Greentraveller's Guide to West Sweden

As part of our celebration of the most beautiful, natural spaces in Europe, we've published our Greentraveller Guide to Gothenburg and West Sweden featuring green (and gorgeous!) hotels and B&Bs, the best places to find sumptuous local food and a range of outdoor activities - from sea kayaking in the Fjällbacka and Koster Archipelago to a day hunting for fresh lobster on the Skagerrak strait. Throughout this week, we'll be celebrating the best of West Sweden in our blog...

Less Carbon, More Fun!

One of the many picturesque archipelagos off the coast of West Sweden. Photo: Mikael Almse

Here's a taste of what you'll find in our latest destination guide:

Where to Stay

A unique aboreal abode at Hotell Andrum, Falkoping. Photo. Richard HammondHotell Andrum (pictured right): High in the treetops in beautiful Falköping sits this fantastic white-rimmed wooden cabin. The name literally translates as 'breathing space' - an isolated cabin where you can relax on a spacious balcony and listen to the wind rustling through the leaves. Each morning you'll hoist up your own organic breakfast, which is delivered directly to the treehouse. New in 2012: Hotel Andrum's owner has built a second, larger treehouse, Seventh Heaven. >> Treehouses in West Sweden

Salt and Sill Hotel: On the small herring island of Klädesholmen lies Salt and Sill, Sweden's first floating hotel. Each of the 23 rooms boasts its own outdoor seating area where you can gaze out over the archipelago, while the restaurant has won awards for the quality of the food on offer, particularly the tasty Herring Platter. A holiday here wouldn't be complete without taking a trip on the hotel's floating sauna, dipping between the hot sauna and the refreshing and invigorating cool sea water. >> Hotels in West Sweden 

Where to Eat

The ideally located Väderöarnas Värdshus. Photo: Richard Hammond

Karingo
Run by father-daughter team Kent Berndtsson and Camilla Hofsten, this renowned oyster bar and retreat also has a 16th century fisherman's cottage and a newly-built wooden villa. The real draw, however, is the fantastic menu of oyster dishes - between September and June, guests can enjoy their oysters with a glass of champagne whilst relaxing in the wood-fired seawater hot tub at the end of the jetty. >> Restaurants in West Sweden

Väderöarnas Värdshus, The Weather Islands
What better place to enjoy an award-winning local dish than while gazing out over one of the secluded islands of Väderöarna? Only half hour by boat from the town of Fjällbacka, this guesthouse and restaurant is a firm favourite with those in the know thanks to innovative local dishes ranging from the tasty mussel soup laced with cognac to clam soup followed by salmon with prawn sauce. There's also a café during the summer months. >> Restaurants in West Sweden

Where to Visit

Exploring the velvety waters off the Koster Islands.

The Koster Islands
Sweden's first marine national park was recently shortlisted for the Best Emerging Destination in the World. This comes as little surprise to those who have already explored the countless nature reserves, beaches and moors. North Koster is also home to a newly restored lighthouse, which serves up an unbeatable view for those keen enough to climb the steps to the very top. >> Islands in West Sweden

Gota Canal
Stretching on for 118 miles between the Great Lake Vänern and Söderköping on the Baltic Sea, the banks of the mighty Gota Canal are lined with quaint villages and towns, fascinating attractions and exciting walking and cycling trails. Come and experience one of canal's top attractions, the chain of locks at Berg, from the comfort of your own boat, or as part of a long or short-term organised trip. >> Canals in West Sweden

What to Do

Self-Guided Sea Kayaking in Bohuslän
Organised by holiday experts Nature Travels, this is the perfect option for those looking to explore the beautiful Bohuslän archipelago at a relaxed pace. Armed with nothing but a map and a recommended route, you'll spend your time negotiating the hundreds of islands that make up the archipelago, while spending the nights in a collection of remote campsites, some of which can be found on deserted islands. >> Kayaking in West Sweden

Tipi Adventure in Dalsland
A 4-day Swedish wilderness adventure with eco travel specialist Nature Travels that combines canoeing and kayaking with abseiling and the unique 'Tre-kamp' competition (consisting of axe-throwing, archery and air-rifle shooting). As the name suggests, you'll get to bed down in a specious tipi, with the freedom to cook your own meals over an open fire and spend time exploring the lake from a rowing boat. >> Adventure Trips in West Sweden

By Richard Hammond.

The secluded tipi campsite in Dalsland. Photo: Richard Hammond

Greentraveller's Guide to Gothenburg and West Sweden was written and researched by Greentraveller's Tom Watts in collaboration with the West Sweden Tourist Board.

By Richard Hammond.