Did you know Sweden has more islands than any other country in the world – 267,570 of them? Now Visit Sweden is giving travellers the chance to experience one of their own.
Private islands are usually reserved for billionaires and Bond villains. But Sweden is about to change that.
The Scandinavian tourism board Visit Sweden has launched a global competition giving travellers the chance to win something most people only dream about – their very own Swedish island.
Quick facts box
Prize: A private Swedish island experience and return trip to Sweden
Competition closes: 17 April 2026
How to enter: Submit a one-minute video explaining why you deserve a Swedish island
Hashtag: #YourSwedishIsland
Organiser: Visit Sweden
And before you ask… yes, it’s real.
Sweden happens to have more islands than any other country in the world, with a staggering 267,570 islands scattered across its lakes and coastlines. Now, Visit Sweden wants to share a little slice of that island life.
What you can win
The competition winner will receive:
- A round-trip journey to Sweden
- The chance to experience their own private Swedish island (for 12 months)
- A unique stay surrounded by Sweden’s famous nature and coastal landscapes
Now, before you get too excited. You don’t get to actually keep the island, but you do get to access it for one year.
The Swedish islands you might stay on
Visit Sweden has shortlisted a handful of islands that perfectly showcase the country’s wild coastal landscapes.
Tjuvholmen
This island is wrapped in pine and spruce woodland, with lighter patches of birch and alder near the water. Seabirds such as terns and gulls are common visitors, and lucky travellers might even spot sea eagles overhead.
Medbadan
Shaped by the last Ice Age, Medbadan features sheltered pockets of forest and calm brackish water. Visit Sweden suggests arriving by canoe for the full experience, followed by a swim or a paddle through the surrounding skerries.
Skotbadan
Once used by fishermen anchoring herring nets, this rocky island sits in open salt water. Today, it’s a place to simply sit back, breathe the sea air and watch marine life drift by.
Storberget
Despite its name meaning “the big mountain,” this island is actually a rugged stretch of pale granite shaped by the open sea. On windy days, it feels wild and dramatic; on warm days, it’s perfect for swimming.
Marsten
A quiet island where pale stone meets open sky. Visitors can fish in the clear water or explore nearby Skrea Strand, a popular beach area with cafés and seaside life just around the corner.
How to enter the competition
To enter the Your Swedish Island competition, travellers need to:
- Record a short video explaining why they deserve their own Swedish island
- Film in portrait format (9:16)
- Keep the video to under one minute
Entries must be submitted through the Visit Sweden website before 17 April 2026 at 11:59 pm CEST.
Participants can also increase their chances by sharing their video on social media using the hashtag #YourSwedishIsland and tagging @visitsweden.
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