"S:t Anna and Gryt's Archipelago" Sankt Anna by Psife

Sankt Anna Travel Guide: 10 reviews and 13 photos

Geography

The coastline along the whole of Östergötland with S:t Anna's archipelago, skärgård in Swedish, in the north and Gryt's in the south is one of Swedens most beautiful. There are thousands of islands in all different sizes and shapes. Some are are covered in trees and forests, others barren. The plant life becomes thinner the further out you go in the archipelago until all that remains are cold rocks, islets and flooded cliffs.

S:t Anna is Sweden's second largest archipelago, it's located between Aspöja in the north to South Finnö i the south. It's 15 kilometers long and 25 kilometers wide. The name comes from the Virgin Mary's mother who is all seafarers saint.

Sailing and Fishing

The archipelago is a very popular vacation spot in Sweden, every year thousands of Swedish, Danish, German and Finnish go out in the archipelago with sailboats, motorboats, canoes or to back pack by public boats.

There are tens of thousands of islands in Sweden and the Swedish "all man's rights" law gives everyone the right visit these islands (except those that are natural reservations).

In the ocean you can fish for free with a fishing rod. A summer day on a flat rock is one of the idylic pictures of a perfect day in the archipelago. However remember to return the fish you're not going to eat, the fish are becoming more scarce in the Baltic Sea and we want our children to be able to experience the same joy.

Living on an island

When I went to the uni me and some old friends from high school, now studying at different schools, would every year after our autumn finals in october go out and spend a weekend in the archipelago on an island where one of them had a summer house.

We would go by boat there to one of the outer islands with a clear view of the open sea and live in a small, low-ceiling cabin heated only by a fire place. We would try to catch our own fish by net or rod. The times you caught a fresh salmon and cooked it on a bed of salt served with fresh potatoes was a real feast.

Those stays were a perfect time to unwind and forget the stress at the university and just spend time with real old friends.

Last visit to Sankt Anna: Aug 2003
Intro Updated Nov 10, 2003
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Reviews (9)

Skärgårdslinjen Transportation (2)

During summers a wonderful way to move around the archipelago is "Skärgårdslinjen". The four boat routes visit many of... more travel advice

"Blå, Blå Vindar och Vatten" - Sankt Anna

Sailboat Transportation (2)

The best way to get around the archipelago is of course with a sailboat. What other transportation can beat to silently... more travel advice

Waving Local Customs (1)

When you go out in the Swedish archipelago you will soon notice how friendly everyone are waving to you as they pass you... more travel advice

Buy fresh fish from the local fisherman - Sankt Anna

Buy fresh fish from the local fisherman Restaurants (1)

Although restaurants are scarce in the archipelago one of the finest meals you can get is to visit a local fisherman and... more travel advice

Shopping (1)
Fyrudden harbour

Things to Do (4)
See All Häradsskär

Comments (2)

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Sjalen Aug 7, 2007 at 2:20 AM

Aah, man kan ju få hemlängtan till gamla ostkusten för mindre! :)
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ncfg Dec 30, 2003 at 3:36 PM

Nice presentation of Sankt Anna, it seems a beautiful place to rest.