Sotenäs between granite coast, islands and culture

In Sotenäs, Bua hed offers several beautiful beaches for swimming among rocky outcrops along the shore; from the heights, there are wide-ranging views across the fjord landscape.

The localities belonging to Sotenäs municipality include Bovallstrand, Hovenäset, Hunnebostrand, Kungshamn, Smögen and Bohus-Malmön.

Nature

Ramsvikslandet combines extensive rocky areas with heathland, wet heath, meadows and deciduous woodland. The area features glacial formations such as rounded rock hills, potholes, glacial striations and rock channels.

Ramsvikslandet is easily accessible and ideal for exploring on foot. Swimming spots include Haby Bay and Tryggö, among others. Bua hed is one of the best-preserved coastal heaths in Bohuslän.

Hållö is a pink-tinged granite island located ten minutes by boat from Smögen. At Marmorbassängen, there are smooth rock ledges and a bathing ladder leading down to the clear, turquoise water.

Sotenäs offers coastal hikes along beautiful paths through varied natural surroundings. A wonderful hiking route stretches through the entire municipality of Sotenäs, from Bovallstrand in the north to Kungshamn and Smögen in the south.

Ekoparken is an ongoing project in the forest and cultural landscape surrounding the zoological park on the grounds of Åby Säteri; around 300 hectares of land are being restored.

Nordens Ark is a wildlife park on Ã…byfjord with around 60 animal species, including Amur tigers, red pandas, turtles and Nordic landraces. A complete circuit covers approximately 4.5 km and usually takes about three hours if you want to visit all the animals and areas.

Cycling

The MTB route #H4 is 28 km long, has 456 metres of elevation gain and is rated from moderate to difficult. It connects Hunnebostrand and Bovallstrand via challenging trails and small roads, passing salty swimming spots along the way.

Culture

At Gammelgården, you can walk among historic buildings from the 18th century and discover objects from earlier times. The building that now houses the Gammelgården Museum was erected at this location in 1739. Gammelgården also includes one of Sweden’s oldest surviving boathouses, partly made from driftwood from shipwrecks.

Hållö Lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper’s house are open daily in summer from Midsummer until mid-August. Guided tours, exhibitions and information about Hållö, its history, geology, flora and fauna are available on site.

Directly by the sea in Hunnebostrand, visitors can view a series of stone sculptures free of charge. Island of Light is an international light art festival where the rugged natural landscape and modern technology combine to create artistic forms; the festival can be experienced from both the sea and the land.

Maritime and culinary experiences

Cruises aboard the M/S Soten have been a classic of Sweden’s west coast since 1935. The cruises offer a West Swedish buffet and entertaining guided tours combining facts, stories and anecdotes.

At the Hamnbageriet café in Kungshamn, visitors can watch the baking; baking courses are occasionally offered at the bakery.

Sotenäs Tourist Information is available digitally all year round by email and telephone. At the InfoPoints, visitors can find the Smögen& visitor magazine, maps, local information and help with simple questions.

To the overarching travel overview: Västra Götaland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Åmål, Nödinge-Nol.