Hönö – a heavenly spot on Sweden’s west coast
The island of Hönö is a genuine west coast idyll. Full of life in every season, it brings together smooth granite shores, fishing boats, traditional boathouses, small shops, cosy places to eat, and sea views in almost every direction. There is plenty here to fill a day, but staying overnight gives you the chance to slow down and enjoy island life more fully.
Length of stay: Day trip (but you can always book accommodation if you want to stay longer)
Recommended period: Spring and autumn
Remember to: check opening times before your visit
How to get to Hönö
- Get the free ferry from Lilla Varholmens ferry terminal on Hisingen (takes 12 mins) to Hönö.
- Take the boat Kungsö from central Gothenburg by Styrsöbolaget between 1 July and 24 August.
Food and shopping in Hönö Klåva
Start in Hönö Klåva, the island’s lively harbour and year-round hub. Shops, restaurants, boat tours, and places to stay are gathered around the quayside, with fishing boats and pleasure craft coming and going from the harbour.
Take a dip near the lighthouse, fish for crabs from the jetty, browse the shops, or simply follow the quayside and enjoy the bustle of island life.
Photographer: Jonas Ingman @ Bruksbild
Discover Hönö on two wheels
A bike is one of the best ways to explore Hönö. Follow the island’s quiet roads between harbours, swimming spots, and fika stops, or extend your ride across the bridges to the neighbouring islands of Öckerö and Hälsö.
Bikes are available in limited numbers from Hönö Sjöbodar and Bed & Bike Öckerö, so it is worth checking availability before setting off.
Photographer: Jonas Ingman @ Bruksbild
Explore Hönö and the neighbouring islands on foot
The Gothenburg Archipelago Trail, part of the Kuststigen Coastal Path, includes five stages across Hönö, Öckerö, Hälsö, Knippla, and Hyppeln.
Whichever stretch you choose, expect traditional archipelago villages, open rocky landscapes, swimming spots, and wonderful views across the sea.
Boat trips, seal safaris, and Vinga Lighthouse
Rather let someone else do the navigating? Join a boat trip from Hönö Klåva to see harbour seals among the rocks and skerries or continue out to Vinga, one of the outermost islands in the Gothenburg archipelago.
Vinga’s lighthouse stands high above the sea and has long helped guide shipping towards Gothenburg. Once ashore, you can explore the island on foot, swim from the rocks, or simply find a sheltered spot and enjoy the view.
Vinga was also the childhood home of Evert Taube, one of Sweden’s best-loved singers, songwriters, and authors. His father was the island’s lighthouse keeper, and the sea and archipelago would later become recurring themes in Taube’s work.
Hönö Båtturer runs seal safaris and trips to Vinga aboard Silvana. You can also head out to sea on a fishing trip with Marine Event, aboard its modern catamaran, or join Kastor Boat Trips on one of its traditional wooden fishing boats.
To learn more about the fishing communities that shaped these islands, visit Fiskemuseet in Hönö Klåva. The museum traces the development of the fishing industry and displays boats, tools, engines, and equipment used by generations of local fishermen. Climb the lookout tower for views across the harbour and towards Vinga.
Two tips for anyone wanting a different experience on Hönö
Ersdalen nature reserve
The Ersdalen Nature Reserve lies on the northern side of the island, with a surprisingly varied landscape of rocky and sandy beaches, shallow bays, and large granite boulders. It is also considered one of the best places for bouldering in West Sweden.
Bake your own Hönökaka
You may already have spotted Hönökaka in shops during your visit to Sweden. Named after the island where it originated, this traditional flatbread has long been a Swedish favourite. At Havskatten, you can try baking your own in a wood-fired oven.
Eat in one of the archipelago’s nicest venues
At the outer edge of Hönö Klåva, Tullhuset sits right on the water. The restaurant is devoted to fish and shellfish, from its well-known fish soup to fresh shellfish and classic dishes shaped by the season and the day’s catch.
Franses occupies an old fishing-net workshop on the quayside and has the relaxed atmosphere of a proper archipelago pub. Settle beside the open fire, choose from the wide selection of food and drink, or head up to the roof terrace for sweeping views across the harbour. Dogs are not merely tolerated here – they have their own menu.
Klova Hamnkrog is another waterside option, with a broad menu that includes fish and shellfish as well as meat, vegetarian, and vegan dishes.
There are plenty of other cafés and restaurants around Hönö, several of which remain open throughout the year. Opening times can vary with the season, so check before travelling.
Stay overnight
There are several tempting reasons not to catch the ferry home:
- Skärgårdshotellet Hönö is right in the heart of Hönö Klåva.
- Havskatten, in Hönö Röd harbour, offers hotel and hostel accommodation beside the sea, with spacious rooms, a shared kitchen, a sauna, and an outdoor hot tub.
- Hönö Sjöbodar has cabins in a beautiful waterside setting.
- On nearby Öckerö, you can stay at Nimbus or the cosy Bed & Bike Öckerö.
- Travelling by motorhome? Several of the islands’ guest harbours have waterside pitches.
Next to Gothenburg
There’s a whole lot to discover in Gothenburg. And there’s even more to explore outside the city. All you have to do is ride just a few stops beyond the city limits to enjoy some really memorable experiences.
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Length of stay: Day trip (but you can always book accommodation if you want to stay longer)
Recommended period: Spring and autumn
Remember to: check opening times before your visit
How to get to Hönö
- Get the free ferry from Lilla Varholmens ferry terminal on Hisingen (takes 12 mins) to Hönö.
- Take the boat Kungsö from central Gothenburg by Styrsöbolaget between 1 July and 24 August.