Lidingö [ˈliːdɪŋˈø:] is a suburban island east of Stockholm in Sweden, at the innermost part of the Stockholm archipelago. With 45,000 inhabitants and a long coastline, it is known for the Millesgården sculpture museum, the annual cross-country race Lidingöloppet, and a cluster of conference hotels.
Understand
Lidingö, together with the Fjäderholmarna islets south of Lidingö, and a few residential islets, forms a municipality with about 45,000 inhabitants, with a land area of 30 km².
Founded as an upper-class sanctuary in the 1910s with detached houses along the Lidingöbanan railway, and the AGA industries, Lidingö got city privileges, and the municipality still styles itself Lidingö stad. Lidingö contains suburban areas with high-rise buildings as well as single-family houses, several diplomatic missions, conference hotels, a few farms, and a nature reserve.
Get in
- See Stockholm County#Public transit for advice on public transport.
Lidingö is connected to Stockholm by two parallel bridges at Ropsten, the end station of the Stockholm Metro in the Östermalm district.
The light rail line Lidingöbanan departs from T-Ropsten in Stockholm, serves southern Lidingö, and ends at Gåshaga brygga, a dock for the Stockholm archipelago ferries. Buses from Ropsten serve parts of Lidingö.
Lidingö is well within reach for bicycles from central Stockholm.
Sjövägen[formerly dead link] [ˈʃøːˈvɛːgən] (boat line 80) is a public transport ferry from Nybrokajen in central Stockholm, passing Nacka, calling at Dalénum in Lidingö returning to Ropsten. Standard SL fares. Some boat lines extend to Tranholmen and Storholmen, two smaller suburban islands.
Get around
Most of Lidingö is accessed by bus, car, walk and bicycle. Timetables for the public transport on SL.se
You can rent the Stockholm City Bikes at three locations at Lidingö: Stadshuset, Baggeby and Torsvik.
See
Lidingö has a lot of nature reserves and beautiful sceneries, with most of the waterfront open to the public. Lidingö has been the home of many international celebrities, such as sculptor Carl Milles, humanitarian Raoul Wallenberg, engineer Gustaf Dalén, and German playwright Bertolt Brecht.
- 1 Millesgården ([ˈmɪlˌəsˈgoːɖən]), Herserudsvägen 32 (T Ropsten, and then buses to Torsvik, and a 300 metre walk), ☏ 46 8 446 75 90. Open M-Su 11:00-17:00 15 May-30 Sep, Tu-Su 12:00-17:00 1 Oct-14 May. The former residence and studio of world-renowned sculptor Carl Milles (1875-1955). His own work is showcased in an outdoor park with an astounding view of Stockholm Harbour. The indoor section displays Milles' collection of ancient Roman sculptures, along contemporary Swedish and international works.
- 2 Bosön ([ˈbuːsˈøːn]). The Swedish Sports Confederation's training centre. Several athletes of the international elite work out here. Many training facilities are open to the public, as well as the hotel and restaurant.
- 3 Fjäderholmarna. Fjäderholmarna [ˈfjɛːdərˈhɔlmaɳa] is a group of small islands, with craft shops and restaurants during warm seasons (opening in late April). Several Waxholmsbolaget and Strömma boats call at the islands, as well as the local Fjäderholmslinjen.
- 4 Lidingö Church (Lidingö kyrka). A 16th-century town church on a hill at the Kyrkviken bay of the Baltic Sea. The cemetery contains graves of prominent Swedes, such as Nobel laureates Gustaf Dalén and Pär Lagerkvist. One of Sweden's most popular wedding churches.
- 5 Långängens Gård. This nature reserve is the home of a café/restaurant surrounded by spectacular nature and walking trails. But the area around here dates back to Viking times. Just north-west of the farm's buildings is a grave field where Viking Age residents were buried.
- 6 Lidingö Museum, Stockholmsvägen 50.
- 7 Sten's runestone. Runic inscription Fv1986;84. Discovered in 1984.
- There is a lot of public art on Lidingö. Get your map (Cykel- och Fritidskartan) at the Town hall (Stadshuset).
Do
Lidingö is good for casual outdoor life, with a lot of hiking and cycling trails, beaches, big meadows and even two farms.
- Hiking and cycling all across the island. There are six culture walks across the island. Maps and information about them are found here
- 1 Fågelöudde. [fɔgəlˈɵdə], a beach, most frequented by families.
- 2 Kottlasjön. A lake for bathing in the summer, and ice-skating in the winter.
- 3 Ekholmsnäs. [eːkhɔlmsˈnɛːs], a semi-artificial hill, a downhill ski slope, with equipment rental. With artificial snow, it keeps open as long as temperatures are below zero. Great view. Mountain biking during warm seasons.
- 4 Ekholmsnäs Golf. A 9-hole golf course, upwards the Ekholmsnäs hill.
- 5 Lidingö Golfklubb. An 18-hole golf course, open to the public for hiking during summer, and cross-country skiing during winter.
- Lidingöloppet. A cross-country running race, which claims to be the largest of its kind. Held annually in September, with approximately 45,000 participants, effectively doubling the island's population during the racing weekend. One of four legs of the Swedish Classic Circuit. A similar event for mountain biking is held in spring.
- Rod fishing is allowed without a license along the island's coast, but not in Kottlasjön or other lakes.
- 6 Elfviks Gård. A farm with horses, pigs, cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, cows and sheep. There are also several boutiques with local products and during summer there is a small café.
Buy
The competition from central Stockholm has to some extent drained shopping and nightlife opportunities from Lidingö. There is however a broad range of shops in Lidingö Centrum.
- 1 Lidingö Centrum. Basic shopping opportunities, including Systembolaget, H&M, an Akademibokhandeln bookstore, a Stjärnurmakarna watch store, and a jeweller.
Eat
Budget
- 1 Konditori Princess, Stockholmsvägen 53. A Swedish-style café and bakery.
Mid-range
- 2 Jernet, Stockholmsvägen 56. A diner in central Lidingö Dinner mains around 175-200 kr.
- 3 Långängens Gård, Ekholmsnäsvägen 80. W-Su 11:00-16:00. Mains 120-140 kr.
Splurge
- 4 Elfviks Gård (Elfvik). Sa 10:00-15:00, Su 10:00-16:00. A 18th-century mansion open for brunch on the weekends. Brunch 245 kr.
- 5 Restaurang Bryggan, Gåshagaleden 12. At Gåshaga Marina. Mains 180-265 kr.
- 6 Betsy Sandberg, Odenvägen 5. A luxury chocolatier.
Drink
Sleep
Lidingö has a cluster of conference centres, most of them on the Elfvik peninsula. Many of them also cater to travellers, though all do not post rates online. Also, accommodation is often part of a package, including meals, which means yet higher rates. If you're looking for a budget hotel, Lidingö is not a good place.
Mid-range
- 1 LA Hotel (Alfa Hotel), Stockholmsvägen 35 (Close to the city center), ☏ 46 8 767 82 47, ✉[email protected]. Singles from 895 kr, doubles from 995 kr.
- 2 Ariston Hotel, Stockholmsvägen 70, ☏ 46 8 544 813 00. Cosy 3-star breakfast hotel central Lidingö, close to Lidingö Centrum and to Stockholm. Free parking and Wi-Fi, breakfast included. Twin from 895 kr.
- 3 Bosön, Bosön, ☏ 46 8 6996602. Hotel and hostel in an athletic environment. Twin room with shared bathroom sometimes as low as 595 kr, though usually rooms are above 1000 kr.
- 4 Lovik, Loviksvägen 1, ☏ 46 8 506 180 00. Single room 895 kr.
- 5 Scandic Foresta, Herserudsvägen 22, ☏ 46 8 517 324 00, ✉[email protected]. [fɔˈrɛˈsta] near Millesgården. Great view of the Stockholm harbor. Standard rooms from 1012 kr.
Splurge
- 6 Högberga Gård, Grindstigen 5, ☏ 46 8 546 46 100, ✉[email protected]. A high-class conference hotel at the southern waterfront. Rates upon request.
- 7 Blue Hotel, Elfviks udde, ☏ 46 8 505 637 00, ✉[email protected]. Not a regular hotel, more targeted towards conferences. With view of the archipelago, and a Turkish hamam spa. From 1795 kr (but including breakfast, lunch and dinner).
- 8 Rönneberga, Rönnebergavägen 1. A conference hotel, close view of the archipelago. Rates upon request.
- 9 Skogshem & Wijk, Hustegavägen 1, ☏ 46 8 731 42 00. Yet another conference hotel. Rates upon request.
- 10 Villa Brevik, Södra Kungsvägen 254, ☏ 46 8 766 65 00. A conference hotel inspired by South Africa.
Connect
Visit the City Hall, Stockholmsvägen 50, for brochures and maps.
Go next
While Lidingö's only connection to the mainland is Stockholm, many ferries to the Stockholm archipelago call at Gåshaga brygga, the end station of Lidingöbanan.