Attractions on Koster islands
Strömstad
Sights on Nordkoster
Photographer: Göran Assner
Nordkoster (North Koster) is more barren than Sydkoster. The landscape is beautiful and dramatic and offers great variation within a small area (4 km²). Visitors who want to explore further can follow the many paths crisscrossing the island. Nordkoster is more suitable for walking than for cycling, which is the best mode of transport on Sydkoster.
Valnäs rubble-stone field
On the wester sida of the large nature park at Valnäs on North Koster. You can see large rubbel-stone fields with clear clear traces of earlier shorelines marks where the edge of water used to be.Valnäs offers the perfect habitat for the small, rare ranunculus cymbalaria.
The mound at Nord
Magnificent view point and the highest point on the island with two restored lighthouses and the ruins of the lighthouse keeper’s residence. Impressive views of the entire Koster Archipelago in all its glory.
Sights on Sydkoster
Photographer: Mikael Almse
Whether you prefer to travel on foot or by bike, you will find plenty of interesting sights and places to visit along the way. The island also offers coastal meadows with a rich flora and glorious sandy beaches and bays where you can stop for a well-deserved rest.
Valfjäll
Magnificent view point and the highest point on the island, from where you see the entire Koster Archipelago, including the neighbouring Hvaler, in Norway, and the lighthouses on Ursholmen in the southwest. Steps opposite the church lead up to the top.
Naturum Kosterhavet
Next to Ekenäs pier is the visitor centre for the Kosterhavet National Park, where you can learn more about life above and beneath the surface. The centre has exhibitions and slide shows, as well as knowledgeable staff. There is also a petting tank, where visitors can see and touch some of the residents of Kosterhavet. In the summer the centre offers guided tours of the beach and nature walks.
Sibirien Local History Museum
The old salting-house on Långegärde pier offers an insight into the history and local heritage of the Koster Islands. The museum has a large collection of objects from the local area, both from the fishing industry and from homes on the Koster Islands. One of the items on display is the huge jawbone of a blue whale that once beached near Koster. There are also images and written documents describing life on the islands in the last few centuries. The museum shop sells works by local artists and craftsmen. Open in the summer.
Kosters Trädgårdar / the Koster Garden
Visitor gardens with farm shop and art exhibition in the summer. Kosters Trädgårdar is for growing; the focus is on being small-scale, easy to understand and ecologic. Take away ideas for house building, energy consumption or a recipe for paint that is more or less edible. In short, this is a place that aims to inspire people to live a good, sustainable life!
Church
The small church on Sydkoster is located between Långegärde and the shop, next to the mountain of Valfjäll. The church is used as a concert venue in the summer and is a popular place to get married.
