Grebbestad with its idyllic fishing harbor is one of the most popular seaside resorts in Bohuslän.
Fishing and shipping have always been important industries and there are still several fishing trawlers in the harbor. There are also several seafood restaurants along the quayside. During the summer high season, it is crowded and busy, while Grebbestad offers a much more peaceful atmosphere the rest of the year. Visitors to Grebbestad should take the opportunity to taste fresh seafood and hand-picked oysters. The Oyster Academy is based in Grebbestad and organizes, among other things, Oyster Day and oyster-opening competitions.
Many famous people have made their mark in Grebbestad over the years. Evert Taube was one of those who liked to stay on Otterön, one of the islands off TanumStrand – this is where the well-known song “Så länge skutan kan gå” was written.
Grebbestad through the ages
Industries such as trade, shipping, canning and fishing contributed to the development of society in the 19th century. Restaurant Grebys is located in a warehouse beautifully situated at Grebbestad’s harbor entrance and has a past as a canning factory.
In addition to the fishing port and the pier promenade, the town’s neo-Gothic granite church from the 1890s is also well worth a visit. And if you want to experience the archipelago outside Grebbestad from the best vantage point, we recommend following the path up to the highest peak of Stöberget.
Oysters from Grebbestad
The Oyster Academy is based in Grebbestad. A non-profit organization that works to increase knowledge and interest in the Swedish oyster Ostrea edulis. The Nordic Oyster Opening Championships are held in May each year in Grebbestad. Oyster Day in early September is a beloved folk festival when the Swedish Championship in oyster shucking is also held in the town. TanumStrand’s oysters are hand-picked by the Klemming brothers from the sea outside Grebbestad.
The Klemming brothers are licensed oyster fishermen, which is required to harvest and sell oysters. An oyster takes at least six years to reach top grade. Klemming is almost alone in selling wild oysters and accounts for about 90 percent of all oysters that reach fishmongers and exclusive restaurants throughout Sweden. The oysters have become a specialty of the resort.
Grebbestad bathing and spa resort
Already around the turn of the century, Grebbestad became known as a bathing and spa town. The mud in the bay was considered to be very beneficial to health and mud cures were offered. During this period, there were both cold and hot baths, and in 1974, the longest preserved building – the cold bath house – was demolished. Today, the SPA tradition lives on at TanumStrand and there are many fine beaches and bathing areas in the area around Grebbestad.
Beer from Grebbestad
Grebbestad Bryggeri is the oldest and one of Sweden’s leading microbreweries. Here, beer is brewed according to local traditions in handmade copper kettles. Under the careful craftsmanship of brewmaster Johan Hansson, Grebbestad Brewery bottles over 600,000 liters of beer per year, all according to traditional recipes and brewing methods.
More places to visit in Tanum
Tanum is one of Sweden’s largest tourist municipalities and offers many delights to visit both on land and sea.
