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Take a road trip in West Sweden – by car or public transport

11 road trips brimming with things to see and do

We have some great routes for exploring West Sweden and Gothenburg, taking you through our three historic provinces and past beautiful scenery, historic houses, local flavours, relaxing spas, and fascinating history and culture. Most of the destinations are also easy to reach on public transport. Scroll down to start planning your West Sweden road trip.

Road trip through Dalsland – Sweden in miniature

Dalsland brings together wild landscapes, creatively repurposed industrial heritage, stately manor houses, and memorable places to visit. With its forests, lakes, art, and culture, a few days here can feel like a journey through Sweden in miniature. And although the province is relatively small, it is brimming with good places to eat and accommodation full of character.

Road trips with shellfish, art, and spas on the Swedish West Coast

Northern Bohuslän is a landscape of rocky bluffs and coastal meadows, oysters, seafood, and spa experiences – along with cosy accommodation in picturesque fishing villages. Visit in spring or autumn to enjoy quieter villages, fresh coastal air, and the changing colours of the landscape.

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Southern Bohuslän
is full of pretty seaside villages, food inspired by the sea, outstanding art and culture, and fascinating history. Spring and autumn are ideal for exploring the coast at a gentler pace and getting a feel for everyday life on the Swedish West Coast.  

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Take a day trip to Gothenburg’s archipelago

Whether you fancy a seafood platter at a waterside restaurant, want to try your luck fishing from a jetty, or are tempted by a salty dip from a sun-warmed rock, one thing is certain: the sea and islands are a huge part of the Gothenburg experience. Here are a few suggestions for a day trip to one of the islands right on the city’s doorstep.

Trip to Styrsö-Donsö-Vrångö

Trip to Hönö

Road trip with a bit of everything Next to Gothenburg

If you like beautiful gardens, small shops, saunas and spas, golf, fantastic food and drink made with local ingredients, and grand country houses, you’ll find plenty to explore along the 70-kilometre stretch between Mölndal and Alingsås.

Road trips to local flavours, grand estates, and centuries of Swedish history

Läckö-Kinnekulle. From browsing traditional markets and stopping at cosy cafés to exploring rolling farmland and a beautiful archipelago, one memorable experience follows another around Läckö-Kinnekulle. In just a couple of days, you can get your fill of pretty villages, fascinating historic sites, and delicious dinners made with local ingredients.

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Skaraborg. Charming small towns, a grand country house, and a relaxing spa resort. Sweden’s foremost birdwatching lake and West Sweden’s best golf course. Art, design, and something of a paradise for cheese lovers. Discover Skaraborg’s hidden gems – and take a detour to a medieval abbey along the way.

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Road trip to gardens, culture, and shopping between Gothenburg and Borås

Here’s a suggestion for a colourful road trip through some of the beautiful gardens between Gothenburg and Borås. Along the way, you’ll also find shops, farm cafés, restaurants, cosy places to stay, textile mills, and cultural attractions.

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Road trip from Gothenburg to Lake Vänern

A road trip through this part of Sweden is really a series of smaller adventures, with plenty of reasons to stop along the way. After all, Swedish nature and culture are often best experienced on foot. We’ve picked six of the best stops between Gothenburg and Lake Vänern.

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Road trip along Sweden's unique west coast

Hop in the car and explore the coast in less than a week, taking in the highlights at your own pace. To make things easy, we’ve mapped out a relaxed route with six stops through one of Sweden’s most distinctive regions.

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Travel by public transport

Västtrafik serves many of the places featured in these road-trip suggestions. Plan your journey using the Västtrafik To Go app or at vasttrafik.se, where you can also choose the ticket that suits you best, from single tickets to one- or three-day passes.

 

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Meet the Locals

One of the best ways to get a feel for a place is to see it through the eyes of someone who lives there. Here you’ll find inspiring stories, local tips, and a fair few people we simply call “Locals”.