During the summertime idyllic Marstrand are full of tourists, both on the island and around the water there are full of sailors. The island belongs to the municipality of Kungälv and located on the two islands Ko Island and Marstrand Iland. You can get to Marstrand Island via a passenger ferry which only takes a few minutes (car is prohibited on the island.)
History - 1658 - Carlstens Fortress construction begins.
In the 1100s, Harald Gille King of Norway (1103- 1136) started to build a monastery on the island of Marstrand. The town Marstrand was founded by King Håkon Håkonsson around the 1200's.
Around 1449, it was the Danish King Christian I who was elected King of Norway in Marstrand. It was not until 1658 that Marstrand became part of Sweden in connection with the Peace of Roskilde. That same year, Carl began to built the fortress.
What is happening on the island?
You can stay overnight on the island throughout the year at Carl's Fortress and other hotels on the island. Each year there is Carlstens annual Fortress Games (July, 2019), Marstrand Big Boat Race (May 29 - May 31, 2020) and the Art Walk (April 19-22, 2019). At Easter there is always the Easter bonfire and lots of events for children. It is said that Easter is the starting point for Marstrand for spring / summertime.
Some fun tip
Walk on the island of Marstrand and Ko island. On the island of Marstrand is a path around the island. On Ko island there are three different routes, a black (a little more advanced trail), a blue (easy trail with views over the North Sea) and the last goes on wider roads through settlements.
