The Swedish West Coast is by far one of the most beautiful parts of the country. It is home to picturesque villages, old farmhouses, stunning places of nature and many beautiful beaches. Especially during the summer months, this is the absolute hotspot of travelling in Sweden. The West Coast of Sweden could not be more diverse as well. In the very South you will find mostly flat landscape and agriculture and in the North, you will get the best views of the long sandy beaches and the rocks. The thousands of islands, the wide nature and the many hiking trails make the Swedish West Coast the perfect place for all travellers. Actually, anyone could find a very own personal reason to fall in love with the area. If you are planning to visit Sweden, here are the x best places to visit on the West Coast in Sweden.
Please note:
The overall flair of all of the places below totally depends on the time you´re visiting. During the summer months, from mid June to mid August, you will get a completely different picture. This is the high season and everything is super full and lively. During the other months of the year, most of the places seem to be kind of dead. The shops and most of the restaurants are closed, especially from September to April. The Swedish West Coast (except for the bigger cities) really does live from the summer season.
This does not mean you necessarily have to visit during the peak season. The quiet time can have a wonderful atmosphere as well and seeing all the stunning places completely empty is an amazing experience as well. Still, you should be aware that the seasons really do have an impact on the West Coast. Especially the villages have a completely different appearance depending on the time you´re travelling.
Smögen
Let´s start the list of the best places on the West Coast Sweden with the most popular spot. Smögen is one of the main tourist hotspots in the country and mainly known for its colorful Smögen bryggan. It is located in the province Västra Götalands län. During the summer months, it can be described as quite touristy. Smögen is the perfect photo spot to get a typical “I´ve been on the Swedish West Coast” picture. You can stroll around the village, visit the small shops and simply get all the impressions in.
Make sure to walk all the way back to the Smögen Bryggan and also cross the bridge to get to the other side, which is an amazing view as well.
Kullaberg
Let´s travel south for the next best place on the West Coast in Sweden. Kullaberg is located on the peninsula Kullen, between Ängelholm and Helsingborg. It is the perfect place to visit for a little hike and to experience the wild side of the West Coast. The rocky landscape and the wind of the ocean creates a rough image. Travel to Mölle to reach the Kullaberg area and to visit the nature preserve. The area is described as the dream of any hiker travelling to Sweden. But even if you are just visiting for a smaller walk, this is for sure a place to put on your list when travelling the Swedish West Coast.
Hovs Hallar Nature Preserve
Ready for one of the best sunset places on the West Coast? If this sounds just like something you are up for, make sure to put the Hovs Hallar Nature Preserve on your list for the West Coast. Hovs Hallar is basically located on the Peinsula next to Kullaberg, in the Southern area of the coast. It is a stunning coastal area of rocky cliffs and a rugged shoreline. Hovs Hallar is popular for smaller hikes and walks along the water. Especially during the sunset, it is one of the best places to be.
To reach Hovs Hallar, drive to Båstad. From here, follow the road over the Peninsula. You will come across the cutest Swedish countryside houses. This area shows once again how beautiful the West Coast Sweden really is.
And, another great place to visit in the area is Torekov. A village full of summer houses that will make you dream about a Swedish summer.
Varberg
After all the smaller villages and natural highlights of the West Coast, let´s continue with a city. Varberg is located in the Hallands Län province and a popular tourist destination. It is well-known for its beach promenade and historical fortress. Another attraction is the so-called Kallbadhuset, a bathing house, which is a popular tradition in Sweden. If you want to get a typical Swedish sauna experience with a cold dip into the sea, this is your shot.
Varberg is also a beautiful small city to stroll around, have a fika and go for a shopping tour.
Gothenburg
Welcome to the big city life. Gothenburg is located more or less directly in the center of the Swedish West coast and obviously cannot be missing on the list. It is the second largest city of the country. Perfect for shopping, a bit of sightseeing and getting a different perspective of the West Coast. Visit the Botanical garden, stroll through Haga and fall in love with the cute fika places.
An absolute must-do when visiting Gothenburg is a trip to the archipelago of Gothenburg. It consists of rough, barren rocks and cliffs which is a characteristic of the coast of Bohuslän. There are multiple day tours which take you to the islands. And if you have even more time, make sure to spend a few days out in the archipelago.
Click here for a full Gothenburg Guide.
Ramsvikslandet
As mentioned, many of the best places along the West Coast in Sweden are a must-visit because of the beautiful nature. This one is no different. The Ramsvikslandet is known as the empire of cliffs and a beautiful nature preserve on the coast. It is located a little North of Smögen and can be reached by two different parking lots. You can follow different trails which lead you over the rocky landscape. This really is an extraordinary place which proves once again how diverse the West Coast is.
Grebbestad
Grebbestad might get the award for the cutest little city on the West Coast in Sweden. It is located in Västra Götalands Län and one of the most popular seaside resorts on the West Coast. Full of cute shops, small restaurants, a harbor and a lot of fishing – Grebbestad is the ideal mixture of local lifestyle and tourism. The picturesque backdrop is characterized by the wooden houses and the laid-back Swedish lifestyle.
Fjällbacka
Another absolute picturesque place on the West Coast is the beautiful Fjällbacka. The village can be mainly described by one word: idyllic. It is a picturesque place where one wooden house follows the other. It is located in the fjord and offers a unique view over the hundreds of islands. What makes Fjällbacka such a special place on the Swedish West Coast is its location. It is build on and around rocks. The Vetteberget is the heart of the village and the number one place to visit. From the top, you can enjoy the fantastic panorama view over the fjord and the rocky coastline.
Tjurpannas Nature Preserve
Ready for some beautiful hiking routes? If you want to get closer to the outstanding nature of the West Coast Sweden, the Tjurpannas Nature Preserve is the right choice. It is one of the bigger preserves in the area and popular among locals and tourists. You can do anything, from short walks to longer hikes. It leads you through the typical rocky landscape, wide fields and cute red barns for fishing.
Veddö Naturreservats
Another nature preserve for the list of the best places at the West Coast Sweden is Veddö. Small, but absolutely worth a visit. Veddö is located just outside of Fjällbacka and therefore a perfect day trip. Hiking in the middle of the beauty of the West Coast. With lots of silence, nature, forests and stunning trails. Make sure to put Veddö on your list. It even has some little bays where you can go for a swim during the summer months (or whenever you like). This is a place where you cannot only hike, but as well rest for a while and simply enjoy the atmosphere.
Mollösund
And last but not least, another cute little fishing village. Mollösund is everything you would imagine of a fishing village in Sweden. It is located in the Orust Municipality and in the outher archipelago of Sweden´s West Coast. It offer stunning places to enjoy the sunset. And if you are in Mollösun, make sure to stroll around and witness the traditional fishing.
West Coast Sweden: a traveller´s dream
To sum it up, the West Coast of Sweden really is an absolute paradise for travellers. You have a full list of the best places to visit. And from nature preserves to idyllic villages and sunset spots, there is not much left to ask for. Personally, the West Coast really is the most stunning part of the country and offers the best images of Sweden.
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