A day trip exploring beauty spots on the island of Tjörn
There are few things in life as enjoyable as a road trip exploring a beautiful island. Tjörn in Bohuslän is a real gem, with everything from art, culture and food, to great swimming areas and gorgeous views. Here are some tips for experiences and places to visit on a lovely day trip to Tjörn.
Treat yourself to a day out on Tjörn on your own or with friends. The island is just an hour by car north of Gothenburg. After you pass the historic town of Kungälv with its mighty fortress, the landscapes open up, and soon the road skirts the coastline as you approach the Tjörn Bridge just before the town of Stenungsund.
It’s hard not to be impressed by the beautiful scenery and the incredible views as you drive over the bridge. You feel as if you’re leaving another world behind to set out on an adventure which will be full of exciting things to explore and discover.
Start the trip with a dip in the sea
Why not kick off with a refreshing dip in the sea? The waters around Tjörn are crystal clear and there are many pretty spots for a swim, like Låka beach in Höviksnäs on the island’s south coast, where you can enjoy salty swims both from the jetty and the sandy beach.
Time for a fika
Refreshed after your dip it’s time to head off to Moriks Fårgård for your first fika of the day, in a lovely rural setting. Everything is baked by hand using seasonal ingredients from the garden, and eggs from their own hens. Fårgård means sheep farm so you can expect to see lots of those, and there’s a farm shop where you can buy sheepskin, ceramics, locally made crafts and handpicked home décor.
Art, good food and beautiful scenery awaits you at your next stop
The journey continues on to Skärhamn and the Nordic Watercolour Museum, with work by artists from all over the world. Exhibitions are changed seasonally, which makes the museum an exciting place to return to. In the past, work by Salvador Dali, Lars Lerin and René Magritte has been shown here. During the period from May 26 to September 22, 2024, the Belgian contemporary artist Hans Op de Beeck is exhibited for the first time in Sweden.
Vatten Restaurang & Kafé is in the same building as the museum, and you can enjoy a tasty lunch either sitting indoors with sea views through the large glass windows, or outdoors next to the water. On a sunny and warm day it can’t get better than this.
When you’ve finished eating you can walk along the rocks to Bockholmen, right opposite the museum, and enjoy the lovely view. If you look towards the town you can see Skärhamn’s church, also known as the smiling church because it’s decorated with a smiley face during the summer.
Travel back in time
After a good lunch, fresh sea breezes and a walk along the jetty, it’s time to continue on to the island’s next hidden gem, Villa Solfrid. The house is just under two kilometres from Kyrkesund and was built by the women’s rights activist Elin Sundberg in 1916, during the First World War. Elin Sundberg was also involved in the fight for universal and equal suffrage in Sweden in 1921.
Nowadays her house is a museum and the non-profit association that runs the property organises a range of interesting events during the summer. At Villa Solfrid you step into a historic interior with furnishings from the beginning of the 20th century. The leafy garden can be experienced at any time during the day but check opening times when you plan your visit to the museum.
Enjoy nature and sculpture in one and the same place
A few minutes by car from Villa Solfrid and Kyrkesund lies the Pilane Sculpture Park, where every summer a sculpture exhibition of work by major international artists is held, in beautiful ancient landscapes surrounded by grazing sheep. Crowned by the Anna statue, an enigmatic female head facing out to sea, you’ll get an out of the ordinary art experience here.
One of this year’s major artists is Ai Weiwei who will be showing his spectacular installation, “Roots”, with castings of tree roots around a thousand years old that will definitely spark off your imagination. Maybe you’ll think they represent huge primeval birds or imaginary animals that you’ve dreamt up.
If you feel like stretching your legs some more and exploring the beautiful scenery, there are several lovely walking trails close by.
Time for a fika in a historic setting
By now you’re no doubt ready for another reviving fika and this time it’s at Margaretas Kök & Skafferi at Sundsby Säteri. Enjoy freshly made coffee and homemade goodies from their own in-house bakery. Sit in the pretty garden or inside the charming manor house and drink in the atmosphere.
Sundsby Säteri consists of an 18th century farmhouse but the place has a history stretching back to the Middle Ages. You’ll also find a farm shop there, and Silver Wijk with silver jewellery and interior décor, a kitchen garden with heritage plants and a nice children’s play area. If you fancy a walk there’s an easy trail around the pond or a more challenging uphill trail passing through exciting ravines and up to the lovely Solklinten viewpoint.
Has that whetted your appetite for a longer stay?
If you want to prolong your stay there are many lovely and cosy places to stay on Tjörn. One of them is Salt & Sill on Klädesholmen. Apart from spending the night in Sweden’s first floating hotel you can also enjoy tasty seafood in the renowned restaurant. Fish and shellfish are well represented on the menu as well as specialities not to be missed, like the “Sillplanka”, a delicious herring platter, and the hotel’s classic prawn sandwich.
After a good night’s sleep you’ll wake rested and ready to start the day with a refreshing dip from the jetty just outside your room.
On your way back, just a few minutes drive from the hotel, is Lottas Bak & Form. Take the opportunity to stop here for a fika, or buy something to take home with you. You’ll find both bread and fika, all made with organic ingredients.
Choose whether to drive back via the lush island of Orust, reached easily from Sundsby Säteri, or take the same route over the Tjörn Bridge.
