Things to do in Öregrund – 7 tips in the Roslagen archipelago

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | This picturesque little coastal town in Roslagen offers charming wooden houses, a lively harbor, beautiful bathing cliffs and fine views of the sea. There is also exciting history and the opportunity to make excursions, not least to nearby Gräsö. We have visited Öregrund with a camper and share our best tips!

Öregrund in Roslagen

Roslagen is close to our hearts, not least because Peter spent part of his childhood in the archipelago. We are happy to return here, and Öregrund is one of the places we really like.

1. Stroll around Öregrund harbor

When you come to Öregrund, you will sooner or later end up in and around the harbor. There are guest berths for pleasure boats, and during the summer both sailboats and motorboats are moored close together.

Along the water is a row of charming red wooden houses with restaurants, taverns, bars and cafes. It's lovely to sit here and watch the people and boats coming and going. For us, it was an ice cream sundae in the nice weather!

When you walk around to the other side of the harbor you come across even more small stalls, with both shops and restaurants. When we visited, there was even a place where you could drink your beer sitting in small boats with cushions. When we walked past in the evening, these places looked very popular!

The harbor area also contains an interesting reminder of maritime history, namely parts of the lightship Västra Banken. Lightships were once used as floating lighthouses and were anchored in places where it was difficult to build regular lighthouses. Their task was to warn sailors of grounding and other dangers.

2. Discover Öregrund's charming wooden house district

One of the most enjoyable things to do in Öregrund is to just stroll around the old wooden houses. There are narrow streets, beautiful gardens, small fences and charming houses in different colors. The town is so picturesque that sometimes it's almost hard to believe it's real!

Öregrund was founded in the 15th century and has been affected by both fires and wars throughout its history. Despite this, much of the older small-town character remains, and it is precisely this environment that makes Öregrund so special. Feel free to take a walk without any particular destination and discover the small details. There are plenty of great photo opportunities here!

3. Visit Öregrund Church and Belfry

Öregrund Church dates back to the late 15th century, when the town was founded. It is a small and beautiful church located in the middle of the older town environment.

We took the opportunity to peek inside and were captivated by the small ships hanging from the ceiling. Such votive ships are common in churches along the coast and are a reminder of the great importance of seafaring to the people who lived here.

On a hill just south of the church stands the red, chipboard-clad bell tower. It is visible from many directions in the small town and is a nice feature of the cityscape.

4. See Öregrund's Heritage Centre and Maritime Museum

Anyone interested in history can also visit Öregrund's local history museum. There are older buildings and environments here that tell the story of life in Öregrund in the past. In connection with the local history museum, there are also activities focusing on the town's maritime history.

When we arrived, the opening hours were limited, so we had to make do with peeking in over the fence. But even from the outside it was nice to see the old environment. If you want to visit exhibitions or take part in a tour, it is wise to check the current opening hours in advance, as the business is mainly seasonal.

5. Stroll along the boardwalk and spot Calle the seal

Another nice experience in Öregrund is to walk along the water, around the cape where the Society House is located. The Society House dates back to the time when Öregrund developed into a popular seaside resort. The building was inaugurated in 1894 and became an important gathering place for summer guests. Today, the house is used for various events and gatherings.

Along the promenade there is also a somewhat unusual sight: a statue of the seal Calle! According to local legend, the Badhusbolaget bought a seal pup in the 1890s to make the seaside resort even more attractive. The seal was named Calle and placed in a pond by the cliffs.

Calle became an attraction, but there was also criticism of keeping the seal confined. Eventually, he was released into the sea, according to the story, in front of a large crowd of curious onlookers. Today, Calle remains as a statue, and the story is a slightly odd memory from the time when Öregrund was a fashionable seaside resort.

Here along the water there are also nice cliffs where you can sit down and enjoy the view. Öregrund is particularly famous for its beautiful sunsets over the sea.

6. Cycle or walk along the coast

We also took a short bike ride along the coast, which is highly recommended. There are nice roads and paths here where you can walk or cycle with a lovely view of the sea. Plus, you don't have to cycle on the narrowest paths. I think we are sometimes a little too curious to understand when it's time to turn around...

The coast is stunningly beautiful here, with cliffs, small coves and the occasional sandy beach. There are plenty of places to stop and just enjoy the sea.

During our bike ride we also passed Hummelfjärden, where we stopped to read an information sign. Here we learned how fish such as pike, perch and roach move in from Öregrundsgrepen to spawn in the shallower and warmer water.

It's these little discoveries we like when we're out cycling. You don't always have to have a specific goal, you can let your curiosity guide you!

7. Take the ferry to Gräsö

When visiting Öregrund, it is also nice to take the opportunity to take a trip to Gräsö, which is located just outside the city. You can get there by the Swedish Transport Administration's free car ferry, and the crossing only takes about five minutes. You can bring both a car and a bicycle, or travel as a foot passenger.

Gräsö is a scenic island with small villages, open landscapes, forests and beautiful coastal environments. Here you will find, among other things, Gräsö Church, Gräsö Info Center and several opportunities to experience nature.

We also visited Gräsöbadens camping, which is beautifully situated by the water and which we had a very positive impression of. Gräsö also has several protected natural areas, including Gräsö gård nature reserve. It is a nice island to explore in peace and quiet, preferably by bicycle.

READ MORE: Gräsö in Roslagen - a scenic gem

Where can you stay in Öregrund or park your camper?

Öregrund is a nice destination for both a day trip and a longer stay. If you want to stay close to restaurants, harbor life and summer excitement, central Öregrund is a good alternative. If you prefer quieter surroundings, nature and swimming, there are also accommodations and camping options a little outside the center.

Parking spaces for motorhomes in Öregrund

There are parking spaces for motorhomes in central Öregrund, including at Västerhamn and in the area around Tullbacken and Hamnpiren. When we were here, we experienced that the spaces were quickly filled, especially during the summer. It may therefore be wise to arrive well in advance and check current rules and availability.

We mostly cook our own dinner in the camper, and since we were near the sea, Peter took the opportunity to clean the fish we had bought for dinner down by the water. It was nice to get rid of the fish smell in the car, but he wasn't left completely alone...!

Sunnanö Camping

In Öregrund there is also Sunnanö Camping, which is beautifully located by the water a few kilometers from the center. We took our electric bikes here to check out the facility and received a warm welcome from Kamilla, who ran the campsite with her husband at the time. She was super nice and took the time to tell us about the business.

We had a very positive impression of the campsite. It is beautifully situated by the water, with a beach, piers and boat moorings. There are both seasonal sites and sites for temporary visitors, and several of the campsites have a nice view of the sea.

During our visit, Kamilla told us that the campsite was so popular that they barely needed to advertise. Word of mouth spread! There is also a restaurant on site with a lovely view of the water. This is definitely a campsite we would love to return to.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

• Väddö sea baths and camping
• Things to do in Grisslehamn
• Things to do in Norrtälje
• Things to do in Uppland