The shipping traffic passed through the channel in front of Dalarö already in the Middle Ages. Thus, already at that time, both piloting and customs clearance were particularly important economic factors.
To this day, the island is characterized by the narrow roads that lead up from the sea to the hills. Dalarös harbor with its very lively boat traffic and the classically designed summer residences are also characteristic.
Dalarös customs house was built in 1788 by order of King Gustav III. Today the building is a modern cultural center with a museum, tourist information, fashion boutique, restaurant and café.
Dalarös church dates back to the 16th century. It can be visited individually - the church key is available at the tourist information.
The military redoubt Dalarö Skans, which served as a defensive fortress with its exposed position in front of Stockholm until the 18th century, also belongs to the sights. Today it is a restaurant and conference center.
Dalarö is closely connected with seafaring and its military side. Thus, the customs and pilot house and the shipyard, like the other defensive installations, already existed in the Middle Ages. Not least because of this, Dalarö has witnessed many dramatic events. Many ships sank in the particularly rocky fairway and so the seabed is full of well-preserved shipwrecks on the spot. After a destruction of the island by the Russian fleet in 1719, which only the church building survived, Dalarö developed into a popular vacation and health resort.
Green hilly landscapes characterize Dalarö. There are wide views over the archipelago, especially from the Amerikaberget and Lotsberget hills.
Among the many prominent artists who spent their "summer holidays" on Dalarö is August Strindberg. He called the island Dalarö "gateway to paradise".
