Sailing ship Libelle

A unique floating hostel in Oxelösund’s guest harbour on Sweden’s east coast.

Stay overnight on a historic sailing ship from 1930, now lovingly converted into a small hostel with seven cosy cabins. Here, you’ll sleep just above the sea, with views over the harbour, the sound of gently lapping waves, and warm, personal hospitality.

Libelle is perfect for travellers looking for a seaside accommodation in Sweden, a memorable overnight stay on a boat, or something a little more unusual than a standard hotel.
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A unique boat hostel with a rich history 

Libelle is a unique and personal hostel, beautifully located in the heart of Oxelösund’s guest harbour. With tall masts and classic staysail rigging, this historic sailing ship from 1930 offers a truly memorable alternative to standard hotels in the region of Sörmland, Sweden.

Libelle is run with warmth and pride by Captain Bert and his wife Anna, who welcome you onboard with a smile, a short tour – and quite possibly a seafaring tale or two.


This affordable seaside accommodation offers shared bathrooms, free Wi‑Fi, and breakfast available to book. There are also cosy shared areas for relaxing onboard, and the ship is moored just steps from the archipelago, beach, playgrounds, shops, and small boat marina. Within close by you also you'll also find Boda Borg Oxelösund, Oxelösund Adventure Park, Femöre Fortress, and several nature reserves – perfect for both peaceful retreats and family activities.
What truly sets Libelle apart from other hostels in Sweden is not just the setting, but the feeling. Here, you sleep on a real boat, meet real people, and become part of a place full of soul, history and heartfelt hospitality. It's simple, genuine – and exactly the way a stay by the sea in Sweden should be.

Our Cabins

– Comfortable stays with sea breeze and charm

Aboard Libelle, you sleep in real ship cabins – each with its own personality and charm. No two rooms are the same. Expect wood-panelled walls, nautical atmosphere and a warm, personal touch throughout.

All cabins are made up on arrival, and towels are included, so you can settle in and relax from the moment you step aboard. Each cabin has its own small sink for freshening up. Toilets and showers are located in the corridor, and there’s also an additional toilet one flight up – available to all guests.

Check-in: 15:00–21:00

Check-out: Before 12:00

You can choose between:

Single cabin with a standard bed – perfect if you're travelling solo or just want your own peaceful space.

Double or Triple cabins with bunk beds – cosy, practical and ideal for families or friends.
Double Cabin

800 SEK/night
Triple Cabin

1100 SEK/night 
Single Cabin

600 SEK/night
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Breakfast on board

Breakfast is simple and served in the ship’s mess – just the way it should be when you wake up by the sea.

We offer coffee, tea or juice, yoghurt, eggs, bread, butter and a selection of toppings. Please let us know about any allergies when booking breakfast, and we’ll arrange something that suits you.

Breakfast costs 100 SEK per adult and 50 SEK per child.

You're very welcome to join us for breakfast even if you're not staying on board – just book in advance by phone.
The Ship’s Story

Libelle has lived many lives.

She was built in 1930 at the Cranz Neuenfelde shipyard in Kappeln, Germany, as a coastal trading vessel. Measuring 28 metres in length (plus an 11-metre bowsprit), she was likely equipped with a gaff rig and a modest auxiliary engine of just 30 horsepower. Her first name was Libelle – meaning “dragonfly” in Dutch – a fitting name for a ship with so much motion in her.

At one point she carried the name Prince Hamlet, but today she’s proudly Libelle once again and is officially registered in Sweden.

In 1943 – right in the middle of World War II – the ship was converted into a motor vessel. The rigging was removed and replaced with a powerful 130 hp M.A.K. diesel engine. A deckhouse galley and a wheelhouse were added. It’s a small miracle that she survived the war, but she did – and continued operating as a coastal freighter until the 1980s.

That’s when a Danish crew took over. They re-rigged her – this time with staysails – and began building the interior that still forms the heart of Libelle today. According to the ship’s log, she later sailed to both the West Indies and the Mediterranean, where she spent several years at sea.

In 1987, Tekla Küster took the helm. She completed the interior and had Libelle registered as a German traditional vessel, certified to carry up to 50 passengers. Her home port became Heiligenhafen, a small seaside town in northern Germany. In 1996, Tekla’s brother Horst Küster took over, finished the final interior work, and operated the ship until 2009. During his time, Libelle served as a sailing school for children and youth, and in winter, as a floating hostel for sea anglers visiting the coast.

And now?

Today, Libelle rests safely in Oxelösund’s guest harbour, lovingly converted into a hostel for those who appreciate places where every plank has a story to tell.

Contact us

We are happy to hear from you!

Strandvägen 1, 613 35 Oxelösund

+46 707994584

kaptenbert@gmail.com