All About Strömstad
A part of the Strömstad Municipality in Västra Götaland County, the port city of Strömstad lies roughly two hours from Oslo in the north and the same from Gothenburg in the south. Situated strategically at the mouth of River Strömsån, the town dates back to the 16th century and saw growth as an essential part of the timber trade from the very beginning.
Transferred from Norway to Sweden in 1658, Strömstad received city status in 1676. Moreover, during the 18th century, the region’s importance as a spa retreat reached its height, propelling it to become a favorite getaway among leisure travelers.
Today, Strömstad shares a special bond with its neighboring country. On one hand, many locals travel daily to work in Norway. At the same time, Strömstad is a much-loved summer escape among Norwegians. During this period, ferry tickets from Sandefjord to Strömstad and back are especially in high demand.
One of the first few cities in Sweden to open sea-bathing establishments, Strömstad attracts tourists wanting to experience a genteel way of life. Its proximity to busier towns further makes it an affordable destination to explore the many sights of Sweden’s western coast.
Routes and Ferries to Strömstad
Strömstad is a well-connected Swedish city that has excellent sea, land, and air links. Still, one of the easiest and most favored ways to reach the province is by purchasing affordable ferry tickets to Strömstad from Sandefjord via Ferryscanner. A relaxing transportation mode, ferries on this route feature on-boat shops, restaurants, and comfortable seating.
Fjord Line and Color Line are the two operators with up to 14 sailings a week each between Norway and Sweden. Boats travel on this route throughout the year, taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the voyage.
Tourists wishing to travel by plane can land at Oslo or Gothenburg airports. Upon arrival, it takes close to 3 hours by road to reach Strömstad from either one of the cities. Although, from Gothenburg, one can also take a train all the way to the port of Strömstad.
Port of Strömstad
Locally known as the Port of Torskholmen, the deep-water harbor at Strömstad is small yet perpetually busy, catering to commercial and passenger activity. The sheltered port’s central location makes it a preferred choice for tourists arriving with ferry tickets to Strömstad. The ferry terminal in the southern part of the port is a few steps from the train station, bus stop, restaurants, shops, and other tourist attractions. Simultaneously, ferry boats to Koster and other local islands typically depart from the north harbor. Furthermore, the port’s guest harbor, Strömstad Gästhamn, is open all year round, can accommodate up to 300 vessels, and offers all the essential services that private boats require.
Best Beaches of Strömstad
Quiet and atmospheric, beaches in Strömstad dot the district’s beautiful coastline, providing locals and travelers with the chance to bathe in the refreshing waters of the North Sea. Even with the town’s sheltered location, the wind can bring the temperatures down suddenly but doesn’t stop sunseekers from heading out and making the most of sunny days.
Furholmens Havsbad
Situated on a nearby island, the bathing site of Furholmens Havsbad is only a five-minute boat ride from Strömstad harbor. The island has a lovely location with beautiful panoramas in every direction. Moreover, with plenty of boat traffic on both sides, children especially love waving to passengers arriving with ferry tickets to Strömstad. As an excursion, Furholmens has a cozy summertime restaurant, a wooden diving board, and toilets. Those looking to spend more time by the water can use the grassy and sandy strips along the coastline. Or else, jump in for a revitalizing dip from one of the rocky outcrops.
Seläter Badplats
Seläter is a lovely little waterside escape 10 minutes northwest of Strömstad center. The beach has all the essentials one would expect, from toilets and a wooden jetty to a kiosk, parking, and a sandy shoreline. However, you’ll also find a diving board and a slide here, making the beach extremely popular with families. Furthermore, the shallow slope into the sea and expansive land area to lounge make Seläter all the more appealing. The beach is also one of few that are wheelchair accessible.
Nötholmen
An island getaway next to the port, Nötholmen is 31 hectares of nature reserve featuring sky-high pine trees, intimate coves, and several walking trails. Connected to the mainland via land bridges, it takes approximately 45 minutes to walk the island’s entire perimeter. Families usually prefer the west and northwest beaches of the island for their kid-friendly shallow waters. Those looking only to sunbathe can do so on numerous boulders interspersed along the shore.
Nord Koster
Nord Koster is a popular island destination with some of the best beaches in Strömstad municipality. The island’s location shelters it from the wind and offers plenty of options to enjoy the outdoors and the scenic beauty of the archipelago. The ferry trip from Strömstad to Nord Koster takes about 45 minutes. A 30-minute walk from the port brings you to some of the best seaside spots that range from sandy to craggy and grassy. When feeling famished after a good swim, you can savor a freshly made meal at one of the restaurants alongside Koster harbor.
Saltö
A part of Kosterhavet National Park, Saltö is a 20-minute drive south of Strömstad. The island is known for its hiking opportunities, rocky coast, and snorkeling trail. The latter is an exciting escapade wherein the track has all the information mentioned underwater. It takes you past some of the island’s best beaches. Moreover, those looking to conquer some swells can head to the western beaches for surfing. Saltö has parking, toilets, and designated fireplace areas.
Things To Do Around Strömstad
A relatively small port city equidistant from Oslo and Gothenburg, Strömstad offers visitors the opportunity to relish a laidback vacation. Nevertheless, the many exciting things to do in Strömstad allow total immersion into the local culture and distinctness of the Swedish lifestyle.
Take an experiential boat tour
A boat tour of the archipelago while staying in Strömstad is a must. However, for a more experiential excursion, book a trawling boat trip. The roughly five-hour adventure includes first-hand information on how local fishermen work on the shrimp boats. You then follow the trawler and see it in action as the fishermen catch fresh shrimp in the Koster Sea. After that, you get to board the trawler and sample the catch. While ferries to various islands leave from the north side of the Strömstad harbor, excursion boats depart from Daftö Resort, 10 minutes away from the city center.
Visit Friluftsmuséet Strömstad
Tourists that arrive with ferry tickets to Strömstad and are interested in knowing more about the history of the land should visit Friluftsmuséet, situated five minutes from the port. The open-air museum was started in 1927 and showcases the region’s maritime heritage through a collection of three fishermen’s cabins, a boat shed, and a gristmill dating back to the 17th century. Moreover, the museum regularly holds live performances and educational children’s summer events. The complex further has a souvenir shop and a small café.
Stop by the Asian Market Strömstad
The Asian Market in Strömstad is not a simple mom-and-pop operation but a large, fully-stocked outlet brimming with exotic eats from Korea, India, Japan, Indonesia, and other Asian countries. Stroll around the store, and you’ll come across everything from frog legs to spices and an impressive array of instant noodles. Well-planned and easy to navigate, the Asian Market is a lovely place to stop by for some culinary inspiration before planning a meal.
Have fun at Daftöland
While Daftö is among the biggest camping areas in Sweden, Daftöland in Strömstad is the best place to have wholehearted fun with the entire family. The pirates and ships-themed seasonal leisure park has many rides for adults and children, a playground, three restaurants, a slush bar, and an ice cream kiosk. Visitors can enjoy an XD Cinema, thrilling rides, and rollercoasters like Silver Rapids, Cut Off, Storm, and Gale, as well as several attractions for younger kids. Furthermore, the theme park has an open-air arena that hosts musical and dance performances. Entry ticket to Daftöland for an adult is roughly €22.
Dine at Strömstierna Pizzeria
Arguably the best pizza place in town, Strömstierna Pizzeria is an idyllic restaurant with indoor and al fresco seating. The latter, in particular, is popular with locals whenever the weather is pleasant. Since the pizzeria is only a 10-minute walk from the port, you can have a lovely meal here when you arrive with ferry tickets to Strömstad. The menu at Strömstierna boasts an extensive list of comfort eats, from over 45 types of pizzas, including the ever-so-popular kebab pizzas, to hamburgers and salads. The portion sizes are suitable, and the pizzeria also has gluten-free options. In case you find the pizza shop empty during a visit, don’t be alarmed since locals usually order home deliveries from them.
Transportation Around Strömstad
Strömstad is a destination you can explore easily on foot. Most restaurants, accommodations, shops, and tourist attractions are a short distance from the port, ideal for passengers arriving with ferry tickets to Strömstad.
Since the town has designated bicycle paths, renting a bike for a day or the duration of your stay is an eco-friendly and healthy way to sightsee. When wishing to explore the archipelago, you’ll find several organized tours and ferries that sail to various islands multiple times during the day throughout the year.
Additionally, Strömstad has a decent public transport system consisting of extensive bus routes within the province. You can also travel to larger cities via bus or train. Taxis are available but are on the expensive side. They are helpful when short on time or traveling in a large group, so the cost-per-head is reasonable.
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