Smögen - a glance at the skerries

The traffic in the outer skerries of Smögen is massive. Just like a necklace the boats line up one after the other on this skerry motorway. Sailing tickets seem redundat as the boats only seem to have one goal with their blue and yellow flags, namely Smögen.

On the rocks
As was once the case in the times of the Vikings Sotenäset community appears to be the centre of all activities. This long penninsular with Smögen at its south west tip has been witness to a lot of history. There are a large number of runic drawings as well as the grave of King Tryggve. Bohuslän granite is the very bedrock of this history. Up until a few years ago the granite at Hunnebo was still mined by hand, not so nowadays. The rock still attracts people in its island and inlets. In summer when the light does not go this place is sought out by many who search peace and quiet.

Party center
Smögen, however is quite different. It calls itself the "metropolis of pleasure" with its many discos, bars and restaurants . It's not only seafood, salmon and local prawn on the menu but also a whole range of music and entertainment venues to suit all tastes. The real party centre is in the old harbour. Heere the yachts lie like sardines in Smögensbryggan. They are transformed into a multi-coloured bridge at night used by the youngsters. To see and be seen is the order of the day and the madder you are the better. The mood is relaxed and liberal.

Fish auctions
Those wanting to have a quiet night in the harbour simply have to go along with it all, "We hardly slept a wink last night!" said a rather relaxed man in his Comfortina 32. "People had their fun and there is a time and a place for everything." Apart from the party life Smögen's extensive moors offer another attraction. The fish auction too is a great pull - best is to dive straight in with a few pieces of local knowledge. There are of course all types of fish-sampling opprtunities in the many surrounding fish restaurants.

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