Everyone talks about Bohuslän in summer. Those of us who live here year-round often put spring first. The light comes back, the rocks warm, wildflowers show, and the coast is almost empty. From March to May the landscape leaves winter dormancy.
Quick facts
| Month | Mean temp | Rainy days | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 2.6°C | 8 | 10.5–13 hrs |
| April | 6.5°C | 8 | 13–15.5 hrs |
| May | 11.1°C | 9 | 15.5–17.5 hrs |
Temperatures are SMHI monthly means for the 1991–2020 normal period at Måseskär A, a coastal station used as a regional reference. Rainy days are for Lysekil D: days with at least 1 mm of precipitation, rounded to whole days. Normals are not a forecast. Daylight means sunrise to sunset in Lysekil, rounded to the nearest half-hour using NOAA's method.
Why is spring Bohuslän's best-kept secret?
It comes down to timing. In spring you get the best of both worlds: enough sun and warmth to be outdoors all day, but without the summer crowds and peak prices. Restaurants reopen, hiking trails are free from congestion and nature wakes with an energy that is almost overwhelming.
The light is different too. The spring sun sits lower and gives everything a soft, golden glow, perfect for photography and for simply sitting on the rocks feeling your body thaw after winter.
Best spring hikes in Bohuslän
Spring is the perfect hiking season. The ground has dried enough for the trails to be passable, but it is still cool enough for hiking to be comfortable.
Stångehuvud in spring colours
Stångehuvud nature reserve is spectacular year-round, but in spring the rocks gain company from wildflowers in the crevices. Thrift, stonecrop and other coastal flowers create splashes of colour against the grey granite. The walk takes 1-2 hours and the view over the sea is wide, clear and worth the climb.
The Coastal Path awakens
The Lysekil section of the Coastal Path (Kuststigen) is ideal for a spring day in April or May. The ground is firm, green is appearing everywhere and you might meet the occasional hiker but no crowds. The 12.5 kilometres feel easier than in summer: cooler air, more energy.
Read our complete hiking guide for Bohuslän
Seabirds and seals, wildlife wakes up
Spring is peak season for wildlife along the Bohuslän coast. From March, seabirds begin returning to their nesting sites on the small islands offshore. Black guillemot, lesser black-backed gull and eider are common sights, and with some luck you can spot white-tailed eagles soaring above the cliffs.
Birdwatching near the cabins
Both our cabins are close to great birdwatching. At the coast, about a fifteen-minute walk from the cabins, you can spot eider and guillemot from the rocks. Torpet's garden is regularly visited by songbirds in spring.
Seals near Lysekil
Skärgårdsbåtarna Bohuslän runs guided seal safaris from Lysekil in summer. Boats leave from the quay at Havets Hus to look for harbour seals in the archipelago. For a spring visit, ask an operator directly about possible charter trips.
The first swim, when do the locals dare?
The eternal question: when can you swim in Bohuslän in spring? The honest answer: it depends on who you ask.
Some swim as early as March; others wait until later in spring. The sea is still cold, and temperatures vary with location and weather. Whenever you choose to go, the first dip of the season is special.
Best spring swimming spots
- Pinnevik: a municipal bathing place in Lysekil with both sand and rocks.
- Norra Hamnen: a municipal bathing place in central Lysekil.
- Stångehuvud: dramatic granite cliffs with deeper water, about a fifteen-minute drive from the cabins. Colder but incredibly refreshing.
Tip: follow Issäkerhetsrådet's cold-water bathing advice when the spring sea is cold too: never swim alone and enter carefully to let your body adjust. Have warm clothes ready afterwards.
Easter in Bohuslän
Easter is one of the best times to visit Bohuslän. The shops in Lysekil reopen after winter quiet, restaurants begin their spring seasons and the whole coast feels like it is stretching after its slumber.
Easter traditions on the west coast
- Påskris: branches decorated with colourful feathers adorn every window
- Easter witches: children dress up and go door to door in the neighbourhood
- Herring and eggs: a proper west coast Easter buffet with pickled herring, eggs and spiced schnapps
- The first walk in a light jacket: almost a celebration in itself
Spring activities along the coast
Spring opens up a range of activities that have been dormant through winter:
Kayaking. Spring trips are available, but seasons and experience requirements vary between operators. Bohuslän is one of Sweden's best kayaking areas with sheltered bays, islands and skerries to explore. Beginner tours can be booked from Lysekil.
Outdoor fika on the rocks. As soon as the sun warms up, the coastal rocks near Lysekil are perfect for outdoor coffee breaks. Pack a thermos and something sweet and enjoy the spring sunshine, just a fifteen-minute walk from the cabins.
Fishing. The sport fishing season kicks off properly. Mackerel start appearing in May and you can fish from the nearby coastal rocks or book a fishing trip from Lysekil.
Outdoor dining. Restaurants in Lysekil gradually open their terraces from April. The first outdoor dinner of the season is a small celebration in itself.
Staying by the coast in spring
Spring is perfect for both our cabins. Småbåtslaboratoriet sits on elevated ground with open views and has its own observation tower from which you can see the distant sea, perfect for morning coffee. Torpet has a private garden with room for a quiet moment outdoors.
Check current prices and available dates for your spring visit during booking. You get the same fantastic nature, the same cabins, the same experiences, but with more space and a calmer pace.
Family activities in Lysekil
Bohuslän in autumn and winterWhat is the weather like in Bohuslän in spring?+
As a regional coastal reference, Måseskär A has monthly means of 2.6°C in March, 6.5°C in April and 11.1°C in May in SMHI's 1991–2020 normal period. Individual days can be much warmer or colder. Lysekil D averages about 8, 8 and 9 days respectively with at least 1 mm of precipitation. Days get longer, but pack for wind and rain.
Can you swim in the sea in spring in Bohuslän?+
Yes, but the sea can be very cold even in spring. Never swim alone and enter carefully to let your body adjust. Follow Issäkerhetsrådet's advice and have warm clothes ready afterwards.
Is Easter a good time to visit Bohuslän?+
Absolutely! Easter is one of the finest times. Lysekil comes alive, shops and restaurants reopen, and nature starts blooming. Book the cabin well in advance, Easter is a popular period.
What birds can you see in spring in Bohuslän?+
Eider, black guillemot and lesser black-backed gull are common from March. In April-May the diversity increases with songbirds in the gardens and seabirds on the nesting islands. If you also want to see seals, ask an operator about spring departures; Skärgårdsbåtarna Bohuslän's scheduled seal safaris run in summer.
When does the kayaking season start in Bohuslän?+
It varies between operators and depends on weather and experience. Friluftsfrämjandet in Lysekil paddles year-round, mainly September–May. Midwinter outings require previous paddling experience. Check the dates and requirements of your chosen tour.