a salt-water aquarium, is where you can get close to the sea and meet hundreds of fascinating marine species. With around 40 aquariums and other exciting activities like seal safaris and beach schools, Havets Hus is one of the most popular destinations in Bohuslän.

is the oldest district og Lysekil. This is the place where the settlement began in the 16th century. Today, the oldest houses are about 200 years old. Stroll the idyllic streets, with its cosy alleys between small houses. In several of the houses there are small signs telling about its owners and history

is an area of pristine granite landscape, which have been shaped only by the forces of nature some 920 million years ago. The area has an amazing history, from being saved from the increasingly widespread stone quarrying back in the early 1920s to now being forever preserved as a monument to nature. Explore the area yourself or get a guidet tour and learn more about the history

is a beautiful granite church built in 1901. The church is the largest in Bohuslän and has a very exposed position. In 1914, the tower blew down and was shortened 5 meters after that and measures now 63m above the ground. The location makes the church a landmark, which is seen around the world. In the vicinity there is a lookout tower built in wood, which gives a great view of the whole city and the sea.

Get a guidet city walk and learn about the city’s rich history or stroll through the cobblestone streets yourself while browsing the small boutiques and shops. Here you will find everything from bookstores and art to clothing and jewelry. The city of Lysekil, also boats several restaurants and cafes.

Slip into a kayak and glide along the beautiful coast on a guided tour and learn about the exciting history of the islands as you paddle along. Curious seals or seabirds may well join you. See the area on a bicycle and enjoy historic roads and quarries, industrial area, rock carvings and other ancient monuments. You can also try out rock climbing or go for one of the many hikes.

Take a short cruise from Lysekil to the island Skaftö, a gem in the middle of Bohuslän with an amazing archipelago. This island provides hours of activity and several idyllic seaside villages, with two being highlighted below. Beautiful walks, different guided tours, padling or cruising in the archipelago, bathing, fishing or shopping is just to mention a few activities. Visit the beautiful seaside village of Fiskebäckskil and discover many aspects of the village history. This fishing port was founded in the 16th century, based on the lucrative herring trade, and later developed into one of Sweden’s finest marine towns. Today, Fiskebäckskil is a popular seaside resort with a bustling high society, famous as a picturesque summer paradise, complete with a relaxing archipelago atmosphere. Explore the many picturesque paths and steps and walk among the boathouses and the captain’s villas. Visit the Rock carvings in Backa, a 20 minutes ride from Lyseskil. Backa was particularly during the late Bronze Age, an important religious center. The carvings are direct traces of the people who lived and worked here 3,000 years ago.

An hours drive from Lysekil, you will find the Rock carvingts in Tanum, that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These are a unique achievement not only for their rich and varied motifs but also for their cultural and chronological unity. They reveal the life and beliefs of people in Europe during the Bronze Age and are remarkable for their large numbers and outstanding quality. 50 min drive from Lyseskil, you will find the ever popular seaside resort Smögen with it’s famous colourful pier and bustling environment. The nearly one kilometer long wooden pier offers a large selection of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants as well as rows of fishermen’s houses and beautifully restored cottages. The boats lie in several rows along the pier where you can also watch the local fishing boats unload their daily catch down at the harbour. Smögen also hosts one of the most modern fish auctions in Scandinavia. You will also find several beautiful walks in the idyllic surroundings and great swimming spots. Another 50 min drive from Lysekil, you will find the small idyllic fishing hamlet Fjällbacka, located in a skagerack cove surrounded by tall cliffs. Vetteberget that dominates the town, rises 76 metres above sea level, provides spectacular views over the village and archipelago. The narrow streets that leads down to the small fishing and yachting harbour is lined with wooden colourful houses. Fjällbacka is also the birthplace of the crime noveist Camilla Läckberg, whose books are top sellers all over Europe. Many of her novels are set in Fjällbacka, and some of her characters are directly inspired by people from the village she knows well.

Backa, just outside Brastad, is perhaps Sweden's most rock carving densest area. The most famous of all the carvings along this road is the so-called Shoemaker, a six foot human figure often depicted in various contexts. How the name Shoemaker occurred is controversial - perhaps it is because he holds the ax in his hand resembled a shoemaker .

Lahälla Knottfabrik, some 10 km from Lysekil city centre, is an old stone factory ruin from 1918 close to magnific granite quarry Sodom. From the harbour, not far from the stone factory, a large quantity of the famous red granite were shipped to all around the world. The same harbour is today the industrial harbour of Preemraff – the largest and most sustainable oil refinery in Europe.