Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Tjörn – Skaftölandet – Grebbestad – Ljungskile
100% customisable for you
This eight-day trip to Sweden begins with a two-hour flight to Gothenburg, the country’s second city. When you land, you’ll pick up your hire car and head north to the impressive island of Tjörn, just one hour away. You’ll spend the next two nights here between rocky islands, peaceful beaches and fertile valleys in the heart of the Stigfjorden nature reserve. From your room, you’ll have an incredible view of the sea and cliffs.
Once you’ve settled in, head to your hotel’s dedicated cabin to enjoy a Swedish sauna session. More than just a pastime, the sauna is a deep-rooted tradition that has existed for over 2,000 years in the Nordic countries. If the heat gets too much, simply take a plunge into the salt water – what could be more refreshing? For dinner this evening, enjoy a meal of local ingredients and freshly-caught fish in the hotel’s restaurant.
Sweden’s sixth-largest island is a paradise for nature lovers. Countless trails wind their way between the pine and beach trees through Tjörn’s rocky landscape. Hidden in the cliffs are caves waiting to be discovered, while some incredible artwork entices visitors to the hilltop open-air gallery known asSkulptur i Pilane.
Today, we’ll arrange for you to take to the water in a kayak so you can explore the archipelago. To the north, you’ll find a picturesque harbour flanked by fishermen’s houses. Further on is one of theregion’s most beautiful sandy beaches, which makes for an ideal picnic spot. Across the RönnängStrait to the south, you can wind between the islands of the Älgöfjord. And once you’re back on dryland, look out for the handful of seaside resorts crowned with fortresses.
From one island to another, today you’ll leave Tjörn in favour of Skaftölandet and the village of Fiskebäckskil. As you head north, why not take a detour to the sea and the hamlet of Mollösund. Here, red and white fishermen’s huts line the water, and in the summer the streets are filled with colourful flowers blooming in the sunshine.
When you arrive at your destination – about an hour away – you’ll set down your suitcases in a charming spot right on the water. It also happens to be home to one of the best restaurants on the west coast: a blend of Scandinavian and international cuisine based on fresh market produce. But before you tuck into that fresh local food, we recommend taking a wander down to the private pebble beach for a few minutes in the sauna by the sea.
Located at the entrance to the Gullmarn Fjord, this charming fishing village is home to colourful wooden houses as well as shops, cafés and restaurants. You can also spend some time exploring the nature reserves that dot the island. If you’re feeling adventurous, spend a day in the village of Lysekil, on the opposite bank, which you can reach by boat. Nestled between the red granite rocks, Lysekil is a wonderful place for a stroll, punctuated by swimming stops in the many coves. There’s also a picturesque town centre with a saltwater aquarium. If you like, we can also arrange for you to take a guided bike ride around Skaftö.
Today you’ll continue north to Grebbestad, just over an hour away. If you like, we can arrange for you to break up your journey with a boat trip and seafood tasting. If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, you can make a stop in the peaceful village of Fjällbacka, around six miles from Grebbestad. The port is home to a beautiful rose garden as well as the impressive 650ft rock crevice: Kungsklyftan. From the square, take the Vettebergsleden trail to climb up the mountain and enjoy a spectacular view of the archipelago and your destination.
Once you reach Grebbestad, you’ll spend the next two nights in an over-water guesthouse that’s part of an old boathouse, giving you a real sense of the area’s maritime history.
Grebbestad has a reputation as a fishing haven, but don’t just take our word for it! Today, you’ll try your hand at crab and mackerel fishing, so hop aboard the boat and get stuck into this slice of local life. It starts with mackerel fishing, which is perfect for beginners. You’ll then head to the crab traps and watch the professionals at work before trying it out for yourself.
Your efforts won’t go unrewarded – catch of the day is particularly delicious when you’ve caught it yourself. After lunch, you’re free to explore the area. You might want to head to the small island of Bohus-Malmön, where you can hike a scenic six-mile trail that leads you over bare rocks, beside sparkling lagoons and between fascinating remnants of the island’s days as a stone-cutting site. This is a great way to see the island, which is just two-and-a-half miles long and one mile wide. Don’t forget to pack your swimming gear so you can cool off in translucent waters along the way.
It’s almost time to start your gentle journey back down south. But before you do, we recommend one last northern stop. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed village of Vitlycke is just a few minutes’ drive away, and is known for the 1,500 or so Bronze Age petroglyphs that adorn it.
Once you’ve admired these centuries-old carvings, you can drive to Ljungskile, which takes about 45 minutes from Vitlycke. You’ll spend your last night in Sweden in a beautiful 20th-century family home that faces a magnificent fjord, the perfect place to round off your adventure.
Your adventure in Sweden comes to an end today. You’ll drive back to Gothenburg, return your hire car and board your flight back to the UK.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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