Hamburgsund - Västkustcharm och skaldjursfrossa

Hamburgsund is a cosy little town on the west coast, with high cliffs, boats, red cottages and an abundance of seafood. Here you can hang out on outdoor terraces, swim, go on boat trips, engage in crab races or feast on the delights of the sea.

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Hamburgsund on the West Coast

You probably come to Hamburgsund because you like to be by the sea, or the "best coast" as the insiders like to call the west coast. To the south of Hamburgsund are places like Smögen, Kungshamn and Hunnebostrand, and to the north you will find Fjällbacka and Grebbestad. In other words, you are in the middle of the idyll!

Hamburgsund is located less than 20 miles north of Kungshamn, less than 13 miles north of Gothenburg and more than 30 miles south of the city centre. Strömstad.

To Hamburgsund on the West Coast

We are travelling this summer by motorhome in Sweden. We started by following Göta Canal, and then we continued to follow Trollhätte canal and the Göta River. Our last stop along the river was Bohus Fortress in Kungälv. We had initially planned to continue to Gothenburg, but when we heard that some of the immediate family had rented a house in Hamburgsund, we changed our route. That's the great thing about a motorhome, you can change your plans at any time!

Things to see and do in Hamburgsund

Hamburgsund is a distinctive holiday resort on the west coast, where you can sunbathe and swim, take boat trips and hang out in cafés and restaurants overlooking the water. We saw a lot of people on the outdoor terrace at Hjalmars bar & brygga.

There are several different swimming spots, and if you want to be more active, you can kayak in the archipelago, book fishing trips, dive at the Väderöarna or hike in the Valön nature reserve.

We have also heard that the children like to have so-called "crab races", where different crabs compete to be the first to arrive. For our part, we were content to walk along the water. What a fantastic idyllic environment!

Hamburg Island

Just off Hamburgsund is the island of Hamburgö, which is almost 5 kilometres long in a north-south direction. Between the mainland and the island there is a 130 metre wide winding strait called the Hamburgsundsleden. If you don't have your own boat, you can cross the strait and get to the island by a free cable ferry.

Head over and swim at "Boviken" or the bathing area "Vänd igen". Walk a small 2.5 km loop called Bergaleden and enjoy the west coast.

Accommodation in Hamburgsund

Hamburgsund has a guest harbour and a hostel, and you can also stay at the Rörvik family campsite. Peter's son Robin and his wife Alexandra had rented a house via Booking.com, together with Peter's niece Dessi and her husband Lasse. When we squeezed the cars together properly in front of the front door, our camper van also fit!

Shellfish festival

We all went down to the centre and shopped in the fish shop by the harbour. Everyone bought what they wanted, and then we put everything on the table.

It was a luxurious mix of prawns, crayfish, lobster, crab and oysters. There was also bread, cheeses and cheese pies... What a feast!

In addition to eating good food, it was great fun to meet. We all had a lot to talk about and it was a relatively late evening, before it was time for us to continue our motorhome trip the next day.

The rock carvings in Torsbo

The Torsbo rock carving area, located near Hamburgsund, is really exciting to see! There are lots of ships here, the largest of which is 4.5 metres long. There are at least 10 large rocks where people once sat and carved patterns at the edge of the lake, which is now 25 metres lower.

READ MORE: Recipes for seafood - 9 seafood recipes we like
READ MORE: Oysters - how to open them, tips and facts

Continuing the journey

Where did the motorhome journey continue? Initially we had planned to drive down to Gothenburg, and continue from there up to Stockholm. Along the way, however, we got "bitten" by the canals, so we decided to take another canal. Don't miss it!

See more in the neighbourhood

Near Hamburgsund there are plenty of other charming west coast towns such as Fjällbacka, Hunnebostrand, Smögen and King's Harbour. We can also advise you to visit both Vänersborg and Trollhättan! Or why not head north towards Dalsland Canal and Bengtsfors?

Have you been to Hamburgsund?

Have you been to Hamburgsund? How was your experience?

Facts about Hamburgsund

Municipality: Tanum municipality
County: Västra Götaland County
Landscape: Bohuslän
Population: Around 700 (2019)
Name: The name Hamburgsund comes from 'Hornbora', which means 'the horned one' and refers to the protruding parts of Hamburgö.
Read more: You can find more information at the town's website and at Western Sweden.

Things to do in hamburgsund

Bathing places: Norra Ejde Pluret (child-friendly with sandy beach and jetty) or Boviken bathing area on Hamburgö (with diving tower).
Experiencing nature: Valö nature reserve with hiking trails, sea kayak hire, fishing trips and diving at the Väderöarna nature reserve.
Cultural experiences: Hornbore Castle ruins and the Gerlesborg School of Art have exhibitions and more.

History of Hamburgsund

11th century: At this time, the courthouse of Viken was located at the place called Hornborg Castle, just south of the present Hamburgsund.
1585: Hamburgsund is mentioned as a customs station.
18th century: During a long herring period (decades when the herring runs close to the coast), there were a number of wooden cookers in the area.
19th century: At the beginning of the 19th century, settlement was limited, but when shipping began, the population increased. Wood and bricks were shipped from Norway, coke from Gothenburg and stone from Bohuslän. Several stone industries were also established in the area.

Travel to hamburgsund

Car: Take the E6 motorway from the south and turn off on road 163 towards Hamburgsund, or take road 165 from the north.

All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

READ MORE: Things to do in Bohuslän - tips, sights and experiences

14 Comments

Add yours →

Liniz Travel says:

Drive past Skaftö
And Grundsund if
You have time.

Hugs

04 August 2020 - 7:27

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thanks for the tips! We don't have time this time, so we'll save the tips! Have fun! Hugs
  
  04 August 2020 - 16:23
  
Elisabeth says:

How cosy you have it and fun to meet parts of the family! Have continued good!

04 August 2020 - 10:18

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes indeed 🙂 Thank you very much!
  
  04 August 2020 - 16:23
  
Goatfish says:

You are having an excellent swimming holiday! Sweden is fantastic with all its nature. In both east and west, south and north, so many variations.
There is something about the west coast anyway 😀 I think. I love the Koster Islands but there are no cars there. Have several times taken the boat from Strömstad and then rented bikes.
I also like Smögen.
Wondering what the next channel will be for you, if it is the one I think?
Have a nice trip!

04 August 2020 - 11:09

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, we also feel that it was a good swimming holiday, beyond expectations 🙂 The Koster Islands sound interesting! We have visited Smögen a few times, but long ago now. Yes, we'll see if you might be right about the canal 😉.
  
  04 August 2020 - 16:25
  
bmlarstravellingblog says:

Wonderful west coast! From the jetty in Hamburgsund I (B-M) have travelled by boat many times and for several years we visited Hamburg! Most of the towns and islands along the coast have their charm, at least when the summer weather is at its best!

04 August 2020 - 14:19

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you've been here a lot! Yes, it is clear that the weather plays a role ... but that is often the case in Sweden 😉.
  
  04 August 2020 - 16:25
  
  - bmlarstravellingblog says:
    
    Bloody spelling programme! Of course, it is Hamburg Island we visited and not Hamburg in this situation.....
    
    04 August 2020 - 21:57
    
Maria / MagnoliaMagis says:

The west coast best coast... Yes, you grew up with it;) How wonderful your own buffet looked and so fun to meet the family! You can see who is father and son! How similar! There are many favourite places along the west coast and something for everyone. Have it still good!

04 August 2020 - 15:35

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, both delicious and fun! No, they do not manage to hide the kinship right away 😉.
  
  04 August 2020 - 16:26
  
BP says:

You have really succeeded with your swimming holiday and chosen really idyllic places. The west coast is so special compared to the east coast.
What perfect timing that you could get together and party with the family. So much fun and what a wonderful seafood feast:-)

04 August 2020 - 21:12

Johanna in Skåne says:

Oh Hamburgsund we usually go to for diving (with DykLeif). Really nice place! This year there has been no diving holiday week, but maybe there will be a trip to Bohuslän in the autumn...

07 August 2020 - 21:32

Lena - good for the soul says:

Ooohhh how I long for the West Coast. So long since I was there and it is so nice! Cozy that you could visit them and what a wonderful dinner!

Hug Lena

10 August 2020 - 8:09

Hamburgsund - West Coast charm and seafood feast

Hamburgsund on the West Coast

To Hamburgsund on the West Coast

Things to see and do in Hamburgsund

Hamburg Island

Accommodation in Hamburgsund

Shellfish festival

The rock carvings in Torsbo

Continuing the journey

See more in the neighbourhood

Have you been to Hamburgsund?

Facts about Hamburgsund

Things to do in hamburgsund

History of Hamburgsund

Travel to hamburgsund

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14 Comments

Liniz Travel says:

Helena says:

Elisabeth says:

Helena says:

Goatfish says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Maria / MagnoliaMagis says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Johanna in Skåne says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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