Kungälv – historic town, fortress and nature trails

The town’s landmark is Bohus Fortress, while the older town centre, cultural attractions and Fontin Nature Reserve reveal different sides of the area. Those looking for accommodation in Kungälv can therefore plan their stay around culture, outdoor activities or a combination of both.

Between the fortress and the historic town centre

Bohus Fortress is a ruin located largely outdoors. The character of the site includes rocky and uneven ground. A special way to visit is through one-hour historical group tours led by a guide dressed in medieval clothing. This means that the excursion focuses not only on the fortress itself, but also on an engaging presentation of its history. The Fästningsparken is located directly next to the fortress, on the remains of the former town of Ny-Kungälv. The fortress there dates from the 14th century. Those interested in older urban structures will find another important point of interest in the well-preserved wooden townscape of the older town centre. It is of national interest for cultural heritage conservation and gives Kungälv a clearly recognisable historical character. Individual sites are also part of the town’s history. The gravestones at Västra kyrkogården offer insight into the history of Kungälv. Kungälv Church is a Baroque wooden church whose construction began in 1679. Its vaulted wooden ceiling features paintings created by the Gothenburg painter Erik Eriksson Grijs in the late 1690s. The municipality also includes Stora Smällen near Västra Porten in Ytterby, an Iron Age burial ground with 160 archaeological monuments.

Nature and marked trails close to town

Fontin Nature Reserve borders the built-up area of Kungälv directly and is an important recreational area close to town. The landscape includes coniferous forest, mixed woodland, alder carr, beech forest, other deciduous woodland and pastureland. The natural area therefore cannot be reduced to a single type of landscape. There are five signposted walking and exercise loops at Fontin. They are 900 metres, 1,250 metres, 2.5 kilometres, 5 kilometres and 10 kilometres long. The range therefore extends from a short loop to a considerably longer route. Fontin also provides access to Bohusleden for active days: the long-distance trail is 370 kilometres long and runs between Lindome and Strömstad. Two of its 27 stages pass through Kungälv Municipality; Fontin is a suitable starting point for them.

Cultural attractions for a stay in town

The cultural offering includes Mimers Kulturhus with a library, art gallery and theatre. It can be reached on foot from Kungälv Travel Centre in around 10 minutes. At Mimers café, you can enjoy fika or eat light meals. Tickets for some events at Mimers Kulturhus are also sold there. The cultural centre thus complements the historical sights with a place for art, theatre and the Swedish coffee tradition. The same higher-level selection also includes Kode (Kode), Harestad (Harestad), Marstrand (Marstrand), Romelanda (Romelanda), Tjuvkil (Tjuvkil), Kovikshamn (Kovikshamn) and Kärna (Kärna).

To the overarching travel overview: Kungälv.