Sturkö: Nature, History and Hotels

On Sturkö, nature, cultural landscapes and island history offer distinct areas of interest. If you’re looking for a hotel, first consider which themes you’d like to shape your stay: paths through the archipelago, historic sites or the wetlands in the south of the island.

Uttorp Nature Reserve and the Cultural Landscape

Uttorp Nature Reserve is part of a large, easily accessible outdoor area in the south of Sturkö. The reserve has marked trails, and there is a car park and information facilities at the nature reserve. The landscape includes Staggen heath, heathland and coastal meadows that are still grazed. The Sturkö–Hålevik–Uttorp area is a distinctive cultural landscape shaped by centuries of grazing and extensive stone quarrying.

A large wetland complex in the south of Sturkö encompasses a variety of wetland types. Some of its most characteristic features are coastal meadows, wet heathland, vegetated ponds, shallow bogs and swamp forests. This landscape offers a different focus from the island’s cultural history: here, habitats and their varied forms take centre stage.

Swimming Area and Facilities

Sturkö has a family-friendly swimming area with a playground and barbecue facilities. As local facilities may change, check the current status of these amenities before your visit.

Cycling and Trails on ARK56

Sturkö has well-marked cycling loops through the archipelago, and the island is also a central hub on ARK56. The connected network of kayaking, cycling, hiking and sailing routes links the entire Blekinge Archipelago. When planning, you can choose activities according to your preferred way of getting around. Check the conditions for each route before setting off.

Rune Stone, Church and Windmill

The rune stone on Sturkö is the only surviving Viking Age rune stone in Blekinge. Its inscription reads, in paraphrase: “Gude’s seafarer erected … the stone.” Sturkö Church was built in 1878 on the site of an older votive church dedicated to Saint Gertrude. Sturkö thus brings together several historical points of interest: the Viking Age rune stone and the church’s history, including its earlier predecessor.

Sturkö Mill was completed in 1901. The mill offers a lovely view across the island and the archipelago. If you’d like to take in the landscape as well as historic buildings when planning your trip, this viewpoint is one of the island’s many facets.

Harbour and Shipwreck History

The shipwreck graveyard near Sturkö lies in the Djupasund strait between the islands of Sturkö and Tjurkö. It contains about 20 ships dating from around 1550 to 1650, deliberately scuttled in the late 17th century to create a barrier towards Karlskrona. Most of the wrecks can now be seen while diving. Check diving conditions and access locally before planning a dive.

Ekenabben is a historic fishing harbour on the west side of Sturkö. The open-air exhibition “Världsarvets vrak” is located at the harbour. Together with the shipwreck graveyard, this site presents the island’s maritime heritage from another perspective: here, a fishing harbour and exhibition; there, the sunken ships in Djupasund.

Getting to Sturkö

Sturkö is accessible via Sturkövägen. The road crosses fixed road bridges over Senoren and Skällö. When choosing a destination, you can also take into account that Sturkö is connected by this road.

Discover more destinations: Hasslö, Nättraby, Torhamn, Nävragöl, Karlskrona, Lyckeby, Ebbenäs, Ramdala

Back to the main travel overview: Karlskrona.