Marstrand has always existed

On the edge of the world lie our islands

At the outermost point where land meets the Skagerrak lies Marstrand. A place that has always existed. Well, almost. As far back as the 12th century a monastery was established here, but the town of Marstrand was not founded until the 13th century. Not bad.

Herring, Spa resort & ship yard

It is easy to understand why Marstrand has attracted visitors throughout the ages. For many different reasons. We have a strategically situated sheltered harbour that (almost) never freezes. Handy at a time when it was difficult for those in power to decide whether we should belong to Norway, Denmark or Sweden. There was an abundance of herring in the waters around our islands, which contributed to an enormous herring industry. When it became fashionable to travel to the coast and the sea for restorative purposes, Marstrand was conveniently close to Gothenburg, and to this day tourists flock here. And we understand why. There is something special about this place.

But what about the shipyard? Well, when the fishing boats that trawled for herring were fitted with engines, a need arose to maintain both the engines and the boats themselves. Since the early 1900s, the site where the hotel stands today has been home to the boat and shipyard industry. By the 1970s this industry had grown so large that the "shipyard", as it was known, employed over 300 people. They also launched large vessels. The quality of the film is not the greatest, but in our eyes it is a real blockbuster.

It wasn't always a spa resport

As mentioned, Marstrand has a rich history when it comes to bathing for joy and good health. Marstrand is an old spa town. This means that people did not come here merely to stroll about in linen clothing and straw hats, but also to restore their health and wellbeing.

Nowadays it is sailing and swimming that draw the crowds. Sun-warmed rocks beckon and the salty sea is refreshing. Ice cream tastes that little bit better here. Not to mention the utterly breathtaking views over the sea.

That is how it is for 8 weeks in the height of summer. But what about the rest of the year? What does one do in Marstrand then? One continues to marvel at the sea, the rocks and the views. Cold water bathing is gloriously invigorating, and a picnic on the rocks whilst gazing out over the Marstrand Fjord is a feeling that simply cannot be put into words. It must be experienced. But we dare to promise that it is every bit as magnificent all 365 days of the year.