Strömstad: Art, Island Trails and Seaside Life

Strömstad combines maritime seaside life with art, history and a variety of excursions into the archipelago. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can make their preferred travel pace the starting point: cultural and maritime attractions are located in the centre, while island trails, nature reserves and historic sights in the surrounding area invite independent exploration.

Discover art and history in Strömstad

A prominent cultural venue is Lokstallet, an art gallery in Strömstad. During the summer season, it presents exhibitions of contemporary art. This makes it especially appealing to travellers who do not want to spend their days exclusively by the water and who would like to include modern art in their trip planning.

The Friluftsmuseet i Strömsdalen offers historical impressions. It consists of older buildings from the town and countryside, including three old cottages, a gristmill and an older boathouse. The museum is located at Karlsgatan 43 in the eastern park area of Strömsdalen. It can be reached on foot from the centre and also has a car park. Depending on your daily plans, a visit to the museum can therefore be combined with a walk or a drive.

Strömstad's cultural heritage also includes rock carvings, ship settings and grave rings. The rock carvings of Massleberg are located in the surrounding area. They are around 3,000 years old and comprise 160 figures. Visitors to the rock carvings there may park at the farm. Another cultural and historical destination is Alaska on Nord-Långö in the archipelago. The site was created in the late 1920s by Hilma Svedahl (1870–1965).

Islands, trails and excursions by the water

The Kosterhavet National Park, Sweden's first marine national park, is located in the area around Strömstad, in the municipalities of Strömstad and Tanum. Northwest of the town is also the Nord-Långö and Hällsöarna nature reserve, with beaches and opportunities for hiking. On Nord-Långö, a trail leads around the northern half of the island. It passes over bare rock, through woodland and to swimming bays, beginning and ending at Alaska.

Hälsans Stig is available for a well-structured route close to the town. The trail is 7 km long, easy to walk and passes through natural areas as well as residential neighbourhoods. Along the way, it passes several historic buildings and sites. This makes it a suitable choice for a more active day without having to focus the entire excursion on a single destination.

The journey to the islands can also become part of the holiday experience. The Kosterbåten runs year-round several times a day from Ångbåtskajen at Norra Hamnen in central Strömstad to Sydkoster and Nordkoster. Depending on the landing stage, the crossing takes around 30 to 45 minutes. In summer, Alaska on Nord-Långö can be reached without a private boat on scheduled departures of an archipelago vessel from the North Harbour in Strömstad.

Plan days for swimming and wellness

Strömstad developed into a seaside resort and has since been a popular town for swimming and holidays. Strömstads badhus has a 25-metre swimming pool with chlorinated seawater. Group training and a fitness studio are also available. Strömstad's cold bath house is located on the waterfront promenade outside Laholmen in the town centre. These facilities complement excursions into nature with a quieter or more active option for the day.

Those who want to experience the town from the water can take an evening paddling tour along the shoreline. Friluftsfrämjandet occasionally organises guided paddling tours and introductory sessions in Strömstad, led by instructors; advance registration is required. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you primarily want to focus your trip on central attractions, island connections, nature experiences or a combination of these.

More places to consider when planning your trip

For further orientation, you can also include Flåghult, Lökholmen, Hällestrand, Nordkoster, Stensvik, Svinesund, Öfverby and Båleröd in your research.

For the main travel overview: Strömstad.