Stenungsund is a locality on the western coast of Sweden in the province of Bohuslän. It has become a center of commerce for the nearby islands of Tjörn and Orust, with easy access for tourists, islanders, and its own population of around 13.900 inhabitants.
Stenungsund has since the 1960s been one of Sweden’s petrochemistry centers. The harbor to the sea of Skagerak has opened up opportunities for the once small locality.
A Short History of Stenungsund
Fishing and farming were for a long time the livelihood for the inhabitants of Stenungsund. The development of a seaside resort began in the 19th century and it was for a long time a popular summer destination for the inhabitants of Gothenburg. They built summer cabins along the shores and the access for people improved with the railway in 1907. The number of summer cabins in the area has increased ever since.
The industrialization of Stenungsund began in the 1940s with the opening of the first factory. It was Svenska Bandfabriken that produced labels, brands, and emblems. The largest development came with Vattenfall and their oil-fired thermal power plant in 1959. Vattenfall would contribute to attracting even more industrial development, especially within the petrochemistry industry in the 1960s. It was Esso Chemical that in collaboration with Stockholms Superfosfat Fabriker and Mo-Domsjö (MoDo) made it possible to make Stenungsund into a petrochemical center with the production of different oil-based products.
Things to Do and See
With the sea of Skagarak at its footstep activities involving water are within easy reach. For some, it might be the petrochemistry industry’s large production facilities that attract additional exploration.
Stenungsön
The island Stenungsön is located directly outside of Stenungsund and was once the center of the seaside resort. Here you can walk along the hiking path of the island and enjoy the view of the many old summer cabins of the past. For swimming, there is Hawaii Beach on the southern shores of the island.
Molekylverkstan Science Center
Molekylverkstan Science Center tries to teach both adults and young about the natural sciences in an interactive way. Chemistry, mathematics, and technology are not only subjects in school.
Stenungsund Local Heritage Museum
The Local Heritage Museum is housed in two buildings in central Stenungsund. These are Gammelgården, a building dating back at least to the 18th century, and Ebbeborg that was built in the 1810s.
Nösnäs Beach
Along the shores of the sea of Skagerak is the local beach of Stenungsund, Nösnäs. Amenities include a playground and toilets, in addition to the cliffs, jetty, and green fields.
Stenungsund Stone Circle
The stone circle, known as domarring in Swedish, is next to the church. It dates back to the early Iron Age and marks the location of one or more burials.
Stenungsund Chapel
The wooden chapel in Stenungsund dates back to 1927 and is a part of the congregation of Norum. Its location on the cliffs offers a great view out over the town.
How to Get to Stenungsund
- Flights: There are domestic and international routes to and from Göteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT), which is 72 kilometers away.
- Car: Stenungsund is located along the E6 between Gothenburg and Uddevalla.
- Bus: Local and regional buses from Västtrafik connect Stenungsund with the surrounding region.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 516 kilometers (5h 10min)
- Gothenburg – 51 kilometers (39min)
- Malmö – 324 kilometers (3h 11min)
- Linköping – 321 kilometers (3h 17min)
- Kiruna – 1579 kilometers (17h 32min)
Find out more about other destinations in Sweden by visiting our page Exploring Sweden
