Things to do outside Gothenburg

3 hrs from: The Coastal Pearl of Sweden

Nine favorites you won’t want to miss when in Gothenburg.

Photo: Jonas Ingman
February 2023
Sweden’s second-largest metropolis offers unparalleled sunbathing and swimming, world-class art, and unforgettable culinary experiences – all within a short day trip. Here’s our pick of the best destinations around Gothenburg.

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Fine art and swimming in Tjörn

The island of Tjörn is a charming seaside resort area that attracts hordes of sun worshipers every summer as well as art connoisseurs from far and wide. It’s easy to get here by car from Strömsund via Tjörnbron, and the island offers a variety of accommodations ranging from inexpensive hostels to high-end boutique hotels.

Watercolor painting on Tjörn.
Tjörn, also called The Island of Art, offers many art experiences. Photo: Jesper Anhede
The Nordic Watercolour Museum
Photo: Kalle Sanner

A creative hub

Nordiska Akvarellmuseet

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Södra Hamnen 6
Skärhamn
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Located right on the water just outside the picturesque village of Skärhamn is the Nordic Watercolor Museum, an inspiring institution where art and nature join forces. Since it opened its doors in 2000, the museum has featured world-class art from renowned international names such as Salvador Dali, Louise Bourgeois, René Magritte, and Bill Viola as well as famous local Swedish artists including Lars Lerin, Anders Zorn, Elsa Beskow, and many more.

The over 40-foot high sculpture Anna by Jaume Plensa in Pilane
Photo: Roger Borgelid

Nature’s art gallery

Skulptur i Pilane

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Gravfält
Klövedal
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Tucked into the confines of an eight-hectare landscape, amid grazing sheep and ancient, prehistoric monuments and artifacts, lies the Pilane sculpture park. Surrounded by a stunning view of the Bohuslän archipelago, roam to your heart’s content among the sculptural masterpieces, including the over 40-foot high Anna by Jaume Plensa.

The sculpture exhibition opens in May 2023.

One of Klädesholmen's beautiful archipelago views

True seaside charm

Klädesholmen

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Rytterholmen 2
Klädesholmen
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Are you longing for rest and relaxation by the sea? If so, pack your bathing suit and make a beeline for Klädesholmen. Here you’ll find a charming cluster of quaint villas whose colorful facades are draped with fragrant Hollyhocks. Learn about the island’s traditional herring fishery at Sillebua, the herring museum, swim and sunbathe on one of the captivating beaches, or just kick back and enjoy a drink on the pier.

Fantastic food in Falkenberg

Make sure you visit the idyllic seaside town of Falkenberg, where you’ll find some of the best restaurants and spas in Sweden.

Falkenberg
Falkenberg is a beautiful coastal gem with a long, lovely sandy beach. Photo: iStock
Falkenberg Strandbad
Photo: Falkenberg Strandbad

The Hamptons of Southern Sweden

Falkenberg Strandbad

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Havsbadsallén 2A
Falkenberg
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For those seeking a taste of the high life, the so-called Hamptons of Southern Sweden is just the ticket. Relaxation, rejuvenating spa treatments, exquisite food and drink, an incredible atmosphere – you’ll find it all here! At the Falkenberg Strandbad resort, it’s easy to forget you’re in Scandinavia and not at a luxurious resort somewhere on the Mediterranean.

Skrea Matbruk
Photo: Jonathan Strömberg

A food paradise in the countryside

Skrea Matbruk

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Skrea Bondagård 206
Falkenberg
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Hungry foodies make the pilgrimage throughout the year to Skrea, a picturesque food Mecca on the outskirts of Falkenberg, to experience the heavenly local delicacies made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. The handmade pasta at Skrea Matbruk is absolutely to die for, while no visit to the countryside is complete without a visit to the small Skrea Ost dairy, where you can pour your own bottle of fresh milk and choose from a novel assortment of pungent cheeses and creamy yogurts.

Lilla Napoli
Photo: Petter Bäcklund

Pizza perfection

Lilla Napoli

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Halmstadvägen 1
Falkenberg
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Nowadays, you don’t need to travel to Naples to enjoy the perfect pizza. You can simply make a quick trip to the conspicuously small, white container-like building on Halmstadvägen Road in Falkenberg just an hour and a half south of Gothenburg. Here, at the Lilla Napoli restaurant, you’ll find divine fresh-baked pizzas made from a fluffy, crunchy dough, organic San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh Mozzarella cheese. Buon appetito!

Only in Borås

While in recent months, the Swedish textile capital of Borås has gone viral under the hashtag #BIB (Swedish for “Only in Borås”) on TikTok, this isn’t the only reason to visit the city.

Borås
The charming town of Borås. Photo: Jan Kansanen
Borås Cinema Röda Kvarn
Photo: Mats T. Olsson

The best from the world of film

Borås Bio Röda Kvarn

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Västerbrogatan 13
Borås
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The art house cinema Röda Kvarn, which was built in 1914, is one of the oldest and most well-preserved movie theaters in Sweden. Here you can see renowned Swedish and international movies – both new releases as well as time-honored cult classics.

Borås street art
Photo: Jacob Sjöman

An urban art scene

Borås street art

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Österlånggatan 17
Borås
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A publicly supported art scene is an important part of Borås’s identity. At Magasingatan 8, you’ll find an over 300-foot-long wall where you’re free to unleash your inner Picasso. Curious to discover what else western Sweden has to offer when it comes to street art? Just download the app WSSAT.

The Textile Museum of Sweden
Photo: Anna Hållams

A world of fashion

Textilmuseet

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Skaraborgsvägen 3
Borås
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With its history as a textile center, it’s not surprising that Borås has one of the leading museums for fashion and haute couture in the Nordic region: the Textile Museum of Sweden. In the award-winning flagship exhibition, Textil kraft [Textile power], you can learn all about clothing manufacturing while rotating exhibitions deal with topics like fashion, design, handiwork, technology, and sustainability.

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Text by Agnes Regell