Lysekil is a picturesque seaside town that combines history, culture and dramatic coastal scenery. It’s set at the tip of Gullmarn, a glacier-carved fjord that flows into the Skagerrak strait. Rust-coloured granite rocks fringe the coast and give Lysekil a wild and rugged feel. The town centre will charm you with its traditional wooden houses and a beautiful stone church.
Things to do in Lysekil
Lysekil offers all the charm and atmosphere of a traditional Swedish port town. Known by locals as Gamlestan, the Old Town is filled with historic wooden houses built by local fishermen. Lysekil Church towers over the town centre and is topped with a soaring spire. It was built in 1901 from locally quarried granite and features a beautiful Neo-Gothic façade.
Sea kayaking is one of the best ways to experience the grandeur of the Lysekil coastline. From the water, you can get up close with the rust-coloured cliffs and enormous boulders. Paddle to Stångehuvud Nature Reserve and watch for seals basking on the rocks and seabirds flying overhead.
From cosy cafes to waterfront seafood restaurants, Lysekil is a great place to try traditional Swedish dishes. Herring is a local specialty, served salted, pickled, smoked and fried. Other signature dishes include crab canapes, oven-baked halibut and cured salmon served with chopped dill.
Get up close with local marine life at Havets Hus, a family-friendly aquarium filled with cold-water sea creatures from Gullmarn fjord. You’ll love being surrounded by rays, jellyfish and lumpsuckers as you walk through the underwater tunnel. Exhibits introduce you to the town’s swashbuckling pirate history.
Getting around Lysekil
Lysekil’s town centre is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The town is a one-hour drive from Trollhättan and 1.5 hours from Gothenburg. Rental cars offer the freedom to explore the Stångenäs Peninsula at your own pace. Gothenburg Airport is a two-hour drive away.