Things to do in Smögen - 17 tips for the seafood mecca

What to see and do in Smögen? This lovely west coast town is truly a seafood mecca. In addition, you can experience beautiful nature and exciting boat trips. Here you will find our best tips for sights and activities in and around Smögen.

Smögen in Bohuslän

Smögen is a picturesque and popular summer destination, known for Smögenbryggan and all the colourful boathouses. We drove to Kungshamn by motorhome, and then took the Zita boats over to Smögen.

Smögen is located on the west coast of Bohuslän, just northwest of Kungshamn.

Is it 'doing in Smögen' or 'doing on Smögen'?

When I (Helena) wrote this article, I wondered whether it is called "to do in Smögen" or "to do on Smögen". The main rule is that you use i in the case of a city or town, but on when it is an island. Smögen is both a town and an island, which made me insecure.

I looked around to see what others are writing and realised that it is different. After I saw that the official visitor guide "West Sweden" writes "on", I decided to go for it ... Any comments or thoughts on this?

What can you see and do on Smögen?

What can you see and do on Smögen? In addition to being able to relax and enjoy the wonderful environment, there is a lot to do. We have collected our best tips here in a list.

1. strolling on the Smögen pier

The most famous place on Smögen is Smögenbryggan, and whether you've visited Smögen or not, you've probably seen photos from here. One of the most popular spots is the innermost part of the pier, where the colourful boathouses are picturesquely set against the large rocks.

However, Smögenbryggan goes on for much longer than this, and as you continue outwards you'll find more and more shops and restaurants.

2. Shopping in the shops on Smögen

We knew that we would be met with shops on Smögen, but we were surprised by how many they are. Every other boathouse has open doors, with products both inside and out on the street.

The shops on Smögen are full of clothes and many of the garments have a marine style, such as blue and white stripes or fish patterns. There are also plenty of billowing summer dresses. If you are looking for marine-themed interior design you have also come to the right place.

3. Shop (or eat) at Göstas Fisk & Skaldjur.

There are many shops selling seafood on Smögen, but perhaps the best known of all is Göstas Fisk & Skaldjur. In the shop you will find fish, oysters and shellfish, but also delicacies and accessories.

You can also enjoy the goodies on the spot by sitting down at Gösta's fish restaurant. Here you can order things like vendace roe toast, moules marinières, Gösta's seafood stew or butter-fried cod loin.

4. Feast on fish and shellfish

As mentioned, Göstas is not alone in selling seafood on Smögen. There are lots of small shops and restaurants specialising in the delights of the sea. Do you prefer crayfish, prawns, mussels, oysters or perhaps crab? It's up to you whether you want to buy in a bag or sit on an outdoor terrace.

5. Eat mussels at the Mussel Bar

Choosing where to eat is not easy when there are so many restaurants that look appealing, but for us the choice fell on Musselbaren. Actually, the restaurant seems to be called "Musselbaren & Kleven's three kitchens", and is located together with Pizzabistron, Lilla Kök and Møllers Smørrebrød.

We each ordered Moules Frites, which were served with fries in newspaper, mayonnaise and a small paper bag with small pieces of bread. Great food, great service and a fantastic environment. Can it get any better?

6. Trying beer from Smögenbryggar'n

While sitting at Musselbaren, we also took the opportunity to order a local beer each: Snipa, which is an Indian Pale Ale from Smögenbryggar'n and Klockren Pilsner, which was brewed by Musselbaren together with Smögenbryggar'n. Both were very good!

7. Swimming at Vallevik bathing area

There are several bathing areas on Smögen, including Makrillsviken bathing area and Vallevik bathing area. Both are nice, but the latter we experienced as a little extra delicious with all the rocks, bridges and ladders.

8. Hike along the Hästen outdoor trail

The Hästen outdoor trail starts, or ends if you like, at Vallevik bathing area. The trail then continues along the coast to Makrillviken, which is located below Smögens Hafsbad. This hiking trail is truly amazing and offers beautiful views. The most famous places along the trail are Torskrännan, Holländarebacken, Holländareberget and Hästen.

9. Explore the Kleven outdoor trail.

Another nice trail that we can definitely recommend is the one called Kleven. The trail starts at a large car park, where motorhomes are usually parked, and runs on footpaths and rocks along the water. A fantastic walk!

10. See the view from Smogen's pilot lookout

Smogen's pilot lookout served as a pilot lookout until 1969. The building is, since 1997, a listed building and is definitely worth checking out.

The lookout also offers a great view of the surroundings, the cliffs and the sea.

11. Take a trip with M/S Soten.

M/S Soten is a nice passenger boat that can take you on archipelago tours in the Sote Canal. Various tours are organised, such as "Berättarlunch med Soten", "Berättarkväll med Soten" and "Malå strömmar". A west coast buffet is served on board, including prawns, salmon and herring.

12. Join a seal safari

An exciting adventure that you can experience at Smögen, and at other resorts along the west coast, is a seal safari. You get to go out to a seal colony, which is viewed from a reasonable distance so that the seals are not disturbed. It is mainly harbour seals that are seen, and tours are arranged by Smögen's fishing tourism, among others.

13. join a fishing trip or lobster safari

If you like fishing, there are a lot of exciting experiences to try on the west coast. Both Smögens fisketurism and Smögens fisketurer organise various tours, where you can, for example, fish for mackerel, cod, crabs or crayfish. During the autumn there is also the opportunity to join a lobster safari.

14. Get wind in your hair on a rib boat ride

If you like speed and excitement, you can join a rib boat tour instead. We didn't try it here, but have tried it before in Norway. So fun! The boat, which is a Ring Powercraft 11.3, has a maximum speed of about 70 knots. A trip takes about 20 minutes.

15. Take the Hållö ferry to Hållö.

Another boat trip you can make is to take the Hållö ferry to Hållö. The ferry journey from Smögen to Hollö takes about 10 minutes. On the island you can experience nature and swim, for example in the popular Marble Pool. In the summer there is also a waffle café.

16. Be active with Smögen Dive & Experience

At Smögen Dyk & Upplevelse you can join diving excursions or take diving courses. Many other active experiences are also organised here, such as kayak trips, climbing, kayak & yoga, swimrun, sauna and spa baths.

17. Visit the Nordic Ark

Smögen is also not far from the 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 there is also a hotel and restaurant.

More to do in Smögen for those who like culture, history and shopping

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

• Gallery Smögen can be found at the shop Keramik & Mode, among the boathouses in the centre of Smögenbryggan.
• Smögen Outlet is for those who want to do affordable shopping (Hamngatan 9).
• Church of Smogen was built in 1904-1905 in the neo-Gothic style, to designs by Adrian C. Peterson. (Church Street 14)

More things to do on Smögen for nature lovers

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

• The Bohus Trail consists of 27 stages and extends from Lindome in the south to Strömstad in the north.
• Golf you can play at Sotenäs Golf Club. (Önna, Hunnebostrand)
• Sand Island Nature Reserve includes a swimming area and a 1.5 kilometre hiking trail, one way.
• The loophole is a small canal in the centre of Smog harbour, which is believed to be the basis for the name Smögen.
• Parishioners runs through Kungshamn and Smögen and the surrounding area.
• Åbyfjorden is a narrow fjord with steep granite shores. The fjord separates Sotenäset in the northwest from Härnäset in the southeast.

More things to do in Smögen for those who like events

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

• Amaze is a music festival, with performers, organised several years in a row.
• Icebug Xperience is a hiking and trail running race in the Bohuslän countryside.
• Island of Light is an annual light festival where light artists illuminate Smögen with light installations.
• Maritime Rescue Society Day is usually organised in mid-July.

More to do in Smögen for those travelling with children

Travelling with children or teenagers? Then you can find even more tips on things to do in Smögen here.

• Fishing for crabs is a popular activity among children all along the west coast.
• mountain bike and guided cycling experiences are organised by the experience company Abloc.
• The tumbleweed is a fitness centre that also organises swimming lessons, bike rentals and more.
• The zita boats are charming wooden boats that run between Smögen and Kungshamn, a 15-minute trip.

Where can you stay on Smögen, or park your campervan?

On Smögen there are many different hotels to choose from, such as the popular Smogen's harbour bath or Makrillen hostel. Both of these are relatively close to each other, as well as to Badhusparken and Makrillens badplats. Smögens Hafsbad is a spa hotel with a pool, sauna and spa treatments.

We are travelling by motorhome, and there are a number of different options. We stood on RV park at Fisketångens yard in Kungshamnand took us over to Smögen for the day with the Zita boats.

If you want to be more central, there is a large parking in Smögen, not far from Smögenbryggan, where you pay with the EasyPark app. There are public toilets nearby, but no other services. There should also be a car park called Park & Stay on Hasselösundsvägen.

We also saw camper vans standing on one side of the Smögen Bridge. A short distance from Smögen there are also campsites, in the form of Johannesvik camping and First Camp Solvik - Kungshamn.

Things to do on Smögen - on film

Peter has also edited a film from Smögen. You can watch it here:

More to see and do in Smögen - nearby

When you visit Smögen, you can of course take the opportunity to check out... King's Harbour. In addition, we can recommend some great Ramsvik country with King Tryggve's tomb and cosy Hunnebostrand. If you head south instead, you can visit the island of Malmön with the beach Pärlane, lovely Lysekil or fine Skaftö.

More suggestions for things to do in Smögen?

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

Facts about Smögen

• Landscape: Bohuslän
• County: Västra Götaland County
• Municipality: Sotenäs municipality
• Population: More than 1200 (2020)
• Name: The name of the community has varied over the years, and the place has been called "Smögit", "Smöenn", "Smöget" and "Smygesund". The name is probably linked to the so-called Smyghålet, the narrow strait between Smögen Island and the island of Kleven south of the main island.
• Read more: You can find more information at West Sweden website.

The history of smog

• 16th century: At the end of this century, Smögen is mentioned for the first time.
• 17th century: People settled on Hasselön, and over time this community grew together with Smögen.
• 1878: The pilot house on the island was built.
• 1933: The dance restaurant Smögenbaden was built, and became a very popular place that attracted many people.
• 1998: Smögenbaden burned down.