Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Stretching to the left of the inn are the quaint storefronts of most of Sand-
hamn's
eateries
(those that aren't affiliated with the big hotel)—bakery, deli,
and grocery store, all of them humble but just right for a simple bite or picnic
shopping. Local merchants enjoy a pleasantly symbiotic relationship. Rather
than try to compete with each other, they attempt to complement what the next
shop sells—each one finding just the right niche. (For details, see “Eating in
Sandhamn,” later.)
The area stretching beyond these storefronts is Sandhamn's
Old Town
—a
maze of wooden cottages that's an absolute delight to explore (and easily the
best activity in town). Only 50 of Sandhamn's homes (of around 450) are
occupied by year-rounders. The rest are summer cottages of wealthy Stock-
holmers, or bunkhouses for seasonal workers in the tourist industry. Most loc-
als live at the farthest-flung (and therefore least desirable) locations. Imagine
the impact of 100,000 annual visitors on this little town.
Where the jetty meets the island, notice (on the right) the old-fashioned
telephone box with the fancy
Rikstelefon
logo. It contains the island's lone
working pay phone. Just to the right of the phone box, you can see the back
of the town's bulletin board, where locals post their classified ads. To the left
at the base of the dock is Sandhamns Kiosk, a newsstand selling local and in-
ternational publications (as well as candy and ice cream). A bit farther to the
left, the giant red building with the turret on top is the
yacht clubhouse
that
