Island of Light, Smögen celebrates its 5 years anniversary
Using the rugged landscape of the Swedish west coast and the fishing village of Smögen as a canvas, the international festival of light returns this year with 12 installations stretching for 2.5 km along windswept cliffs and around the harbour.
Among the installations and artists this year is ABIOGENESIS by MARKOS KAY from England. He is known for his contemporary photography, which is shown all around the globe, and this will be his largest projection ever, covering 3000 square metres of rock. The collective KURBAS PRO, from Ukraine will present ANIMALIA, a monumental projection onto the cliffs.
There is also a big investment in an international collaboration from OPEN SKY CINEMA who will raise awareness of environmental issues with an outdoor film projection. There are, of course, cosy hotels and bustling restaurants for anyone who wants to stay in the area and make the most of their visit.
This is the biggest event of the autumn on the west coast – the first day of the lobster season! In Bohuslän, the lobster fishing season is as big as the annual elk hunt is to the rest of the country. At 7am on Monday 23 September, local residents and professional fishermen head out to drop their lobster pots into the water, then they sit back and wait for a catch of the ocean’s Black Gold.
Joining in the fun, which runs until 30 November, is easy with plenty of restaurants serving the catch of the day, and you can also go on a lobster safari where you might pull up some lobster pots and learn more about how modern lobster fishing protects stocks and avoids bycatch. For the complete package with overnight accommodation check out this article.
Clarion Hotel Karlatornet opens in Gothenburg on 1 September
Karlatornet is Sweden’s tallest building and Clarion Hotel Karlatornet will open its doors on 1 September. The hotel occupies a 15 storey building, that is part of the Karlatornet complex, with 300 rooms and has additional luxury suites on the 58th floor of the main tower. There is a spa, conference facilities, and a banqueting hall for up to 400 guests. Their bar, The Living Room, and restaurant, NÒR, a brasserie serving contemporary Nordic cuisine using local ingredients, also look certain to become local favourites.
The Lelångenleden cycle path runs from the sea in Uddevalla, via the lakes in Dalsland, to the Värmland forests in Årjäng. It's a wonderfully diverse, 180 km long cycle path that winds its way on gravel roads beside the Dalsland canal, through lush forests, and includes charming country towns with cosy cafés and plenty of sights along the way.
Get right to the heart of West Sweden & Gothenburg with Meet the Locals
Getting off the beaten track and closer to the everyday lives of Swedish People is easier than you think with Meet the Locals. West Sweden Tourist Board has brought together a small and diverse group of wonderful people who are all happy to share their enthusiasm for life’s simple pleasures. Meeting up with a Local will have a low impact on the planet and a big impact on memories of Sweden. Dive into some local food culture, swap gardening tips with a like-minded enthusiast, or join a local cyclist on their regular cycling route.
This autumn we are delighted to introduce our newest Local: Lena is a local aficionado of cultural associations and food, and her tour of the neighbourhood Gamlestaden is a dive into social sustainability and the coming together of multicultural associations and the city of Gothenburg, expressed through diverse culinary traditions and live music.
Meeting up with any of our Locals is a great way to get an introduction to Swedish life and to pick up some insider tips for the rest of a trip through West Sweden.
