Major city · Sweden
Marstrand
Go for a half-day or a full day if you want to swim and climb Carlsten Fortress; skip if you are short on time in Bohuslän.
Marstrand is a small island town on the Bohuslän coast, famous for its 17th-century Carlsten Fortress, wooden harbour houses and summer swimming. The car-free island is walkable in 30 minutes. Most visitors come for a day trip from Gothenburg or as a stop along the coast.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SEK
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Nov–Feb (cold, many facilities closed)
- Airport
- GOT
- Nights
- 0
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 Marstrand112 ▾
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 Marstrand, 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
- SafetyMarstrand is very safe.
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, fire, ambulance · 114 14 police non-emergency · 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 (About 1 h 15 min by car, then the ferry).
- Getting aroundOn foot: the island is about 500 m × 500 m.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café30–50 SEK (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealDinner (fish or seafood)200–350 SEK (≈ US$25–40)
- Street or quick mealLunch (sandwich or salad)100–150 SEK (≈ US$11–16)
- Museum or sight ticketCarlsten Fortress entry100 SEK (≈ US$11) (check)
- Budget bedCamping pitch (Koön), a night, per roomSEK 300 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedCamping pitch (Koön), a night, per roomSEK 400 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedCamping pitch (Koön), a night, per roomSEK 600 (≈ US$65)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SEK 600 (≈ US$65) · Mid SEK 1,100 (≈ US$120) · High SEK 2,000 (≈ US$250)
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 (About 1 h 15 min by car, then the ferry)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Apr (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Marstrand: 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
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
12 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
12 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
On foot: the island is about 500 m × 500 m. The ferry from Koön runs every 15 minutes (20 SEK return).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Car or bus via E6, about 45 min
Combine Marstrand with a day in Gothenburg.
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.
Marstrand island
Limited accommodation; book well ahead in summer.
Koön
Camping and a few hotels; a short ferry ride from Marstrand.
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
- 500–800 SEK (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- 800–1500 SEK (≈ US$85–160) excl. bed
- High
- 1500+ SEK excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room (Marstrand)1 × 1 night × SEK 1,800 | SEK 1,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × SEK 1,100 | SEK 2,200 |
| Ferry Koön → Marstrand return2 × SEK 20 | SEK 40 |
| Carlsten Fortress entry2 × SEK 100 · check | SEK 200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SEK 424 |
| Trip total≈ SEK 2,332 per person per day, bed included | SEK 4,664≈ US$500 |
check
2026 estimate in SEK; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Ferry Koön → Marstrand return | 20 SEK (≈ US$3) |
| Coffee at a café | 30–50 SEK (≈ US$4–6) |
| Ice cream | 20–35 SEK (≈ US$3–4) |
| Lunch (sandwich or salad) | 100–150 SEK (≈ US$11–16) |
| Dinner (fish or seafood) | 200–350 SEK (≈ US$25–40) |
| Carlsten Fortress entry | 100 SEK (≈ US$11) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Private cars are not allowed on Marstrand island. Park on Koön (limited spaces near the ferry).
- The fortress climb is steep; wear sturdy shoes.
- Summer weekends are very crowded; go on a weekday if possible.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 112
- Police non-emergency
- 114 14
- Health advice
- 1177
Pocket card
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MarstrandMarstrand
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Till den här adressen, tackTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
- Police non-emergency114 14
- Health advice1177
Embassy
The US embassy is in Stockholm; consulates in Gothenburg and Malmö. Most other countries have embassies in Stockholm.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Koön → Marstrand return: 20 SEK (≈ US$3)
- Parking on Koön (summer): about 100–200 SEK (≈ US$11–25)/day (check)
Say or show
- Hej — Hello (hay)
- Tack — Thank you (tahk)
- Hur mycket? — How much? (hoor mykket)
- Var är färjan? — Where is the ferry? (var air fayryan)
- En biljett till Marstrand, tack — One ticket to Marstrand, please (en bil-yet till marstrand, tak)
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 Marstrand. 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, many facilities closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Carlsten Fortress and the ferry.
- Eat pages with summer opening hours.
- Verified parking and ferry schedules.
Sources
Ask about Marstrand
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