This coastal Swedish town has a well-kept harbor lined with traditional wooden buildings. Local seafood restaurants, small shops, and pubs make it active during summer evenings.
Lysekil, a coastal town in western Sweden, sits on a peninsula surrounded by the Gullmarn fjord and the Skagerrak sea. You can climb the red granite cliffs at Stångehuvud nature reserve, join a boat safari to spot seals in their natural habitat, or learn about local marine species at the Havets Hus aquarium. The wooden Kallbadhuset bath house, built in 1847 when Lysekil was a spa resort, remains open for swimming year-round.
Getting to Lysekil
The town lies 132 kilometers north of Gothenburg, connected by road 162 to the E6 highway. Regular buses run from surrounding cities through Västtrafik regional transport. The closest major airport is Göteborg Landvetter (GOT), located 154 kilometers away.
Exploring Stångehuvud Nature Reserve
Red granite cliffs rise along the western edge of Lysekil at Stångehuvud. You'll find marked walking paths that take you past rock formations carved by waves and weather over millennia. Look for coastal plants growing in the rock crevices, including sea thrift and various succulents. Climb to the 1890 lighthouse for views across the Skagerrak sea.
Marine Life at Havets Hus
At Havets Hus aquarium, you'll see local marine species through large viewing windows and a tunnel tank. Watch spiny dogfish swim overhead, spot starfish on the rocky bottom, and see sea eels glide through the water. The aquarium works with the Institute of Marine Research and pumps water directly from the fjord, meaning the exhibits change with the seasons.
Discovering Gamlestan
Walk through Gamlestan (Old Town) in the North Harbor area to see wooden houses from the early settlement period. The buildings along the narrow streets maintain their original 19th-century details, from carved window frames to traditional Swedish paint colors. The area leads down to the working harbor, where local fishing boats bring in their daily catch.
Annual Events and Activities
Watch competitive sailing during the Lysekil Women's Match each summer, or see 1,500 vintage cars roll through town during Midsummer's Eve Lysekil Cruising. You can rent kayaks to paddle in the fjord, join seal watching tours, or swim at several beaches including the historic Kallbadhuset bath house. The clear waters and rich marine life also make Lysekil a year-round diving location.
Historical Development
Lysekil began as a herring fishing town in the 16th century, exporting thousands of barrels of salted fish each year. By the 1850s, the town had become a spa resort drawing visitors from across Sweden. The Curman family shaped much of the town's appearance, building villas in Old Norse style and saving Stångehuvud from quarrying in 1920.
