Things to do in Hunnebostrand - 19 tips for an archipelago idyll

What to see and do in Hunnebostrand? This lovely archipelago idyll offers dramatic nature, picturesque views and the occasional surprise. Here you will find our best tips for sights and experiences in Hunnebostrand and the surrounding area.

Hunnebostrand in Bohuslän

Hunnebostrand has a history as a fishing village, but also as the site of a quarry and stonemasonry. Today it is a real holiday idyll.

Hunnebostrand is located on the west coast of Bohuslän, just north of Smögen and just south of Hamburgsund.

What can you see and do in Hunnebostrand?

So what can you see and do in Hunnebostrand? Apart from being able to relax and enjoy the lovely idyll, there is a lot to do. We have collected our best tips here in a list.

1. Strolling in Hunnebostrand harbour

Many old fishing villages on the west coast are incredibly charming, yet Hunnebostrand is one of the most picturesque. Here the red boathouses are densely packed and outside, in the shimmering green water, the pleasure boats are crowded.

Walking around the harbour, you can browse shops selling everything from seafood to clothing and accessories, and there are also plenty of restaurants and cafés. You'll also find many signs telling the story of the town's history, as a fishing village and as an important centre for the stone industry.

2. Walk around St Göran's Island

Right next to the harbour in Hunnebostrand is Sankt Göran's Island, which you can walk over to via a small bridge. A walk around the entire island, partly on footpaths and partly on rocks, is fantastically beautiful. There are also nice swimming spots on the island.

Along the way, we also found a giant pot, that is, a depression, formed by flowing water, usually during the Ice Age.

3. Climb a hill for amazing views.

Right next to the harbour in Hunnebostrand there is a hill where you can climb up to get a great view of the harbour, the sea, boats and islands.

The hill also contains some of the artworks that are part of the "Udden sculpture" programme. Among other things, we were able to see the artwork "The Needle" up close.

There is also a nice view of the area with the artworks below.

4. check out the Udden sculpture

In the old quarry, right by the sea on Norra kajen, you can check out the art exhibition "Udden skulptur". Some works are on display all year round, while a new exhibition of new sculptures is presented every summer. When we were here in the summer of 2022, the twelfth edition of Udden Sculpture was on display. Really cool!

5. Swimming at the Hästedalen bathing area

If you want to swim, you can go to Hästedalens badplats, which is a popular bathing area with a sandy beach, a jetty and a small kiosk that is open in the summer in good weather.

There is also a high diving tower nearby.

6. Kayaking

Going kayaking can be a wonderful way to experience the nature around Hunnebostrand. You can rent a kayak at Sjömacken Hunnebostrand or at KAYAKOMAT at Hästedalen.

7. Savouring fish and seafood

One thing you won't want to miss doing in Hunnebostrand is enjoying seafood. You can shop at the historic Fiskaffären Hunnebostrand or the slightly smaller Räkboden (pictured). There are also plenty of restaurants serving the delights of the sea, such as Hummerkrogen, Henriks Sjökrog and Perssons på Kajen.

8. Have a meal at Bella Gästis

We chose to have lunch at Bella Gästis and after a long time on the west coast, with lots of fish and seafood, we varied with a pizza. But well, there was a little shrimp on the pizza ...

Bella Gästis is a nice restaurant, where you can sit with a nice view of the sea. We also liked the innovative design of the menu, which came in the form of a magazine, containing articles and quizzes in addition to the menu.

9. See the church of Hunnebostrand

The foundation for Hunnebostrand church was laid in the summer of 1910, and the building was erected the following year. The master builder was Ernst Gustafsson and the architect was Sigfrid Ericson. A beautiful little church that is worth checking out!

10. Fascinated by the Hunnebok gorge

It's a bit unclear whether it's called cleft, clefts, clefts or clefts. In fact, it's different everywhere, but of course it means the same thing. Nature offers deep and very dramatic clefts. The reason for the special shapes is that weathering processes have reached deep into the Bohus granite.

If you want to visit this place, set your GPS to "Hunnebo klåvor" or drive towards the Stenhuggeri Museum, which is a little higher up the same road. A sign and a path lead into the forest, where you can discover a landscape that feels almost like something out of a fairy tale. A truly fascinating place!

11. Visit the Stonemasonry Museum

If you want to know more about the history of stonemasonry, visit the Stonemasonry Museum. Here you can get an insight into the work and life of stonemasons, as well as different techniques and production processes. It is also possible to book a guided tour.

12. Take a guided tour of Smögen whisky.

Smögen Whisky is produced in Hunnebostrand and during the most intense summer weeks, guided tours are organised a few times a week. For SEK 100 per person (2022) you can spend an hour on a guided tour of the production facilities.

The founder himself, Pär Caldenby, was very enthusiastic and explained in a very understandable way. A visit here is a different and very interesting thing to do in Hunnebostrand!

The tour ends with a chance to try one of the whiskies for an extra fee. We did not try (a bit boring when one of us has to drive a car), so we will instead buy one of the varieties at the System on occasion to test. There is a wide range of varieties to choose from, and the distillery also produces gin.

13. Join a fishing trip

If you like fishing, you can join a fishing trip, crab fishing or lobster fishing. Hunnebostrands Fiske och Skärgårdsturer organises tours with the boat Martina, which can take up to 12 passengers. The company also organises seal safaris and other archipelago tours.

14. spotting in sote channels

The Sote Canal was built to create a protected route between Hunnebostrand and Smögen/Kungshamn, and was completed in 1935. Today the canal is used by around 50,000 boats every year. If you don't have your own boat, it is possible to take a trip on a passenger boat. During the summer, the canal is served by M/S Soten and the Hållö ferry. It is also nice to look at the canal from land.

15. Hiking in Ramsvik country

Ramsvikslandet is an island, cut off from the mainland by the Sote Canal, and a nature reserve nicknamed the 'Kingdom of the Rocks'. There is a wide range of hiking trails of varying lengths, where you can stroll through beautiful scenery. There is also the campsite "Ramsvik Stugby & Camping" and a number of attractions in the form of caves, remains from the Ice Age and the mighty "King Tryggve's grave".

16. Fascinated by King Tryggve's tomb

King Tryggve's grave is a large and impressive cairn, located high on the island of Tryggö in Ramsvik country. The tomb may date back to the Bronze Age, but according to stories, the Viking King Tryggve was also buried here. The tomb can be visited by a short hike from Nötö, but be prepared to wade in shallow water to get between the islands.

17. Visit Bovallstrand

Bovallstrand, located just north of Hunnebostrand, is a peaceful coastal community with a history dating back to the 16th century. Among other things, sprat has been fished here, and the town has also served as a shipping harbour for granite.

Today there is a bathing area, an ice cream parlour and Bryggcafét, which serves fish dishes and wine. Just north of Bovallstrand is also the Gerlesborg School, which is an important cultural centre.

For our part, there was a short stop here for ice cream and shopping for seafood for tonight's dinner. Nice!

18. Take a trip to the Nordic Ark.

From Hunnebostrand it's not too far to take a trip to Nordens Ark zoo. The park works to preserve endangered species, and you can see around 60 different species from all over the world. The park is open all year round and has a restaurant and hotel.

19. Discover rock carvings in Åby and Torsbo.

In Bohuslän there are many fascinating rock carvings from our ancient past. Just south-west of Åby Manor, next to the Nordens Ark, is Åbyhällen, one of Bohuslän's most famous rock carvings.

We didn't see these, but we did check out the Torsbo rock carving area, which is closer to Hamburgsund. Really exciting to see! There are lots of ships here, the largest of which is 4.5 metres long.

More things to do in Hunnebostrand for those who like culture and history

There is of course more to see and do in Hunnebostrand than what we have described above. Here are some more tips for those who like culture and history:

• Alma of Hunnebostrand is a shipwrecked schooner that stands as a statue in Hunnebostrand.
• Gammelgården is a museum with historical buildings from the 18th century and artefacts from the past. (Museivägen 3)
• Skansen Lahälla shows the remaining defence trench from the Second World War.

More things to do in Hunnebostrand for nature lovers

Do you like nature best? Then you will find even more tips on things to see and do in Hunnebostrand here, which may be suitable for you.

• Anneröd Hogsäm is a nature reserve with deciduous forest, about four kilometres northeast of Bovallstrand.
• Nordens Ark Ecopark offers everything from rocky areas to flower meadows.
• Parishioners is also part of the Kuststigen, which stretches from Tjörn in the south to Strömstad in the north and also into Norway.
• Åbyfjorden is a narrow fjord with steep granite beaches, where you can go hiking.

More to do in Hunnebostrand for those who like events.

Do you like events and happenings? For you there are also things to do in Hunnebostrand. Keep an eye out for the following events.

• Hornbore Ting is a Viking market organised every year in Hamburgsund on the first weekend of August.
• Scandinavian Wildlife Film Festival is the largest nature documentary festival in the Nordic region and is held every two years in Hunnebostrand.
• Sailing competitions organised several times during the year by the Sotefjord Sailing Society.

More to do in Hunnebostrand with children

Travelling with children or teenagers? Then you'll find even more tips for things to do in Hunnebostrand here.

• Bangolf can be found in the southern harbour and at Hunnebostrand campsite and cottages.
• Bio is shown at Kulturhuset Hav och Land (Parkgatan 1).
• Crab fishing is popular with children all along the west coast.
• Sailing school organised by Sotefjordens segelsällskap (Lilla Gåsholmen).
• Tennis school is organised at the Bovallsstrand Tennis Club in the summer (Finnhagegaten, Bovallstrand).

Where can you stay in Hunnebostrand, or park your campervan?

In Hunnebostrand there are of course many different hotels and other accommodations to choose from. We are travelling with a motorhome and stayed at one of the two sites that are relatively central. The one with the best location and best service, Lökholmen car park, was full when we arrived.

We therefore went to the site just above it. At both sites you pay with an app, and the site closest to the water has electricity, fresh water, toilets and the possibility of emptying grey and black water.

Further options are Hunnebostrands Camping and Ramsvik Stugby & Camping on the land of Ramsvik.

Things to do in Hunnebostrand - on film

More to see and do in Hunnebostrand - nearby

While visiting Hunnebostrand, you can of course also take the opportunity to experience more of the west coast. To the south you will find Smögen, King's Harbour and the island of Malmön. If you head north instead, you can discover the beautiful island of Hamburgsund.

More suggestions for things to do in Hunnebostrand?

Have you been to Hunnebostrand? How was your experience? Do you have any other good tips on what to see and do in Hunnebostrand?