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Västerås archipelago
Boat trips go directly from the city harbour to the 100 or so islands in the Västerås archipelago. A fantastic boat trip goes to Östra holmen, a bathing paradise for local people, via the 107-year-old ferry, Elba. The ferry also goes to Ridö, where you can travel the natural pathways on foot or bicycle. Shrimp boats and sightseeing tours depart from Västerås.
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Ridö
Here you can walk along nature paths or camp in the wild. Fireplaces are set out at various locations. You may also take your bicycle with you on the boat that departs from the harbour in Västerås.
The name Ridön doesn’t have any links to riding but comes from a word for anchorage. There are 30 or so mammals on the island and around 160 different bird species.
Ridön has many interesting buildings.
The island has been inhabited since the Iron age. Surviving documents explain how ownership was distributed on Ridön from the 13th century onwards. Ridö shipyard was a crown shipyard back in the 17th century. |
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In 1613 building began of a man-o-war commissioned by His Royal Highness. The completed ship was called Rickznyckeln (Key of the Realm).
It’s easy to get to Ridö with your own boat or on the M/S Silvertärnan, which departs from Östra hamnen.
Östra Holmen
Östra Holmen lies 3 km from the harbour and 1 km from Öster Mälarstrand.
This has been the favourite bathing spot for people of Västerås for many years. There is bathing for everyone, with or without a swimsuit! Cliffs, pontoons, shallow beaches, showers, drinking water and a 2.5 km walk with viewing points. Ice cream, sweets, coffee and pastries, waffles and hotdogs etc are served in the kiosk. Story time and playtime for the children. A roped-off area with buoys stops boat traffic entering the bathing area.
If you don’t have or don’t want your own boat then day trips are available from the harbour throughout the summer on the Elba ferry.
The municipality is responsible for maintenance of buildings and pontoons, cleaning of beaches, checking safety of bathing areas and playground equipment, checking underwater safety prior to the summer season with help of divers, brushwood clearing and cutting grass.
Elba
Elba island is a paradise in the Västerås archipelago. The island is well known throughout Mälardalen and visited by many people from Västerås.
The island has a restaurant of the same name that opened prior to the turn of the last century. Dining and dancing on warm summer evenings and walks around the island on the “love walk” are etched in the memories of many people of Västerås. The Elba ferry once departed from the restaurant, but now the M/S Napoleon from Västerås ferries passengers to and from the restaurant during the season. On board the Silvertärnan you will be guided around the island with running commentary by the ship’s captain. There is a pontoon for tying up alongside if you sail on the Mälaren with your own boat. |
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