Archipelago

© Anna Wallström

Sandhamn
Sandhamn - where the sea meets the horizon

Barely more than an hour's journey from downtown Stockholm and the stress of the city, here you will find a unique and inspiring atmosphere in the outer archipelago. On Sandhamn, where the sea meets the horizon, you will experience a beautiful and magnificent nature ñ summer and winter.

On Sandhamn there is something for everyone all year round! You can find as many things to do here as you like, or as few. In the summer the whole island pulsates with life and action, and regattas follow one after another. Take a stroll between historic fish menís cottages and boathouses in the old village. Sunbathe and swim anywhere along Sandön's long, fine-grained sand beach, have an After Sail beer on the jetty and have a good meal at some of the nice restaurants on the island. Then finish off the evening with dance to the live band in the traditional Seglarhotellet's restaurant, established in 1897.

In the winter you can experience the stillness and Sandön's beautiful, unique natural surroundings, where you might spot both eagles and seals. Take long walks by the wind-whipped sea, warm yourself in the jacuzzi in Seglarhotelletís relaxation suite and then enjoy a meal and drink in the evening.

Sandhamnís official name is actually Sandˆn, due to the fact that the whole island is build on sand. Sandhamn is the name of the harbour on the north side of the island. Sandˆn has a long history stretching all the way back to the 13th century. During the centuries it has been inhabited by pilots, customs inspectors, fisher men and other sea men. The first inn on Sandhamn opened in 1672. The inn (Värdshuset) is still open today where you can enjoy a great meal.

In 1865 Sandhamn got its first regular steam boat connection with Stockholm. The first summer guests who visited the island came mostly to bathe, making Sandhamn one of the oldest bathing resorts in the archipelago. At the end of the 19th Sandhamn also became popular among Swedish poets and artists. The most well-known where, amongst others, the writers August Strindberg, Verner von Heidenstam and Gustaf Fröding and the painters Anders Zorn, Carl Larsson and Bruno Liljefors.

Sailing and the Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS) has always played an important role on Sandhamn. KSSS was founded in 1830 and, outside one or two in Great Britain, is the worldís oldest yacht club. On 9 July 1897 King Oscar II inaugurated the club house on the first day of the jubilee regatta. The club house is today Seglarhotellet's restaurant.

During the annual KSSS regattas on Sandhamn, the island has always been especially lively! Over the years the harbour has always been packed during these events, in the old days filled with slim white skerry cruisers and nowadays packed tight with fast trimarans and beautiful dragon boats. KSSS is also the arranger one of the worldís largest sailing races ñ KSSS Round Gotland Race.







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