The lake archipelago islands of Torsö, Brommö and Djurö

Vänern, our huge inland sea, is a fantastic resource, providing us with lovely spots to swim, untouched natural harbours and exciting fishing. This mighty inland sea, home to Europe’s largest freshwater archipelago, is in a class of its own. There are almost 22 000 islands, islets and skerries in total. The two main islands in the archipelago, Torsö and Brommö, in the waters off the town of Mariestad, are easily accessible.

Torsö - Lake Vänern’s island treasure

Lovely swims and gorgeous natural surroundings are just some of the things awaiting visitors to Torsö and Vänern’s other islands. You can get to Torsö, which is Vänern’s biggest island, by road or sea. The kilometre long Torsö Bridge,with stunning views of Östersundet, was built in 1994. Before that ferries took passengers to and from the island.

Brygghuset, with a wonderful view of the lake, is situated by the bridge on the mainland. You can have a meal here or just pop in for a cup of coffee, and enjoy musical entertainment during the summer. They also have motorhome pitches. Open all year round. Sundsörns Camping is right next door, with a lovely sandy swimming beach.

On Torsö itself you’ll find family friendly swimming at Hattarevik and Sandvik. (NB! You can’t get all the way to Hattarevik and Sandvik with a motorhome or other vehicle over 2 metres as there’s a gate barrier across the road. Standard sized cars can get through. The walking distance from the barrier to Hattarevik is around 3 km and from the road barrier to Sandvik approx. 1.8 km.)

Accommodation on the island includes Torsö camping with caravan and motorhome pitches as well as cabins, Torsögården hostel and Laxhall Hamnkrog & Konferens with west facing cottages equipped to a high standard, a guest marina and motorhome pitches. You can enjoy meals on the jetty here, overlooking the strait across to the island of Brommö. The restaurant is open daily during summer, on weekends during shoulder season and occasionally in between for themed evenings and entertainment. Laxhall also has a relaxation area with sauna and hot tub.

Interesting places to visit on the island are Torsö Church and Fågelö Chapel and there are also several ancient remains on the island. Most of these are at the burial sites at Nolby and Hässlestad. Lovely walking trails on Torsö’s west side stretch both south and north. There’s a shorter family friendly loop, the Trollstigen, from the local history museum at Sandbäckens Hembygdsgård.

Torsö Skärgårdsnjut & Konsult offer accommodation in cottages, with all inclusive package solutions for group coach trip holidays.

In the south of Torsö a bridge goes over to the island of Dillö, where there are lots of summer cottages and some farms. Västergården is one of these, which apart from its KRAV organic meat production has a farm shop selling their own products and other local produce. They also have an extra large wood fired hot tub, with adjoining log cabin, which you can hire.

Brommö – a swimmer’s paradise

One of the prettiest places in Mariestad’s archipelago is the island of Brommö. Part of the island is a nature reserve. You can get here by ferry from Laxhall across Brommösund. There are lovely sandy beaches at Store Vite Sand and Rövarsand. At low tide you can wade from Rukehamn over to the scenic island of Hovden, which is an outing we highly recommend!

Cars aren’t allowed on Brommö. You either bring your own bike with you or hire them where you get the ferry (no pre-booking). For outdoor enthusiasts there’s a waymarked walking trail and cycle trail, plus shelters, compost toilets and fire pits for visitors to use. There are no shops or places to eat on Brommö so make sure you bring anything you want to eat and drink with you.

Ferry times 2024
High season 12 June-31 August:
Weekdays: 07.45, 10.00, 13.15, 17.00,
Fridays also 18.30.
Saturdays: 08.00, 10.00, 17.00
Sundays: 10.00, 13.00, 18.00

1 April-11 June and 1 September-31 October (trips must be booked a few days in advance)

Weekdays:
9.00, 16.00, Fri also 18.30
Saturdays: 9.00, 16.00
Sundays: 9.30, 16.00
Pre-book by telephone no later than the day before:+46 (0)10-471 80 11

The ferry starts on the Brommö side and goes to Torsö and back. The journey over takes around 4 minutes.
Ticket prices: Return 50 SEK
Payment can be made by Swish or bank card.

There are around 30 bikes, including some childrens’ bikes. No pre-booking.

Prices: Ferry return, 50 SEK (children up to 12 travel free)
Bike hire, 24 hours, 100 SEK
Bike trailer hire, 50 SEK

Payment by Swish or cash.

How to get to Brommö: From the E20 approx. 5 km north of Mariestad, take the turning for Torsö. Drive over the bridge and across the island towards Brommösund (the strait between the islands). Follow the road going left to the ferry and Laxhall.

Djurö National Park

Anyone especially interested in flora and fauna can hire boats to visit the Djurö archipelago in the middle of Lake Vänern, a national park with a rich bird, animal and plantlife in unspoilt coastal habitats. The most popular place to land is Malbergshamn on the north side.

There are two cottages to hire on Djurö; Djuröstugan with 12 beds and Fyrstugan with 8 beds. Neither are equipped with electricity but they have paraffin lamps. Water is fetched from the lake. The cottages can be booked through Anders Ydegren: +46 (0)510-107 57, +46 (0)0708 256482. Boat transport can also be booked here, departing from Kållandsö.

From Mariestad Mariestads sjÖservice provide boat transport to Djurö, telephone +46 (0)705-888 603.

From Laxhall Vänertrolling travels to Djurö, telephone +46 (0)708-833 843.

From Sjötorp, Askeviks Camping and Otterbäcken Storön Gården travels to Djurö, telephone +46 (0)730-58 04 17.