Gothenburg has a lively culture scene, plenty of green spaces and food and drink in abundance, but sometimes you just need to escape the city. The West Coast and nearby towns provi…

Gothenburg has a lively culture scene, plenty of green spaces and food and drink in abundance, but sometimes you just need to escape the city. The West Coast and nearby towns provide plenty of opportunities for a memorable day trip from Sweden's second city: here are five of our favourite destinations complete with insider tips. If you've got longer than a day or two in Gothenburg, a boat trip out to the archipelago is a must. Any one of the islands (most of them car-free) will offer spectacular nature and opportunities to relax with a view, but Brännö is slightly livelier than most, famous for its summer folk dances and mentioned as an important town in several Icelandic sagas. You can learn about the island's history by visiting its local museum, housed in a barn: the information is in Swedish, but staff are usually happy to explain in English. It's open on weekends from June-August between 11:30 and 15:30. In July it's also open at the same time on Wednesdays. Whether using Brännö as a base for island-hopping or just visiting for the afternoon, take in the views out to sea by walking or cycling around, and stop off at any of the beaches or cliffs for a swim or sunbathing opportunity. How to get there: From the city centre, take the 11 tram to the Saltholmen ferry terminal. There, take the ferry: the 283 or the 282, with the latter taking slightly longer (around 40 minutes) and arriving at the south side of the island. Don't miss: Crossing the bridge over to Galterö, an even smaller and more rugged island which has some great secluded spots for swimming. Eat and drink: Head to Brännö Varv in the former shipyard to sip a coffee or cold beer in a hammock or an old wooden boat. In the summer there's often live music here too. Lovers of film and literature alike should put Fjällbacka on their travel bucket list for a cultural day trip. Not only was it the summer home of Ingrid Bergman, but the fishing village is also the setting of books by crime writer Camilla Läckberg, though the reality is thankfully far sleepier than her fast-paced thrillers. Bergman fans can appreciate the statue of the actress in the town's main square, and readers of Läckberg's novels can either join an organized tour to spot locations from her books or simply keep an eye out.