Lidingö

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.

The island has plenty of archaeological sites from the Iron Age and the Viking Age.

Lidingö became a suburb for the well-to-do 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 high-rise buildings as well as single-family houses, several diplomatic missions, conference hotels, a few farms, and a nature reserve.

Get in

See also: Public transport in Stockholm County

Lidingö is connected to Stockholm by a cluster of 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.

SL 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

59°21′36″N 18°10′48″E

Map of Lidingö

Most of Lidingö is accessed by bus or tram 21. Timetables for the public transport on SL.se

Lidingö has a great walking and cycling network, mostly separated from motor traffic and well-signed.

Cars can get around most of the city. Parking is mostly free, but requires a parking disc.

See

See also: Lidingö history tour

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.

59.3589918.121331 Millesgården ([ˈmɪlˌəsˈgoːɖən]), Herserudsvägen 32 (T Ropsten then buses to Torsvik, and a 300 metre walk), ☏ +46 8 446 75 90. Tu-Su 11:00-17:00. 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. 170 kr/adult, 140 kr/student. (updated Aug 2024)
59.3801618.179612 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.
59.3318.1763 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.
59.3667218.156674 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.
59.3572718.193645 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.
59.3667318.136116 Lidingö Museum, Stockholmsvägen 50.
59.3737918.161747 Sten's runestone. Runic inscription Fv1986;84. Discovered in 1984.
59.34986118.2060288 Brevik church. This 1937 Functionalist church is the largest in Lidingö parish.
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 at the municipal web site.
59.376318.23121 Fågelöudde. [fɔgəlˈɵdə], a beach, most frequented by families.
59.348318.18222 Kottlasjön. A lake for bathing in the summer, and ice-skating in the winter.
59.362518.18573 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.
- 59.362518.18884 Ekholmsnäs Golf. A 9-hole golf course, upwards the Ekholmsnäs hill.
59.3792318.126955 Lidingö Golfklubb. An 18-hole golf course, open to the public for hiking during summer, and cross-country skiing during winter.
Rod fishing is allowed without a license along the island's coast, but not in Kottlasjön or other lakes.
59.3661918.247456 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.

Events

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.
Round Lidingö Race (Lidingö Runt), info@lidingorunt.se. Second Saturday in May. Sailing race arranged since 1949. It is one of the first races in spring, attracting both professionals and leisure sailors. While most participants sail family cruisers, there are also a few extreme racers showing off. Several hundred yachts and dinghies participate. Typical time for a family cruiser in a fresh breeze on the 13.5-M course is about 2½ hr. There is nowadays a second race in middle September. (updated Aug 2024)

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.

59.36605618.1351411 Lidingö Centrum. Basic shopping opportunities, including Systembolaget, H&M, an Akademibokhandeln bookstore, a Stjärnurmakarna watch store, and a jeweller.
59.34518.152 Larsberg. A small shopping square with supermarket, hairdresser, a bank and a restaurant.

Eat

Budget

59.3655418.1350181 Brödernas, Lejonstigen 12. A casual chain restaurant.

Mid-range

59.365418.13322 Konditori Princess, Stockholmsvägen 53. A Swedish-style café and bakery.
59.36618.13573 Jernet, Stockholmsvägen 56. A classical restaurant.
59.357318.1944 Långängens Gård, Ekholmsnäsvägen 80. W-Su 11:00-16:00.

Splurge

59.3661818.247455 Elfviks Gård (Elfvik). Sa 10:00-15:00, Su 10:00-16:00. A 18th-century mansion open for brunch on the weekends.
59.361218.22746 Restaurang Bryggan, Gåshagaleden 12. At Gåshaga Marina.
59.3660818.132747 Betsy Sandberg, Odenvägen 5. A luxury chocolatier.

Drink

Nightlife on Lidingö is limited to the restaurants and hotel bars. Go to Stockholm for more action.

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

59.3649818.127381 LA Hotel (Alfa Hotel), Stockholmsvägen 35 (Close to the city center), ☏ +46 8 767 82 47, info@alfahotel.se.
59.3677818.150362 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.
59.381618.18233 Bosön, Bosön, ☏ +46 8 6996602. Hotel and hostel in an athletic environment.
59.3656518.238444 Lovik, Loviksvägen 1, ☏ +46 8 506 180 00.
59.3600918.120545 Scandic Foresta, Herserudsvägen 22, ☏ +46 8 517 324 00, foresta@scandichotels.com. [fɔˈrɛˈsta] near Millesgården. Great view of the Stockholm harbor.

Splurge

59.3394918.20256 Högberga Gård, Grindstigen 5, ☏ +46 8 546 46 100, info@hogberga.se. A high-class conference hotel at the southern waterfront. Rates upon request.
59.3641318.254417 Ellery Beach House, Elfviks udde, ☏ +46 8 505 637 00. A spa resort hotel targeted towards conferences. With view of the archipelago.
59.3654718.242228 Rönneberga, Rönnebergavägen 1. A conference hotel, close view of the archipelago. Rates upon request.
59.3659818.22679 Skogshem & Wijk, Hustegavägen 1, ☏ +46 8 731 42 00. Yet another conference hotel. Rates upon request.
59.3480818.2128310 Villa Brevik, Södra Kungsvägen 254, ☏ +46 8 766 65 00. A conference hotel inspired by South Africa.

Stay safe

Lidingö is in general a safe destination. Use common precautions for theft (such as bike theft). Traffic is calm, with caveats for horse riders and wild deer. When you have been outdoors, check the body for ticks. Be aware of ice safety at winter.

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.

Vaxholmsbolaget^{[dead link]}
Cinderellabåtarna^{[dead link]}
Blidösundsbolaget^{[dead link]}

This city travel guide to Lidingö is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.