What to do in Strömstad - 17 tips for Sweden's westernmost town

What to see and do in Strömstad? Sweden's westernmost city, this Bohuslän town offers everything from art to seaside excursions. Here you will find our best tips for sights and experiences in Strömstad and the surrounding area.

Strömstad in Bohuslän

Strömstad is a town that, due to its location near the Norwegian border, has always been characterised by being in a borderland. In addition, this is a west coast town, where, of course, fishing has always been practised. Today, this is a nice and exciting place to visit, and we drove here with our motorhome.

Strömstad is located on the Skagerack, not far from the border with Norway, in Bohuslän.

What can you see and do in Strömstad?

So what can you see and do in Strömstad? The fact is that there is a lot to see and experience, whether you like nature, culture, history or wonderful experiences at sea. We have spent a bunch of intense days in and around Strömstad, and have now collected our best tips here in a list.

1. Discover Strömstad on foot

Strömstad is a nice town to explore on foot or by bike. For example, you can check out the town hall, which was built in the Art Nouveau style in 1912-1917. It's also nice to stroll along the waterfront, which is full of boats and restaurants, such as The Dubliner at Skagerack.

2. See art at the Lokstallet art centre.

One thing to do in Strömstad, if you like art, is to visit the art gallery Lokstallet. Various exhibitions and cultural events are organised here.

3. go on an art tour

You can also go on an art tour of the town to discover the town's sculptures. At the tourist office in Strömstad you can pick up a brochure with a map of all the public artworks.

4. Check out street art

Another art tour you can take on your own is a tour to discover the city's street art. In the summer of 2022, 11 walls were painted under the 'Artscape Lighthouse' project, on the theme of 'human interaction with the sea'.

5. Visit Strömstad Museum

Strömstad Museum is located in an old mill warehouse from the 1880s, right next to the Strömsån river. The museum is completely free to visit and you will have the opportunity to learn more about wartime, what it is like to live in a border area and much more.

6. Hang out at Strömsdalen and the Open Air Museum

Not far from the centre of Strömstad you will find the Strömsdalen park area, where you can walk in beautiful surroundings. In the eastern part of the park is the open-air museum Fiskartorpet, where you will find various older buildings and crofts.

7. Admire the view from the Svinesund bridges

The Svinesund bridges consist of the Old Svinesund Bridge and the Svinesund Bridge. Both bridges cross the Svinesund strait, connecting Sweden with Norway. The old bridge was built in 1939-1942, is 420 metres long and has a clearance of 58 metres. 

The bridge is really beautiful, and you have great views both from the side of the bridge and from the bridge itself. There are also signs with information about the bridge and its history.

Completed in 2005, the new Svinesund Bridge is 704 metres long and has a clearance height of 55 metres.

8. Be fascinated by the Blomsholm archaeological site

Blomsholm is home to Bohuslän's largest ring of judges and one of Sweden's largest shipyards. There are also seven grave fields from the Iron Age and the large mound Grönehög. A walking trail runs around the area and you will find several signs with information. It is fascinating to try to imagine the people who once created this!

9. Check out the Massleberg walkway.

If you like ancient history, you can also visit Massleberg north of Skee, where you can find many traces of our ancestors. Among other things, there is a large passageway, but also several burial mounds and a rock with exciting rock carvings.

10. Take an excursion to the Koster Islands

The Koster Islands consist of the two islands Nordkoster and Sydkoster, which are separated by a narrow strait. The scenic islands are located just outside Strömstad, and offer great opportunities for swimming, hiking, cycling and dining. You can easily get to the islands with the Koster boats from the quay in Strömstad.

11. Experience the Kosterhavet National Park

Kosterhavet National Park is Sweden's first marine national park. The area covers almost 400 square kilometres, most of which is sea. It contains marine environments and species that are completely unique to Sweden.

These include the deep Kosterrännan, which is 247 metres deep at its deepest point, with steeply sloping rock faces and coral reefs. The national park has five entrances where you can find information:

• Main entrance Naturum Kosterhavet (Ekenäs, Sydkoster)
• Entrance Rossö (harbour warehouse in Rossö harbour)
• Saltö entrance (Saltö Nature Reserve car park)
• Entré Strömstad (Torget, northern harbour)
• Entrance to Resö (Resö harbour)

12. Learn more about nature at Naturum

Naturum Kosterhavet is located in Ekenäs on Sydkoster. Here you will find a large exhibition where you can learn about the flora and fauna of the Koster Sea. Naturum also organises guided tours and lectures throughout the year.

13. Holiday at Daftö Resort and Daftöland

Daftö Resort, located just south of Strömstad, is a five-star campsite and resort with cabins, a pirate hotel, camping pitches, restaurants and lots of activities such as pools, adventure golf, padel and wellness.

Right next door is the Daftöland amusement park with lots of different rides, entertainment, restaurants and other things for the whole family.

14. Visit Öddö, Tjärnö, Rossö and Saltö.

In the neighbourhood of Daftö you will find the islands Öddö, Tjärnö, Rossö and Saltö. These are nice islands with beautiful nature. Tjärnö is home to the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory and an aquarium that is open to the public in the summer.

On Saltö you will find the Saltö Nature Reserve and one of the entrances to the Kosterhavet National Park. At Hasslebukten you will also find a snorkelling trail, a kind of underwater nature trail.

15. Make an excursion with Selin Charter or Kust Event

One thing you don't want to miss doing in Strömstad is experiencing the coast and the sea in different ways. Selin Charter organises various boat trips in the Koster Sea such as fishing trips, lobster safaris, seal safaris, seafood cruises and trips to the Alaska Stone and Flower Garden.

Kust Event also organises many different tours in the form of guided archipelago tours. One of the most popular tours is "Smuggling tour in the archipelago" where you can hear the story of the smuggling king Bremer and his adventures.

16. Feast on fish and seafood.

Strömstad is located on the west coast and offers everything from mackerel to lobster and crab. Why not take the opportunity to feast on seafood? You can either visit one of the many fish restaurants, or shop for seafood in the various shops in the harbour area.

17. Cruising between Strömstad and Sandefjord

ColorLine operates the route between Strömstad and Sandefjord in Norway. There is a restaurant, café and duty-free shopping on board.

More to do in Strömstad for those who like culture and history

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

• Alaska rock and flower garden is a park and rock garden in the North Långön nature reserve (North Långön).
• Skee church is a church built in the 12th century (Skee-Tjärnö parish).
• Strömstad church was built in 1817-1820 to designs by Jacob Wilhelm Gerss. (Södra Kyrkogatan 10)

More things to do in Strömstad for nature lovers

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

• The Bohus Trail is a 34-mile-long hiking trail that runs through Bohuslän, from Lindome in the south to Strömstad in the north.
• Dynekilen Golf is a golf centre with an 18-hole course. (Dyne Gård 1)
• Excursion by research vessel is sometimes possible to join, with the ship Nereus.
• Fishing such as sea trout, mackerel and cod can be caught in Kosterhavet National Park, as long as fishing rules are followed.
• Kayak can be rented at several places, including Lagunen Camping, Daftö Resort and Kayakomat at Kungsvik Camping.
• Kallbadhuset offers summer swimming, winter swimming and a sauna (Strandpromenaden).
• Nötholmen nature reserve is a nature reserve on an island, with hiking trails.
• Sailing can be done, for example with Gränsland Boat Charter.
• Ursholmen lighthouse site is located on Ursholmen, the western outpost of Kosterhavet, and is only accessible by boat.

More things to do in Strömstad for those who like food and shopping

Of course, there is also plenty to do in Strömstad for those who like food and shopping. Here are some more tips.

• Koster's Gardens is a restaurant, organic garden and farm shop in Sydkoster (Långegärde, Sydkoster).
• Nordby Supermarket is a large shopping centre, north of Strömstad.
• Oyster safari on Tjärnö, with oyster school, oyster fishing and tasting.
• Strömstad shopping centre is a large shopping centre (Oslo Road 50).

More to do in Strömstad with children

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

• Bada can be done in many places, such as Skurveskär, Hålkedalen, Capri sea baths and Seläter sea baths.
• Bowling in Strömstad FoodCourt, Strömstad shopping centre (Osloägen 50).
• Djungelland Nordby shopping centre is a large playground with climbing frames, ball pit and slides.

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

In Strömstad there are of course many different hotels, resorts and other accommodation to choose from, such as Daftö Resort. Relatively central in Strömstad you will find First Camp City - Strömstad, where you can stay in a cabin or in your own motorhome or caravan.

If you are coming with a motorhome and want a more basic overnight parking, you can choose the Bojarparkeringen site (without electricity). At the moment you can also park your motorhome for free, without service, on Trädgårdsgatan.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

When you visit Strömstad, you can of course also take the opportunity to experience more of the west coast. If you head a little south, you can visit the charming town of Grebbestad and the Unesco-protected the rock carvings in Tanum.

More tips for things to see and do in Strömstad?

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

Facts about Strömstad

• Landscape: Bohuslän
• County: Västra Götaland County
• Location: At Skagerack, with the national border with Norway 20 kilometres to the north and east.
• Residents: About 7400 (2020)
• Read more: You can find more information at West Sweden website.