Bohuslän: Sweden’s west coast

Route description

From Gothenburg, with its Haga quarter and the fish market hall known as the Fish Church, take the E6 north along the coast. The motorway stays inland, so leave it for the side roads that wind out to the granite islands and fishing villages.

Smögen is known for its long wooden quay lined with red and white boathouses, and for fresh seafood straight off the boats. The narrow roads and small car parks here get very busy in July, so arrive early or visit outside the peak holiday weeks.

Fjällbacka is a small harbour below a steep granite hill; climb Vetteberget through the Kungsklyftan ravine for a view over the archipelago. Continue north past rocky inlets to Strömstad near the Norwegian border.

Strömstad is the port for boats to the Koster islands and the Kosterhavet marine national park. The coast is at its liveliest in summer, but shellfish is at its best in the colder months, and late spring and early autumn bring quieter roads.