A unique region at the heart of Scandinavia, West Sweden is a mix of stunning coastline, wilderness areas and countryside. It has everything – offering visitors the chance to go on lobster safari, go sea kayaking among the marine national park visit historic manor houses and peruse fine art in its many refined, elegant museums.
Gothenburg, the gateway to it all, is a city with a lively cultural scene and a growing reputation as a gourmet capital. High praise indeed, and with all of this in mind, here are our 10 IDEAL reasons to visit West Sweden.
A City Break In Gothenburg
With its compact centre of elegant squares, gardens and canals, Gothenburg is the ideal short-break city and the perfect base for exploring the surrounding countryside too. Head for the sweet-smelling central park, Trädgårdsföreningen, where the Palm House stands among manicured lawns and the perfume of over 5,000 roses.
A tight grid of smart streets buzzes with a vibrant café culture, intriguing food markets, impressive museums and a multitude of enticing restaurants – five with coveted Michelin stars.
If you thought Ikea was the pinnacle of Swedish creativity, a wander around the fin-de-siècle Art Nouveau architecture of Gothenburg will make you think again.
While you´re there, head to the Röhsska Museum for displays of Scandinavian design classics, especially 20th-century modernist furniture. Swedes have shown their class on canvas, too, notably the Art Nouveau paintings of Carl Larsson and more modern watercolours at the Nordic Watercolour Museum on Tjörn Island. Gothenburg is also known for its many independent design and clothes stores.
Season’s Greetings – Swedish Style
With its lingering, dark winters and never-ending summer days, it´s no wonder that Swedes feel a close affinity to their seasons. To bring light to the darkest month of the year, on 13th December each town and village is filled with processions of singing children, each one led by a local girl crowned with candles, in honour of St. Lucia (the Queen of Light).
The climax of the year is the Midsummer Festival when Swedes head for the country for a day of ribbon-flinging and maypole-dancing accompanied by generous helpings of fresh strawberries and schnapps. Perfect.
The Koster islands – Sweden’s first marine national park
The Koster Islands lie at the centre of Kosterhavet, a serene marine national park – the first in Sweden – which protects Sweden’s most species-rich marine area. Visitors are able to experience this fascinating, beautiful area through a number of new activities that are sympathetic to the environment, including trips on a scientific research boat to kayaking and wildlife walks.
For Taste of West Sweden
West Sweden is a culinary destination with a huge variety of flavours and experiences. Most known for its exceptional seafood (more on that later), game, extensive range of cheeses and the all-important fertile soil, these ingredients have been used by an innovative community of chefs who blend traditional and modern culinary techniques to delicious results. Fikka and cake is a must.
For A Seafood Safari
The West Sweden culinary calendar would not be complete without the lobster season. Each year, from the end of September to November, the air along the west coast comes alive with the sound of cracking shells and the sighs of satisfied diners.
The Bohuslän coast north of Gothenburg is home to fishing villages and an abundance of seafood. Here, you can join the fishermen catching the lobster, learn how to prepare them properly from local chefs and best of all, feast on them too. Alternatively, take a boat trip to the oyster banks of Grebbestad or go for the whole Big Five – lobster, oyster, shrimps, crayfish and mussels.
Speaking of crayfish, you can’t come to Sweden without experiencing a crayfish party.
Castles & Manor Houses
The Swedes are renowned for neutrality and pacifism, but perhaps that´s because defence is better than attack. The country is littered with castles and fortified manor houses – the southern region of Sane alone has well over 200.
Sitting on its promontory on Vanern, Sweden´s largest lake, Lack Slott vies for the title of the country´s most fairytale edifice; its 17th-century baroque towers, cupolas and mouldings built on the site of a 13th-century castle. Visit Gunnebo House and Garden for tasty organic fare in café-restaurant and stay Bjertorp Manor for elegance in the country.
Sea Kayaking Along The Bohuslän coast
Sweden´s a big country – the third-largest in Western Europe – with one of the lowest population densities. It´s a land of woods and mountains, of fjords and lakes with plenty of space to enjoy whatever activities float your boat.
The Bohuslän coast draws a host of sea kayakers to paddle among its islands and fishing villages, and canoeists bob around the Dalsland lake district. Cyclists tour cross-country bike paths, passing prehistoric sites, lakes and picturesque churches, while hikers have it their way on short one-day routes or long-distance trails covering hundreds of kilometres.
The Göta Canal Cruise
A Gota Canal cruise is a classic journey through Sweden between the great cities of Gothenburg and Stockholm. Travel aboard historic steamships operated by the Gota Canal Steamship company offering nostalgic cabin accommodation and fine Swedish cuisine. A unique cruise, you’ll travel along the iconic Gota Canal, rivers and great lakes, and visit sites of cultural interest en route.
For further information: www.westsweden.com , www.gothenburg.com
