Gothenburg West Coast
3
Day Itinerary •
Sweden
Three days in Gothenburg and the West Coast covers the essential experience of Sweden's most food-obsessed city and the extraordinary Bohuslan coast. The finest cinnamon buns in Sweden in the Haga neighbourhood, the extraordinary Feskekyrkan fish market, Marstrand's remarkable island fortress and the extraordinary Smoegen fishing village boardwalk make three days of outstanding Swedish coastal life. This route gives a full day in Gothenburg, a day on the remarkable Marstrand island and a day at the extraordinary Smoegen fishing village, covering the three finest experiences of the Swedish west coast in three days of excellent seafood, remarkable rock bathing and outstanding coastal scenery.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Gothenburg Landvetter Airport (GOT)
Getting Around
Tram in city, rental car for coast
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,200 to 2,200 SEK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, coastal walking on rocks
DAY 1
GOTHENBURG
MORNING
HAGA NEIGHBOURHOOD AND FESKEKYRKAN
Haga is the finest neighbourhood in Gothenburg, its remarkable 19th-century wooden houses, the extraordinary cobbled Haga Nygata and the outstanding cinnamon bun cafes making it the most charming district in Sweden's second city. Cafe Husaren serves the largest kanelbullar in Sweden. The Feskekyrkan fish market in the extraordinary 1874 Gothic church building is the finest display of west coast seafood in Sweden. Free to browse. Drive: 20 min tram
MIDDAY
GOTHENBURG ART MUSEUM AND GOTAPLATSEN
The Gothenburg Museum of Art on the fine Gotaplatsen square has the finest collection of Scandinavian art outside Stockholm. The extraordinary works of Carl Larsson, Bruno Liljefors and Anders Zorn are the finest Swedish paintings in western Sweden. The remarkable Poseidon fountain in the square, Gothenburg's most extraordinary public sculpture, and the outstanding cultural institutions around the square make Gotaplatsen the finest public space in the city. Entry approx 100 SEK. Drive: 15 min tram
AFTERNOON
PADDAN CANAL BOAT TOUR
The Paddan open-top boat tour through Gothenburg's extraordinary canal network is the finest way to see the city. The remarkable 50-minute route passes under 20 bridges, some so low that passengers must duck, through the extraordinary moats, the remarkable Haga waterfront and the fine harbour revealing a completely different perspective on Sweden's second city. The tour passes under the extraordinary Tradgardsforeningen park gates. Tour approx 160 SEK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tradgardsforeningen park in central Gothenburg, one of the finest Victorian parks in Scandinavia with its remarkable Palm House, is the finest green space in the city. Free entry most of the day.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Husaren, Haga The largest cinnamon bun in Sweden in the finest Gothenburg neighbourhood. | Lunch: Feskekyrkan fish restaurant Fresh west coast seafood in Sweden's extraordinary fish church. | Dinner: Sjömagasinet, Gothenburg The most celebrated seafood restaurant in Gothenburg. Book ahead.
DAY 2
MARSTRAND ISLAND
MORNING
MARSTRAND ISLAND FERRY AND FORTRESS
Marstrand, accessible by a short car ferry from Koön and then foot ferry to the car-free island, is the finest destination on the Swedish west coast. The extraordinary Carlstens Fästning fortress above the town, with its remarkable guided tours, outstanding views across the Bohuslan archipelago and the extraordinary story of its most famous prisoner Lasse-Maja, is the finest coastal fort in western Sweden. The remarkable wooden village and the fine harbour are outstanding. Entry fortress approx 120 SEK. Drive: 45 min drive + ferry
MIDDAY
MARSTRAND ROCK BATHING AND SAILING
The remarkable smooth granite rocks around Marstrand island offer the finest bathing on the Swedish west coast. The extraordinary Swedish tradition of jumping from warm granite rocks into the cold sea is at its finest on Marstrand, where the rocks are polished smooth by centuries of waves and the water is clear. The remarkable sailing boats racing in the extraordinary Marstrand archipelago and the outstanding atmosphere of the sailing capital of Sweden are remarkable. Free. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
MARSTRAND VILLAGE AND RETURN
A final walk through the extraordinary wooden houses of Marstrand village, the outstanding fish shops with the finest fresh catch on the coast and the remarkable Societetshuset hotel. The extraordinary combination of the fortress above, the sailing boats below and the outstanding Bohuslan archipelago in every direction makes Marstrand the finest single experience on the Swedish west coast. Return by ferry for the drive to Smoegen. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Koön nature reserve on the mainland side of the Marstrand ferry has the finest natural coastline near the island and is almost entirely unvisited. Park near the ferry and walk the coastal path. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gothenburg hotel Good breakfast before the Marstrand drive. | Lunch: Marstrand harbour restaurant Outstanding fresh shrimp and seafood on the island harbour. | Dinner: Smoegen first night dinner Arrive at the finest fishing village on the coast for dinner.
DAY 3
SMOEGEN FISHING VILLAGE
MORNING
SMOEGEN BOARDWALK AND FISH AUCTION
Smoegen is the most extraordinary fishing village on the Swedish west coast. The remarkable wooden boardwalk along the harbour, the traditional red and yellow boathouses, the outstanding lobster pots and the extraordinary open-air fish auction held at the quay make it unlike any other village in Sweden. The remarkable fresh shrimp sold directly from the boats and the outstanding boardwalk cafe culture are the finest experiences on the Bohuslan coast. Free. Drive: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
FRESH SHRIMP ON THE BOARDWALK
The extraordinary Swedish tradition of buying a paper bag of fresh Smoegen shrimp from the boats and sitting on the boardwalk to peel them with bread and butter while watching the harbour is the finest lunch experience on the entire Swedish west coast. The remarkable combination of the extraordinary harbour scenery, the outstanding fresh seafood and the quintessential west coast atmosphere make it a remarkable experience. Shrimp approx 80 SEK per bag. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
HALLO ISLAND NATURE RESERVE
Hallo, the extraordinary nature reserve island accessible by boat from Smoegen harbour, has the finest combination of bare Bohuslan granite, wildflowers and open sea of any island on the coast. The remarkable lighthouse on the island's highest point, the outstanding bathing from the smooth rocks and the extraordinary seabird colonies make it outstanding. The view from the island over the Bohuslan archipelago is the finest available from any island near Smoegen. Boat approx 100 SEK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kungshamn fish smokehouse near Smoegen produces the finest cold-smoked salmon and mackerel on the Swedish west coast. Buying smoked fish to take home from the west coast is the finest Swedish food souvenir. Free to visit the shop.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Smoegen or Kungshamn hotel West coast breakfast in the finest fishing village in Sweden. | Lunch: Smoegen boardwalk shrimp Fresh shrimp on the most extraordinary boardwalk in Sweden. | Dinner: Smögens Fiskekrog The finest seafood restaurant on the Smögen boardwalk. Book ahead.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Gothenburg, Night 1 Haga or city centre. Approx 900 to 1,800 SEK per night. Smoegen or Kungshamn, Nights 2 to 3 West coast base. Approx 900 to 1,600 SEK per night. Summer booking West coast fills July and August. Book at least 6 weeks ahead.
Top Tips
1. Haga neighbourhood has the finest cinnamon buns in Sweden. Cafe Husaren serves the largest.
2. Smoegen boardwalk at sunset with a bag of fresh shrimp is one of the finest west coast experiences.
3. Marstrand is car-free. Leave the car at Koön and take the short foot ferry to the island.
4. Feskekyrkan fish market is the finest food experience in Gothenburg. Free to browse.
5. Book west coast accommodation at least 6 weeks ahead in summer. It fills completely.
6. The lobster season opens on the first Monday of October. The finest time for west coast seafood.
Total Budget
1,650 to 2,900 SEK/day