Newly opened and marking Sweden’s first east coast marine national park, Nämdöskärgården National Park covers 25,000 hectares, with an estimated 97 percent covered by water. Made up of more than 1,000 different islands, reefs and skerries, it’s one of the largest continuous archipelago landscapes to exist in the Baltic Sea.

“Nämdö” can be reached by boat from Stockholm, with direct summertime access offered by Båttaxi shipping company. Service is available from June to September from the dock at Stavsnäs. Visitors can explore charming villages, thickly forested terrains, nature preserves and dramatic cliffs. The park’s website provides a guide to dining, glamping options and guest harbors.

© Namdöskärgärden National Parc

Opportunities to get up close with Swedish nature include guided kayaking tours or solo rentals at Idöborg, where professional ice-skating guide and Nämdö paddling expert Jonas Hållén can arrange for kayaking, open-water swimming and “swimrun safaris.” This privately owned island is just an hour from Stockholm, and is also popular for each Bar, where local ingredients are menu stars.

Sample delicious local Swedish fare at cafés and restaurants such as The Bakery in the village of Solvik, where freshly baked Neapolitan pizza is a specialty. On the island of Sand, Archipelago Museum’s Garden Cafe has a menu of coffees, fresh-baked pastries, ice creams and other treats. On Rögrund, Sjökrog is beloved for its lakeside tavern vibe and rustic menu.

© Namdöskärgärden National Parc

Spring and autumn yoga retreats can be booked on Idöborg, which also hosts conferences, meetings and private events. Island visitors can immerse themselves in local wellness traditions with a wood-fired sauna, and book a guestroom or private cottage. Other spots to explore: the tiny island of Ekholmen, where nature paths wind across the landscape; the giant craters of Gillinge; belfry and church ruins on Kyrknäset; and Bullerö Nature Reserve and Biskopsön Nature Reserve.