Sweden Guide
Around Gothenburg
North of Gothenburg, the rugged and picturesque Bohuslän coast attracts countless Scandinavian and German tourists each summer. However, the crowds can't detract from the wealth of natural beauty and the many dinky fishing villages that make this stretch of country well worth a few days' exploration. The most popular destination is the island town of Marstrand, with its impressive fortress and richly ornamental ancient buildings.
Northeast of the city, the wooded county of Västergötland encompasses the southern sections of Sweden's two largest lakes, Vänern and Vättern. The attractive town of Mariestad, easily reached from Gothenburg, lies on the southeastern shore of Lake Vänern and is a good base from which to venture out into the forested countryside and onto the Göta Canal. The waterway connects the lakes to each other (and, in its entirety, the North Sea to the Baltic). With energy and time to spare, renting a bike offers a great alternative for exploring Västergötland, using the canal's towpaths, countless cycling trails and empty roads. Nearly all tourist offices, youth hostels and campsites in the region rent out bikes for around 90kr a day or 400kr a week.