Skärhamn offers several ways to experience a stay: maritime history, watercolour art and routes through the town. The Maritime Museum and the Skärhamn Walking Tour explore the town’s maritime history, while the Nordic Watercolour Museum offers exhibitions and an open studio. When planning your visit, you can choose between time at a museum, a walking tour and a trip to the bathing spot.

Maritime history in the town

Since 1977, Skärhamn Maritime Museum has been housed in Cherlinska huset, one of Skärhamn’s oldest houses. The association De seglade för Tjörn presents memories and documentation of the island’s maritime history there. Pictures, models, objects and documents bring different aspects of this heritage to life.

The town’s history is also closely connected to the sea. Fishing, particularly herring fishing, was an important source of income and significant to Skärhamn’s development. In the first half of the 20th century, the town was Sweden’s largest home port for smaller cargo ships. These two historical details highlight different aspects: herring fishing represents the history of local livelihoods, while the cargo ships reflect Skärhamn’s role in seafaring.

A walking tour connects the harbour with the town’s history. The Skärhamn Walking Tour starts at the “De seglade för Tjörn” seafaring monument in the harbour. It leads through the oldest part of Skärhamn up to Hamneberget, then around the hill and back through the town, passing the Maritime Museum, among other places. This is a way to combine a museum visit with a walk through the town’s oldest district.

Watercolour art and events

The Nordic Watercolour Museum in Skärhamn presents exhibitions from around the world. Visitors can spend some time painting in the open studio. There is more than just exhibitions on offer: the museum also hosts concerts, stage performances, film screenings and talks. Event dates vary. If you would like to attend a particular event, check before travelling whether it takes place during your travel dates.

A signposted route connects the Nordic Watercolour Museum in Skärhamn with Skulptur i Pilane. You can cycle, run or walk along the winding route between the two destinations.

Bathing spot and planning your visit

Gråskär bathing spot is right next to the Nordic Watercolour Museum. It includes a sandy beach, rocks, a bathing jetty and a diving tower; there is also a beach volleyball court and large grassy areas. This adds a place for the beach and open spaces to your museum visit, without having to look for another attraction in the town centre.

The events calendar can also help you choose when to visit: the Träbåtsfestivalen takes place every year on the first weekend of July in Skärhamn harbour. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the exact festival dates before making arrangements. To help you find your way around, the Tjörn Tourist Information Centre in Skärhamn provides brochures and maps that can help with planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Kyrkesund, Myggenäs, Höviksnäs, Hakenäset, Långekärr, Kållekärr, Hjälteby, Fagerfjäll.

Back to the main travel overview: Tjörn.