Visit a lighthouse

Most of the lighthouses have guided tours available on request. So don't hesitate, come and listen to the knowledgeable enthusiasts who tell stories from times gone by, about the lighthouse keepers' lives on the barren islands, and about ships that sank.

History
As early as in 1606, the first beacon was erected on the island of Vinga. Since then, Vinga has been an important lighthouse site for Gothenburg. The large lighthouse (1890) and the triangular beacon symbolise the entrance to Gothenburg, and are Sweden's best known landmarks among sailors. In the 1600s, Vinga was already a pilot boarding point. Evert Taube, famous Swedish troubadour and songwriter, described his childhood on Vinga as very happy.

Things to do
Apart from the lighthouse, there is also a small Evert Taube Museum, a guest harbour and a kiosk. Vinga is a beautiful place, suitable for swimming and bird watching. Contact the association Winga Vänner for a guided tour. The kiosk is open at weekends until the end of September.

How to get there
For departure times, and to book tickets for the boat, please contact Hönö Tourist Office.

History
In the mid-1800s it was noted that a large number of ships had run aground outside the island of Hamneskär, north of Carlsten Castle. For this reason, the work to build a lighthouse on Måseskär began in May 1865. It was decided that the lighthouse lantern should be red so that it could be distinguished from Hållö in the north and Carlsten in the south. 

Things to do
Bring a picnic and enjoy the barren island landscape while you are eating.
Go on a guided tour of the lighthouse.

How to get there
The easiest way to get to Måseskär is with your own boat. If this is not an option, Käringön's Sea Taxi will organise transport. From Gothenburg or Uddevalla, catch the bus to Hälleviksstrand. From Hälleviksstrand you can either take the ferry to Käringön, and then a taxi boat from there. Or take the taxi boat all the way from Hälleviksstrand.

For times and prices of the taxi boat, please phone Bengt from Käringön's Sea Taxi on +46 (0) 304 563 00 or +46 (0) 708 301 232.

History

During the war years (1939-1945), the island of Hållö was the base for a signals intelligence operation, which kept track of among others English and German units crossing the Skagerrak. In 1943, a courier plane carrying seamen, diplomats and high-ranking military personnel, travelling from England to Stockholm, was accidentally shot down by the Germans just outside Hållö. The Swedish songwriter Evert Taube wrote a song about Hållö. He combined two real-life stories about ships lost at sea, and made them into one. The song tells the story of a young sailor who, in severe weather conditions outside Hållö was tied to the mast and left behind when the rest of the crew was rescued. In reality, the young man did actually survive his ordeal. In the 1930s, Hållö was already a favourite destination among tourists looking for sun and sea.  

Things to do
On Hållö you'll find a lighthouse, a youth hostel, and a coffee shop, as well as an interesting natural landscape, with a unique bird life and fascinating giant's cauldrons. There is also a  birdwatchers' shelter, and amazing places from which to swim in the ocean. Contact the youth hostel Utpost Hållö for a guided tour of the lighthouse and to learn more about Hållö's exciting history. Please note that the tower currently can't be climbed due to repair work.

How to get there
Hållö Express departs from the pier at Smögen.

History
The lighthouses by the Koster Islands were lit for the first time in1850. It soon became clear that they were not high enough above the water, and that the light therefore disappeared in snow, rain, and fog, when they were most needed. In 1891, the lighthouses on Koster were replaced with a new pair on Ursholmen. The lighthouse keepers moved out to Sweden's most westerly inhabited island, known for its dark diabase lines over the barren rocks, "The Devil's Harrow Rows". Many ships have capsized in these waters, often during ice-cold winter storms.

Things to do
Ursholmen's lighthouse is one of the most westerly points in Sweden. The lighthouse is newly renovated and now shines like a jewel(!) according to Erik Nordström, who spent his summers here as a student. Bring a picnic basket! Ask for a guided tour. And don't forget to pay a visit to the little museum in one of the lighthouse keeper cottages below the lighthouse itself. There is no restaurant on the island, but it has natural spring water, something which is very unusual in the outer archipelago.

How to get there
The easiest way to get to Ursholmen is with your own boat, as there is a natural harbour with mooring posts. If this is not an option, Selins Charter offers trips to Ursholmen on request. They depart from any place of your choosing, but we would suggest Strömstad as a starting point, as it is easy to reach both by car and bus.

History
The first lighthouses on Nidingen were built in 1624, when the county of Halland was still Danish. In 1645, Halland became Swedish and Nidingen became Sweden's first lighthouse. The main island is surrounded by underwater reefs. People used to believe that one of these underwater reefs was haunted by the spirits of shipwrecked seamen, who had the power to move it. Both lighthouse keepers and sailors have told stories of how the Lilleland Reef sometimes seems to move – one day its back can be seen above the waterline, fully visible like a small island; the next day it's hidden several metres below the surface. The Lilleland Reef is actually a one-kilometre-long boulder-ridge,  consisting of enormous amounts of pebbles, which sometimes move in the strong currents. On top of the Lilleland Reef, Nidingen's second lighthouse was built in 1945.

Things to do
Contact the association Position Nidingen to book a guided tour of the lighthouse and learn about the eventful history of Nidingen. Enjoy the beautiful landscape, and don't forget to bring a picnic basket.

The association Nidingens Vänner (Friends of Nidingen) answer questions about the lighthouse.

Accommodation
The small lighthouse keeper dwelling can be hired from Position Nidingen.


How to get there
Travel to Nidingen on your own boat, or book a RIB-boat trip from Position Nidingen.

History
Royal letters from the early 18th century mention the need for a lighthouse in the waters around Hamneskär. After a lot of deliberation, it was decided that a lighthouse would be built on Hamneskär. The lighthouse, of a type called 'Heidenstammare' was erected between the 13th July and the 9th September 1868. Pater Noster is on the north-eastern side of the island, close to what used to be a kerosene storage shed, and a fog signal building. The name, "Pater Noster", may come from the prayers said by sailors worried about running onto one of the many rocks and islets around Hamneskär. 

Things to do
Take a trip on a RIB-boat to the Pater Noster lighthouse on Hamneskär. Enjoy a fantastic dinner and wake up to birdsong, with Kurs Pater Noster as your host. Guided tours of the lighthouse can be combined with champagne and oysters. Contact Kurs Pater Noster for accommodation, transport, and guided tours of the lighthouse.

Accommodation
Kurs Pater Noster runs a small youth hostel, with rooms of hotel standard.

How to get there
Since there is currently nowhere to moor pleasure craft, no guided tours will be held by the association Pater Nosters Vänner this year. The association hopes to find a solution for next year. Contact Kurs Pater Noster for transport to Hamneskär and to the Pater Noster lighthouse.

History
Nordkoster's lighthouses were built in 1849, but were considered to be in the wrong position after a few ships ran aground, right next to them. The reason was that the Koster lighthouses were 64 metres above the water, which was slightly too high in bad weather, as the light often disappeared behind clouds, fog, and snow. After 42 years, the lighthouse was therefore moved to Ursholmen. The Koster lighthouse is a so called double-lighthouse. As well as the lighthouses themselves, accommodation for the lighthouse keepers were built. Today, only the foundations remain of these dwellings.

Things to do
The lighthouse on the Koster Islands is the perfect destination for a day out. Not only because the lighthouse, the island, and the remains of the lighthouse keepers' cottages have an exciting history – there is also an amazing view from the site of the lighthouse.

How to get there
Take the 'Koster Boat' from Strömstad's North Harbour, disembark by the West Harbour and walk up to the lighthouse. For departure times, see www.vasttrafik.se. The price of a return ticket on the ferry is around 120 SEK.