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Crime novels, Ingrid Bergman, or ancient bronze carvings are some of the reasons why Bohuslan has become a haven for travel enthusiasts around the islands.
Bohuslan – the island paradise of Sweden
As summer fades and the chill of winter looms, most people seek the warmth of the South. But in Sweden, travelers head west to embark on an island-hopping adventure.
Bohuslan is an archipelago with over 8,000 small islands, situated near Gothenburg – Sweden's second-largest city. Known for its rich seafood, it supplies the most renowned restaurants in Sweden. Notable is Gothenburg Island, with a population of only about 500,000 people but home to a chain of 6 Michelin-starred restaurants.
The first stop should be Marstrand, an island about 45 minutes drive from Gothenburg. Formerly a playground exclusively for royalty and the upper class, it's now open to everyone. So, when visiting Marstrand, tourists may often encounter members of the Swedish royal family enjoying themselves.
The only way to reach Marstrand Island is by ferry through a sea full of ice and azure. The journey is short, taking only about 15 minutes. While most attractions lie along the coastline facing the mainland, the rest of Marstrand remains serene, preserving its wilderness. For those who love exploration and tranquility, this is an excellent choice for camping, sunbathing under the sun, and enjoying delicious food at some restaurants.
One of the standout dining spots is a pastry shop serving fika – a traditional beverage in this country. But if you're not accustomed to that flavor, you can try a cup of coffee with a fragrant and rich cinnamon bun. Surely, this will satisfy even the most discerning guests.
To the west of the island, there's an exhibition hall called Strandverket. Here, there was once an exhibition about the life and love of Ingrid Bergman – the world-renowned Swedish actress.
'I once had the privilege to meet her. In her lifetime, she often spent summers on an island near Dannholmen. This inspired me to create these works.' – Hasse Persson, the artistic director of Strandverket, proudly introduces his impressive exhibition.
After visiting the Strandverket exhibition hall, tourists should climb to the top of Carksten Fortress. This structure was built to protect Bohuslan when it was first established. Today, it serves as both a memorial and a historic hotel. From here, visitors can admire the impressive scenery of Martrand Island.
The next stop on your island tour is the village to the north called Fjällbacka. Like other coastal villages in western Sweden, Fjällbacka has a traditional profession of fishing for herring from ancient times. Every year, when the herring shoals arrive bringing immense wealth, but when they depart, the village is left with poverty and desolation.
The rich history of Fjällbacka has propelled Camilla Läckberg, hailed as the Agatha Christie of Sweden. She crafted outstanding characters and plots for her bestselling crime novels. Foreign tourists often come here to visit the centuries-old fishing huts along the shore.
While Fjällbacka is famous for its fresh and delicious shrimp, Grebbestad is known for its premium oysters. In fact, up to 90% of Sweden's oyster consumption comes from this tiny village of Grebbestad. Tourists can enjoy various seafood dishes and stay overnight on a cozy boat called Everts Sjöbod.
In the morning, waking up by the Swedish coastline, the scenery here is sure to make travelers feel incredibly gentle, peaceful, and serene. It brings a sense of comfort and relaxation like no other. Standing before the tranquil pristine beach with a hot cup of tea in hand, the serenity adds energy to start a new day full of vitality and excitement.
Stretching along the Scandinavian coast are rock carvings depicting the life of people from the Bronze Age. They were created by using sharp and pointed stones to carve into large rock slabs. Today, these rock carvings can also be found in parts of Norway and Denmark.
In Vitlycke, these rock carvings are concentrated in an area recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This area is open to tourists year-round, but the ideal time to visit is in the summer during sunset. Tourists can easily capture beautiful photos as the red-painted rock carvings stand out prominently.
To savor the specialty herring, when visiting Tjörn Island, you should stop by the floating hotel Salt&Sill for lunch and enjoy the scenery here. Salt&Sill is a renowned hotel and restaurant. 'Sill' means herring in Swedish, which is also the dish that made this restaurant famous.
After finishing their meal, travelers continue their journey with the final stop being the Lekander farm. Here, you can meet locals and learn more about life on this beautiful island. You will hear about Sweden's law of allmansrätten (meaning the right of public access). Here, everyone has the right to roam freely, encouraging those passionate about food to explore and discover anywhere, except private gardens and farms.
Following the trail here, travelers can see the path leading up to the island's peak, where gray rocks are densely covered with moss. In the distance are other small islands along the strait, a sight that truly makes people want to preserve forever.
Throughout the island-hopping tour, this is the spot where you can admire the larger interconnected islands. Standing here and looking down, the entire Bohuslan landscape unfolds before your eyes, surely an unforgettable sight for all who gaze upon it.
Source: Vnexpress.net
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Reference: Travel guide Mytour
TravelWithEase.comOctober 30, 2015
