Hönö in Gothenburg

What are the highlights of Hönö?

It is difficult to overestimate the impact of fishing and the sea on traditional archipelago life, so once you've finished tucking into a plate of freshly caught fish and local seafood at one of the charming restaurants in Klåva, you may want to take a breezy walk over to the charming Fishing Museum.

And perhaps after getting a close look at some historic fishing boats, you may even get the itch to head out to sea yourself. From Hönö, you can join a guided archipelago tour, a seal safari or a fishing trip focused on both fish and shellfish.

A boat trip is also a great way to discover some of the most famous lighthouses in Sweden. The craggy little island of Vinga is located just a short distance from Hönö and is a popular destination both for its tall lighthouse and its great fishing and bathing spots.

Or if you'd rather stick to Hönö itself, then set your sights on the Ersdalen Nature Reserve where you'll find some great spots for hiking, cycling, swimming and bouldering.

Where to shop and eat on Hönö?

Hönö is home to a wide range of cute boutiques where you can pick up products with a more personal touch. In the charming little village of Klåva, for example, you'll find a nice spot called Lilling Cottage which sells flowers and home decor in its shop and serves quality dishes made from local ingredients in its restaurant.

Next door you'll find Sigges, which is a great place to pick up some presents for both the older and younger ones in your life in the form of Swedish design products and exciting toys. More children's shopping can be found at childrenswear store Zillstar which is just a stone's throw away. And then just a short walk from there are several spots where you can buy quality clothes for yourself and your loved ones at shops such as Casa Oliv, Lille Skutt and Hönö Skor.

After all that shopping, you'll want to kick back and take a load off in one of the town's quality restaurants. For example, have a spot of lunch at the rustic archipelago pub Frances or try local shellfish at Tullhuset.

Good to know about Hönö

Hönö is located just over a mile from Gothenburg's coast and is most easily reached by ferry from Lilla Varholmen. The crossing is free of charge and takes less than 20 minutes. The ferry berth is located 12 miles to the west of central Gothenburg and the easiest way to get there is by car or bus. Hop on the bus at Gothenburg Central Station and in less than 45 minutes you'll be ready to hop off and onto the ferry.

One of the most popular ways to explore Hönö is by bike. The island is not overly big – it's just 2 and 1/2 miles from the west to the east and less than 2 miles from north to south. You can either take your own bike with you on the ferry from the mainland or you can hire one from Paolos Cykel in the town of Klåva. You can get there from the ferry berth in Pinan by bus and the journey takes less than 15 minutes.