Perfect summer evening in Björholmen

In Björholmen, we had finally arrived in the archipelago of the west coast. Here, on the north-west coast of the island of Tjörn, we found a perfect blend of Scandinavian nature and culture, and atmospheric moments in a magnificent landscape.

Even the start in Skärhamn made us fall in love with this region on Sweden’s west coast: the open sea before us, a landscape shaped by the harsh climate, changing light moods and colourful houses. In Björholmen, all of this was even more intense. A picturesque village is clustered around a small bay; the rocky hills offer a magnificent view of the surrounding small islands, sounds, the Stigfjord and the large island of Orust. The fishing village – the clean, cold salt water of the Skagerrak is famous for prawns, crabs, lobster, mussels, oysters and, of course, fish – now relies heavily on tourism.

A large hotel blends well into the village, and a large harbour offers sheltered moorings for sailing boats and motorboats. Many houses and former boathouses are now available to rent as holiday apartments. On the shore of a small bay, we found a quiet spot for the night in the (paid) hotel car park. A first walk took us through a picturesque village and its colourful houses. On a large terrace at one of the houses, a long table was festively set for dinner. The guests stood laughing and chatting sociably over an aperitif with a view.

Behind the houses, the path wound between the rocks to quiet viewpoints and sea bays. There, a strong breeze cleared the head for positive thoughts. Back in the village, we sat in the small bar at the harbour to enjoy the sunset with a drink. We had to wear warmer clothes and add blankets to the seats, but the live music from the restaurant next door warmed the soul long after sunset.

The next morning was no less enchanting, with its changing moods and the purity of the Nordic light. After a morning photography walk, I returned to my still-sleeping partner and made coffee. The aroma finally woke her too. A nearby picnic table provided a spot with a view for morning coffee. Here, too, a few early risers in dressing gowns passed by and took an awakening – but brief – dip in the sea. We were excited about the experiences that awaited us on the next stage of the journey across Tjörn and over to the island of Orust.