Gräddö: Harbour, kayaking and maritime history

Gräddö is an interesting destination for travellers interested in harbours, coastlines and maritime history. The town is on a sea route used by ships. There are also kayaking opportunities and the swimming area “Gräddö, Björkö Örn”. The area also has historical traces of boatbuilding and ferry traffic. When planning your trip, consider whether you want to focus on the harbour and activities on the water, the coastal landscape or local history. If you are looking for a hotel in Gräddö, these themes can help you tailor your stay to your interests.

Harbour and access to the water

Gräddö’s guest harbour has visitor berths with electricity, and fuel is available directly at the jetty at the marina. Kajak & Uteliv offers kayak rentals in Gräddö. The company also runs kayaking courses starting from Gräddö and operates throughout the Roslagen archipelago and its waters. Harbour operating details may change, and kayak rental availability may vary by season. Check the latest information before your trip.

Gräddö is on the Furusundsleden, which is used by ships travelling between Stockholm and Åland. You can reach the town by car from Norrtälje, travelling east via Rådmansö. Gräddö is also a starting point for trips to Lidö. For planning purposes, these are three distinct connections: the sea route used by ships, the road journey from Norrtälje and trips that begin in Gräddö.

Coast and nature

The Gräddö, Björkö Örn swimming area has a 90-metre-long sandy beach. In the nearby shallow sea between Gräddö-Asken and the skerries and islands to the east, birds forage and breed. These are two distinct coastal features: the sandy beach at the swimming area and the birds’ feeding and breeding grounds in the sea.

Maritime history and culture

By the end of the 19th century, Gräddö had become a popular tourist destination. Motor sailers and cruisers were built at Gräddö varv; Gräddö båtvarv was founded in 1924. Rådmansö Bygdegård is housed in a building dating from 1906 that was formerly a ship chandlery. A bathhouse was moved to Gräddö-Asken in 1920. These milestones represent different aspects of local history: tourism, boatbuilding, maritime trade and bathing.

The ferry connection is another chapter in the area’s history: in 1959, Viking Line began operating ferry services from Gräddö to Mariehamn on Åland. The following year, the historic ferry service was moved to Kapellskär.

The Sladdstycket local history museum is located in the nearby Riddersholm Nature Reserve, right beside the Furusundsleden. It adds a museum connection in the surrounding area to Gräddö’s shipyard and ferry history.

Rådmansödagen features arts and crafts stalls and a café serving homemade pastries. If you would like to include this event in your plans, check the date before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Arholma, Bergshamra, Södersvik, Svanberga, Rånäs, Väddö, Blidö, Skebobruk

For the broader travel overview: Norrtälje.