Sweden opens first East Coast marine national park

Nämdöskärgården: a new Baltic Sea sanctuary near Stockholm

Sweden is about to unveil a spectacular addition to its national park system: Nämdöskärgården, the first marine national park on the country's East Coast, will officially open on 5 September 2025. Located just one hour by boat from Stockholm, this vast archipelago is a milestone in Baltic Sea conservation.

A vast and unique archipelago

With 25,000 hectares, 97% of which is water, Nämdöskärgården includes more than 1,000 islands, skerries, and reefs – forming one of the largest continuous archipelago landscapes in the Baltic Sea. Unlike any other protected area in the region, this marine park is defined almost entirely by water.

Protecting biodiversity and culture

The park’s mission is to safeguard the exceptional marine and coastal ecosystems, including:

• Seagrass meadows, bladderwrack zones, and extensive mussel banks
• Shallow bays and structured seabeds offering key fish spawning grounds
• Rich birdlife, rocky skerries, and birch-alder coastal forests

Nämdöskärgården also preserves a rich cultural legacy, including traditional fishing cabins and the island of Bullerö, home to the former hunting lodge of artist Bruno Liljefors.

Nature experiences just an hour from Stockholm

Visitors can experience pure Swedish nature through kayaking, island hopping, and wild camping. This park embodies “Original Sweden”: peaceful, spacious, and accessible. During summer (June–September), Båttaxi ferries offer connections from Stavsnäs to the islands.

Grand opening and event week

The official opening will take place on 5 September 2025, with a full week of activities and guided events planned from 30 August to 7 September to celebrate the park’s launch.

More on Nämdöskärgården national park in Sweden.

Header: © Henrik Trygg Visit Sweden