Imagine narrow alleyways lined with white house’s intertwining along the cliffside on their way down to the harbour, colourful boat houses backed by cliffs, and a pristine rocky coastline perfect for late summer night swims – That is Smögen. One of the most picturesque islands on Sweden’s West Coast, it is no surprise that this is one Sweden’s most visited destinations. While it might sound like a lot of hype, I can tell you that Smögen definitely delivers everything it promises. From the lively old harbour turned restaurant quarter, to the calming pools of Smögens Hasvsbad, you won’t be disappointed with a visit here!
Living in Gothenburg, we are relatively close to Smögen and make sure to take a trip at least once every year. In the summer, it is a real island paradise. Restaurants open for the season and the swimming spots are busting with people (in a good way I promise!). In the autumn and winter, it’s the perfect place for a quiet spa weekend, quiet, relaxing, and still just as beautiful.
In this guide I have put together a few of the best things to do in Smögen and the surrounding area – no matter what time of year you plan to visit!
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How To Get to Smögen
Getting to Smögen from Gothenburg
For this blog post I will assume you are visiting Smögen as part of a visit to the West Coast of Sweden, so it is likely you will be passing through the city of Gothenburg. To get to Smögen from Gothenburg is possible with both public transport and driving.
If you are driving, the trip takes just under 2 hours. If you can, and are thinking about hiring a car, I do recommend it! A West Sweden road trip is an amazing way to see this part of the country and having a car gives you so many possibilities for stops along the way! Find your best car hire options here.
Taking public transport from Gothenburg, you will want to start off by downloading the Västtrafik app on your phone. This is the public transportation app for West Sweden and here you can not only plan your route, but also buy tickets. To travel from Gothenburg to Smögen you will need to purchase an ABC zone ticket. There are a few different connections, each taking around 3 hours in total. I have taken the 841 from Nils Ericsson bus terminal in Gothenburg to Torp Terminalen and then the 860 Smögen busstation on past trips and it has always been quite a nice journey!
You might like: Get my West Sweden Map with over 300+ curated hikes, villages, cafes, viewpoints and more!
Where To Stay in Smögen
Smögenshafvsbad Spa Hotel
My first recommendation has to be Smögen’s Hafvsbad. This is a beautiful spa hotel located in the heart of Smögen. It is the perfect mix of luxury and relaxation, with an amazing in-house restaurant, beautiful spa and great location. We have visited and stayed at Smögens Hafvsbad quite a few times over the past few years and have always has the best time. Being able to start with an amazing breakfast, spending the best part of the day wandering around Smögen, and ending with an afternoon in the spa is the perfect way to visit this seaside town.
Tip: I recommend staying at least two nights in Smögen and slowly exploring the area if you can!
The Cottage in Smögen
For something a little more casual and cosier, this great little cottage nestled into one of the streets on Smögen is a great pick! With space for 2 to 3 people this is the perfect self-catering style accommodation option for a smaller group.
See more: Find all your Smögen accommodation options here!
The Best Things to Do in Smögen, Sweden
Smögen is quite a small island and if I could recommend anything, it would be to visit with the intention of taking it slow and spending time enjoying the Swedish island lifestyle. Obviously, there are quite different things to do depending on what season you visit. Being a “summer island”, many of the restaurants and shops are closed from late September to April and some other tourist attractions run on a reduced schedule. Most things on this list are possible to do all year round but it is worth checking in advance if you are visiting outside of the peak season.
Visit Smögenbryggan (Smögen Harbour)
Probably the most well-known pier in West Sweden and definitely one of the most photographed, you can’t miss a visit to Smögenbryggan while in Smögen. Known for its colourful line of boat houses that sit along the water’s edge, Smögenbryggan is really the heart of Smögen. Home to a few great restaurants and boutique shops, a walk along here is a must. I can recommend starting from Smögens Fiskauktion and wandering around the harbour until you read Smögenbryggan. From here you can follow the path up and around the rocks towards Kleven where you can get a beautiful view of the harbour from another perspective (map).
Take a dip from the cliffs
Smögen is home to some of the best swimming spots, with an abundance of rocky cliffs and inlets typical to the West Coast of Sweden. The best thing about visiting Smögen is that it is a small island and therefore very walkable – you can beach hop all day or seek out your favourite. However, most of the swimming spots do also have a nearby car park if you are just visiting Smögen for a few hours or on a day trip.
The Best Swimming Spots on Smögen
As it is an island, you can pretty much swim anywhere along the coast of Smögen if it is not on private land! Sometimes it is nice to go to these spots and then take a little walk away from the main area and find your own hidden spot. Below you will find a list of all the swimming spots on Smögen. These spots all have stair access to the water, and some have diving platforms and small boat sheds too.
- Badhusparken
- Sandö
- Valerie
- Flöjten
- Kleven
- Smögen’s Hafvsbad Bryggan
Wander The Streets of Smögen
My absolute favourite thing to do when I visit any small town on the West Coast of Sweden is to spend some time exploring the village. Smögen is one of my favourite places to do this. Here, every corner you turn is a picturesque little alley way or small garden with some type of interesting decoration or old lemonade stand. It is a special place where you are able to weave in and out of the houses, down cobblestone paths and through strange laneways. It really brings out your sense of wonder!
The houses here are all traditional Swedish style, most wooden and painted white with orange roofs! When you look closer it is amazing to see all the unique details put into every window frame or balcony.
Tip: If you like Smögen then you may also like Marstrand, Käringön, or Fiskebäckskil.
Take a day trip to Hållä Lighthouse
One of the best things to do in Smögen if you are staying for a few days is to take a day trip out to the island of Hållö. Known for its lighthouse, this island is only 10 minutes from Smögen with a boat leaves every 30 minutes from the harbour. On the island, don’t miss exploring the lighthouse or taking a dip in the pristine waters of Marmorbassängen Hållö – known to be one of the most beautiful swimming spots in West Sweden. You can find the information here.
See More: Find all the best tours and activities in Smögen
Visit Norden’s Ark Wildlife Park
Norden’s Ark is a wildlife park and conservation centre located just outside of Smögen. It is a great day out for both adults and children, and they are open all year round! If you want to visit, you can find their information here.
Walking Trails on Smögen
If you enjoy walking, then there are a few different trails to explore on Smögen. Bear in mind that the island is quite small, so these walks are not proper hiking trails, more short walks around the island. There are three main walking paths on Smögen with slightly different environments so you can choose which suits your needs best!
The first is the trail through Sandön Nature Reserve. This is a 1.5km walk through the nature reserve with beautiful coastal views. You can find the map and brochure (unfortunately in Swedish) on this page.
The second trail is called Hästen. This runs around the cliffs near Smögenbryggan and is a good pick for a short walk if you are only visiting Smögen for the day. Find the map here.
Tip: If you want a longer walk, I can recommend the nearby stretch of the Kuststigen or taking a day trip to Bohus Malmön!
Swedish Whiskey Tasting at Mackmyra
If you like whiskey and want to try something different, then take a visit to the Mackmyra Whiskey Cellar for a tasting. Located by Smögen Bryggan, here you can take part in a whiskey tasting and walk around their stores! The tastings last around 1.5 hours. You can find all the information here.
Lobster and Crayfish Fishing
With Smögens Fiske och Skärgårdsturer you can take a unique trip out into the archipelago looking for lobsters, crayfish, crabs and fish. What is available when you visit will depend on the season, with the fishing tours held on a regular basis and the lobster safari only occurring in September You can find a complete list of their tours here.
Spa Day at Smögen’s Hafvsbad
No matter what time of year you are visiting Smögen, one of the best things to do is visit Smögens Hafvsbad for a spa day. While I do recommend staying here staying here, you can also just visit for a day spa. This is usually around 3 to 4 hours where you can enjoy all the facilities, including the indoor and outdoor pools, waterside sauna, steam sauna, and jacuzzi! As well as just entry, they have a few other spa packages to choose from. My favourite is the Morgon Sol package where you get breakfast and lunch in the restaurant and a few hours in the spa in between. Find more information here.
Island of Light Festival
Every year in September, the Island of Light festival is held in Smögen. This is an immersive light show that celebrates the balance between art and nature, lighting up the different areas of Smögen with beautiful, colourful installations. This year the festival will be held from the 5th to 8th September (2024). You can find all the details on this page.
The Best Restaurants in Smögen
Being an island on Sweden’s West Coast, Smögen is known for its fresh, quality seafood! You do pay the price for this though so make sure to be prepared to spend a little extra money! Quite a few of these restaurants are only open in the summertime and have limited hours throughout the rest of the year. Make sure to double check if they are open before visiting!
- The Barn: Delicious burgers served in a very cosy outdoor area in the heart of the village. The Barn is open from week 20 to 36. Find out more.
- Nippon Sushi: On the cheaper side, here you will find delicious sushi and other Japanese dishes. Open all year round.
- Smögens Hafvsbad: More on the side of fine dining, they do a great three course meal in the evenings! Open all year round.
- Hållä Bar: A more casual seafood bar with live music, located right by the harbour. Find the meny here.
- Klevens Tre Kök: Known for its mussels and seafood, this is one of the best restaurants on Smögen. Only open during the summer. Find out more here.
Tip: Don’t miss a stop at Hamnbageriet in Kungshamn just outside of Smögen. This is a super cosy little bakery and café serving traditional Swedish fika.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smögen worth a visit?
If you are travelling around West Sweden then Smögen is definitely worth adding to your itinerary! The colourful boat houses of Smögenbryggan, great swimming spots, restaurants, and spa hotel make this one of the most popular destinations for visitors all year round!
When is the best time to visit Smögen?
The best time to visit Smögen is during the summer – from late May to early September. At this time of year, all restaurants and shops have opened for the season and the island has come to life a little. However, the island can also be a great stop all year round – with different seasons offerings different things to do and experience!
Overview: Things to do in Smögen, Sweden
Smögen is a beautiful seaside town on the West Coast of Sweden. Whether you’re visiting for the day or spending longer here, there are so many different things to see and do! If you’re spending more time in this region, you might enjoy these posts:
- The Best Places to visit in West Sweden
- Swedish West Coast Road Trip
- Marstrand Island Guide
- Käringön Island Guide
- Things to do on Tjörn
- Åstol Island Guide
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Wow! Smogen looks so beautiful. It looks like the absolute perfect summer destination! Also, the architecture there is so stunning. 🙂
It is the perfect summer town! If you ever make it to Sweden you have to add it to your list!
Such a beautiful blog and this sights.Every pics too cool and fabulous.
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