Lidö Värdshus: Recharge your batteries in archipelago paradise

In the middle of the Roslagen archipelago lies the idyllic island of Lidö. It’s a fantastic place for relaxed family holidays, conferences and dream weddings – or just somewhere to recharge your batteries and enjoy activities in the nature reserve, at your own pace.

The island of Lidö is a nature reserve in the middle of Roslagen. It showcases the best of the archipelago: untouched nature, coves and cliffs, trails for hiking, beaches for sun-bathing, a self-sufficient farm, a guest port with 50 berths, and a historic inn with an archipelago-inspired menu.

“Lidö is great for a holiday, enjoying good food, a conference or company event beyond the city buzz, or a dream wedding in a charming archipelago setting,” says Olle Tejle, who runs Lidö Inn together with Hugo Olofsson. “You’ll stay in an idyllic environment with proximity to the sea, where you can enjoy the tranquillity and find activities that suit the whole family or team.”

Left: Olle Tejle and Hugo Olofsson.

Zero Island and untouched nature

Lidö is one kilometre wide and three kilometres long, and offers some of the northern archipelago’s most pristine untouched natural forests with rich bird life, including ospreys, pigeon hawks and sea eagles. Large parts of the island are uninhabited and perfect for hiking. “After just a minute or two, you’re completely on your own and can hit the beautiful trails,” says Tejle. “And if you want to discover the island’s cliffs and beaches, we have kayaks and canoes for rent.”

Together with Finnish company Neste, Lidö Inn started an initiative in 2018 to make the island fossil-free within a year. Results showed that emissions were reduced by 78 per cent. Lidö was nominated for the Swedish Tourism Award in 2019, a prominent prize awarded for new thinking and innovative approach that has contributed to the development of tourism.

Although the project has finished, Tejle explains that actions such as solar cells and waste management are still in place, and the team has continued with developments such as an outdoor gym. “The sustainability work continues, even though we’re no longer measuring specific results. We’re always trying to do things better and use as much as we can from the island and its proximity.”

In connection with the Zero Island project, the team set up a unique, self-sufficient cabin with room for two guests. The cabin is powered by solar cells and has a fantastic view of the sea. Two more Zero Cabins have since been built, also beautifully located. You can book either of the three cabins, with minimal impact on nature. This summer, Lidö also offers the opportunity to stay the night in one of four Lapland Cones that are currently being built. And there will be a new nature activity course available with fun activities, such as axe throwing and archery.

Historic inn with great restaurant

For island visitors, there are plenty of places to stay: the historic Inn, Pensionat Västergården, the Zero Cabins, glamping tents, Kärlekshuset (the Love Nest), and a number of small cottages. “Here at Lidö, there are options that fit most, whether you want to invite people to a party, hold meetings, or just relax.” Apart from the inn and its surrounding cottages, the island has a small private summer house and also a farm, Lidö Gård.

The pale yellow Lidö Inn is from the 18th century with a light and airy pavilion and an amazing view of the bay. The team that runs the inn has a genuine interest in food and service, and the restaurant is considered one of the nicest in the archipelago, with classic Swedish cuisine. Local produce is important and the menu is based on archipelago-inspired flavours. The inn’s bakery provides freshly-made bread for the restaurant and for sale in Oasen, a small eatery in the guest port. Oasen’s terrace is ideal for enjoying a cold, crisp beer in the sun, perhaps a freshly baked pizza, or just an ice-cream or ‘fika’ with the kids.

Set your own pace on the island

At Lidö, visitors can set their own pace for the day, be that peaceful and calm, or more adventurous. Go for a walk in the forest, try kayaking or SUP, go for a swim in the sea or soak up the sun on the beach, or simply treat yourself to something nice to eat and drink.

The beautiful setting makes it easy to find inspiration and creativity, and to adopt a positive spirit. Wedding parties appreciate the intimate and familiar atmosphere and often book the whole weekend, staying from the pre-wedding gathering on Friday, to the wedding and party on Saturday, and enjoying breakfast before check-out on Sunday.

The peak season is mid-summer to mid-August, with accommodation, restaurant and guest port open to the public. During summer, Lidö Inn also hosts events such as live music and quizzes.

Web: www.lidovardshus.com
Instagram: @lido_vardshus
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