Discover Karlskrona’s Archipelago in Autumn & Winter!
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Take the Archipelago Boat This Autumn and Winter to Karlskrona’s Car-Free Islands
Boarding the archipelago boat from Yttre Park in Karlskrona during autumn and winter is like stepping into another rhythm. The ferries run to the islands all year round, and what awaits is silence, closeness to the sea, and a sense of timelessness. On Ungskär, Stenshamn/Utlängan, Inlängan and Långören – all car-free islands – you’ll encounter both cultural history and unique nature experiences. The winter light across open horizons, windswept heaths, and the old fishing and pilot environments create a feeling of timelessness. With some luck, you might spot seabirds or even a seal resting on the rocks in the winter sun.
Ungskär
Ungskär has been inhabited by fishermen since the 1600s. For centuries, the island was an important fishing base in Karlskrona’s archipelago and also had a pilot station until 1878, when it was moved to Långören. Today visitors can follow a marked trail of about four kilometers around the island (not part of ARK56 and not listed in the ARK56 app/Naturkartan). In winter you are met by open heathland and bare rocks, where the wind from the sea reinforces the feeling of standing at the very edge of the archipelago.
Stenshamn & Utlängan
Stenshamn is believed to have been inhabited as early as the Middle Ages, with written records of residents from the 1500s. In the 1800s, the island reached its population peak with over 280 residents, mostly fishing families. Even today, you can walk among boathouses, drying racks and small cottages that recall the island’s fishing heyday.
From Stenshamn, you cross the causeway to Utlängan – the southeasternmost island in Karlskrona’s archipelago, now designated a Natura 2000 area. Here you’ll find a 3.5-kilometer marked trail suitable for day hikes, with signs explaining the nature and culture of the area. You pass open heathland, restored wetlands, and a lookout tower with sweeping views over the low-lying islands.
The trail continues to Utlängan’s lighthouse and Getabrobryggan, the old landing place used until the Swedish Armed Forces built the causeway in 1957. Out here, you may even spot seals among the outer skerries – an experience just as powerful in winter as in summer.
Accommodation: Vita stugan, Stenshamn/Utlängan
For those who want to stay overnight in the archipelago and experience the silence until the next day, Vita stugan is a lovely option. The cabin has a combined living room and kitchen plus a sleeping loft. Just a few hundred meters away you’ll find the harbor with sauna, showers and service facilities – perfect after a brisk winter walk by the sea.
Långören
Långören is often called “the pilots’ island” and received its pilot station as early as the 1710s, just after Karlskrona was founded as a naval city. The station remained in operation until 1960 and shaped a small community on the island, with a lookout, pilot housing and other related buildings. Many of these remain today, giving visitors a tangible sense of history. Walking here is like stepping straight into the story of how seafaring shaped Karlskrona’s development, with open coastal meadows and wide views of the sea as a backdrop.
ℹ️ Note: At certain times of the year, Långören is only served on request. Call at least two hours before departure: +46 (0)709-878 338.
Inlängan
Inlängan is one of the smaller islands in the eastern archipelago, located just north of Stenshamn. The island is best known for its pilot station, mentioned in records from the 1730s. Pilots on Inlängan played an important role in guiding ships through the difficult waters leading into Karlskrona.
Although Inlängan never had the same population size as Stenshamn, it was a key location for the pilot service. Today, the island is characterized by its small cottages and windswept landscape. Walking here offers a quiet experience where history lingers in the old buildings and the open surroundings.
Tips for Your Archipelago Trip
- Plan your journey through Blekingetrafiken, as departures are limited in winter.
- Bring warm clothes, a thermos, and preferably binoculars or a camera – the winter light of the archipelago makes the experience unforgettable.
- Remember that Långören may require advance booking at certain times of the year. Call at least two hours before departure: +46 (0)709-878 338.
Travelling with the archipelago boat in autumn and winter is to meet Blekinge’s islands in another guise – quiet, raw, and full of stories from the past.
Links & Sources
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Ferry route
Contact
Address
Blekinge Arkipelag Kurpromenaden 4 372 36 Ronneby
Email address
Team ARK56
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