Tjörn is one of the most popular islands on the West Coast of Sweden, and for good reason. Located in the southern Bohuslän region, it is well-known for its beautiful landscape, vibrant fishing villages, and unique places to visit. During the summer people flock here from all over Sweden to enjoy the refreshing coastal life, and in the off seasons it makes for the perfect slow escape. In this guide to Tjörn you will find the best places to visit, things to do, and tips for visiting this beautiful island.
Being so close to Gothenburg, I have had the luxury of visiting Tjörn quite regularly over the last few years. At first, I was unsure how I felt about the island – having visited Skärhamn for a day trip and not having seen much else I was not so impressed. However, after taking a few more trips back and discovering all the other places Tjörn has to offer – from the old fishing huts on Valsängs Strand to a day trip out to Åstol – my mind has been changed completely. Now, I can’t wait to share all these tips for things to do and places to visit on Tjörn with you!
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About Tjörn Island, Bohuslän, Sweden
Tjörn is the sixth largest island in Sweden, known for its rocky shores and rolling meadows, and deep-rooted maritime traditions. For centuries the island’s coastal communities have lived on fishing, boat building and seafaring. Today, the island is often referred to as the island of art, home to the Nordic Watercolour Museum and Pilane Sculpture Park.
Tip: If you are visiting Tjörn in July, don’t miss the wooden boat festival held in the village of Skärhamn.
Places to Visit on Tjörn
Skärhamn
Skärhamn is one of the two bigger towns on Tjörn. Located in the middle of the West Coast, it is a popular holiday spot and base if you are spending more than a few days on the island. In Skärhamn you will find the Nordic Watercolor Museum (Nordiska Akvarellmuseet) where you will find artworks from Swedish and world-renowned artists such as Salvadore Dali, Lars Lerin, Elsa Beskow and Anders Zorn. By the museum you will find a row of great restaurants, all with terraces overlooking the island opposite, and a small sandy beach perfect for families (Gråskärs badplats). From here you can follow the board walk around the harbour towards the main town, passing the old fishing huts along the way (map).
In the town you will find a beautiful traditional fishing village – rows of white wooden houses lining narrow hilly streets. Just north of the town you will find Toftenäs naturreservat, a beautiful nature reserve with a short hike along the cliffs. This is the perfect place for a summer picnic or barbeque in one of the fire pits along the trail.
See also: Find all your Skärhamn accommodation options here!
Klädesholmen
Klädesholmen is the other bigger town on Tjörn, located on the south-west corner of the island. An island, connected to the mainland via a long bridge, this is a beautiful place to visit along your trip. The fishing village is much more like those other smaller towns on the west coast – houses almost piled on top of each other along the cliffs and swimming spots in every corner!
Here you will also find the restaurant Salt & Sill, one of the most well-known eateries on the West Coast. Here they serve traditional Swedish food from the West coast, including shrimp sandwiches, pickled herring, and caviar.
To add to your experience on Klädesholmen you can hire the cliffside sauna, either privately or as part of a group session! All year round this is a great way to experience the coastline.
Things To Do on Tjörn
Take a Day Trip Out To An Island
Härön – Hiking through the wild coastal landscape
While Tjörn is technically an island, the vast size of it and ease in moving around makes it much more like part of the mainland. If you want to experience the smaller “island life”, then there is nothing better than taking a day trip from Tjörn to one of the smaller islands nearby. From Kyrkesund you can catch the ferry to Härön. This is quite a sleepy island with a beautiful walking track around Häröns naturreservat. This trail is part of the Kuststigen, a walking trail that has different sections all over Bohuslän. In total, the island loop is 5km and takes around 2 hours without stops. On the way back, you can stop by Magasinet Härön for lunch or a fika before heading back to the mainland.
Find details on hiking around Härön on this page!
Åstol – Discover Bohuslän’s Most Picturesque Island
Alternatively, you can head to the island of Åstol on the south coast. Arguably one of the most picturesque islands in the Bohuslän region, Åstol is known for its cosy fishing village and harbour inlet. From a distance, the island appears as a crop of white houses in the middle of the water. This is the perfect day trip if you want to visit an “authentic” fishing village, wander around a cute little town and get some good lunch. I recommend saving a whole day for a visit to Åstol so you have time to visit the entire island and really get a feel for the village.
Don’t miss: Åstol Island Guide
Dyrön – Sauna and hiking through a unique landscape
Dyrön is the last island day trip option from Tjörn. This is the perfect mix between fishing village and nature reserve. In the summer, the harbour is a popular destination for sailors and the island comes to life. Spend the day wandering around the nature reserve, taking in views of nearby Åstol and Marstrand. Alternatively, you can hire the sauna for a few hours and enjoy a dip in the sea. Dyrön is known for its unique nature, with rocky cliffs and small mountains that cover the hilly coastal island.
See also: Dyrön Island Guide
Hiking Trails on Tjörn
Tjörns wild landscape lends itself well to walking, with several different hiking trails around the island. Part of the Kustleden (a coastal walk that covers the whole of West Sweden) there are loop walks around Dyrön (6km), Säby (2km), Härön (5km), and Sundsby Säteri (4.5km). Having done all of these walks in the past I would recommend the walk from Sundsby Säteri as you get a mix of coast, forest, and somewhere great for lunch or fika afterwards. If you have more time though, I would definitely recommend taking a trip to either Dyrön or Härön for the day!
As well as the hiking trail around Toftenäs that I mentioned earlier, you can head to Vetteberget, Tjörns highest point. This trail is around 4km and has incredible views over the coast. On a sunny, clear day, you can see all the way to Denmark! On the other side of Tjörn you have the 2km long Åsebyledenforest trail.
Pilane Sculpture Park (Skulptur i Pilane)
Sometimes referred to as the Island of Art, Tjörn is home to the Pilane Sculture Park, an outdoor art museum housing sculptures from world renowned artists. Throughout the summer there are more exhibitions open, with temporary exhibitions on display. At this time of year entrance 150kr per person. In the autumn, winter and early spring, there is less on display but you are still welcome to visit the park free of charge.
You can find more information about each of the sculptures on this page.
Summertime Berry Picking
A summertime favourite of mine on the West Coast is berry picking – whether it’s wild strawberries by the coast or stopping to grab a punnet from a local berry farm. Lekanders Bär & Boende is a favourite place to visit on Tjörn. Throughout the summer they have strawberries, raspberries and black currents available for self-picking. You can find more information about the dates they are open and their selection on this page.
Visit a Swedish Style Spa
There’s no better way to get into the spirit of island life than by spending a few hours at a spa. Along the west coast of Sweden there are so many great spas to visit – with some of them located on the island of Tjörn. The first, and only proper spa on Tjörn is Vann Spa. This is an amazing place – especially if you are yet to try out a Swedish style spa. Here, not only do they have an indoor area with several different heated and themed pools, they have multiple saunas, relaxing rooms, a waterside sauna, and an outdoor pool in the summer!
If you want something a little less extravagant, you can try the sauna at Björholmen Hotell & Restaurang. Here they have a sauna out by the water, with beautiful views of the rocky cliffs and possibility to take a cold dip! I can also recommend staying the night here or visiting on a Sunday for their brunch and sauna sessions!
You will also find saunas at Tubbevikens Bastu, Klädesholmens Bastu, Blekets Bastu, and the hotel Salt and Sill in Klädesholmen.
You might enjoy: The Best Spas Near Gothenburg
Runes Rhododendron Park
If you are visiting in spring (May/ June) then somewhere off the beaten track worth adding to your itinerary is Runes Rhododendron Park. This is one of Sweden’s biggest Rhodedendron parks, privately owned, with a beautiful small trail leading through the colourful, flower covered bushes.
The Old Fishing Huts at Valsängs Strand
Another hidden gem on Tjörn are the beautiful old fishing huts on Valsängs Strand. Here you will find several 300-year-old boat houses, a rare sight along the west coast. Originally, there were 7 timber houses lining the shore here, however over time the number has gone down to 5, 4 of which have been protected as cultural heritage since 1990.
To get out to Valsängs Strand you will need to park in the nearby carpark and walk down the road. The walk is around 10 minutes on a relatively easy gravel path.
Spending more time in Sweden? Check out this guide to The Best Places to Visit in Sweden This Summer
Fika on Tjörn
Something that I think makes this region of Sweden so special to visit is the number of farmshops and cafes nestled into the countryside. On Tjörn, there are a few special places like this that are worth a stop. Below are a few of my favourites, but you can find a complete list of farm shops on Tjörn on this page.
Lottas Bak & Form
Lottas is an amazing sourdough bakery with an incredibly picturesque outdoor dining terrace located on the mainland by Klädesholmen. This is a favourite fika stop for me when we are visiting this area of Tjörn, especially on a sunny clear day! The view from the terrace is amazing and the pastries and great. If you want something more than a fika, then you can head here at lunch time for a sourdough sandwich or pizza.
Margaretas Kök och Skafferi
Margaretas Kök och Skafferi is the café that resides in the old Sundsby Säteri. Here there is a beautiful outdoor garden and cosy indoor dining area. The café serves traditional Swedish dishes and is a great lunch stop along the road, or after hiking the Sundsbyleden.
Moriks Fårgård
Moriks Fårgård is a very cosy little farm shop and café that only opens during the summer season. This is a real hidden gem, nestled into the countryside between Klädesholmen and Tjörn. In the café they serve homemade pastries, and in the farm shop you will find everything from produce from the farm to locally designed ceramics and homewares.
How To Get To Tjörn
Tjörn is located on Sweden’s West Coast. Assuming you are starting your trip in the city of Gothenburg, you can either hire a car and drive to Tjörn or take public transport. The drive takes around 1 hour depending on where on the island you are heading – making Tjörn the perfect day trip or weekend getaway. Find car rental options on this page.
Alternatively, you can take the bus to Tjörn. If you choose to do this, I recommend spending a few days on the island and making somewhere like Skärhamn your base. This gives you the opportunity to take day trips to other areas of the island without having to worry about complex bus routes. To get to Skärhamn from Gothenburg you will need to first catch the train to Stenungsund (40 minutes), and then the bus to Skärhamns Torg (34 minutes). You can find all the best route options and times on Västtrafik’s app or website.
Tip: West Sweden 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary
Where to Stay on Tjörn Island
There are so many different places to stay on Tjörn depending what sort of experience you want! From my experiences, I can really recommend Björholmen Hotell & Restaurang or Hotell Nordevik.
Björholmen Hotell and Restaurant is the perfect getaway – located in the north of the island by the harbour it feels like the perfect West coast experience. They have an amazing restaurant and a sauna that you can book, and it is the perfect location for exploring all areas of Tjörn by car. We have stayed here in both summer and winter and each time come away feeling like we have had the perfect trip.
If you are not hiring a car and instead are basing yourself in Skärhamn then Hotell Nordevik is a great, centrally located hotel but still with something special.
Find More Accomodation Options on Tjörn:
Overview of Tjörn, Sweden and More Tips
The island of Tjörn, on Sweden’s Bohuslän region, is no secret. A popular destination for both locals and tourists, this island has so much to offer. From the vibrant fishing towns of Klädesholmen and Skärhamn, to the art in Pilane Sculture Park and the raw nature of Vetteberget. Tjörn is a beautiful island to explore with so many different places to see and things to do. With this post I have highlighted the top destinations and tips, but of course there are so many more places to discover yourself! Hidden inlets, small fishing harbours, and pristine swimming spots – they’re all waiting for you!
Tip: Take a look at my West Sweden map with over 300+ tips for destinations, hiking trails, fika spots, hotels, spas and more!
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