Major city · Sweden
Strömstad
Spend 1 full day in Strömstad for the harbour, historic sites and a ferry to the Koster Islands; extra night only if you want island camping.
Strömstad is a small coastal town on the Bohuslän coast near the Norway border. Its compact centre, historic harbour and easy ferry links to the Koster Islands make it a good half‑day or full‑day stop. Most visitors stay one night; longer stays are only for island camping or multiple ferry trips.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SEK
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Nov–Feb (cold, limited ferry service)
- Airports
- GOT · OSL
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Sweden ↗Sweden is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Sweden ↗Many shops, cafés, buses and even toilets do not accept cash: bring a card that works with PIN and contactless.
- Sweden ↗The right of public access (allemansrätten) lets you walk and camp for a night on most land; keep away from homes and leave no trace.
- Sweden ↗Drinks stronger than light beer are sold only at the state Systembolaget shops, which close in the evenings and on Sundays.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Strömstad112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Strömstad, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Swedish krona (SEK, kr); the euro is not used.Sweden-wide
- SIM or eSIMEU roaming applies for EU/EEA SIMs.Sweden-wide
- Tap waterTap water is excellent; ask for 'kranvatten', often free.Sweden-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Included; add 5–10% on the card terminal for good service.Sweden-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Sweden-wide
- SafetyStrömstad is safe for tourists; typical precautions apply – keep an eye on belongings in crowded harbour and heed weather warnings for sea travel.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are clean but often card-paid (SEK 5–10 (≈ US$1–2)); cafés reserve them for customers.Sweden-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 1177 Health advice (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums often close on Mondays outside summer; Systembolaget closes around 19:00 weekdays, 15:00 Saturdays and all Sunday.Museums often close on Mondays outside summer; Systembolaget closes around 7:00 PM weekdays, 3:00 PM Saturdays and all Sunday.Sweden-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGOT Gothenburg Landvetter (≈180 km (112 mi), medium‑size international airport).GOT Gothenburg Landvetter (≈112 mi (180 km), medium‑size international airport).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; Västtrafik local buses serve the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffeekr 30–45
- Street or quick mealFresh shrimp (market stall)kr 45–80
- Budget bedCamping pitch, a night, per personSEK 150 (≈ US$16)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SEK 600 (≈ US$65) · Mid SEK 900 (≈ US$95) · High SEK 1,300 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GOT Gothenburg Landvetter (≈180 km (112 mi), medium‑size international airport) · OSL Oslo Gardermoen (≈170 km (106 mi), major international airport)GOT Gothenburg Landvetter (≈112 mi (180 km), medium‑size international airport) · OSL Oslo Gardermoen (≈106 mi (170 km), major international airport)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Apr (10 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Strömstad: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; Västtrafik local buses serve the centre. Ferries to Koster Islands depart from the harbour (up to 16 times daily in high season).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Koster Islands
goDoor to door: ≈1 h each way
Ferry from Strömstad harbour, up to 16 departures daily in high season
Car‑free islands, good for day hikes or multi‑day camping.
Blomsholm (archaeological site)
goDoor to door: ≈20 min total
Local bus or walk 10 min from centre
Stone circles, ships and burial mounds.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lagunen Camping
Camping site near town, good for day‑trip or overnight on Koster Islands route
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- kr 500–800 excl. bed
- Mid
- kr 800–1 200 excl. bed
- High
- kr 1 200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Camping pitch2 × 1 night × SEK 250 | SEK 500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × SEK 900 | SEK 1,800 |
| Ferry to Koster Islands (round‑trip)2 × SEK 350 | SEK 700 |
| Västtrafik local bus day ticket2 × SEK 120 | SEK 240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SEK 324 |
| Trip total≈ SEK 1,782 per person per day, bed included | SEK 3,564≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in SEK; flights and long‑distance train not included.
Prices of common things
| Fresh shrimp (market stall) | kr 45–80 |
| Fish soup | kr 80–120 |
| Coffee | kr 30–45 |
| Ferry to Koster Islands (one‑way) | kr 150–250 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry schedules vary by season; check times in advance.
- Winter weather can limit bus and ferry services; check local updates.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Health advice
- 1177
Pocket card
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StrömstadStrömstad
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Till den här adressen, tackTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Health advice1177
Embassy
Swedish foreign ministry website lists consulates in Gothenburg and Oslo; US consulate in Gothenburg (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Strömstad → Koster Islands: about kr 200 round‑trip, 1 h each way
- Västtrafik local bus day ticket: kr 120 per person
Say or show
- Ursäkta — Excuse me / Sorry (ursäkta)
- Tack — Thank you (tack)
- Hur mycket kostar det? — How much is this? (hur mycket kostar det)
- Var är färjan? — Where is the ferry? (var är färjan)
- Kan jag betala med kort? — Can I pay by card? (kan jag betala med kort)
- Var är toaletten? — Where is the toilet? (var är toaletten)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Strömstad. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug · avoid Nov–Feb (cold, limited ferry service) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a ferry ticket for Koster Islands (price varies by season).
- Consider a Västtrafik day pass for local buses if visiting multiple sites.
Sources
Ask about Strömstad
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