Get to know West Sweden
This is a feature from Issue 21 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.
What's it all about?
Welcome to West Sweden, a vast region that’s a wonderful mix of forward-thinking cities and truly wild landscapes. This corner of the country is home to Gothenburg, officially the most sustainable city on the planet (says the Global Sustainability Index), as well as the Bohuslan archipelago of 8,000 incredible islands, pristine lakes, cosy cabins – and some highly-coveted cinnamon buns.
The Soteleden-Kuststigen Trail
Feel like stretching your legs? Nine signposted stages of this beautiful hiking route wind through sun-dappled woodland and then hug the coast of West Sweden, passing traditional red-painted cabins and tempting swimming spots, and even encircling an island – Ramsvik, a nature reserve known as the ‘kingdom of rocks’ for its smooth granite boulders.
Blue Food
West Sweden’s coastline is a treasure trove of sustainable treats, and an increasing number of restaurateurs and producers are getting inspired by the available seafood, or blue food, as it’s known locally. Mussels, oysters, sea weed and even sea cucumber and glass shrimp are readily available and at their best outside of the summer months. Farmed responsibly (as it is here), blue food is both good for us and good for the environment.
Meet the Locals
The charming Meet the Locals scheme hooks up visitors with volunteers from all over West Sweden for the day. Sign up to the scheme and you could find yourself hiking along the Gothenburg Canal with Alf, exploring the island of Tjorn with Malin, or road cycling with Pontus around Mariestad, each offering their own unique perspective on the place.
The 72 Hour Cabin
Escape far from the madding Wi-Fi signal to the shores of Lake Iväg and stay off grid in one of the 72 Hour Cabins (others are dotted around the region too). Built of glass for an uninterrupted view of the stars, the cabins sit on their own peninsula and are only bookable for 72-hour slots – apparently, that’s how long you’ll need to stay to significantly lower your stress levels. Spend your days kayaking, SUP-ing and fishing on the glassy waters of the lake and keep an eye out for neighbouring elk.
The province of Dalsland is often called 'Sweden in miniature' due to its pocket-sized layout of lakes, islands and forests.
Dyrön and Tjörn Islands
With 8,000 islands to choose from in West Sweden’s archipelago, it’s hard to play favourites. A sustainable place to start is car-free Dyrön, where you’ll find mouflon sheep, a round-island hiking route and a gorgeous community sauna perched by the sea. Neighbouring Tjörn is an art lover’s dream, home to the Nordic Watercolour Museum and the Pilane Sculpture Park.
Green Gothenburg
Sweden’s second-largest city and sustainable poster child Gothenburg is a wonderfully people friendly place, with a pedestrianised city centre and a goal of running 100% emission-free transport by 2030 (locals whizz about on bikes, hop on electric trams, or rent sustainably designed electric boats). It doesn’t take itself too seriously, though – there’s great nightlife, quirky vintage shops and a Nordic foodie scene that champions ethically-sourced ingredients.
Three Favourites for Fika:
Fika is the timehonoured Swedish ritual of a coffee and-cake break, usually taken at 10am and 3pm. A kanelbullar cardamomcinnamon bun is the classic fika sweet treat – try some of the region’s very best at:
CAFÉ HUSAREN, GOTHENBURG
Home of the hagabullen, an enormous(sly good) cinnamon bun.
NOT QUITE, DALSLAND
A disused paper mill transformed into a vibrant cultural centre, Not Quite is an arts hub that also deserves to be known for its coffee and cakes.
NYGRENS CAFÉ, ALINGSÅS
The town of Alingsås is the capital of fika in Sweden – join a café-hopping fika tour or just head straight to Nygrens for amazing homemade bread.
Ready to visit West Sweden?
Speak to our team of expert travel agents to plan your perfect break, and remember, you can donate 5% of your holiday price to the charity of your choice at no extra cost to you!
This is a feature from Issue 21 of Charitable Traveller.
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