Grebbestad is located in the Swedish county of Bohuslan, around 70 km north of Uddevalla and 60 km south of Halden in Norway. A weekend in Grebbestad and the little villages that surround it is perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing holiday by the sea, complete with swimming, boating amongst picturesque islands and dinners of fish and seafood.
The first mention of Grebbestad appears in the 17th century, but the town was inhabited long before that. The legendary Greby Burial Site boasts around 40 tall iron age burial markers, and around 200 other graves. You can see even older traces of human settlement at Vitlycke Museum in the UNESCO world heritage site Tanum. A short walk from the museum you find one of the heritage sites most popular bronze age rock carvings, Vitlyckehallen, with around 500 different artworks from ancient times.
Many Swedes spend weekends in Grebbestad to swim in the sea, and the town has long been known as a beach resort. Swim at the famous Tanum Strand, Edviksbadet or at the beach located right in the centre of Grebbestad. The more adventurous visitors can go kayaking or diving, and if you're really lucky you might be able to spot seals.
Tjurpannans Nature Reserve is not an ideal swimming spot as it gets very windy, but it is still well worth a visit. The exposed location of the reserve has created sharp cliff edges and a bare landscape which makes it all the more ideal as a viewing platform on top of the archipelago. Another beautiful spot is Otteron with its shell beaches and Valon just west of Fjallbacka.
At certain times of year the area around Grebbestad come to life. Don't miss the yearly Carnival in Grebbestad, or Badortens Dag, which has taken place every July since 1922. Celebrate a traditional Swedish midsummer or valpurgis in Falkerod or come here to listen to live music during the troubadour evenings. At the end of September is the Lobster Premiere, and this is just the time to book a table at one of the charming restaurants in town, which apart from lobster serve delicacies like crab and oysters.
Travel to Grebbestad by train via Tanumshede where you change to a local bus. Once here get ready to enjoy the Swedish seaside at one of its most popular resorts.
