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Kärlingesund Retreat Center is situated on the very edge of Bokenäset, north of Orust and in the middle of the province Bohuslän. You will find the red cliffs by the sea and hundreds of beautiful islands, all of which are situated in one of the greenest coastal stretches of Bohuslän.
Swimming in unspoilt nature is the norm here – free access to nature is even anchored in the Swedish constitution. We swim in the sea all year round and in Bohuslän you can find magical spots where the water shimmers in the sunlight.
Off the coast of Kärlingesund are the islands Flatö and Skaftö, and in between lies the small island of Bassholmen, with its rich bird life and grazing live stock on ist pastures. Bassholmen has a boat museum, a lovely café and a sauna to rent. You can book to be picked up by boat from the jetty at Kärlingesund or get there easily with our kayaks or stand-up paddle boards within 5 minutes.
The bridge to Skaftö is only a few kilometres north west of Kärlingesund. In the warmer season, numerous biking paths take you to several restaurants and cafés. By car, bus or bike you can reach Fiskebäckskil and Grundsund – the most picturesque fishing villages in the province.
Fiskebäckskil (7,5 km) has a big variety of beautiful villas dating back to the 19th century. Their gingerbread woodwork and adorned old style verandas are unique. During the summertime there are ferries that takes you from Fiskebäckskil to Lyseskil.
The houses in Grundsund (11,4 km) stand closely side by side on the cliffs along the canal of the port. The modest cottages and fishing sheds are typical for this small fishing village. Here the sea is good for swimming off the grey granite rocks, sanded smooth by wind and weather. Enjoy fresh seafood and watch amazing sunsets all year round.
With almost 8,000 inhabitants, Lysekil (16,9 km) has grown from a summer bathing resort into a small town. Lysekil hosts the historic bathhouse “Kallbadhuset”. Kallbadhuset is an oasis very close to the town center. Locals from Lysekil, and during summertime tourists, use it all year round. Kallbadhuset is an important part of the city ́s and Sweden ́s history, as it belongs to that kind of bathing tradition that arose during the middle of the nineteenth century in Sweden and to some extent still goes on. (http://www.lysekilkallbadhus.se/en)
Stångehuvud is a nature reserve. It lies a little north of Kärlingesund. It’s a great climbing place, as the paths (some with railings) lead over the beautiful reddish granite that is so typical for this part of Bohuslän. A marvelous place to lie down on sun-warmed rocks and to swim in the open sea.
Sweden was the first European country to adopt the concept of national parks. In 1909 nine such national parks were established in one fell swoop. There are now 30 national parks in Sweden with a total of 7’340 square kilometres and they account for about 1.5 per cent of Sweden’s surface area.
The second youngest and Sweden’s only marine national park is located near Strömstad in the north of Bohuslän: Kosterhavet. (https://www.nationalparksofsweden.se/choose-park—list/kosterhavet-national-park/)
