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| At 7 o’clock on 21 September, the waters around Gothenburg and along the Bohuslän coast buzz with activity as boats head out for the official start of Sweden’s lobster season. |
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The salty water and rocky seabed create ideal conditions in which European lobster thrives, making lobster fishing an experience deeply rooted in the region.
Lobster season is one of the highlights of autumn on Sweden’s West Coast, with hotels and local fishers joining forces to offer lobster safaris, seafood dinners, and coastal accommodation.
Here are four excellent ways to join the excitement:
Pater Noster, Hamneskär island
Far out at sea on Sweden’s West Coast, Pater Noster is an internationally award-winning destination on an isolated island within a nature reserve, centred around its historic 1868 lighthouse Guests join experienced local fishers to haul lobster pots and learn about the fishing tradition and life beneath the surface before enjoying the catch back on the island. Head chef Johan Bengtsson is also a marine biologist, so conversations over dinner go beyond flavours and preparation to life beneath the surface, why lobster thrives in these waters, and how the sea’s resources can be used responsibly.
Skärgårdshotellet Hönö, Gothenburg Archipelago
Set by the harbour in Hönö Klåva, just an hour from Gothenburg, this small, family-run hotel is a perfect base for experiencing island life. Its lobster package combines a traditional fishing trip in the archipelago with freshly caught seafood and a seven-course lobster dinner.
Lådfabriken, Orust island
Just 30 metres from the sea in the old fishing village of Edshultshall, this former fish box factory is now a small B&B full of colour and individual design touches. In autumn, guests can head out lobster fishing before returning for a four-course lobster dinner featuring local seafood and creative cooking.
Väderöarnas Värdshus, Väderöarna islands
Far out in the Bohuslän archipelago, surrounded by the open sea, Väderöarnas Värdshus offers a true escape on some of Sweden’s westernmost islands. Guests head out with experienced local fishers to haul lobster pots before returning for dinner, with a sea-view sauna and hot tub completing the experience.
These experiences are a great reason to explore the coast in autumn and are just a few of the many things that make West Sweden an attractive destination beyond the summer. |
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| Global adventure travel company Intrepid Travel has included Dalsland, in West Sweden, in its Not Hot List 2027, highlighting 10 lesser-known destinations around the world that deserve more attention. |
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Put together with input from local guides, destination experts, and external research, the list looks at visitor numbers, how ready destinations are to welcome visitors, and what makes 2027 a good time to visit. It encourages travellers to look beyond overcrowded hotspots and discover places where their visits can benefit local communities.
That thinking also fits with Stepping up Sustainability (Hållbarhetsklivet), West Sweden’s joint initiative to develop tourism that benefits local communities while protecting the nature and cultural heritage that make a place worth visiting. |
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| Cinnamon Bun Day, Kanelbullens dag, is celebrated across Sweden on 4 October. Right now, we’re inviting our social media followers to vote for West Sweden’s best cinnamon bun, with the winner announced on 29 September. |
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| Cinnamon buns are a firm favourite in Sweden’s much-loved fika culture. West Sweden is also home to Alingsås, Sweden’s Capital of Fika, where you can join a guided fika tour and discover the town’s many cafés and bakeries. |
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| French rail travel specialist Discovery Trains has put together a new eight-day itinerary in West Sweden, taking in Gothenburg, the archipelago, and Dalsland. |
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After a couple of days in Gothenburg and the Gothenburg archipelago, travellers head by train and bus to Håverud to explore the region’s heritage, lakes, and forests.
The itinerary will be introduced to the French market at an event in Lyon on 8 October, with presentations, photography, and film giving a taste of the journey and what visitors can expect along the way. |
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| On 9 October, Marstrands Havshotell, just 45 minutes north of Gothenburg, opens Kontrasternas Spa, meaning “The Spa of Contrasts”. |
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The new 1,200-square-metre spa takes inspiration from Bohuslän’s changing seasons and coastal landscape. It’s all about contrasts: warmth and cold, calm and energy. Guests move between warm pools and saunas, cold plunges, a snow shower, and a storm room inspired by the dramatic weather of Sweden’s West Coast.
The spa is set on the waterfront opposite Marstrand island, giving it enviable views of the busy harbour and historic Carlsten Fortress. It gives visitors another reason to head to the archipelago at any time of year. |
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