg, visits out into the archipelago are a common part of the summer – close enough for an easy day trip or even an evening dip, but contrasting enough from the city that it can almost feel like you are you vacation when you visit. Compared to the lively and bustling city, these islands are much quieter, reminiscent of the larger more rural islands of Tjörn and Orust further North along the Bohuslän coast.
I have been out to both Brännö and Galterö quite a few times over the years to enjoy a short hike, a dance, and a swim. In this guide I have outlined my favourite things to see and do, and everything you can fit into a day trip!
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About Brännö and Galterö
Brännö and Galterö are two islands in the Southern part of the Gothenburg Archipelago, connected by a small bridge. Like the other islands in the Southern Archipelago, both islands are car free meaning the only way to get around is to either cycle or walk. You will notice this when you first arrive and see all the bikes and carts lined up by the ferry terminal, owned by the 800+ year-round inhabitants to move around the island.
Brännö very much started off as a summer island when people started buying vacation cottages here in the late 1930’s. Now, it is very much lived in, with most of the island’s houses permeant residences for commuters into the city. Galterö on the other hand, is a nature reserve, a relatively flat island filled with rocky cliffs, picturesque beaches, and farmland and very few houses.
Note: Parts of Galterö are used for training by the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten) so it can be worth checking there are no exercises happening when you visit. You can find information either online here, or on notice boards at both ferry terminals on Brännö. But don’t let this scare you – these areas are very well sign posted so it will be hard to miss if there is something going on!
How to Get to Brännö
The only way to get to Brännö, unless travelling by your own boat, is by catching the ferry from the mainland. Brännö has two different harbours – Brännö Husvik and Brännö Rödsten. No matter which you decide to take the ferry to, you will need to start your journey at Saltholmen. This is the Gothenburg Archipelago ferry terminal where you will find ferries out to all the islands. To get here, you will need to take tram number 11 from the city centre. From the central station this trip takes around 45 minutes.
The most regular boat traffic to Brännö goes via Rödsten (20 minutes from Saltholmen), however there are several boats that pass Brännö Husvik (45 minutes from Saltholmen). I recommend taking the ferry out to Rödsten and back from Husvik. This way you can see more of the island and more of the archipelago. The ferry from Husvik passes Styrsö, Köpstadsö, and Asperö before arriving at Saltholmen, meaning you get a mini archipelago cruise included in your day trip!
To get to Brännö you will need an A zone public transport ticket. This costs around 36kr (depending how you purchase it) and gives you 90 minutes of unlimited transport around Zone A, which includes both the city and the archipelago. If you already have a 24 hour of 3-day ticket, then this is already included in that. If you are tossing up whether to purchase a day ticket or individual tickets, it is worth keeping in mind that you need to take 4 trips to cover the cost of a day ticket. The best way to buy tickets is through the Västtrafik mobile app which you can download on this page!
Tip: In the summer, there are regular boats which head to and from Lilla Bommen in Central Gothenburg. If you can, I recommend taking this route at least once as the ferry takes you all the way down the river, past Gothenburg’s very active harbour and the unique Nya Älvsborgs Fortress.
How to Get to Galterö
Galterö has no ferry terminal of its own so to get to this island you will need to take the ferry to one of Brännö’s two harbours and walk from here. Both walks take around 35 minutes and are a mix of village streets and nature walks. The only plus side of taking the ferry to Rödsten is that the journey takes half the time.
A Day Trip to Brännö and Galterö
If you are visiting these islands for the day, it can be hard to fit in all there is to see and do. Rather than aiming for this, I would recommend planning a walking route around the islands that fits in some of the best parts. The route I like to take starting from Brännö Rödsten is to follow the road up towards Gröna Vik. From here you can walk around the cliffs to Vassdal, and then continue the nature path towards Galterö. Then you can do the loop hike on Galterö before taking the other naturstig back to the village. If you have time, you can then walk down Sandviksdalen towards Ramsdal bathing spot, or head straight to Brännö Husvik/ Rödsten for the ferry!
See more: Find all my favourite Brännö spots (along with 300+ other places to visit) in my West Sweden Map!
Island Hopping Itinerary
If you are wanting to do some island hopping then I can recommend starting your day in Asperö, taking the ferry (283 to Brännö Rödsten) and then finishing the day by taking the ferry from Brännö Husvik to Styrsö (282). This is a relatively easy loop that allows you to see three islands in one day without stressing your time too much.
Staying for longer? Find all your Gothenburg Archipelago accommodation options here!
What To Do on Brännö
Hiking on Brännö
One of the best things to do on all the Gothenburg archipelago islands is hiking. When I say hiking, I mean more of a nature walk – usually not too long or strenuous (unless you choose the Skärgårdsleden on Hönö). There are a few different Nature walks on Brännö to enjoy. You will usually find them marked on the map as “Naturstig” which basically means Nature Path. On Brännö there are a few different paths. The shortest is a cut through from Hästsoranget to Galterövägen – a good choice if you are taking a loop walk around the island. From here you can follow the longer nature path up to Galterö and loop back down to Lönndalsvägenn.
The paths are all very beautiful – a mix of coastal and forest landscapes. I would recommend the walk from Galterö along the West Coast as I think this path is one of the prettiest, and most unique with the short wooden board walk.
If you are planning your route, make sure to what I outlined earlier under the Day Trip to Brännö heading as this is a great loop walk!
Note: The naturstig are signposted with a blue and white marking on rocks and trees.
Enjoy Brännö’s Beautiful Bathing Spots
There is a reason I think that Brännö is one of the best islands for bathing in the Gothenburg Archipelgo. All around the coast you will find plenty of different spots for taking a swim – from long sandy beaches to fresh wooden bridges and grassy fields. Not all these spots are marked on the map, and you will possibly even find more when you are there, but below you can see just a few of my favourites!
Gröna Vik
Gröna Vik is on the Northern part of Brännö. If you follow the path from Flogenvägen you will find the flat grassy inlet with shallow water. This beach is perfect for families and younger children! From here you can either walk around the cliffs or head back and down Flagbergsstigen to the other side of the bathing place. Here is my favourite part – with a small sandy beach, grassy area, and a nice wooden bridge with a ladder leading down into the deeper sea.
This is my personal favourite swimming spot on Brännö as I think the view from the water over to the other island is so pretty. If you are brave enough, you can swim over to Rivö. This is an uninhabited island that is only accessible by swimming, private boat or kayak, so it can be a very fun experience to discover it yourself!
Vassdalsbadet
Vassdalsbadet is a very picturesque little swimming spot located out by a small boat harbour. Here, you have a big grass area with a grill and park benches, perfect for a picnic or barbeque! The water here is shallow, but perfect for taking a quick dip or just enjoying the long summer days. If you don’t want to swim, I still recommend taking a stroll down to Vassdalsbadet as the harbour is very pretty.
Ramsdal
Ramsdal is a big, open bathing place with cliffs, several different sandy beach, and ladders out into the sea. The main beach is enclosed between the cliffs and two pier/ deck areas, making it look almost tropical on a sunny day. In the summer there is a diving board by the deeper part of the ocean! By Ramsdal there’s also a toilet!
Read more: Gothenburg’s best beaches and swimming spots!
Brännö Brygga
Dancing on Brännö Brygga is renowned for its summer feeling. Every Thursday evening, from the end of June to the beginning of August, a live band comes to Brännö and people flock from all over the city to dance in the evening sun. To get here you can either take the ferry to Brännö, or you can take the special boat which leaves Stenpiran at 18.45 and returns at 22.30. You can find more information on this page, or book tickets here!
Explore the Small Boat Harbours
Being an island, the shoreline is strewn with small boat harbour, private bridges, and picturesque fishing huts! Some are easier to find that others, for example, the very cute harbour down by Vassdalen, and the boat houses that line the shore on the South-West side are almost on the path, while others are a little more hidden.
See more: Want to know the exact location of all these spots? You might enjoy my West Sweden Map!
Where to Eat on Brännö
There are a few different restaurants and food options on Brännö. Firstly, you have Brännö Varv (Café Varvet), a unique tropical themed bar and restaurant located in what feels like an old shipping yard. They have a lot of good food options here and are open every day throughout the summer for lunch and dinner. If you want, you can even book a room and stay the night!
Secondly you have Kärren, a newly opened Asian style fast food truck with a cosy little outdoor eating area. You can find their opening hours along with menu updates and other information here.
Brännö Värdshus is the biggest of the eateries – located inside the old lighthouse keeper’s quarters. They are a classic bistro, serving Swedish dishes, as well as holding Julbord and special lunches on the weekends. You can find all the information you need on this page!
Lastly you have Aroniagården, a bicyle workshop with a summer café open on Saturdays!
Alternatively, there is a Tempo centrally located (map) where you can buy groceries or a picnic lunch!
What to Do on Galterö
On Galterö you will find a beautiful 2.5km round trip hike which takes you in a loop around the island and past some of the most beautiful nature! When you arrive on Galterö you will first need to cross the bridge over to the island – a scene out of Lord of the Rings or a King Arthur story. Here you will find the signpost with the hike marked out on it. It is quite easy to follow if you stick to the blue and white markings along the route!
The island is quite flat and used as farmland so don’t be surprised if you see some animals along the way! Visiting in early May, I saw some very cute little lambs playing around with their mum in a big open field.
Along the route you will find lots of different spots to stop at – from the old gravestones likely from a sunken ship in 1645, to some magical sandy beaches! If you want to stop for a picnic or barbeque, this is also the place to do it, with two fire pits set up on the north side of the island!
Note: If you plan to camp, it is forbidden only in a small section on Galterö. You can find the map here.
Frequently Asked Questions and Useful Information
When is the best time to visit Brännö?
There is no bad time to visit Brännö, however, it comes to life in the summer! From late April to Late September, you will be able to enjoy the bathing spots, the flowers, and the restaurants!
Nearby Tours and Activities
Overview: A Day Trip to Brännö and Galterö
Brännö and Galterö are two beautiful islands that are worth a visit! If you like nature, swimming, and the feeling of the countryside then this is the place for you!
Continue Reading
- Read all about the islands in the Gothenburg Archipelago
- Southern Gothenburg Archipelago Islands of Styrsö, Vrångö, Donsö, and Asperö
- 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
