Three sides of West Sweden

Bohuslän is a gorgeous coastal area on Sweden’s west coast which is lined by an archipelago of 8,000 islands stretching north from Gothenburg to the border with Norway. With so many islands to explore, beautiful Bohuslän is a dream for outdoor summer breaks on the water, whether sailing, sea kayaking, diving, island hopping by ferry, relaxing on the beach or finding your own place to swim. Quaint fishing villages are scattered across the area which are ideal places to stop for a look around quaint surroundings, taste fresh seafood and dip toes in the water while sitting on a jetty.

The coast is home to Sweden’s first marine national park, Kosterhavet, centred around the Koster Islands close to Norway, which offers a range of activities for visitors to see and to learn about this unique marine environment. Try a seal safari, excursions on a marine research vessel, underwater camera boat trips, lobster fishing and guided bike tours on South Koster. Sydkoster Hotel Ekenäs is a friendly, family-run hotel from which to explore the island.

Other activities to bring you closer to the spirit of the sea, up and down the Bohuslän coast, include a range of seafood safaris. Perhaps the best known is that of the lobster: travel across the waves with a skipper to help haul up the lobster and reset the pots, and return to base to help cook and then eat a self-sought supper. Oysters, prawns, mussels and crayfish are also up for grabs in a similar way.

A broad range of accommodation can be found to suit all tastes and pockets, from lighthouse hotels to chic spa retreats and from eco-friendly floating hotels to waterside apartments. There’s no shortage of fine places to eat too, whether at your accommodation or within one of the fine restaurants and cafes dotted along the coast. Look out for the Taste of West Sweden accredited eateries which recognise the quality and authenticity of the regional cuisine.

Dalsland is West Sweden’s verdant lake district and, just one hour north of Gothenburg by car, it is Europe’s most accessible area of wilderness. Full of shimmering lakes and deep forests, it’s a natural playground for outdoor enthusiasts, families and anyone seeking to get active and close to nature. A haven for wildlife, wolves and lynx are some of the creatures found here and there is the chance to see elk and beaver, and learn more about their worlds, through special safari experiences.

Dalsland’s picturesque waterways make it a wonderful place to kayak and canoe, silently taking in the scenery, camp overnight on lake shores or, for the competitive, take part in the annual Dalsland Canoe Marathon. Fishing, hiking and even inspection trolley rides along former railway lines are some of the other activities available here, while attractions such as the Håverud Aqueduct and passenger boat, Baldersnäs Manor and Dalsland’s Museum offer insights into the area’s past. With excellent opportunities for dining, such as at Falkholts, where guests can taste the bounty of forest and lake, and accommodation ranging from hotels and guest houses to self-catering lakeside cabins, visitors can be sure of a warm welcome.

Västergötland offers a step back in time through a wealth of immaculate manor houses and historical sites with pretty countryside settings. Läckö Slott is a particularly fine example of West Sweden’s fascinating history and this well-preserved attraction, a towering fairytale-like castle reflected in the waters of Lake Vänern, holds a lively calendar of events. Other sites to put on your list include neo-classical Gunnebo House and Gardens, the abbeys of Varnham and Gudhem and Nääs Castle.

It’s also possible to see the area from the water, with a cruise along the historic Göta Canal, one of Sweden’s national landmarks, taking passengers through the locks of Trollhättan. Trollhättan’s 9m deep locks are one of the seven wonders of West Sweden and the passage of boats through them, along with the release of water at Trollhättan Falls, are truly impressive sights. Västergötland is also a great place for countryside walks, hiking, cycling, fishing, watching the spectacle of nature through the dancing cranes at Lake Hornborga, and visiting attractions such as Borås Zoo and the Canal Museum.