Sweden’s West Coast, affectionately known as the “Best Coast” by locals, is the perfect destination for a wellness road trip filled with nourishing food, rejuvenating treatments, and invigorating workouts. Discover stunning hotels, health-focused and delectable restaurants, and serene spas as you journey from the picturesque county of Skåne, through the scenic landscapes of Halland, all the way to Sweden’s vibrant second-largest city, Gothenburg. Whether you’re looking to unwind or stay active, this region offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Book your trip and save this guide—we’ve handpicked the must-visit gems to make your wellness escape unforgettable.

Once you arrive down south, make sure to check in at the most gorgeous hotel in the area, Rusthållargården, which has been a landmark since 1675. Located in the picturesque fisher-town Arild, this gem is a must-visit on your trip. The airy, but cosy, restaurant offers impeccable foods (make sure to order the cured cod, the char, and the strawberries for dinner), and the gorgeous rooftop terrace is perfect for a mocktail while watching the stunning view over the little harbour and ocean. You can stay in either the main building or in one of the villas (we highly recommend the blue villa, also called “Kaptensvillan”, and the beds are heavenly with the softest sheets. Make sure to book a massage or seaweed bath in their tranquil spa and join a yoga session in their own beautiful shala, and then take a little stroll in the neighbourhood. About a 30-minute walk away is the renowned café Flickorna Lundgren where you find traditional Swedish pastries, as well as raw food treats and vegan dishes. Make sure to sit in their picturesque, lush garden and enjoy the calm ambience. Another highlight in the area bed & breakfast Fröken Hjort (meaning “Miss Hjort”), where you find just a few rooms in a renovated old barn. With a modern and minimalistic interior, mixed with some rustic designer details, this gem is such a serene oasis surrounded by open fields and stunning nature. Enjoy herbal teas in the lobby, while watching the sunset from the garden. Try the outdoor shower before hitting the soft linen sheets, to wake up relishing a homemade breakfast with freshly baked sourdough bread, eggs from the local farm, and freshly squeezed juices.

A short drive away by car is Helsingborg – a gorgeous city right by the ocean. Take a stroll along the water promenade and enjoy the view over Helsingør and Denmark, and then check in at the amazing hotel Clarion Sea U. Enjoy spacious, modern, and minimalistic rooms with stunning interiors, and jaw-dropping vistas over the harbour. Make sure to take the elevator up to the rooftop terrace, which has been named the third-best rooftop bar in Scandinavia, or enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the lovely outdoor pool (which you can book all for yourself). Just around the corner is Ginger Hälsobar, which is a must-visit for healthy and delicious foods, and you find everything from an excellent lunch buffet and smoothie bowls to superfood lattes and delectable raw food treats. The lovely owner Jenny is an incredible raw food chef, and you’ll find the most delicious, beautiful, and healthy versions of chocolate cakes and colourful pastries (make sure to try the healthy “kladdkaka”, Raffaelo raw food ball, and the sesame-chocolate ball with caramel). After this little pre-workout snack, book a class at Raw Yoga for the best yoga sessions in town.

For dinner, head to Italian gem Pepe for a wholesome and healthy dinner with incredible service. Make sure to order their heavenly Arancini to start with, followed by the chicken salad, and enjoy the modern, but cosy interior. For incredible service and excellent Asian dishes in a chic and extravagant interior, book a table at Yoko Dinner Club where the Thai-Basil is a must to drink. It will be hard to choose from all the mouthwatering dishes on the menu, but the Steamed Rice “Yoko Style”, Kimchi, Yellowfin Tuna, and Halibut are mandatory selections. End the dinner with their matcha cheesecake, which is to die for. If you’re in the mood for seafood and gorgeous ocean views, take a stroll to the beautiful restaurant Sillen & Makrillen, where you have to try their own Toast Skagen. 

A little further up north along the coast is charming Båstad, known for its tennis tournaments and celebrations during early summer. Make sure to check in at the lovely Hotel Skansen, where you find cosy rooms, an incredible spa, and the best food in town. Browse through their extensive treatment menu in the spa (make sure to book an Elemis Biotec facial), and take the elevator up to the rooftop where you can enjoy a magnificent view over the ocean from their outdoor pool and terrace. For a dip in the ocean, head down to the beach and out to their “Kallbadhus” (meaning cold bath house) where you also find saunas, refreshments, and a lovely terrace. The breakfast buffet is definitely something extra, so make sure to dedicate at least an hour to feast in the morning. The dinner is not to be missed either. Try to get a table on the outside terrace, overlooking the street for some people watching, while enjoying their three-course menu (the lobster brioche and locally farmed chicken with root vegetables are two favourites).

Continuing along the coast and into Halland County, a must is to stop at the vineyard Ästad Vingård and their quaint little village of houses located around a pond. The spa here is one of the best ones you find along the coast, and you can easily spend a whole afternoon going from one pool to the next, in between warming up in the different saunas (you even find an underwater sauna). Each area of the spa has its own scent, inspired by the surrounding nature. Unwind all day long, and prepare to enjoy the best breakfast of your life at Michelin-star restaurant Äng. Their tasting menu breakfast is out of this world and is an unforgettable experience for both taste buds and eyes. Located in a large greenhouse in the middle of a field at Ästad, the minimalistic Scandinavian interior is both stunning and inspiring, still creating a peaceful environment that highlights the colours and flavours of the food. With local ingredients from the sea, farms, and fields in the area, Äng has also earned Guide Michelin’s green star for its focus on sustainability. Each meal is accompanied by carefully selected drinks, and the best of all is that they just keep coming! 

In the area, you find the charming surfer town Varberg, where you have to book a stay at the stunning hotel Varbergs Kusthotell, located right on the beach. This iconic landmark has a long history as a wellness retreat, and people have been pilgriming to the hotel since the 1800s, to enjoy the salt water, seaweed, and fresh air. Therefore, the most famous treatment offered in the spa is their seaweed massage, which is an incredible body treatment that both scrubs and soothes your skin. Head to the sauna by the ocean and partake in a sauna ritual before taking a plunge in the water. Make sure to relax in their spa and pools afterwards, and don’t miss their fully equipped gym, and great classes (a favourite is their Medi-Yoga). 

For locally produced food in a quaint setting, make sure to book a lunch at lovely Spiseriet (and try their sparkling wine from Källsjö), or book a table at the amazing restaurant Joels Brygga in the charming harbour Träslövsläge, just south of Varberg. Relish shrimp sandwiches, salmon, or baked cod, and enjoy the beautiful view over the ocean right below your table. Stop at the Studio Bliss in Varberg on your way back, and get some dazzling crystals, inspiring books, and other wellness goodies. Varbergs Stadshotell & Asia Spa is another stop to do in Varberg town, where you find both a lovely spa and a great studio with a wide range of yoga classes.

When you arrive in Gothenburg, drop your bags at Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, located in the city centre right by the train station. As you pass by the café Happy Me Kitchen on your way out from the train station, make sure to grab a healthy hot chocolate with chaga, as well as a raw food cinnamon roll before you check-in. Happy Me offers a wide range of healthy meals and drinks, perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack, or “fika” as the Swedes call their afternoon coffee with something sweet. For dinner, reserve a table at Noot Nordik Kitchen & Bar where you find Nordic meals (lots of vegetarian options) with local and carefully sourced ingredients. Watch the chefs preparing your food in the open kitchen, and don’t miss their beetroot ice cream!

For the best spa and workouts in town, you only have to take the elevator down and go to Hagabadet Drottningtorget, which is the spa and yoga studio that the hotel collaborates with. You find amazing yoga classes in a warm, dark studio, an incredible workout form called The Practice, a great gym, and the most gorgeous spa with heated pools, saunas, steam rooms, and hammocks in a tranquil environment. Their other location in the area called Haga is another must-visit for both exercise and relaxation. You find everything from spinning, dance, and HIIT workouts, to yin yoga, and Pilates on their schedule. Enjoy an amazing gym, as well as a gorgeous little café called Orangeriet, where you can get your protein smoothie, matcha latte, or other post-workout fuel. Moreover, their newly launched Vitality Lab also offers lymphatic “Roll” massages, red light therapy, compression boots, as well as cryotherapy – a wellness sanctuary offering everything you need for restoration and recharging the body.

For both mat and reformer Pilates, stop by Pilates Complete for great classes, and head to Gbg Barre for the best (and toughest) barre classes in town. If you’re into boxing, make sure to check out hotel Bellora’s gym where you can book a PT session or get a round of boxing with a friend. Head to JOS across the street for great salads and healthy smoothies, or take a stroll to Bönor & Bagles where you get the best freshly squeezed juices and homemade bagels in town. Da Matteo is another great lunch option – order their salad, famous coffee, and try something sweet afterwards (their raw food balls are great, and cinnamon buns dangerously delicious). Wrapsody in famous food court Saluhallen is another must-visit for a juice, healthy treat, or great lunch bowl. Make sure to order their green juice to sip on during your city stroll. Make sure to book your dinner at Tavolo – the best Italian restaurant in town with beautiful interiors, impeccable service, and an outstanding menu.

words by Matilde Wergeland