Käringön is one of the most popular islands in the Bohuslän archipelago, West Sweden. It is a summer destination popular for both Swedes and international tourists. This little island is located in the northern archipelago, only accessible by boat or ferry from the mainland. It has the beauty of other islands on the West Coast such as Smögen, or Bohus Malmön but a much more local feeling. Whether you want an island day trip from Gothenburg, a summer holiday along Sweden’s West Coast or a week long resort feeling, this island has it all!
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How to get to Käringön
Käringön is an island located in the Bohuslän archipelago and thus the only way to get there is by boat. You can catch the public ferry from Tuvesviks hamn on Orust which passes by the nearby island of Gullholmen. The ferry to Käringön takes around 40 minutes. The boat trip costs 35kr each way and you can buy tickets on the boat or via the Västtrafik app (zone C). The ferries leave every 1 – 1.5 hours all through the year.
Traveling to Käringön by car and ferry
Käringön is a car free island and most people get around by walking or using bikes. This means that if you are planning to drive to Tuvesviks hamn and catch the ferry over you have to park in the car park by the ferry terminal. There are three car parks by the Käringön ferry in Tuvesviks hamn. One is for private people with hired spaces, one for day trippers and one for long term visitors (several days). These car parks are big enough that even in the peak of summer you will always be able to find a parking spot.
Traveling to the island with public transport
Traveling to Käringön with public transport is relatively easy as the connections are usually quite good. It takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to get from Gothenburg Central Station to Tuvesvik. From here, the ferry to Käringön takes a further 40 minutes on the ferry. The best way to find your trip is to look on the Västtrafik website.
Where to stay on Käringön
There are several places I would recommend stay on on Käringön. The first is Lotshotellet, a beautiful boutique hotel that looks out on to the Bohuslän archipelago. This hotel has a sauna and gym area as well as a great restaurant. It is the perfect place to stay if you are staying on the island for a few days and want to stay centrally. The hotel also has access to a private swimming area and the possibility for a private boat trip to and from the ferry in Tuvesvik.
The other hotel recommendation I have on Käringön is Seglarhotellet, a cosy sailing themed vandrarhem close to the beach. This vandrarhem has a shared kitchen which is a great option for people who want to be able to make their own food.
Where to stay: Find all your Käringön accomodation options here!
Top things to do on Käringön
Where to Eat on Käringön
Käringön has quite a few restaurants, cafes and kiosks that open up for the summer months. Here are some of the best eateries to try on your trip to Käringön.
Crêperiet
The Crêpertiet is a creperie located at the bottom of Lotshotellet, just on the edge of the water by the harbour. The Crêperiet is one of Käringöns most popular eateries, serving delicious fresh sweet and savoury crepes. The sweeter options make the perfect afternoon fika whilst the savoury galettes filled with flavours of the West Coast are a great way to discover the Bohuslän archipelago’s local cuisine. The Crepes here are soooo good. I recommend booking a table in advance if you know you want to eat here though as it is a popular spot.
Simsons Prästgård
Simsons Prästgård is my favourite place to eat on Käringön, with delicious flavours and an amazing outdoor eating area. The restaurant is located in an old prästgård (vicarage) just across the pathway from Käringön’s church. The beautiful courtyard lined with fairy lights, little wooden benches and a beautiful terrace would make for the perfect wedding venue, or big party restaurant.
Petersons Krog
Petersons Krog is one of the more expensive options on Käringön, serving fresh seafood dishes with local flavours. This is a great place to go for a special lunch or dinner on Käringön, located on the edge of the island with a view out to the northern Bohuslän archipelago and back towards Gullholmen, Tuvesvik, and the main land.
Simsons Vincafé
Simsons Vincafe is a small wine bar and cafe by the harbour on Käringön. Owned by the same people as Simsons Prästgård, here you will find delicious pizzas and a really unique selection of wines. This is the perfect casual evening dining option, or something for a bit of a fancy lunch. You don’t need to book in advance here, but we aware that there can be a bit of a wait on food when it is busy.
Where to Swim on Käringön
Barnbad and Öviken
This is one of the most popular harbour side swimming spots on Käringön. Connecting the two sides of the inlet is a floating dock which is great for jumping into the water below.
Barnbadet on the islands south
This is the most beautiful of the swimming places on Käringön, a shallow rocky inlet great for all ages! The water here looks almost tropical in the summer time when it reflects the sky and turns a wonderful shade of blue.
Kallbadhuset – Herrbad and Dambad
There is a Kallbadhuset on Käringön, something typical to Swedish islands. This is essentially a changing room, sometimes with a shower, by two swimming areas designated for men and women. Herrbad means the mens beach, whilst Dambad is the women”s beach. It is normal for people to swim naked in Kallbadhus areas which is why these two areas are split.
Trampolinbadet
Trampolinbadet gets its name from the diving ladder which hangs off the cliffs into the deep ocean below. It is a super fun and safe area for all ages to swim with easy access to the water either via the rocks or a metal ladder that leads down into the water.
Other things to do on Käringön
Shop in the boutiques
There are a lot of great shops on Käringön where you can find some beautiful and unique souvenirs from your trip to the island! Some of my favourite shops are MillaMi, a really nice boutique clothing store with lots of nice summer items, and Lilla Em, where you can buy some really nice children’s clothes designed and made on Käringön! If you want some nice Scandinavian designed homewares then head to Shyness Inredningsbolag beside Petersons Krog.
Take a walk around the village
Käringön is another of the beautiful islands on the west coast of Sweden, with typical wooden houses lining the rocky cliffs. The town on Käringön is wonderful to walk around, with lots of small alleyways that intertwine between houses and gardens leading you to hidden docks and little boutiques.
An Overview: Käringön, Sweden
Käringön is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of Sweden during the summer! The lively fishing village, beautiful swimming spots, and great restaurant scene make it perfect for a day trip, or small weekend escape! I recommend staying at least one night on the island so you can experience the long Swedish summer night, but only if you have time!
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