Strömstad: Holiday apartment between archipelago, nature and culture

Strömstad combines maritime nature with surprisingly diverse culture. Between archipelago, wetlands, historic sites and contemporary art, you will find different facets of this place on the Swedish coast.

Culture and history

In the centre, Lokstallet is an art gallery that presents exhibitions of contemporary art during the summer season. Depending on the season, concerts, workshops and other projects also take place there. The bathhouse offers a different historical perspective: its 25-metre-long pool is filled with chlorinated seawater, and the facility began operating as early as 1909. Kallbadhuset is located on the waterfront promenade outside Laholmen in central Strömstad.

Strömstads kyrka also shapes the historic townscape. It is situated on elevated ground beside and west of Slottsberget and offers views of the harbour. It is also described as an excursion destination and cultural heritage monument that reflects the history of the municipality and architectural traditions. Strömstads Museum has permanent exhibitions and displays images from its extensive archives. Its themes include dramatic events and everyday life, impressive human destinies, and the relationship between sea and land.

The Blomsholm cultural heritage area contains one of Sweden’s largest stone ship settings. Grönehög, the largest burial mound in Bohuslän, is also located there. A signposted cultural trail leads from the car park at the manor to the ship setting, the stone circle and the burial grounds, and back to the car park. Catharinaskogen adds a short nature trail through an English-inspired park with origins in the 18th century to this historic landscape.

A digital walking tour in central Strömstad leads to historic buildings, attractions, parks, façade paintings and public outdoor art.

Nature

The maritime side of the region is particularly evident in Kosterhavet National Park. It is located in the municipalities of Strömstad and Tanum, covers almost 400 square kilometres and consists mostly of sea. In kelp forests and seagrass meadows, you can dive or snorkel and discover the species-rich underwater world. The cold-water coral reefs in the national park provide a habitat for hundreds of animal species.

Naturum Koster presents this environment through exhibitions, films and image presentations about the national park and the surrounding nature. There is also a touch aquarium about the Koster Sea. Guided tours, lectures and beach excursions are also part of the programme; maps and further information about the national park are available there as well.

Strömsvattnet presents a different natural landscape: the nutrient-rich shallow lake has wetlands that provide resting, stopover and breeding sites for a variety of bird species, especially ducks and waders. At Ekopark Strömstad, the subject of the environment can be explored in greater depth in a science centre. The interactive Ekohuset explains the fundamentals of life on Earth, environmental problems and sustainable solutions. Ekopark also includes a nature trail with a birdwatching tower.

Paths and activities

For cycling and running, Tjärndalen has a bike park and a 3 km running track that is groomed for cross-country skiing in winter. Along Strömstad’s access roads, developed footpaths and cycle paths run eastwards to the E6 and southwards to Daftö.

Several trails provide access to viewpoints and coastal landscapes. Röseberget, also called Oljeberget, offers views of the archipelago and the town of Strömstad. In the Hällekind nature area, a network of smaller walking paths leads to viewpoints and bathing coves. The coastal hiking trail in Strömstad begins at the end of Kebalvägen; Strömstad station is listed as the stop. The Strömstad–Daftö section of Kuststigen begins at Myrens hamn and climbs to the summit of Oljeberget.

The municipality of Strömstad offers varied opportunities for recreational fishing, particularly at sea. Possible catches include sea trout, mackerel and cod, among others.

On the water

Kosterbåtarna depart daily from the North Harbour in central Strömstad for the Koster Islands. The harbour is therefore just as much part of the townscape as the paths, museums and natural areas that show the character of the surroundings from different perspectives.

When comparing holiday apartments in Strömstad, you can check the exact location, type of accommodation, occupancy, included services, price components, and booking and cancellation conditions on the respective listing pages.

More destination pages

For further options, you can also visit the following places: Kebal, Nordkoster, Strömstad, Svinesund, Båleröd, Hällestrand, Lökholmen, Öfverby, Rävö, Skee, Stensvik, Tjärnö, Flåghult, Hogdal.

To the higher-level travel overview: Västra Götaland.