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Sights and Attractions in Bohuslän: Islands

The true soul of Bohuslän is the islands and the picturesque fishing villages dating back to the Dark Ages. The narrow lanes and the pastel houses with fancy carpentry. The seagulls cry in the sky and for a minute you travel back in time - it looked just the same centuries ago. The you turn a corner and you are in the middle of today's buzz, with cafés and the sound of boat engines filling the air - the mind boggles.

An island is its own complete society - on a limited space only. You can grasp all aspects of it in one day, from history to recreation. Therefore, the islands themselves are sights and have to be mentioned. Below are some "goodies", but all of the 3 000 islands in the Bohuslän archipelago will give you a unique experience.

Marstrand

Reached only by ferryboat, after having left your car behind, the island is a popular summer resort renowned for its many first-rate restaurants, as well as the large international regattas held every summer. Marstrand is the yachting Mecca of the west coast and is a given port to make for the overseas yachts visiting our latitudes. The day is easily spent enjoying the many swimming spots, fishing excursions, scuba diving, strolling on the quay or visiting Howard Brooke's gallery - a must. Then it is time to explore the extensive night-life. If you plan to sleep on the island, please make an early reservation. The tourist office can assist you whether you choose an inn, a hotel or the hostel.

The Marstrand community dates back to the 13th century and it is "crowned" by the fortress Carlsten, which was constructed at the end of the 17th century. However, it took some 200 years before its inmates had completed it. During the "Fästningsdagarna" (the fortress days) the most popular of the prisoners, "Lasse-Maja" and the others of his time come alive in theatre plays all over the island. We recommend a visit to the fortress and the island itself, it is a perfect full day excursion. Travelinfo: About 1 hour's car ride northbound from Göteborg. There are bridges all the way except for the last 5-minute ferry ride. During the summer, buses leaves Göteborg almost hourly. For schedules, please call TidPunkten on 0771-41 43 00.

Åstol

No industry, no soil and no fishing, just the houses that hardly fit on the island anymore and there is no room for new ones. Åstol is inhabited around the year, which is becoming rare. Sofar Åstol is reached by boat from Rönnäng on Tjörn but there is talk of a bridge - which will become a hot discussion subject.

Klädesholmen

Nowhere is the smell of Bohuslän stronger, you will be sniffing it already on the bridge connecting the island with Tjörn. All the scents that make up a herring cannery are in the air; sugar and vinegar, salted herring, dill, onion, allspice, herring drums, kelp and the sea. The herring cannery tradition goes way back on Klädesholmen.

Käringön

is reached by boat from Hälleviksstrand on Orust around the year and in the summer from Lysekil and Uddevalla as well. The island is situated in the outermost territory. It is one of Bohuslän's most genuine fishing villages, with the newest house built in 1910. Today it is a popular spot for summer guests and visiting yachts. The whale bone portal has become a trademark of the island. There is a pilot and a life-rescue station. Close by, looking Southwest, is the Måseskär islet with a well-known light-house and fog-horn. The trees and bushes at the Käringön graveyard grow in soil that was transported from Orust at the turn of the century, at the initiative of the legendary preacher August Simson. Make sure to have a meal at the well reputed Peterson's Krog and visit the buzzing bar upstairs before leaving the island. Museum: a fisherman's cottage with 19th century period furnishing. Information 0303-815 50.

Gullholmen

Once one of Bohuslän's largest communities, founded already in the 13th century, the houses cling to the small rock, leeward of the Härmanö island. Here, the houses are more tightly knit together than anywhere else along the Bohus Coast. The large fishing era arrived in 1887, when the American mackerel fishing went wrong. To ensure themselves of future whiskey snacks, the bid went to Bohuslän. The Gullholmen fishermen became the most successful, with some sixty cutters brought home from England. Each one needed about 10 crewmembers, so the 900 inhabitants had lots of hired hands. The First World War could not stop the good days but the American alcohol prohibition days starting in 1920 did. Down by the ferry landing you will find the skipper Albert Arvidsson's house, built in 1893 and a rich heritage of the past. Now a museum, the whole interior is intact, down to the children's toys. At Gullholmsgården you can enjoy hundreds of stuffed birds and small animals, showed in their natural surroundings. Hermanö Huvud with the lighthouse is a popular look-out spot and the island is known for a large variety of plants. We recommend that you plan this as a full-day excursion.

Travelinfo: Ferry from Härmanö, located on the western side of Orust. In the summer there is also boat-trips from Uddevalla and Lysekil.

Hållö

Hållö, a typical archipelago island, has the province's oldest lighthouse (1842) and is a nature reserve with rare fauna. You will find 130 different sorts of plants but not a single tree. The ferry leaving from Smögen and Kungshamn takes you to one of the best swimming spots there is. While you lie there sun-tanning, try to imagine what this island is like during a dark autumn storm. There is a song about a storm like that, featuring the local pilot Stranne. After having saved the crew on the brig of Hull, he found out that his son was left onboard, tied to the steering wheel. Descendants of this family still live on Smögen.

Kosteröarna

North and South Koster Islands near Strömstad are the westernmost inhabited islands of Sweden. Due to their mild, sunny climate, these islands are a paradise. Here you will find an abundance of orchid and other, for these latitudes, rare plants. On south Koster, for example, you will find Bohuslinden, one of only two known trees of its kind. Guided nature and culture walks are arranged.

Hin Håles harvedrag (The Devil's harrow lines), the long dark stripes of the rock diabase, have given rise to many stories on Koster. The lush trees and the slow pace ashore makes for large contrasts to the mighty sea. This is a good spot to experience the famous Nordic light. The choice of accommodation is excellent, although early bookings are recommended.

The islands retain their special charm, since the modern night-life still has not found its way out here. There are no cars either. There are 16 ferries a day to the islands, leaving from Strömstad. Please call 0526-143 64 for further information.


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