Lysekil is a beautiful town on the West Coast of Sweden. It’s the perfect place to base yourself for a few days in the Bohuslän region, a “must” stop on a West Coast Road Trip, or a great day trip from Gothenburg. There are so many things to do here all year round – from swimming in the cold bathing house to walking around Stångehuvuds Nature Reserve, wandering the old town, or taking a ferry trip over to the picturesque fishing villages on Skaftö.
Living in Gothenburg, we take a lot of day trips to different villages and towns along the West Coast. Lysekil has always been on my list of places to go, but being a big city it never really made it to the top. Finally, after four years, we took a day trip to Lysekil, and I am so so happy we finally did – I loved it! We visited over the Easter weekend so in the early spring. The town was very much quieter than I imagine it gets in the summer and unfortunately a lot of the shops and restaurants were closed. Although, that didn’t make much of a difference for us as we usually enjoy the more nature focused side of visiting new places anyway! We spent most of the day enjoying the spring sunshine in the nature reserve.
Spending more time on the West Coast? Make sure to check out my West Sweden Map with over 300 tips for hikes, farm shops viewpoints, and other places to visit. Get it here.
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About Lysekil
Lysekil has long been influenced by its proximity to the sea. Starting off as a small fishing village, it expanded throughout the 18th and 19th centuries as the fishing and commercial shipping industries grew. It was in the 19th century that Lysekil became a popular tourist destination, known for its spas and bathing possibility. You can see this still today at Lysekil Kallbadhus. In the town there are two nature reserves: Stångehuvud and Gullmarn Fjord. The first is the beautiful red granite cliffs that surround the town, once a big stone quarry it was bought it 1920 with a focus on conservation. Gullmarn Fjord was Sweden’s first marine conservation area.
Where to stay in Lysekil
Strand Flickornas has been on my list of places to stay since the very first summer I spent here. They have a few different properties, all located right in the heart of Lysekil. The first, Strandvillan Hotell och Bed & Breakfast, is a charming bed and breakfast decorated with traditional designs that reflect the coast. The second of the properties is Strandflickornas Havshotell Lysekil, another beautifully styled hotel by the sea. The building itself was built in the late 1800s and the decor is inspired by the traditional “sekelskifte” time period.
The last hotel type accomodation if Strandflickornas Annex Gula Villan – a beautiful old style gold villa with a glass veranda looking out over the ocean and the feeling of staying in a house frozen in time (in all the best ways). The final accomodation (and the one I would most LOVE to stay in) is Husen Vid Havet, a small cottage by the sea with its own sauna and jacuzzi. It looks super cosy and just the perfect place for a getaway. We actually have this booked for a weekend this spring so I’ll come back to this post afterwards and update it with photos and more information!
See more: Of course, there are lots of other hotels and places to stay in Lysekil if this isn’t your style! You can find them all on this page.
Things to do in Lysekil
Take in the views from Lysekils Utsiktstorn
We started the day with a short walk around the town, heading straight to Lysekils Utsiktstorn, just behind the church. From Lysekils Kyrka, its just a few minutes walk out to the viewing platform where you can see a 360 degree view over Lysekil. While its not the most beautiful view I have ever seen, its a great place to start and get an overview of the town and just how big it is.
Swim at Lysekils Kallbadhuset
Lysekils Kallbadhuset (cold bathing house) takes you back in time to 1906 when visiting a bath house was the “proper” way to swim in the sea. Built traditionally as a men’s bathing house, today Lysekils Kallbadhuset has a men’s and a women’s section and even a sauna.
In the summer, the bathing house is open to the public to swim free of charge from 7 – 21 every day! If you want to use the sauna, you will need to pay an additional 100kr to the organisation. To swim here in the winter months (September to June) you will need to pay a 100kr fee or become a member. As a member you can swim all season. The members fee is 200kr a year, or 400kr including the sauna.
Explore Stångehuvuds Nature Reserve
Stångehuvuds Nature Reserve is a big rocky area on the West of Lysekil. It’s most well known for its lighthouse (Stångehuvuds Fyr). This is a picturesque white house perched on the fluid rocks looking out over the coastline. Throughout the nature reserve you will find lots of different small harbours, viewpoints, and boat houses.
Tip: There are a few different coastal walks you can do in Lysekil. On our day trip we followed the coastal path which took only a few hours. you can find a map of all the walks on this page.
Vikarvet
Vikarvet is a cultural heritage site started in 1915 with the goal of saving old houses and ancient monuments both in Lysekil and the surrounding area. Over the last 100 years it has developed and now has a focus on the conservation of cultural history – the traditional coastal lifestyles of those who once lived in the area. Most conservation objects can be found by the museum itself, just on the outskirts of Stångehuvuds Nature Reserve (map). My favourite was the “Boat house and cattle house” – very typical to the West Coast and one of the most picturesque boat houses I have seen.
See more: On this page you can find more information about each object as well as a map of the cultural heritage site.
Take a Day Trip to Fiskebäckskil
One of my top recommendations, not only for things to do in Lysekil but things to do in West Sweden, is to take the ferry over to the nearby village of Fiskebäckskil. This picturesque little fishing village is on the island of Skaftö, just over the water from Lysekil. It is one of my absolute favourite places on the West Coast – mostly because of the colourful mess of houses, flowers, and boat houses, that make up the center.
There’s not much to do when you get there apart from explore the village and maybe have some lunch in the harbour so you don’t need much time! Alternatively, you can walk part of the Kuststigen to either Grundsund or Östersidan. The views from Östersidan are beautiful, but the walk to Grundsund and Grundsund itself make this the better choice! The hike is a relatively easy 6km and takes around 2 hours. From Grundsund there is a bus back to Fiskebäckskil. You can find all the information you need on this page.
The ferry leaves from Lysekil Södra Hamnen and only takes 18 minutes (line 847) to cross to Fiskebäckskil. You can find the timetables here.
Explore Gamlestaden – Lysekil’s Old Town
If you have spent much time on Sweden’s West Coast and you’re anything like me, you have probably already fallen in love with the picturesque, colourful wooden houses typical to Bohuslän. While Lysekil is a much bigger town than the likes of Smögen and Käringön, hidden away on Gamla Strandgatan (map) you will find Lysekil’s old town. While it’s just one street, it’s definitely worth a quick visit for the cosy West Coast village vibes. Entering from the east end (off Kungsgatan) you will find the big iron sign welcoming you to the old town.
Vann Spa
Just outside of Lysekil you will find Vann Spa, a tranquil escape nestled into the middle of the forest. Vann Spa is a classic Swedish style spa hotel, with a big conference style hotel and amazing spa. In the winter, its the perfect place to relax, take a sauna and maybe a cold dip, while in the summer the outdoor pool is open for a little more lively atmosphere. Over the years I have been to quite a few spas near Gothenburg, and what I loved about Vann Spa is the different themed pools. From the forest pool with the small of ine and sounds of birds chirping, to the darker pool with sounds of thunder and dimmed lights.
You can visit Vann Spa for the day, stay overnight, or book one of their packages! A favourite thing of mine is to book the breakfast package (frukostpaket) as this includes breakfast with a view followed by a few hours in the spa. Find their packages and more information here.
Visit Havets Hus
Havets Hus is an aquarium exhibiting the different sea life that exist along the West Coast. They have daily guided tours and feeding of the different fish that are included in the price of the entry ticket. While it’s not massive, it is definitely very immersive and interesting if you are not already familiar with the fish that reside in the waters around Lysekil. You don’t need to book in advance, tickets can always be bought on site when you arrive. You can find all the information you need to visit Havets Hus on this page.
Västerhavspromenaden
Västerhavspromenaden is a 1.1km board walk that takes you around the granite cliffs on the North side of Lysekil. The walk is short but but beautiful, starting at the little inlet at Ålevik and ending at the picturesque harbour Stora Långevik. If you are planning on walking the trail around Stångehuvud you can continue on to the Västerhavspromenade by following the road towards Gamla Strandgatan and then crossing over to the coastal path.
Find it: The walk begins at Ålevik (map) and ends at Stora Långevik (map).
Swim at Pinneviksbadet
If you’re looking for a nice, sandy place to swim then Pinneviksbadet is perfect! In the summer, this place is thriving with bathers enjoing the shallow water. The area is a mix of sand and rocky bathing spots so perfect for everyone. The beach is only a short walk from the town centre if you follow Turistgatan from Havets Hus.
See more: I have created a map with over 300 different spots to visit in West Sweden! You can find it here.
Tours and Activities
Below you will find all the best tours and activities near Lysekil. See them all here.
Things To Do in Lysekil: An Overview
Lysekil is a lovely town to visit – especially if you enjoy walking, exploring the nature of the West Coast, and taking a swim! Whether you are visiting on a day trip or spending more time here, I hope my tips have helped you plan the perfect trip!
Where to next?
- Nearby villages: Smögen, Käringön, Tjörn, Orust, Marstrand
- West Sweden Guides: 7 Day West Sweden Road Trip, The Ultimate Guide to West Sweden
- Hiking: The Kuststigen from Kungshamn, Bohus Malmön, Hikes near Gothenburg, The Gotaleden Trail
- Day Trips from Gothenburg: Gothenburg Archipelago, Styrsö, Donsö, Hönö, Vrångö
- Maps: 300+ Places in West Sweden, 300+ Places in South Sweden
- Scandinavia Itineraries: 10 Day Scandinavia Itinerary, 5 to 10 Day Sweden Itinerary Ideas
