Last March I went some days to Gothenburg and with some friends we also discovered the West coast, the coast north of Gothenburg. It is one of my favorite places in Sweden. I have been there in the Summer before, when of course you find much more life, more cafés and restaurants open. But if you take a long weekend during low season and the weather is good I think it's valid also to take a couple of days long the coast to explore the archipelago and just to relax. Most islands are connected by bridges or by ferries, a service which you don't have to pay for. You may have to wait 30 minutes, sometimes longer, but it works fine normally. In this story a describe a mix of places I have been to during my trips, so some restaurants I describe are not open but in the Summer.
It's a beautiful archipelago, close to the mainland, a lot of rocks, few trees - the opposite from the Stockholm archipelago, and a lot of charming old fishing villages with wooden houses in different colors. You take E6 north and the first stop I recommend is the island of Marstrand, west of Kungälv. There is a parking on Koön and only 5 minutes by ferry. You can also reach the island in 50 minutes by bus from Gothenburg. Nice little town - no cars - some hotels, places to eat (great cakes at Bergs café!), an interesting fortress at the top of the island and then rocks and rocks. In the beginning of July there is a big sailing competition = too crowded.
Then go back to E6 until Stenungsund where you take the big Tjörn bridge to the island of Tjörn. In Skärhamn you find the quite interesting water color museum. South of Skärhamn you should stop by at the island Klädesholmen and eat at Salt & Sill, situated on the sea where you can taste different kinds of hering combined with snaps. Continuing north I think it is very nice to visit the old fishing village Mollösund on the island of Orust. Eat at Emmas café! Close to Mollösund you can take a boat from Hälleviksstrand to the beautiful island of Käringön where we fished oysters and enjoyed them at Karingö bar, so tasty! And there are two great restaurants serving fish dishes that you will not forget! There are always places long the coast where you can find spots to be alone, walk on the cliffs, and of course other places which are crowded -specially if you come in July. Stop by at Grundsund, Fiskebäckskil (so many nice houses to look at with their wooden details and small flowering gardens).
One of the most famous places long the coast is the little town of Smögen with its long wooden jetty with bar, restaurants, shops and fishing "houses" in different colors. Don't miss to buy fresh shrimps and it them on the spot! Just behind the houses you can walk out on the rocks or take a boat to the little island of Hållö: bring something to eat and lay down on the rocks and relax! Passing Bovallstrand and Hamburgsund you will come to Fjällbacka, famous for being the place where our famous actress Ingrid Bergman had her Summer house. You have a nice view from the top of a big rock. Close to Grebbestad it's not far to go to Tanumshede in the inland, where it's amazing to discover the rock carvings, on the list of Unesco.
At the very north we have the town of Strömstad from where you can take boat tours to the islands Koster: interesting nature (rent a bike a go roung) and there are also possbilities to go on a seal safari.
Well, some tips for a coming vacation maybe? I take every chance I get to come back to this part of Sweden.
