Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
network of roads and tracks make for heavenly cycling sessions; ask at the guest harbour
about cycle hire.
Sights & Activities
Most of the activity happens at the northern end of the island, near Gruvbryggan. Follow
signs from the harbour to the various attractions. The well-preserved, 18th-century
miners' houses
on Lurgatan are worth a peek, while the Dutch-style
windmill
has beauti-
ful coastal views. And there are some impressive glaciated
rock slabs
a 20-minute walk
along a forest path toward Rävstavik.
Iron Mine
MINE
( 24hr)
The most unusual of Utö's sights is the remains of Sweden's oldest iron mine, which
opened in 1150 but closed in 1879. The three pits are now flooded - the deepest is
Nyköpingsgruvan (215m). They're an atmospheric and impressive sight. The
mining mu-
seum
(in a wooden cottage opposite the Värdshus hotel) keeps variable hours (roughly
11am to 3pm in summer), so check locally.
Stora Sand
BEACH
The best sandy beach is Stora Sand on the south coast; it's a gorgeous 40-minute bike ride
from the Värdshus hotel. Routes to the beach are occasionally closed due to military train-
ing exercises; ask at the tourist office or Värdshus front desk for updates.
Sleeping & Eating
Utö Värdshus
HOTEL, HOSTEL, CABINS
2-person chalets incl breakfast per person from Skr995, hotel s/d Skr1750/2300)
This is the only hotel on the island, with good facilities and a sterling gourmet restaurant
(closed January; mains from Skr200). It also runs the very pretty
STF hostel
, with comfy
bunks in smallish rooms overlooking the picturesque harbour. (Note there's no lift, and
