Get to know West Sweden
Words by Lizzie Trimble
This is a feature from Issue 19 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.
What's it all about?
Look at the region of West Sweden on a map and it seems pretty small, but in fact, it covers a vast area 1.9 times the size of the UK. Gothenburg is located by the North Sea on Sweden’s west coast, which stretches all the way to the Norwegian border. With miles and miles of unspoilt countryside, clean air and countless sporting activities, word is spreading that Sweden is a great holiday destination. It’s not as expensive as some other Scandinavian countries, and is a cooler alternative to the soaring summer temperatures found in many other parts of Europe.
Take a stroll in Gothenburg
Compact and easy to explore on foot, stopping off at the many cafes and restaurants, get a different perspective of the city with a guided tour on the Paddan sightseeing boats that travel the canals and rivers. Next to the main station is a lovely hotel called the Clarion Hotel Post. Once the old post office headquarters, it’s now modern and trendy with a spa and rooftop pool. Lining the river are the grand old merchant houses, and you can follow the river through the beautiful Trädgårdsföreningen Park to the Opera House and on to the old part of the city, Haga.
Getting around the region
From Gothenburg, an extensive network of trains, buses and even ferries spreads across the region, making it easy to get around by public transport. Gothenburg’s train station, in particular, is impressive and the trains are efficient and punctual, so you could base yourself in Gothenburg and do day trips or overnight trips from the city. While the road system is superb, with wide, open roads and easy driving, hiking and biking instead is very much encouraged!
What to do
For nature and active holiday lovers, West Sweden is a paradise. Hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, skiing and horseback riding are all on offer, to name a few. Make a beeline for the newly opened and flat cycle route along the Gota Canal to Lyrestad, where you’ll find plenty of picturesque locks and cafes along the route. Or hike the Biosphere Trail, a 138km trail hugging the vast Lake Vanern to the north of the region – and don’t miss the views of the fairytale Lacko Castle from the Roparudden Path.
What to eat and drink
The food in West Sweden is incredible, particularly the fish from the lakes and the shellfish along the coast. The emphasis is very much on farm to table, and restaurants and hotels grow as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible themselves, buying in other ingredients from local producers. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for with plenty of choices, and dairy alternatives are offered as standard. Make sure to leave space for fika, the practice of having coffee or tea with a sweet cake or pastry at any time of day – you’ll be offered fika everywhere you visit.
West Sweden aims to create economically viable businesses and tourism that have positive environmental impacts and are appreciated by residents and visitors alike. In practice, it means encouraging fewer visitors to stay longer and travel by public transport where possible
Lay your head
There are some amazing and unusual places to stay in West Sweden, from lovely little inns and former lock house keepers’ or station masters’ houses, to farm stays in traditional red wooden buildings and manor house hotels. The most memorable, however, has to be staying in a Glass House on the shores of a lake. These houses, in secluded spots by lakes or in the forest, allow you to be completely at one with nature. Cosy and fitted with high-end bed linen and duvets, you can relax and gaze at the stars, the lakes and the forest, with only the sound of the birds to entertain you. Breakfast is delivered to your little private campsite, and you can light a fire in the evenings and cook and dine al fresco.
3 great places to visit BY TRAIN FROM GOTHENBURG
ALINGSÅS, 26MIN
A really cute city with cobbled streets and charming wooden houses, Alingsås is known as the capital of fika, with 30 cafes offering tea, coffee and delicious cakes. The scent of freshly ground coffee and cake fills the air.
LIDKÖPING, 1HR
Visit the porcelain factory, then stroll into the main square and admire the church and the unusual town hall, before browsing the art galleries and gift shops. Lacko Castle is also close by. MARIESTAD, 2HR 30MIN
From the train station, walk through the grounds of the magnificent cathedral and arrive at this picturesque port on the banks of Lake Vanern – it’s full of buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
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 19 of Charitable Traveller.
by net effect