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

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: September 2026 | Looking for things to 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 are the best sights, tips and a complete itinerary for 2 days.

Smögen in Bohuslän

Smögen is a place we return to time and time again. We have traveled here many times, mainly with our camper, and we both love the seafood and the atmosphere on the piers. During one trip we even took our South African friends here, to show them a gem in Sweden.

17 things to do in Smögen

Smögen is a really nice place to visit, whether you come during the busy summer season or maybe just before or after, when it's a little quieter. Here you'll find our best tips.

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 delicacies on site, by settling down at Gösta's fish restaurant. Here you can order things like salmon roe toast, Moules marinières, Gösta's fish and seafood stew or perhaps 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, specializing in the delicacies of the sea. Just choose whether you want to buy something to take with you in a bag, or if you want to sit down at an outdoor terrace. Browse among delicacies such as lobsters, shrimps, mussels, oysters and crab.

5. Eat mussels at the Mussel Bar

We ate at 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

Try a seal safari! You will be taken to a seal colony, which is viewed from a reasonable distance so as not to disturb the seals. It is mainly harbour seals you see, and tours are organised by Smögen 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)

For those who love nature

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.

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.

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 city guides nearby

Planning to travel around the West Coast? Here you will find several guides.

• Things to do in Tjörn
• Things to do in King's Landing
• Things to do in Grebbestad
• Things to do in Hunnebostrand
• Things to do in Lysekil
• Things to do on Orust

FaQ - frequently asked questions about Smögen

When is the best time to visit Smögen?

Summer is high season on Smögen, with open restaurants, shops, boat trips and lots of life along Smögenbryggan. If you want a slightly calmer atmosphere, we would be happy to choose June or September, when you can still experience much of Smögen but avoid some of the most intense summer crowds.

Can you visit Smögen without a car?

Yes. Once you are on Smögen, it is very possible to experience it on foot, not least the Smögenbryggan, the bathing areas, the cliffs and the hiking trails. You can also take The Zita boats between Kungshamn and Smögen, which we ourselves have done when we lived in the camper in Kungshamn.

Can you swim from the cliffs on Smögen?

Yes, Smögen is perfect for those who like salty swimming from the cliffs of Bohuslän. If you want jetties and bathing ladders, there are, among other things Valleviksbadet and Makrillviken. At Vallevik we particularly liked the combination of cliffs, piers and sea – and from here you can also continue directly onto the Hästen outdoor trail. 

Can you go to Hållö from Smögen?

Yes, during the season The Hållö ferry from Smögen to Hållö. The crossing is short and on the island you will find cliffs, nature and the well-known swimming spot Marmorbassängen. The tours are seasonal, so always check the current timetable before you go. 

Where can you park your campervan on Smögen?

There are opportunities both on Smögen and in nearby Kungshamn. We have been there with our campervan The fishing net yard in Kungshamn and took the Zita boat over to Smögen, which worked very well. At Smögen there are also parking and camping options, but rules and the possibility of staying overnight can change, so always check the current signage and information before you park your camper.

READ MORE: Things to do in Bohuslän - tips on sights and experiences