About Limön

Information

Gävle’s fishermen have used Limön as a seasonal fishing harbour ever since the eighteenth century. During the nineteenth century they made it a permanent fishing hamlet. In addition to fishing, there was agriculture, haymaking and pasture on the island. Up until the middle of the nineteenth century chalk was quarried for use in iron making. Thanks to the chalk-rich soil and good climate there are several plants unique to the island, and a rich bird life. The name Limön derives from ancient Norse and the English word lime, meaning chalk. There are three bathing areas on the island, Kalkudden, Scoutviken and Tärnviken.

Limö café is open in the summers for coffee, tea and light refreshments. There’s also a small convenience store. At the café you can play parlour games, borrow books and rent canoes. During the summer there are various events and a summer camp for children and youths.

It’s possible to rent accommodation on Limön; for further information contact Limö café or the Gävle Tourist Office.

There is a guest harbour at Limön for visitors arriving by boat. Approach using clearing marks and along the marked channel. The quay inside the headland is for the local touring boat. There are guest moorings by the two floating jetties. The depth at the inshore jetty is limited. The harbour is sheltered against all winds. There is potable water at the café.

In the summer boats run from Södra Skeppsbron 23 to Limön. The trip takes about 40 minutes. The Limön boat stops at Residence Engeltofta, as provides conference, accommodation, restaurant and has a beach. The archipelago with a rich variety of fishing, boat tours and water sports which are always available. The close proximity to a golf course, nature trails and fishing villages, makes Engeltofta a amazing place.

The boat also goes to Furuvik, that has an exciting zoo, an amusement park with rides that will make your stomach all a tingle, an aqua park with water slides, cool concerts and a variety of restaurants, some with magnificent sea views. If you want to stay overnight, there are several possibilities; why not try Furuviks sea camping?

Limön is a Natura 2000 area. This means it is home to flora and fauna that are valuable from the EU’s perspective. They are protected by law and some activities within the area may require permits from the county council. Limön is also listed as being of national interest and is prioritized as a nature preservation area. Because the soil on the island is rich in calcium many chalk-loving plants thrive here, two good examples being Melampyrum nemorosum (Sw. Natt och Dag) and Saxifraga granulata (Meadow Saxifrage). Snails, which need calcium to build their shells, have also been found on the island, such as the narrow-mouthed whorl snail. There is a nature trail with information boards regarding the local flora and fauna.

Note! Do consider the countryside. Please tread carefully along paths and leave trees, bushes and moss undisturbed. Keep your dog on a leash, do not approach bird's nests and show consideration for the birds. Fires are only permitted at the special barbeque sites.