WELCOME TO DONSÖ

The name Donsö was written Dunsø in the 13th century in King Valdemar Sejr’s land register, and probably comes from the down (meadow wool) that is common on the island. The island has been Swedish for almost 760 years. Donsö has been inhabited for a very long time, and at Myre Vale remains of a Stone Age population have been found, i.e. from 7000 years ago. Below you’ll find some photos from Donsö back in the old days.

Until 1940, Donsö was primarily an agricultural island with fishing in second hand, but today the island is a purely commercial fishing and commercial shipping island. On our small island there are no less than 10 shipping companies. Donsö is Sweden’s third largest shipping center after Gothenburg and Stockholm.

In the seventies, the harbor was full of the smell of diesel as early as 5 o’clock Monday morning when the island’s approx. 40 fishing boats lined before heading out to the fishing grounds. Today, there are three trawlers left that catch herring as well as a few smaller fishing boats that mainly fish for crayfish. During the second half of the 20th century, there were a number of businesses on the island, such as a charcuterie shop, fish shop, grocery store, kiosk, greengrocer, bakery, cobbler, shoe shop, etc.

Today we have a grocery store – Yngves Livs (open daily – weekdays 9.30am-7pm, Saturday 9.30am-2pm, Sunday 11am-2pm), an iron – paint & miscellaneous store – Hamnaffären and a fishmarket – Fiskeboa – all located in the harbor area.
We have Isbolaget – Restaurant & Hotel, Popsicle café where they also serve food and Måns Hamncafé where you can buy pizzas and more.

Sweden’s only fast-moving ambulance boat with an ambulance on board is also alongside at Donsö, which serves the entire Gothenburg archipelago.

In 1974, Donsö was connected to the neighboring island of Styrsö by a bridge. This makes everyday life easier for those of us who live here, as there are valuable businesses on Styrsö such as the Health Centre, Dentist’s Office, Retirement Home, Optician, Clothing Store, Grocery Stores, Hotel, Cafes and Restaurants, etc.

About 1,500 people live at Donsö and about the same number live at Styrsö.
For our children, there are three preschools and a primary school from grades 0-6. From the junior high school, the children cycle over to the junior high school at Styrsö.

What can you do at Donsö and Styrsö?

Donsö:
Hotel and Restaurant Isbolaget – The Hotel is open all year round
Popsicle Café – Open daily in summer, less opening hours the rest of the year.
Måns Hamncafé – open daily 12-20.

Sports hall with gym (10 minutes walk) The gym is located at the second floor and is open daily from 06:00 to 22:00. DMTC is a member and the key and passcode are available at DMTC.
Two running and walking loops on Donsö (no electric light). The northern and southern loop is just under 2 km each*

Bathing – Lökholmen (east side), Korsholmen (southwest side), Horsika (south side), Hunnebön (pier at Isbolaget)
Rent a bike – Isbolaget, Popsicle, Donsö Havskajak
Rent a kayak or a SUP – Donsö Havskajak
Rent a Sauna Raft – www.kbevent.se
Taxi Donsö: +46 (0)31 757 9970

Styrsö:
Kusthotellet Styrsö
Båtebacken Tången
Öbergska at Bratten
Brattens Wärdshus
Running & walking loops (no electric light)**