Located on the island of the same name, the small city of Marstrand is a major destination for Swedish sailors. Home to the world-known sailing hardware manufacturer Rutgersson and the starting point for many regattas, the town is definitely one of the sailing capitals of Scandinavia.

Marstrand with Carlstens Fortress above town
Marstrand’s Church tower poking up above the houses. The church is the only remaining building from the Middle Ages

But there’s more to Marstrand than just sailboats. Carlstens Fortress towers over town, a reminder of Marstrand’s history as an important herring fishing port. And in the late-1700s, Marstrand was made a free port, technically outside of Sweden for customs purposes. And this freedom extended to religion, making Marstrand an early haven for Swedish Jews.

The impressive Carlstens Fortress
A walking path along the water on Marstrand Island

Today, the town thrives primarily on tourism, and a stroll through the old wooden buildings lining the narrow streets makes it easy to understand why people like to visit. A small ferry connects Marstrand with the neighboring island of Koon, and both island are criss-crossed with hiking trails along beaches, over rocks, and through forests.

Another beautiful spot…

More recent fortifications of the area
A highlight of the Marstrand area was all of the fantastic hiking and landscapes- here we are walking on Koon Island with a view Carlstens Fortress in the distance