West Sweden is an exciting mix of lakes, forests, islands and pretty coastal villages. The coastal city of Gothenburg is the second biggest in Sweden.
West Sweden
© Cred Roger Borgelid
© Cred Roger Borgelid
© Alex Vizeo Loris Monteux
West Sweden, Designed Around You Tag
West Sweden is characterised by wild and dense forests, glittering lakes, and rivers. A perfect base for a Sweden luxury adventure holiday.
With 450 square km of open water, the region is recognised as a world-class destination for kayaking and a perfect getaway for those who enjoy freshwater swimming.
With an abundance of wildlife and stunning scenery, it is definitely not one to miss.
Tailor-Made Ways to Experience West Sweden
Sail to coastal villages, hike car-free islands, or savour seafood at the source—West Sweden is yours to explore, your way.
Savouring Swedish Serenity
This new exclusive itinerary allows you to truly disconnect from daily distractions – the best way to reconnect with yourself and with the benefits of...
Summer Road Trip in West Sweden
Starting in the city of Gothenburg which is known as the ‘culinary and festival capital of Sweden’ you have a host of great hotels to choose from here...Where to Stay: Handpicked for You
Discover handpicked retreats along the Bohuslän coast and beyond, where sustainability, design, and warm hospitality meet sea breeze and scenic calm.
The Guidebook
Explore West Sweden
West Sweden is a real hidden gem that needs to be discovered – the fact that most Scandinavians head here for their holidays speaks volumes on why it is so popular and the ‘go to’ place in Sweden during the Summer and Autumn months.
Starting in the city of Gothenburg which is known as the ‘culinary and festival capital of Sweden’ you have a host of great hotels to choose from here and when it comes to places to eat; if you are meat eater, shellfish lover, or vegan you will be truly spoilt for choice!
From Gothenburg, you can then head out by either car or by train to explore the lakes, forest, islands, and pretty coastal villages of the three provinces of Bohuslän, Dalsland and Västergötland! These three main provinces offer contrasting landscapes and activities that include sea kayaking, cycling, and hiking.
There is so much nature to discover too from seals, dancing cranes (in the March/April months), to learning about endangered species at Nordens Ark.
Getting There
Gothenburg has many ways of accessing it. To start with you have Gothenburg Ladnvetter Airport where international flights fly – other options include flying into either Oslo (4hrs), Stockholm (3.5 hrs), or even Copenhagen (4hrs) and getting the train from those cities there. That way you can do a twin centre and, at the right time of year, get to see all the parts of the country on a scenic train ride.
Climate
Due to its latitude, West Sweden has a relatively mild climate. The winters are short and can be quite cold with an average temperature of around 0 but the summer offers long daylight hours and warm temperatures sometimes reaching the late twenties or above. In general, the climate is similar to that of Southern England.
Shared Experiences
From Our Customers
Off the Map Travel was great! Alex helped us plan the most amazing 10 day honeymoon to Iceland. He gave us great recommendations and was so patient with us during the planning process!
Tori
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Jim & Kris
I used OTMT to organise a holiday to see the Northern Lights for my partner’s 50th birthday. They took the time to understand my priorities, the kinds of places we like to stay and the things we like to do. They recommended a fabulous itinerary in Norway centred around the Lyngen Experience Lodge. The holiday itself lived up to expectations and I have no hesitation in recommending OTMT. They listened carefully during the planning and delivered the perfect present for my partner.
Alex
The best travel experience ever on every level you can think of during a Lapland expedition (food, activities, timings, accommodation, transport, service, equipment…). I highly recommend Off The Map Travel for their outstanding level of professionalism and detail oriented mindset!
Sophie & Guy
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
Karen
I would thoroughly recommend this company. Their planning and advice was spot on. Alex responded to my calls and emails very promptly. I will definitely use them again for future trips.
Rosie