Beckholmen, Islet in Stockholm, Sweden

Beckholmen is a small islet in central Stockholm, Sweden, just south of Djurgården. It forms part of the Royal National City Park and Stockholms Sjögård, a property of maritime historical significance.

Queen Christina gave the island to the city in 1647, and before that it was known as Biskopsholmen, named after the priory in Uppsala to which it was donated in 1286. Its original purpose was as a private pitch boilery and tar distilling workshop, as pitch was used in shipbuilding and was an important trade item.

The name Beckholmen comes from the Swedish words for pitch and islet, a reminder of the island's long connection to shipbuilding. Today, visitors can see old wooden buildings and docks that are still used by local boat owners, giving a sense of the working harbor life.

The island is accessible on foot via a bridge from Djurgården, making it easy to reach for a short visit. Wear comfortable shoes, as the paths are uneven and there are few facilities, so bring water if you plan to stay a while.

The island is home to a small shipyard that still repairs traditional wooden boats, a craft that has been practiced here for centuries. Visitors often overlook the old tar distillery remains, which are a rare surviving example of this early industry.