Donsö: car-free island with a maritime history

If you are considering Donsö as a travel destination, you’ll find a car-free island with bathing spots, a viewpoint and a maritime history. Are you mainly interested in swimming, enjoying a far-reaching view, or learning about Donsö’s shipyard history and church? These different interests can help you plan your trip around your own preferences and then search specifically for hotels on Donsö.

Getting there and getting around

Donsö is car-free; on the island, you can get around by bicycle, moped or golf cart. Boat line 281 runs from Stenpiren and Saltholmen to Donsö. Check the current timetable before travelling so you can plan your journey around the service. You can first decide whether to depart from Stenpiren or Saltholmen; once you arrive, the options of travelling by bicycle, moped or golf cart will shape your plans on the island.

Swimming and views

For a swimming trip, consider Donsö Lökholmen and Korsholme udde. Donsö Lökholmen is a bathing spot in the City of Gothenburg; you can swim at Korsholme udde. Check seasonal conditions at the Donsö Lökholmen bathing spot separately before your visit. Radarberget offers a viewpoint with a far-reaching view. This gives you two different options for planning your day: swimming and taking in a wide view.

Harbour and shipyard history

The harbour on Donsö is surrounded by fishing-industry buildings dating from the 20th century. Between 1927 and 1937, fourteen larger fishing vessels were built at Donsö Varv. From the mid-1950s, around 300 ships a year were hauled out on the three slipways. These refer to different activities: building larger fishing vessels on the one hand, and hauling ships out of the water on the other. The figure of around 300 refers to one year and is an approximate number; it should therefore not be directly compared with the number of vessels built. As you explore Donsö’s maritime past, the harbour brings together a built environment and a history spanning several decades and different kinds of shipyard work. Donsö was also home to the net-making businesses Martins, Svantes and Nyfeldts.

Donsö Church

Donsö Church is a white wooden church that was inaugurated in 1955. A service is held there every Sunday. If you would like to include a service in your travel plans, check the current schedule. This lets you consider the church’s historical significance and the recurring Sunday service as different reasons for your interest: its inauguration places the building in the island’s history, while the service is relevant to planning the timing of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Nödinge, Hisings Kärra, Säve, Hjuvik, Gothenburg, Torslanda, Fiskebäck, Styrsö

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