"Archipelago outpost" Sandhamn by Sjalen

Three hours by boat from Stockholm, as one of the last islands before Estonia, lies Sandhamn - "sandy harbour". Its name comes from the fact that most of the island is just sandy, contrary to many of the nearby bedrock islands in the archipelago. The fact that it takes so long to get here makes it less touristy than "island hopping" islands like Möja, closer to Stockholm but with one exeption: the sailing tourists. If the west coast has Marstrand, Stockholm has Sandhamn and this is Royal Swedish Yacht Club waters, something which shows in the summer months when the yachts out do each other in the marina. Your best bet is to come in May or September when the weather is nice enough for the stay (and the boat trip) but you have the island almost to yourself. A walk around will in any case quickly tell you why you came to this picturesque island.

• Pros:beautiful, seaside atmosphere
• Cons:summer snobs and crowds
• In a nutshell:cosy archipelago atmosphere with summer frenzy