The ice breaks up
In March and April the ice goes out in the bays, first in the sounds, last in the inlets. The commuter boat and the ferries run throughout; it is the pleasure boats that wait for the harbours to be free of ice.
March to May
Spring
Spring arrives with the water. The ice goes out, the boats go in, and in the oak pastures on Eldgarnsö the flowers come before the leaves. On 1 May the first boat leaves for Birka, and by the end of the month the lime avenues at the palace are green again.
What to do in spring
Spring flowers on Eldgarnsö
The reserve, protected in 1979, is known for the flowering in the oak pastures in April and May, before the trees come into leaf. The nature trail around the island is a little over five kilometres; the nearest bus stop, Karlskär, is two kilometres away.
Birka opens
The 2026 season began on 1 May. In the first weeks the island is green and the burial grounds empty of people, and the guides have time to talk.
Drottningholm turns green
The Chinese Pavilion and the Court Theatre tours open for the season in spring, and the park's limes come into leaf in May. Strömma's boats to the palace start running once the ice has gone; dates from Strömma.
The animals go out
In May the cows and sheep are let out into the pastures on Lovö, Eldgarnsö and Adelsö. Several farms announce the turn-out as an event; see the calendar.
Cycling
Spring is cycling season on the islands: car-free routes along Lake Mälaren, bikes carried free on both road ferries and on the commuter boat when there is room, and the farm shops opening after the winter.
Golf season opens
The three golf courses normally open in April. The Royal Drottningholm Golf Club lies right next to the palace, Mälarö GK at Skytteholm and Troxhammar on Färingsö.
Walpurgis Night and National Day
Walpurgis bonfires are arranged by associations around the municipality, and National Day is celebrated on 6 June. Places and times go into the calendar once confirmed.
Four seasons, not five
In Lapland, late winter is a season of its own, with sun on crusted snow in March and April. On Ekerö, March is usually just the end of winter, and what follows is a proper spring: light, wet and green from April. That is why this page is called spring, not late winter.
Common questions
- When is the lake free of ice?
- Usually during April, but it varies by weeks from year to year. The ferries and the commuter boat run regardless. The guest harbours open when the ice has gone and the jetties are in, normally in May.
- When does Birka open?
- On 1 May in recent years; in 2026 the season ran from 1 May to 11 October 2026. Strömma publishes the next season's dates in winter.
- What is the Ekerö-Munsö trail?
- A hiking trail along the western side of Ekerön and Munsön that passes the Huvududden and Bonavik nature reserves on the Uppsala ridge. Upplev Ekerö has maps of it and the other trails, among them Naturstigen, Barfotastigen and Rävstensstigen.
- Are the farm shops open in spring?
- Several are open all year, others open at Easter or in May. The garden centres have their high season in May. Links to each farm are on the shopping page; we do not publish opening hours that the farm itself has not given.
Where to stay
Spring is low season at the hotels and conference estates, and the farm bed and breakfasts open for the year. See all accommodation.
Then comes summer, with the bathing spots and the boats.
Information last checked 19 October 2026.