Motorhome summer on Sweden's east coast: Västervik and the archipelago

This is where your journey begins. You head north towards the Baltic Sea, splitting the long trip to Sweden into two relaxed stages.

A large, family-friendly campsite with a Baltic beach and plenty of space right by the ferry to Puttgarden. Perfect for stretching your legs after the first drive and taking a first dip in the water. There's watersports hire and gently sloping bathing spots for the teenagers.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

From here you cross the Fehmarn Belt on the Scandlines ferry to Rødby. The crossing takes only around 45 minutes and makes a lovely start for the kids, with a deck, views and an onboard bistro.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Idyllically situated on its own peninsula island near Karlskrona, with the archipelago right on your doorstep. There are bathing coves, canoe and SUP hire, and cliffs the teenagers can jump off into the water. The World Heritage naval town of Karlskrona is quickly reached by bus.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

You can hire canoes and SUP boards right at the campsite and paddle through the sheltered coves between the small islands. The calm water is ideal for families, and the teenagers will quickly enjoy finding their balance on the board.

Karlskrona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spread across several islands linked by bridges. The free Naval Museum, with ships you can board and an underwater tunnel, will delight older children too. With the motorhome, it's best to park at ground level on the outskirts and continue on foot.

Near Oskarshamn, the view opens up towards the island of Blå Jungfrun in the Kalmarsund. A short stop on the coast to stretch your legs and have a picnic with a Baltic view before carrying on.

A lovely campsite right by the water, with its own beach, bathing rocks and views over the Kalmarsund. There's boat hire and shallow bathing spots, ideal for a relaxed afternoon. Excursion boats to the island of Blå Jungfrun also depart from here.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

This mysterious granite island in the Kalmarsund is a national park, reachable only by excursion boat. Short trails lead over smooth, weathered rocks, through a stone labyrinth and light woodland, all of which teenagers find intriguing too. Bring sturdy footwear and food, as there are no shops on the island.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

One of Sweden's largest and best-located campsites, right by the Västervik archipelago with several bathing beaches, rocky coves and a pool. There's canoe, kayak and SUP hire, plus excursion boats out to the islands. An ideal base for several nights, from which to explore the region.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

The archipelago boat takes you out to the islands of the Västervik archipelago, such as Idö with its old pilot station and bathing coves. Along the way you'll see red fishing huts and can swim and walk on one of the islands. An authentic archipelago day that teenagers enjoy too.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

From the campsite, you paddle by canoe or SUP through the sheltered coves of Gamlebyviken, between rocks and small islands. The calm, clear water invites paddling breaks and jumps off the rocks. If you fancy it, take a short walk along the coast.

The pretty little town, with its old wooden houses on Gränsö-gatan and its lively harbour, is well worth a stroll in the evening. There are ice cream shops, an outdoor pool and often concerts in summer. Easily reached on foot from the harbour car park.

A peacefully situated nature campsite on a peninsula north of Västervik, right in the Tjust archipelago area. From here, footpaths lead over rocks and through woods straight to the water, with bathing spots away from the crowds. A good place to experience the quieter side of the archipelago.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

The Tjust archipelago offers easy walks over smooth, weathered rocks with wide views over the Baltic Sea. Along the way, you'll repeatedly find bathing rocks and sheltered coves for a dip. A lovely combination of activity and swimming for the whole family.

A whole day on and in the water: SUP boarding across the calm archipelago waters, cliff jumping at sheltered spots and long swimming breaks. Ideal for properly winding down before the journey home.

A woodland campsite on a peninsula by the water, near the town of Kalmar and the bridge to Öland. There are bathing spots and cycle paths into town. From here, the mighty Kalmar Slott is easily reached on foot or by bike.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Kalmar's impressive Renaissance castle, Kalmar Slott, is one of the best-preserved castles in Northern Europe and sits right by the water. With its drawbridge, dungeons and exhibitions, it's exciting for teenagers to explore too. Park at ground level nearby, as the motorhome won't fit in the old town's multi-storey car parks.

A campsite right on the long sandy beach of Trelleborg on Sweden's south coast. One last swimming day on a gently sloping Baltic beach before the ferry crossing the next day. Conveniently close to the ferry terminal.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

From Trelleborg, you cross by ferry to Rostock. The crossing takes around six hours and is a welcome break from driving, with a deck, restaurant and views. A relaxed end to the Swedish part of the trip.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

A large campsite on the Baltic coast near Rostock-Markgrafenheide, with a beach and pine forest. A good stopover after the ferry, so you don't have to drive the whole distance to Hannover in one day. One last breath of Baltic air before the final day of the trip.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

The last stage back to Hannover, where your round trip ends. It's around three hours' drive from the Baltic coast, so you'll arrive home relaxed in the afternoon.