Strömstad-Koster Islands

Strömstad is the northernmost municipality on Sweden’s west coast. At the same time, it is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Bohuslän. The town, with a population of around 11,000, was named “Sweden’s Tourism Municipality” in 2007. Strömstad is the center of the Koster Sea, part of the Skagerrak, which is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. The sea area takes its name from the Koster Islands, North Koster and South Koster, which lie just under 10 kilometers off Strömstad and are surrounded by several small skerries. Around 300 people live on the islands, which also form the westernmost part of Swedish territory. Most of the islands are protected nature areas. The entire sea area around the Koster Islands became Sweden’s first marine national park, and many of its 6,000 animal and plant species are found nowhere else in Sweden.
The region’s many tourists are drawn to its museums and historic archaeological sites. These include the open-air museum Fiskartorpet, the granite Skee Church, dating from the 12th century, an ecology park, Sweden’s westernmost lighthouse on Ursholmen, Strömstad Museum, the Lokstallet art gallery (the old locomotive shed), Sweden’s most species-rich aquarium, a glass-blowing workshop, and more. At the center of an area that evokes Sweden’s prehistoric past is the Blomsholm ship setting, with its towering stones. In 2005, the new Svinesund Bridge was inaugurated, connecting Sweden and Norway and replacing the old bridge from 1946.
Strömstad and the Koster Islands are a paradise for a waterside holiday in every respect. Most of the many bathing spots have both sandy and rocky beaches. Thanks to the shelter provided by the Norwegian mountains, the area around Strömstad enjoys an unusually sunny climate. But even in bad weather, the local wellness facilities offer a welcome retreat.
A car ferry connects Strömstad with the Norwegian port of Sandefjord, southwest of Oslo, and the Koster Islands can also be reached by ferry.