Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Back to Strömstad

In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.

Voykit pocket guide · 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.

Abisko and BjörklidenÄlmhultÄlvdalenÄlvkarlebyÄlvsbynAmmarnäsÄngelholmArbogaÅreÅrjängArvidsjaurArvikaBåstadBodenStrömstad500 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Sweden
Best months
Jun–Aug
Avoid
Nov–Feb (cold, limited ferry service)
Stay
1 night

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
SEK
Money
Currency is the Swedish krona (SEK, kr); the euro is not used. About 11 SEK to €1 — check.
Daily spend
Budget kr 500–800 excl. bed · Mid kr 800–1 200 excl. bed · High kr 1 200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
EU roaming applies for EU/EEA SIMs.
Emergency
Police 112 · Health advice 1177
Plugs
Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard European two-pin; UK and US plugs need an adapter.
Tipping
Restaurant: Included; add 5–10% on the card terminal for good service.; Café and bar: Nothing expected.; Taxi: Round up.; Guides: Optional.
Water
Tap water is excellent; ask for 'kranvatten', often free.
Toilets
Public toilets are clean but often card-paid (SEK 5–10); cafés reserve them for customers.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Fresh shrimp (market stall)kr 45–80
Fish soupkr 80–120
Coffeekr 30–45
Ferry to Koster Islands (one‑way)kr 150–250

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

GOT · Gothenburg Landvetter
≈180 km (112 mi), medium‑size international airport
OSL · Oslo Gardermoen
≈170 km (106 mi), major international airport

Typical fares

Ferry Strömstad → Koster Islands
about kr 200 round‑trip, 1 h each way
Västtrafik local bus day ticket
kr 120 per person
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get 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).

See and do

Known for

  • Harbour and fresh seafood
  • Prehistoric stone circles and ships
  • Koster Islands ferry gateway

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Koster IslandsFerry from Strömstad harbour, up to 16 departures daily in high season≈1 h each way
Blomsholm (archaeological site)Local bus or walk 10 min from centre≈20 min total

Sleep

Lagunen Camping
Camping site near town, good for day‑trip or overnight on Koster Islands route

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryUrsäktaursäkta
Thank youTacktack
How much is this?Hur mycket kostar det?hur mycket kostar det
Where is the ferry?Var är färjan?var är färjan
Can I pay by card?Kan jag betala med kort?kan jag betala med kort
Where is the toilet?Var är toaletten?var är toaletten

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake with eye contact; first names; avoid: Kissing on the cheek with new acquaintances
  • Fika: Accept the invitation; it is how people connect at work; avoid: Treating it as a quick takeaway
  • Home visit: Shoes off; bring flowers or chocolates; avoid: Arriving early — or late
  • Conversation: Keep calm, modest and factual; lagom; avoid: Boasting, raised voices, pushing opinions
  • Queues: Take a number (nummerlapp); avoid: Jumping the queue
  • Public transport: Let people off first, keep quiet, give seats to elderly; avoid: Loud phone calls

Scams and watch-outs

  • Ferry schedules vary by season; check times in advance.
  • Winter weather can limit bus and ferry services; check local updates.

Strömstad is safe for tourists; typical precautions apply – keep an eye on belongings in crowded harbour and heed weather warnings for sea travel.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Strömstad yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Harbour and fresh seafood
  • Prehistoric stone circles and ships
  • Koster Islands ferry gateway

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Strömstad

Till den här adressen, tack

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Swedish foreign ministry website lists consulates in Gothenburg and Oslo; US consulate in Gothenburg (check address).

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/stromstad). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.