Smögenbryggan boardwalk, Smögen, Sweden

Smögenbryggan is the celebrated wooden boardwalk that runs along the southern side of the old fishing harbour in Smögen, a small island village in Sotenäs municipality in the Bohuslän region of Västra Götaland County, on Sweden’s west coast. The island is linked to the mainland at Kungshamn by the roughly 500-metre Smögen Bridge (Smögenbron), and most visitors arrive by car: it is about a 1.5- to 2-hour drive north from Gothenburg via the E6 motorway and the connecting coastal roads. Without a car, buses run from Gothenburg’s Nils Ericson Terminal to Smögen in around two and a half to three hours (typically changing buses along the way), while train travellers can reach Uddevalla or Munkedal and continue by bus. Once on the island, everything is within easy walking distance.

What Makes Smögenbryggan Famous

Smögen has been a fishing harbour since at least the mid-1500s, and the boardwalk’s row of tightly packed wooden boathouses, painted in cheerful reds, whites, and other bright colours, has become one of the most enduring images of the entire Swedish coast. Stretching several hundred metres along the waterfront, the old sjöbodar (fishermen’s sheds) have gradually been converted since the 1960s and 1970s into shops, cafés, restaurants, and bars, while sailing boats and motor yachts crowd the marina alongside. It remains by far the best-known tourist destination in Bohuslän, drawing huge summer crowds: the village’s population of around 2,000 swells to roughly 30,000 in the high season. Walking the boardwalk is free, and it can be enjoyed at any time of year.

What to See and Do

The boardwalk itself is the main attraction, perfect for a leisurely stroll past the boutiques, galleries, and waterside terraces. Seafood is the star of the local cuisine, and a fresh open-faced shrimp sandwich made with Smögen-caught prawns is a regional rite of passage; early risers can watch the fishing boats land their catch, and the fish auction and shops sell shrimp, lobster, and langoustines straight from the water. From the harbour, boat trips run to the nearby lighthouse island of Hållö and across to Kungshamn, along with cruises through the scenic Sotekanalen, seal safaris, and deep-sea fishing excursions. The surrounding granite cliffs offer excellent coastal walking, including sections of the long-distance Soteleden trail, as well as popular swimming spots such as Makrillviken and the sandy beach on Sandön.

Practical Information and Tips

Smögen is at its liveliest from June to August, peaking around the Swedish Midsummer celebrations in late June, when accommodation should be booked well in advance; outside the summer season the atmosphere is calmer but some shops and restaurants keep reduced hours or close entirely. Parking near the pier is limited and expensive, costing up to around 50 SEK per hour, so a common tip is to leave the car in a larger lot such as Sandöns Parking (around 190 SEK for 24 hours) or just across the bridge and walk in, especially for a full day’s visit. The boardwalk can be slippery when wet, so comfortable, sturdy footwear is wise, and a windproof layer is useful even in summer given the exposed coastal setting. A single day is enough to walk the boardwalk and enjoy a seafood lunch, while two or more days allow time for island-hopping and exploring the wider archipelago.