Donsö is one of the most popular islands in the Gothenburg archipelago. It is perfect for a day trip or little getaway from the city. On this island you will find lots of hidden beaches, picturesque streets and great swimming spots to explore. In this guide to Donsö Island I will walk you through how to get there, what to do there, and some places you should not miss.
For some reason, I had in my head that Donsö was more of an inhabited island – where people live rather than being a nice place to visit. However, I was very happily surprised when we took a day trip from Gothenburg to Donsö and discovered how beautiful it actually is.
I would say Donsö is a nice island to visit in the archipelago if you want to see both a nice fishing village and beautiful nature. However, if it is your first time in Gothenburg and you only have a few days, I would skip this island and instead visit Vrångö, Vinga, or Styrsö.
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About Donsö Island, Gothenburg Archipelago
How to get to Donsö
Donsö is one of the islands in the Southern Archipelago of Gothenburg and the only way to get there is by boat. From Gothenburg, the best way to get to Donsö is by taking the ferry from Salthomen, the ferry terminal with boats out to all islands in the southern archipelago. To get to Saltholmen, you can take tram 11 to the last stop. From here it is only a few minutes walk to the ferry.
There are several different ferries you can take out to Donsö. The ferry trip to Donsö takes around 20 – 45 minutes depending on whether you take the express ferry or not. The longer ferry can be nice for sight-seeing as it passes Köpstadsö and takes two stops on Styrsö before stopping on Donsö whereas the shorter ferry only makes one stop on Styrsö before Donsö.
The best way to find a ferry and plan your trip is to download the Västtrafik app. This is the Gothenburg public transport app where you can search times and buy tickets. You will need a Zone A ticket to travel out to Donsö (and all other islands in the archipelago).
Island Hopping from Donsö
Island hopping in the southern archipelago is a great experience if you don’t want to spend all day exploring one island. Donsö is connected to Styrsö by a bridge so a good trip can be to visit both islands in one day. Otherwise, the ferry to Donsö stops via a few other islands (Vrångö and Köpstadsö) on its route meaning you can combine several in the same trip.
To find out more about all the islands you can island hop to, make sure to read this Gothenburg Archipelago guide!
Restaurants on Donsö
While Donsö harbour is relatively small, there are a few different options when it comes to food! Firstly, you can try Popsicle Café. This is a very nice little cafe with an enclosed outdoor seating area perfect for taking a break on a windy day. They serve lunch, fika, and ice cream here, and there is a little shop inside where you can find a nice collection of curated clothes!
Secondly, there is Isbolaget. This is a beautiful restaurant in the old converted icehouse right in the heart of Donsö harbour. Sat inside, you can feel the history of the location, surrounded by wooden walls and antique décor. This is a slightly more formal restaurant environment than Popsicle Café but perfect if you want a nice summer lunch.
Along the harbour you will also find Noretti Pizzeria and Restaurant – a typical Swedish pizzeria with quite a lot of good options!
If you are lucky, Skärgårdens Rökeri, the salmon smokery on Donsö will be open during your visit to the island. This little shop is located in the harbour and opens a few days a week during the summertime serving warm smoked salmon. If they are closed, however, you can find their fish at Fiskebua, a kiosk type eatery in the park just behind the ferry terminal. Here you can buy fish for takeaway. This is a great option if you want to try some local seafood and don’t mind a bit more of a casual seating environment. It can be nice to get takeaway from here and head down to one of the little coves for a picnic.
Things to do on Donsö
Walking the Naturstig
If you enjoy a nice walking trail, then I definitely suggest following one of the two walking trails on Donsö. Both trails are loops that take you round the North and South of the island respectively. It is possible to do both paths in one day, although they are relatively long so I would only suggest this if you are more interested in seeing the whole island rather than taking longer pauses for swimming or lunch.
The Southern Naturstig on Donsö starts at the end of Myrevalevägen and is around 2.5km in length. The first section passes through a woodland area towards a great view over the archipelago. Later, you hit the coast where you will find a few little sandy beaches, a small lighthouse and swimming bridge. If you were just to do one part of the Naturstig I would recommend taking this one!
The Northern Naturstig begins at the end of Lurkenvägen, by Donsö football club. This walk follows the coastline around Västra Holmen and is also around 2km long. The trail is mostly a forest path, winding along different coastal viewpoints. When you reach the fork in the road, I recommend taking the right turn and crossing the bridge. From here it is a loop back to the same spot. By the water here is another little harbour and bridge perfect for taking a swim.
Staying on Donsö
If you feel like making more than a day trip and staying on the island of Donsö, your best bet is looking at Hotel Isbolaget. This is the converted ice house turned hotel and restaurant. The hotel is located at the edge of Donsö harbour, with a view over the archipelago and the shipyard. They serve a great breakfast and have all the facilities you need for an island getaway. Find out more here.
Lökholmen Badplats
If you are looking for a more structured bathing spot on Donsö then look no further than Lökholmen, the little island off the East Coast. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, Lökholmen has an amazing swimming area set up with ladders down into the water. There are also toilet facilities here making it the perfect family area.
Radarberget
For the best view on Donsö then look no further than Radarberget! This is the viewpoint located very close to the beginning of the southern Naturstig. From here, you can see out towards the archipelago, with views of the neighbouring island Vrångö and many of the smaller uninhabited islands scattered around the sea.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Donsö?
The best time to visit Donsö, and the other islands in the Gothenburg archipelago, is in the summer – from June to August. This is when all of the shops and restaurants will be open and the weather perfect for taking a dip.
The islands are however still nice to visit in the spring and summer, when the weather can still be pleasant and there are much fewer people around.
How to get to Donsö from Gothenburg
The best way to get to Donsö is by taking the tram to Saltholmen where you can catch a ferry out into the archipelago. The trip takes 20 – 40 minutes.
Donsö Island Guide Overview
Donsö is the perfect island to visit if you want a mix of pristine sandy beaches, tight knit wooden houses, and a working fishing harbour. It is the perfect island to add to your island-hopping itinerary, with the bridge giving easy access to nearby Styrsö.
Continue Reading
- Read all about the islands in the Gothenburg Archipelago
- Southern Gothenburg Archipelago Islands of Styrsö, Vrångö, Asperö, 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
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