Blidö
Latitud: N 59º 28' 52.77"
Longitud: E 18º 49' 28.01"
At the end of Svartlögafjärden south-east of Norrtälje, just before Yxlan and Blidösund and right next to the open sea to the east, lies Blidö. Because of where it lies, close to the mainland, Blidö has been one of Roslagen's most popular summer paradise for many years and summer visitors have visited the island since the end of the 19th century. Nowadays the island offers many opportunities for activities and relaxation:
Blidö Wärdshus in Stämmarsund with a restaurant and conference centre, spa, sauna, a Swedish Tourist Association (STF) hostel with 60 beds, art exhibitions, bicycle and canoe rental and guided boat trips to the outer archipelago.
There are a number of cottages with Bed and Breakfast available to rent scattered around the island.
Below the hotel is the Helmi, a newly restored freight sailboat typical of Roslagen. There is room for 12 people on board and they can feel how it was to travel between rocks and skerries when sail or rowing were the only alternatives.
The beautiful church with a view to the south over Blidösund was built in 1859 on the remains of a chapel from the 17th century and is often used for weddings and christenings.
There is a local museum in the well-preserved bosun's cottage from the 18th century.
How to get there
The ferry (which is a free part of the general road network) brings you to Blidö via Yxlan, which means you can go by car, motorbike or bus nearly to the open sea. SL's bus number 640 goes from Stockholm to Norrtälje where you change to number 634, to Glyxnäs and get off at Stämmarsund.
Accommodation
Blidö Wärdshus and STF Hostel, tel 0176-825 99
Bed & Breakfast in a number of cottages on the island, Norrtälje Tourist Office tel 0176-719 90
Blidö Wärdshus, tel 0176-825 99
Vildand, Blidö Boat restaurant, tel 0176-810 60
Blidö Hembageri (Home bakery) has a small café, tel 0176-816 03
Guest Harbours
Below Blidö Wärdshus there is a small harbour for smaller boats with berths for 15 visiting boats.
The nearest larger guest harbour with services is in Furusund
Natural Harbours
It is possible to find natural harbours on Blidö. Just remember that Blidösund is narrow and there is a lot of boat traffic. The eastern side points to the open sea and large areas of the island are built upon.
Services & Information
Stämmarsunds Livs (food store) is also an agent for Systembolaget (off-licence) and Apoteket (pharmacy) tel 0176-821 43
Blidö Hembageri, tel 0176-816 03
Norrtälje Tourist Office, tel 0176-719 90
Sauna
Blidö Wärdshus has a sauna in their spa.
Nature
Blidö was originally four individual islands, Oxhalsö, Västerö, Blidö and Sikmarö, which grew together due to the rising of the land. The island is more fertile and lush than the neighbouring island of Yxlan. There are nice broad-leaf woods and more open landscape is found with the cultivated land at Blidögård and Hemsundet. Outside of Blidö the barren islands of the outer archipelago include islands like Själbottna, Svartlöga, Rödlöga, Gräskö and Kudoxa.
History
The protective sound between Yxlan and Blidö has attracted seafarers through the years and the island is first named in King Valdemar's logbook from the 13th century. Blidö Gård (farm) was built in the 17th century but was burnt down in 1925. The wings from the 18th century still remain, however. The church was built in 1859 on the remains of a chapel from the 17th century and there are several gravestones remaining from that time.
Similarly to the rest of the Stockholm Archipelago, inhabitants of Blidö have traditionally supported themselves through hunting, fishing and seafaring. The typical shallow keeled cargo ships (sandkil) got there name because they transported building sand for houses and streets in Stockholm. They travelled this area in all weathers until well into the 20th century. There is only one of these ships left today, Helmi, which is based at Blidö.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, a lot of famous politicians and notable artistic personalities have been summer visitors here including Hjalmar Branting, former Swedish Prime Minister. Today, the tower studio of publicist, poet and politician, Ture Nermans is still to be seen on Granö, where every day he raised the hammer and sickle flag. The house had the local nickname "The Bolshevik" and was a meeting point for the chattering Bolsheviks of that time.
The local hotel was originally a boarding house from the end of the 19th century. It was converted into a chapel in the 1950s. The property company, Blidö Turist & Fritid (Blidö Tourism and Leisure) was founded in 1997 and bought the house from the Philadelphia Church. The local population and local tradesmen then helped to finance and renovate the building. Thanks to that work, Blidö Wärdshus was opened on 1st May 1998.
Other
Blidö Touristoffice
Homepage: http://www.blidoturistbyra.se/
E-mail: info@blidoturistbyra.se
Telephone: 0176-825 30
Norrtälje Touristoffice, tel 0176-719 90
Visit Skärgården
e-mail: info@visitskargarden.se
Telephone: 08-100 222
