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 square kilometres.
Founded as an upper-class sanctuary in the 1910s with detached houses along the Lidingöbanan railroad (closed down until some time during 2015), 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
Lidingö is connected to Stockholm by two parallel bridges at Ropsten, the end station of the subway in the Östermalm district. Buses carry on to Lidingö (see Stockholm#Public transport). Just as inner Stockholm, Lidingö is in the inner public transport zone.
The Stockholm congestion tax has an exception that favours Lidingö. A vehicle that travels along the Norra Länken tunnel to or from Lidingö, is exempt from tax.
Lidingö is well within reach for bicycles from central Stockholm, and has some stands for Stockholm City Bikes.
Sjövägen [ˈʃøːˈvɛːgən] is a public transport ferry from Nybrokajen in central Stockholm, passing Nacka on the way to Lidingö.
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. Following years of renovation, the line opened in October 2015, with new rolling stock.
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 a beautiful scenery, with most of the coastline open to the public. Lidingö was also the home of sculptor Carl Milles, humanitarian Raoul Wallenberg, and engineer Gustaf Dalén. Several other celebrities, such as German playwright Bertolt Brecht, have also lived on the island.
- 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.
- 5 Långängens Gård. Nowadays 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.
- There is also 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. Mountainbiking 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.
- 7 Lidingö Super Bowl. A bowling alley with a karaoke bar.
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.
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 SEK 175-200.
- 3 Långängens Gård, Ekholmsnäsvägen 80. We-Su 11-16. Mains SEK 120-140.
Splurge
- 4 Elfviks Gård (Elfvik). Sa 10-15, Su 10-16. A 18th century mansion open for brunch on the weekends. Brunch SEK 245.
- 5 Restaurang Bryggan, Gåshagaleden 12. At Gåshaga Marina. Mains SEK 180-265.
- 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 Alfa Hotel, Stockholmsvägen 35, ☏ +46 8 767 82 47, info@alfahotel.se. Close to the city center. Singles from SEK 895, doubles from SEK 995.
- 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 WiFi, breakfast included. twin from SEK 895.
- 3 Bosön, Bosön, ☏ +46 8 6996602. Hotel and hostel in an athletic environment. Twin room with shared bathroom sometimes as low as SEK 595, though usually rooms are above SEK 1000.
- 4 Lovik, Loviksvägen 1, ☏ +46 8 506 180 00. single room SEK 895.
- 5 Scandic Foresta, Herserudsvägen 22, ☏ +46 8 517 324 00, foresta@scandichotels.com. [fɔˈrɛˈsta] near Millesgården. Great view of the Stockholm harbor. standard rooms from SEK 1012.
Splurge
- 6 Högberga Gård, Grindstigen 5, ☏ +46 8 546 46 100, info@hogberga.se. A high-class conference hotel at the southern waterfront. Rates upon request.
- 7 Blue Hotel, Elfviks udde, ☏ +46 8 505 637 00, info@bluehotel.se. Not a regular hotel, more targeted towards conferences. With view of the archipelago, and a Turkish hamam spa. from SEK 1795 (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
A lot of boats out in the Stockholm archipelago departs from Gåshaga brygga, the end station of Lidingöbanan.