The European country with more than 260,000 islands – they have blue lagoons, sea stacks and sandy beaches
In fact, Sweden has the most islands in the world with 267,570 to be exact.
7
7
Even the capital of Stockholm is built across a 14-island archipelago.
Despite the enormous number, the majority of these islands are uninhabited, with only around 1,000 having any form of building or settlement.
The largest Swedish island is Gotland which is surrounded by the Baltic Sea and has a population of around 60,000.
On the island is the medieval town of Visby which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It has cobbled streets, ancient walls, and picture-worthy architecture.
The island of Gotland is also renowned for its vibrant arts scene, with galleries, studios, and art exhibitions.
One of the most popular foodie spots is Lilla Bjers with small plates that have been called "once-in-a-lifetime dining" with it all farm to table.
Another popular attraction are sea stacks, also called raukar, which are limestone monoliths scattered along the coast.
The island even has its own Blue Lagoon with waters that are a vibrant turquoise during the summer.
From mainland Sweden, the ferry to Gotland takes around three hours.
From Stockholm to the island by plane takes just 45 minutes.
European 'paradise' island is home to fairytale towns and blue lagoons
7
7
Fårö, a smaller island just off the coast of Gotland, is known for it's beautiful beaches, including Sudersand.
It's a huge sandy stretch along the coastline, with shallow waters ideal for families, and along the front are cafes, kiosks, and activities, like mini-golf.
One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: "Fantastic beautiful beach! Of course I stop every year I'm on Gotland. Love how shallow and family friendly it is. The sand feels like paradise underfoot."
Another added: "We were delighted to find an immaculate sandy beach with clear and warm water.
"First week off season, so not very crowded. Well worth the trip. We had a nice lunch in the surfers' shack on the beach."
Another island off the coast of Sweden that known for its beauty is Ven.
It's known for its beautiful cliffs that drop into the sea, white beaches, cottages and hills perfect for cycling.
Also on the island is Hvens Glassfabrik, an ice cream factory - and you can have tastings.
7
7
The Spirit of Hven Backafallsbyn, which is a resort with a four-star hotel, restaurant and on-site distillery that makes whiskey.
One visitors said: "It's simply beautiful. Unspoilt nature at its best. Pretty little houses and few cars."
Märket, a tiny islet shared with Finland, with a total area of 3.3 hectares.
The island is divided between the two countries, with the border running through the middle since the Treaty of Fredrikshamn in 1809.
No one lives there, and it's known for its lighthouse.
Other popular islands include Öland, Orust, Hisingen and Värmdö.
Plus, one Scandinavian island which will one day cease to exist.
And the 35-minute train that lets you travel underwater between two countries - and it costs just £10.
7
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Daily Record
Outlander's Sam Heughan says 'undiscovered' part of Scotland 'should be talked about'
The Outlander star, who was born in a small hillside village in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, has gushed about the area he believes is the 'undiscovered Scotland' Outlander star Sam Heughan has spoken passionately about a "undiscovered" part of Scotland which he feels deserves more recognition. Originally hailing from Balmaclellan, a quaint hillside village located in the stunning Dumfries and Galloway area, Sam, aged 45, cherishes his Scottish roots. Aged just five, his family moved from the picturesque village and moved to the nearby New Galloway, situated on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park. There the youngster lived in a converted stable on the grounds of the 17th-centuryKenmure Castle. Sam's childhood home was so remote that his primary school contained just 20 pupils. And while he decided to relocate to Edinburgh for a more metropolitan lifestyle as a teenager, he believes more people should be talking about Dumfries and Galloway. Speaking on the Travel Diaries podcast, Sam said: I was born and brought up in the South West of Scotland, in a place called Dumfries and Galloway and it's the undiscovered Scotland, I think. It's the part that's not really talked about, but it should be, because it has so much. "It's kind of remote but wild. It has great scenery, great history, and growing up I was very lucky to grow up in the grounds of an old castle. "Being alone a lot, because there's not many people that live there. There were only like four children in my class at school, so being alone, creating your own games and environment and playing make believe, that I did a lot, perhaps definitely did influence my career in being an actor. He added: "It was an amazing, kind of idyllic upbringing, and as a teenager I moved to the bright lights of Edinburgh, which was like, to me, moving to Las Vegas." Visit Scotland praises Dumfries and Galloway for being a "beautiful" slice of Scotland with an "undulating coastline of rocky shoreline and sandy beaches", offering a wide array of outdoor pursuits, cultural spots, and tempting cuisine. The region is a hit among cycling enthusiasts and wildlife buffs alike. It's also the setting for the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO biosphere. Spanning 9,700km² across southwest Scotland, this varied terrain is the backdrop for roughly 100,000 residents. The biosphere officials aim to foster a "balanced relationship between people and the natural environment". In 2012, the area earned recognition for its world-class harmonisation of human and natural existence. At its heart lie the Merrick hills and moors, shaped by ancient glaciers. The biosphere has been home to a host of communities throughout history, with Stone Age people, Roman soldiers, Viking settlers, and the earliest Christians in Scotland all said to have called the area home. It isn't the only part of Dumfries and Galloway brimming with history however. But there's more historic allure in Dumfries and Galloway beyond the biosphere. For instance, Caerlaverock Castle stands out as one of Scotland's most distinguished medieval strongholds, with its twin-towered gatehouse still commanding presence despite its ruinous state. It is said to have regularly featured in the brutal cross-border conflicts between Scotland and England. Although less popular than some of the regions in Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway is still thought to welcome around 490,000 overnight visitors each year. According to Visit Scotland, tourists bring around £133 million into the local economy. The average overnight visitor spent around £270 each trip in 2023.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
The six most beautiful airports in the world for 2025 have been revealed — and two are in the US
They're the airports with designs born from soaring imaginations, six hubs that according to a prestigious architecture award are the most eye-catching on the planet. And two are in the US. Portland International Airport Main Terminal and San Francisco International Airport Terminal 1 both make the Unesco Prix Versailles competition's World's Most Beautiful Airports List 2025. The judges describe Portland's new Main Terminal, designed by Oregon's ZGF, as "spectacular". They explain that the terminal was "inspired by walks in the forest, resulting in a calming, immersive experience for travelers". They continue: "The star of the project is its undulating mass timber roof, extending over more than 387,500ft, which celebrates Oregon's history of forest product innovation." It's explained that the materials employed were sourced from local industry within a 310-mile radius of the airport, with a "forest to frame" system created to track as much of the wood as possible back to its forest of origin. Prix Versailles adds: "The spectacularly scaled structure promotes access to natural light and views of the forested landscape. A resplendently staged renovation that is both sustainable and functional." San Francisco Airport's new Terminal 1, meanwhile, is described as a "soothing, restorative setting for travelers", with "soft natural light filtering through to entry level" and "architecture that unfurls in a celebration of arts and crafts that reflect the unique character of the Bay Area". Prix Versailles adds: "In fact, the airport is becoming a real cultural destination with the SFO Museum, the world's only accredited museum at an airport, allowing more robust exhibits and art to be shared throughout the terminals." Also making the list is Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 in Osaka, Japan. Originally designed 30 years ago by Renzo Piano on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay, its interior spaces have now been "reinvigorated" and a smart queue management system installed. The judges add: "The terminal's successful reopening, in time for the 2025 World Expo, honours the history of an extraordinary site." Marseille Provence Airport Terminal 1, designed by Foster + Partners, also makes the cut thanks to an extension comprising a window-lined hall with a grid of skylights that "conveys peace and relaxation". Prix Versailles adds: "Glass façades provide for maximum transparency, with views of Provençal hinterland on the one side and a maritime lagoon on the other, in a wonderful blend of hospitality and style." The other two airports on the list are Yantai Penglai International Airport Terminal 2 in China, where "natural light permeates the entire terminal", and Roland Garros Airport Arrivals Terminal on Reunion Island. This "tropical bioclimatic airport" has a central "canyon" that acts as a thermal chimney, louvred shutters connected to sensors that adjust their angles in response to changing weather conditions and an interior that's a "sensory journey" for travelers thanks to "extensive use of wood and native vegetation in a living expression of the island's landscape and culture". The Secretary General of the Prix Versailles, Jérôme Gouadain, emphasises the footprint of these new projects: "The mark left by airports stems chiefly from their ever-growing role in international exchanges. As a result, this infrastructure must resolve formidable difficulties in terms of flow management and the aircraft themselves. "But this new brand of facilities can also be seen as works of art, or at least as things of beauty. In fact, we should strive to make this happen, given their inescapability in our built environments and our landscapes. "Orientated towards operational, ecological and aesthetic excellence, these hubs also convey shared values, culture or even a tribute to the past, out of respect for the legacies left behind by earlier generations. In the light of the planetary challenges facing us today, it is time for these expressive images of our contemporary heritage to be asserted as symbols of humankind's internal dialogue."
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
I popped to Prague and it was alive with the sound of music
Marion Ainge pops to the stunning city of Prague for a cultural reset Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... From an open window, we hear a tinkling piano accompanying the voice of a soprano practising her musical scales. On Prague's famous Charles Bridge, a lively jazz quartet entertains. And at legendary composer Dvorak's former home, in Nelahozeves, we're surrounded by the sounds of his internationally renowned New World Symphony which fills every room. In 1969, Neil Armstrong, commander of the Apollo 11 spaceship and first man on the moon, took a cassette recording of this symphony, composed in the United States, on his epic mission. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The rooftops of Prague | Marion Ainge It's around two hours by EasyJet airline from northern UK airports to Prague, known as the city of 1,000 spires. Situated in the heart of Czechia, the blend of music, history, culture and gastronomy attracts around eight million visitors every year. Aria Hotel garden | Marion Ainge Our base is the luxurious, aptly named-5-star boutique Hotel Aria sited in the Old Town, just minutes from Charles Bridge. Rooms are dedicated to a specific style of music, artist or composer and there are other musical touches - the top of the bar counter is designed to resemble a piano keyboard. The exquisite, Baroque-themed Unesco Heritage garden is a favourite setting for the most romantic of wedding photographs. Breakfast at the Hotel Aria is a symphony of delights! I manage to resist the creamy pastries to choose a bowl of sweet, fresh strawberries and a truffle oil omelet. The building of one of the oldest bridges in Europe, the Medieval, stone-arched Charles Bridge began in 1357 during the reign of King Charles lV and was completed in the early 15th century. At 516 metres long and almost 10 metres wide, it crosses the River Vltava from the Old Town to the castle, features 30 stone statues and is bordered by two towers. Pedestrianised, it's always buzzing with two-way walkers and is full of activity with musicians, street entertainers, stalls, painters and artists. In the city, it's also worth seeing the psychedelic, colour-splashed John Lennon Wall; Devil's Canal also known as Little Prague Venice and the London-themed pub, complete with red telephone box. Beethoven and Mozart are listed among the city's most famous visitors over the years. The Bedrich Smetana Museum, within a neo-Renaissance building on the river banks, explores the life and works of one of the most influential Czech composers. The top of the Old Town Hall Gothic tower affords panoramic views of the city and houses the famous Astronomical Clock. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Brno main square | Marion Ainge A two-hour journey takes us to Brno in south Moravia, a university city which boasts a vibrant gastronomy scene with trendy coffee shops and bars. In the great composer Janacek's former house, now a memorial, a violinist plays a selection of Janacek's 15 famous folk songs. This Brno is a very different one from the memory I have of a visit with one of my sons many years ago. It was Bastille Day when we came across husband and wife French patriots clad in late 17th century blue, white and red costumes, who carried a large French flag on a pole. They were celebrating the historical turning point of the French Revolution. Our newfound friends spoke no English, but in a moody cavern bar, the language barrier was crossed with mother and son's limited French. Czech liqueur, Becherovka helped us along as we waved the French flag. In the historic town of Jihlava, an exhibition tour in Gustav Mahler's house follows the world-famous composer's life and work in his childhood home. We taste a shot with a kick of Mahlerovka, a Bohemian herbal liqueur, fragrant with linden blossom, which dates back to 1861 when the original recipe was created by Mahler's father Bernard. One of the most authentic dishes is Svickova, (tenderloin) or traditionally beef topside is served with cream-based vegetable sauce and dumplings. However, we enjoy lunch at the renowned 420 restaurant, situated in the oldest Prague square, where Czech cuisine, presented in an creative way with a difference, is designed by Michelin-starred chef, Radek Kasparek. Set within a former palace, the extraordinary interior design combines urban style with grandeur. Dishes are inspired works of art which taste incredible, but don't expect your chosen plate to look like anything you imagine. This is the surprise element. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Prague Offspring Ensemble Modern | Marion Ainge Our musical treats include a contemporary classical concert by the Prague Offspring Ensemble Modern 1 in the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, which is a leading venue for innovative culture and performance. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to classical music, but I'm open-minded about this new, avant garde musical experience. Following the last note, the orchestra and conductor receive rapturous applause and a standing ovation from an enthusiastic audience, who cheer and whoop, bringing the conductor back on stage several times for additional adulation. My favourite memory of this incredible musical journey is of the heart-warming, open air Prague Spring Teen annual family festival concert within the flower-filled grounds of the St Agnes, Monastery, a 13th century convent and gallery in Prague, on a balmy evening This event is the culmination of a festival day featuring crazy games and activities aimed at youngsters and families. The professional vocalists' selection of popular songs pleases adults and young ones alike. Everyone joins in the dynamic finale, which features the whole cast. Young children run up to jostle and jiggle about alongside the stage, singing loudly and playing 'instruments' they made in the workshops. I still have the song in my head!
