On Donsö, car-free island mobility meets maritime history. Fishing buildings dating from the 20th century stand by the harbour; Donsö Varv is also part of the history of shipbuilding and slipways. The island also has named swimming spots, a viewpoint and a white wooden church. When planning your trip, it helps to consider how to get there and get around separately from which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Getting There and Getting Around

Donsö is a car-free island; on the island, you can get around by bicycle, moped or golf cart. To get there, boat line 281 runs from Stenpiren and Saltholmen to Donsö. Check the current timetable before travelling. Stenpiren and Saltholmen are the two stated departure points; check the timetable to see which service suits your travel dates. These details serve different planning purposes: the line covers the journey to the island, while the listed modes of transport are for getting around Donsö.

Swimming Spots and Views

Two places are named for swimming. Donsö Lökholmen is a swimming spot in the City of Gothenburg; check seasonal conditions separately before visiting. You can also swim at Korsholme udde. Radarberget offers a viewpoint with expansive views. Both swimming spots are suited to those interested in swimming; Radarberget offers something different. You can decide whether swimming or the expansive views should shape your visit.

Maritime History

The harbour on Donsö is surrounded by fishing buildings dating from the 20th century. Between 1927 and 1937, fourteen larger fishing vessels were built at Donsö Varv. From the mid-1950s, around 300 ships a year were hauled onto the slipways at the three slipways. The figures are not directly comparable: the first refers to fishing vessels built over the period from 1927 to 1937, while the second refers to ships hauled onto the slipways per year from the mid-1950s onwards. The harbour buildings and shipyard activities show different sides of the maritime past: the built environment and specific work carried out on ships.

Church and Net-Making

Donsö kyrka is a white wooden church, inaugurated in 1955. A service is held there every Sunday; check the current service schedule before travelling. Its architecture and year of inauguration provide an architectural and historical point of reference, while the service is relevant when planning for a particular Sunday. Net-making is also part of the local fishing history. Donsö had the net-making workshops Martins, Svantes and Nyfeldts; one net-making workshop remained in operation until 2004. Net-making adds another fishing-related craft to the history of shipbuilding. For planning the timing of your visit, these are different considerations: seasonal conditions at Lökholmen and the Sunday service at the church.

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