In autumn, West Sweden shifts into a season of light, flavour and slow living. Coastal landscapes become stages for art and illumination, while the Bohuslän archipelago turns to seafood safaris and island rituals.

Inland, lakeside spas and hilltop retreats invite rest and recovery, creating a journey that moves between sea, stone and stillness just beyond Gothenburg, Sweden’s second city and gateway to the region.

These are some of West Sweden’s most inspiring highlights this autumn:

CULTURE

Sculpture by the sea: 20 years of Pilane Sculpture Park, 14 May – 27 September

At Pilane Sculpture Park, 20 years of art in nature is marked with a major exhibition led by British sculptor Tony Cragg. Set on the art isle of Tjörn, the park combines monumental contemporary sculpture with an ancient burial ground and open coastal grazing land, where works such as Anna by Jaume Plensa have become iconic landmarks within the landscape.

When light transforms: Island of Light, Smögen, 4 – 13 September

Island of Light, Smögen, turns this scenic isle into an atmospheric open-air gallery, where international light artists create installations across granite cliffs, harbour settings and the iconic boardwalk, with selected works incorporating recycled ocean materials in collaboration with the Sotenäs Marine Recycling Center. Among the participating artists in 2026 is world-renowned digital artist Miguel Chevalier, who will create a new, site-specific, large-scale audiovisual artwork for the coastal landscape. There are also several British artists including Craig Morrison & Ant Dickinson from Wales whose installation features the Norwegian dancer Ann-Kathrin Granhus; and brothers Matt and Rob Vale of ILLUMINOS UK, who have been creating inventive projection works and experiences for over 10 years.

Street art at its best: Borås Art Biennial, 30 May – 27 September

In Borås, about one hour’s drive from Gothenburg, the Borås Art Biennial returns, with 12 international artists presenting their works across streets, squares and galleries, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a compact, easily walkable destination, with around 120 public artworks rooted in its textile heritage and contemporary creative identity. The city is also home to Borås Art Museum (free admission) which is filled with contemporary art and Textilmusset, a fascinating treasure trove of fashion, textiles, machinery and workshops.

FOOD

A taste of Sweden’s favourite fika: Cinnamon Bun Day, 4 October

Few Swedish traditions are as beloved as fika, and on 4 October the country celebrates Cinnamon Bun Day (Kanelbullens dag), dedicated to one of its most iconic treats. West Sweden is home to some of the nation’s finest bakeries, from the artisan Brödfabriken in Jonsered, winner of West Sweden’s 2025 Best Cinnamon Bun award, to the historic cafés of Alingsås – known as Sweden’s Capital of Fika – and Gothenburg’s famous Café Husaren, where visitors can sample the legendary Haga Bun, a giant cinnamon bun that has become a local institution.

From sea to table: start of the lobster season, 21 September

One of West Sweden’s most anticipated autumn traditions, the start of the lobster season sees the Bohuslän coast come alive as fishermen set their pots at 7am on the first Monday after 20 September. Often referred to as the “Black Gold of the Ocean”, the European lobster is a prized local delicacy, and visitors can experience the excitement firsthand through guided lobster safaris, seafood excursions and coastal dining experiences that celebrate one of the region’s most treasured culinary traditions.

A coastal larder: oysters, crab and mackerel in Grebbestad, October onwards

Also on the Bohuslän coast, in Grebbestad, Everts Sjöbod invites visitors to explore the region’s celebrated seafood culture through hands-on experiences at sea. The area is particularly renowned for its oysters, with around 90% of Sweden’s oysters originating from Grebbestad, making it one of the country’s most important shellfish hubs. Guests can also head into the outer archipelago to fish for crab and mackerel using traditional pots, rods and hand lines.

COSY SAUNA STAYS

Island wellness: floating sauna and sea dips

In autumn, Vrångö – the southernmost inhabited island in the Gothenburg archipelago – offers a peaceful retreat where changing light and crisp coastal air frame a slower pace of island life. Visitors can follow walking trails across the car-free island before unwinding at Kajkanten’s floating sauna and relaxation raft, moored directly on the water. With warm sauna sessions contrasted by invigorating sea dips and wide-open views across the archipelago, the experience is something really special. Doubles from £104 per night.

Grain silo sauna stay in Dalsland

At Upperud 9:9 in Dalsland, the sauna is set on the shoreline of Lake Upperudshöljen, offering expansive views across the water from its lakeside position. Located on the short side of the design hotel, it seats up to twelve guests and features its own private swimming jetty with a ladder leading directly into the cool lake. Framed by the surrounding wilderness of Dalsland’s lake system, the experience combines minimalist design with a classic Swedish ritual of heat, water and open-air relaxation. The hotel is a 100-year-old grain silo with five split-level studio rooms and a restaurant serving delicious local produce decorated with edible flowers, and is right beside West Sweden’s Pilgrim Trail which offers miles of walking and cycling trails. Doubles from £183 per night.

Wood-fired sauna with Sunday brunch in Tjörn

On the northwest coast of Tjörn, Björholmens Marina offers a classic West Swedish sauna experience overlooking a scattering of small islands and the steady movement of boats arriving and departing the guest harbour. From the wood-fired sauna, guests can take in uninterrupted coastal views before stepping just a few metres to a refreshing dip in the salty sea. The experience can also be combined with a relaxed Sunday brunch, bringing together local flavours, sea air and the slow rhythm of island life. Doubles from £205 per night.

SPA HOTEL ESCAPES

Fjord views, spa rituals and seasonal dining

Set within a nature reserve on the shores of the Gullmar Fjord, VANN Spa Hotel offers a restorative retreat shaped by water, light and landscape. Guests unwind through warm pools, sauna heat and tranquil spa environments, with panoramic views across the fjord. In the evening, seasonal menus showcase Nordic flavours and local ingredients, from shrimp and lobster on brioche to Matjes herring terrine with chopped egg, red onion and browned butter. Doubles from £238 per night.

Bathing in tradition at Mössebergs Kurort

In Mösseberg Nature Park, Mössebergs Kurort is a historic health resort offering a retreat rooted in classic European spa traditions and slow living. Guests can unwind with thermal baths, hydrotherapy-inspired treatments, massages, facials and foot therapies, alongside access to pools, saunas and quiet relaxation spaces. Surrounded by walking trails and viewpoints overlooking the park, the experience blends nature and wellbeing in a setting long associated with recovery and rest. Doubles from £110 per night.

A summit spa experience in Skövde with a ’70s

Perched high on Billingen Hill above Skövde, Billingehus offers a memorable spa and nature retreat with sweeping views across the landscape below. At the heart of the experience is Elevation Spa, where guests can unwind with pools, saunas, massages and body treatments designed for deep relaxation and recovery. From the spa, floor-to-ceiling views connect indoors with the surrounding plateau, while direct access to hiking and cycling trails combines wellness and outdoor activity. There are also family-friendly spa sessions for children to enjoy with their parents at certain times of year. The hotel itself has a fun 70s vibe with a pink bar and some of the rooms boating circular beds. Doubles from £122 per night.