West Sweden

Did you know that you can have a sustainable holiday without compromising on the experience? It’s easy in West Sweden, with a whole host of small-scale family businesses, where everything is sustainable, from accommodation, food and activities to transport. Come and enjoy a holiday in West Sweden, with almost net zero carbon emissions!

West Sweden

About West Sweden

In West Sweden, you can mix the bustle of city life with the slow pace of the countryside, unspoilt wilderness, and two of the biggest lakes in Europe.

Discover the remains of the Viking Age church at Varnhem and stroll along cobbled streets lined with colourful wooden houses in Hjo, on the shores of Lake Vättern. For a real fairy tale castle, visit Läckö Slott on a peninsula in Lake Vänern – Sweden’s biggest lake.

Get to know the coastline of Bohuslän with its thousands of islands formed of smooth granite rock, known for some of the best seafood in the world and where you can hike and bike on peaceful, car-free roads.

Explore lush forests scattered with a thousand shimmering lakes in the wilderness of Dalslan – a natural playground for outdoor enthusiasts where you can bile on gravel trails, hike deep into the forest, and take to the water, paddle in hand.

Tantalise your taste buds with local flavours and ingredients and excite your mind with brilliant art and local culture.

Welcome to West Sweden – the region of contrasts.

Sustainable and Tourism Positioning Statement from West Sweden

For many years, West Sweden has held a prominent position when it comes to sustainable tourism. With Stepping up Sustainability, we are encouraging all the talented players in the hospitality industry to share their tips on how to operate in a market where sustainability is not only necessary but an absolute prerequisite. To date, 600 tourism companies in West Sweden have chosen to sign up and commit to the four principles of Stepping up Sustainability in everything from product development to marketing, which sends a very powerful message, says Marie Linde, vice CEO of West Sweden Tourist Board.

Stepping up Sustainability is West Sweden’s joint initiative for sustainable tourism. Both public and private operators in the tourism business are acting together towards a more sustainable society based on four key principles:

As little unnecessary environmental impact as possible
Good for both residents and visitors
More visitors when and where places are not full
More full-time jobs and more robust businesses

These four principles will guide the choices that are made when developing and marketing tourism in West Sweden. This is good for both the environment and the economy, benefitting local businesses and helping local communities thrive.

Find out more here.

See it for yourself

West Sweden Gallery

West Sweden

Quick Facts

When to Visit Sustainably

West Sweden is a destination of contrasts so during summer while their coastal areas can be very busy, further inland, even in July, you can find peace and tranquillity in equally beautiful and interesting areas. Some accommodation can be fully booked at the height of the Summer season but during the low season there is much less pressure. The low season periods are Winter (January-February) Spring (March-June) and Autumn (mid-August - October) and here’s the secret: West Sweden is often at its most beautiful during these times. The low sunlight along the Bohuslän Coast is magical in the Winter; Spring is full of promise and the weather is often settled and fine; the Autumn colours are glorious everywhere, and you can still enjoy warm hospitality, delicious food made from local ingredients while at times you will feel like you have it all to yourself.

Suggested Season

To minimise the negative impacts of tourism we do not offer peak season travel. To maximise the enjoyment of each Journey we make sure we offer travel when attractions and places will be open, and travelling about won't generally be hindered by prolonged challenging weather. For West Sweden we suggest travelling from April to June, and then again from mid-August to the end of October. The 'best of both worlds'!

Time Zone

West Sweden (GMT+1)

How to Get There: Fast / Slow

Fast: Flights from London to Gothenburg (West Sweden) take approximately 2 hours
Slow: You can get the train, or train + ferry from London to Gothenburg, this adventure takes approximately 22 hours with lots of different routes available.

Currency

Swedish Krona

Tipping Etiquette

In Sweden, tipping is not obligatory but appreciated. It's common to round up the bill or leave a 10-15% tip for good service in restaurants, especially if service is not included in the bill. In more casual settings, rounding up to the nearest whole number is also common. Tipping taxi drivers and hotel staff is also appreciated but not mandatory. Sweden has relatively high wages, so tipping is seen as a gesture of gratitude rather than a necessity.

Your Peace of Mind

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West Sweden

Where in the World?

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