Kalvsund – car-free island between history and island trails

Kalvsund combines maritime history, short distances and unique island experiences. The car-free island is separated from Björkö by a narrow sound. Anyone looking for a mix of historical discoveries, walks and bathing spots for their holiday will find several different starting points here for planning their trip. You can also choose a suitable holiday apartment based on whether you want to focus more on culture, activity or time by the water.

Arrival by passenger ferry

Kalvsund can be reached by passenger ferry. You can park at the ferry terminal on Björkö or Öckerö and take the ferry from there. Västtrafik ferry route 296 connects Öckerö, Framnäs on Björkö, Kalvsund and Grötö. This connection is therefore one of the important points to consider when planning your stay. As Kalvsund is car-free, arriving by ferry shapes the character of your stay from the very beginning.

Maritime history and the Bremerska villa

The island's history goes back a long way. Kalvsund was formerly a centre of the herring trade as well as a customs and pilot station. Its role as a harbour dates back at least to the Middle Ages. In 1309, a clash took place near Kalvsund between Duke Erik Magnusson and the Norwegian King Håkon V. Historical connections like these make Kalvsund interesting for travellers who want to get to know an island not only through its landscape but also through its past.

A prominent testament to the area's more recent history is the Bremerska villa. It was built in 1912 for the herring merchant Börjesson and was declared a listed building on 2 August 2004. The building housed, among other things, a bank and a guesthouse. The ground floor contains an exhibition about the smuggler king Bremer. This exhibition is shown during the summer season and on certain pre-booked occasions.

Valen, a sea mark, stands at the highest point of Kalvsund. A compass rose from 1684 is carved into the rock beneath Valen. It is protected as a permanent archaeological relic. Kalvsund therefore also offers culturally interested visitors specific details that can be easily combined with a walk and independent exploration of the island.

Walking trails, activities and bathing spots

Kalvsund has a 1.2-kilometre walking route. It is a manageable way to incorporate some activity into your day without making your entire stay about a long hike. There is also a newly built outdoor fitness course next to the Såsen club premises at Gamla vägen 19. Depending on your plans, you can combine a relaxing walk with an active break.

There are several different places to spend time by the water. Körrgårns badplats has a swimming jetty, a diving tower and a dry toilet. Bindes is a smaller bathing spot in the southwest of Kalvsund. The two locations therefore offer different options for planning your day, while the island's history and walking route provide further variety.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

When looking for a holiday apartment in Kalvsund, it is worth first deciding on your own priorities. If you prefer historical sites and maritime themes, the Bremerska villa, Valen and the history of the former trading and harbour location take centre stage. For an active day, the 1.2-kilometre walking route, the outdoor fitness course and the bathing spots are ideal. Regardless of this, you should include the ferry journey and the option of parking at the terminal on Björkö or Öckerö in your planning.

If you would like to expand your search to other locations, you can find Hönö, Öckerö, Brännö, Källö-Knippla, Asperö and Björkö here.

To the main travel overview: Öckerö.