Lysekil and Bohuslan are made for family holidays. The sea is everywhere, nature is easy to explore and there's never a shortage of things to do, whether the sun is shining or the rain is pouring. Here are our twelve favourites, tested and approved by toddlers and teenagers alike.
Quick facts
| Activity | Ages | Cost | Season | Distance from cabins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crab fishing from the pier | All ages | Free | Jun-Sep | 10 min |
| Havets Hus aquarium | All ages | 150-200 SEK | Year-round | 15 min |
| Kayaking with kids | From 6 | 400-800 SEK | May-Sep | 15 min |
| Shellfish safari | From 5 | 500-900 SEK | Jun-Sep | 20 min |
| Boat trip in the archipelago | All ages | 200-400 SEK | Jun-Aug | 15 min |
| Stangehuvud with kids | From 4 | Free | Apr-Oct | 15 min |
| Cycling | From 6 | Free/rental | May-Sep | 0 min |
| Rock bathing and beach play | All ages | Free | Jun-Aug | 5-15 min |
| Lysekil indoor pool | All ages | 80-120 SEK | Year-round | 15 min |
| Berry picking | From 3 | Free | Aug-Sep | 0 min |
| Museums and crafts | All ages | Free-150 SEK | Year-round | 15-30 min |
| Rock pools | All ages | Free | Apr-Oct | 5-15 min |
On the water
1. Crab fishing from the pier
No equipment needed, no rules to explain, no minimum age. Crab fishing is the activity every child loves from the first second. All you need is a piece of string, some bait (a bit of meat or herring works perfectly), and a pier.
Lysekil's guest harbour and Fiskeback are two great spots. We usually go in the afternoon when the crabs are most active. Children can keep at it for hours without getting bored, and it costs nothing.
Our tip: Bring a bucket to keep the crabs in temporarily. Kids love counting and comparing. Release all crabs afterwards.
2. Kayaking with kids
Several rental companies around Lysekil offer family kayaks and guided tours adapted for children. Paddling along the coast and into small coves is an adventure that gets even the most screen-addicted teenagers to put down their phones.
For your first time, we recommend a guided tour so you won't have to worry about navigation, and you'll hear stories about the coast from someone who knows it intimately.
3. Shellfish safari
A shellfish safari is both educational and entertaining. On a guided tour, you'll pull lobster pots, pick oysters and learn about life beneath the surface. Most tours include tasting what you catch.
Children are usually fascinated by seeing live lobsters and crabs up close. It's an experience that sticks in the memory longer than any theme park visit.
Read more about shellfish experiences in Bohuslan4. Boat trip in the archipelago
During summer, regular boats run out to the islands in Lysekil's archipelago. A half-day trip to one of the smaller islands gives children space to run free, swim from the rocks and explore.
On land
5. Stangehuvud with kids — cliff walking for the whole family
Stangehuvud isn't just for experienced hikers. The main trail is wide and even enough for children from about four years old, and the dramatic rock formations set children's imaginations on fire. "Look, a giant's chair!" is something we've heard more than once.
Go at your own pace, take breaks on the rocks and let the children climb (with supervision). Allow 1-2 hours for a relaxed loop.
See all hiking trails near Lysekil6. Cycling along the coast
The roads around Lysekil are quiet enough for cycling with children, especially outside peak season. There are several lovely loops of 5-15 km passing fishing villages, small beaches and beautiful views.
Bikes can be rented in Lysekil centre if you haven't brought your own.
7. Rock bathing and beach play
Bohuslan's rocky shores are natural playgrounds. Children climb, jump and explore, and when they get warm, they simply jump in. Pinneviksbaden outside Lysekil has small sandy beaches that are perfect for younger children.
8. Rock pools — nature's own aquarium
When the water recedes, small pools form in the rocks filled with life. Starfish, tiny crabs, anemones and small fish: for children it's like discovering a secret world. Bring a small net to get a closer look.
When it rains
9. Havets Hus — Lysekil's crown jewel
Havets Hus is one of Sweden's best-known marine aquariums and the perfect activity regardless of weather. Here, children can meet sharks, rays, jellyfish and hundreds of other marine species, many from Bohuslan's own waters.
What makes Havets Hus special is the closeness to the animals. In the touch pool, children can feel starfish and crabs, and the feeding sessions (ask at reception for times) are a real highlight. Many children stand mesmerised by the shark tank, watching grey spiny dogfish glide past.
Allow 2-3 hours for a visit. For younger children, 1.5 hours is plenty, while older children and marine enthusiasts can spend an entire morning.
Combine with: A walk along Lysekil harbour afterwards. Buy an ice cream, watch the boats and let the children run along the pier. From the harbour, it's a ten-minute walk back to Havets Hus if anyone wants another look.
10. Museums and crafts
Lysekil's fishing museum tells the story of Bohuslan's fishing industry in a surprisingly engaging way. For creative children, several studios in the area offer ceramics and painting workshops during summer.
11. Indoor pool
On a truly rainy day, Lysekil's indoor pool is a safe bet. Children's pool, water slide and warm water: that's all you need when it's ten degrees outside.
Free activities for families
12. Berry picking in the forest
In August and September, the forests around our cabins are full of blueberries and lingonberries. Bring a bucket and let the children pick. Whatever doesn't get eaten on the spot becomes pancakes in the evening.
Which activities suit which ages?
Toddlers (0-3): Beach play, shallow rock bathing, Havets Hus (touch pool!), berry picking, crab fishing from the pier.
Children 4-8: All of the above plus Stangehuvud, cycling, rock pools, boat trips in the archipelago.
Children 9-12: Kayaking, shellfish safaris, longer hikes, cliff jumping (with good judgement).
Teenagers: Solo kayaking, cliff jumping, SUP, cycling to remote beaches, shellfish safaris with tastings.
Stay with the family near Lysekil
Roda huset is the obvious choice for families. It sleeps up to 10, has a large garden for children to play in and a hot tub for parents once the kids are asleep. Rock bathing is about a 15-minute walk away.
For smaller families, Vita Torpet is a cosy alternative for up to 4 guests, surrounded by forest where children can roam freely.
Read more about renting a cabin in BohuslanWhat can you do with kids in Lysekil when it rains?+
Havets Hus is the obvious first choice — one of Sweden's best-known marine aquariums with sharks, a touch pool and interactive exhibits. Beyond that, there's Lysekil's indoor pool with a children's pool and water slide, the fishing museum in the harbour and ceramics studios offering drop-in workshops in summer.
Is Havets Hus in Lysekil worth a visit?+
Absolutely. Havets Hus is one of Sweden's best-known marine aquariums and one of Bohuslan's most popular attractions. Children love the touch pool where they can feel starfish and crabs, and the shark feeding sessions are a highlight. Allow 2-3 hours for the visit.
Which activities in Bohuslan are free for families?+
Many of the best activities cost nothing: crab fishing from the pier, rock bathing and beach play, hiking at Stangehuvud, exploring rock pools and berry picking in the forest in late summer. Nature is the best playground.
From what age can children go kayaking in Lysekil?+
Most rental companies accept children from age 6 in a family kayak (the child sits in the middle). From age 8-9, many children can paddle their own kayak alongside an adult. Guided family tours are adapted to the children's age and experience.
What's best to do with teenagers in Bohuslan?+
Teenagers tend to enjoy kayaking, SUP (stand-up paddle), shellfish safaris with tastings, cliff jumping and cycling to remote beaches. Bohuslan offers adventure without feeling staged, which is exactly what teenagers want.
Updated: 4 April 2026