The islands around Karlskrona were closed to foreign visitors for most of the 20th century — classified as a military zone because of the naval base — and the landscape has the slightly undiscovered quality that comes from long isolation. Now that the restrictions have been lifted, the archipelago is one of the most rewarding parts of the Baltic coast to explore. The islands are low and smoothed by glaciers, covered with pine, juniper, and heather, with sheltered inlets and small fishing harbours.
Free ferries run to several of the main islands from the ferry terminal near Fisktorget. The most popular are Aspö, Tjurkö, and Sturkö, all reachable in under an hour and easily cycled. There are no tourist facilities to speak of — a few summer cafes, some walking paths, and a lot of quiet. In July the islands fill with Swedish summer visitors, but outside peak season you can have them largely to yourself. Bring your own provisions.