Scandinavia’s vast collections of archipelagos offer a staggering selection of islands to explore. Accessible via ferry from the beautiful Swedish city of Gothenburg is the small, car-free island of Styrsö Skäret. The 15-minute journey will take you a world away, where historic houses, harbors filled with colorful boats and seaside meadows combine to create an idyllic landscape. Walk or cycle to your heart’s content — and during the summer months, enjoy swimming in the ocean.

Stay at the idyllic Pensionat Styrsö Skäret, where innkeepers Ylva Sjöberg and Ola Tulldahl created a space so welcoming you may find yourself hoping you miss the ferry back to the mainland just so you can stay longer. Linger over coffee or tea served in the cozy parlor, filled with lovingly-cared for antiques and marine mementos — including a historic ship’s compass on the stair landing.

On the menu in the beautiful, glass-enclosed dining room: lunch and four-course gourmet dinners featuring freshly caught local seafood, traditional Nordic dishes, herbs from the inn’s own garden and gorgeous Swedish produce and dairy. For breakfast, a sumptuous buffet includes smoked fish, creamy yogurts, eggs and beautiful breads. Year-round themed getaways include romance, weekend escapes, summer luxury, Easter season and an Archipelago Weekend that showcases the island. The guesthouse is a short walk from the ferry landing, and the butter-yellow exterior trimmed in white is easy to spot.