Marstrand is a seaside town in Kungälv Municipality, Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. It has held city privileges since 1200. The most striking feature about Marstrand is the 17th century fortress Carlsten, named after King Carl X Gustav of Sweden. During the last quarter of the 17th century Marstrand had the free port status, granted by the King Gustav III. Marstrand is a popular sailing resort in summer time. It is also the venue of the annual Swedish Match Cup, a match race sailing competition. Administratively Marstrand and its immediately surrounding islands constituted a city municipality of its own up until the local government reform in 1971, when it was merged into Kungälv Municipality. Marstrand is, despite its small population, for historical reasons often still referred to as a city. Statistics Sweden, however, only counts localities with more than 10,000 inhabitants as cities. Sourced with thanks from En.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marstrand Marstrand is a wonderful summer's paradise with a wide range of beaches, nature scenes, culture, outdoor life, food, ship races and much, much more. To get to this archipelago, you go by boats, buses and cars. The island's promenades stretches past gigantic "stonepots" from the Great Ice Age and stone age caves. Carlstens Fort is the biggest notable with exciting dungeons and an insight in the 18th century's fort life. Here tournaments and festivities are arranged.

The city hall is an old building house from the 17th century that today contains libraries and exhibition halls. For those with a burning interest for arcitecture there are many notables. The Maria Church is an example of the 13th century south european exterior. When the weather is right, Marstrand is a perfect excursion destination. The entire island is like a bathing cliff and for those who want a full-cover tan, there is a nudist beach to visit. The city revives more than usual when the Swedish Match Cup of sailing takes place. The championship sails can be followed from land where the rocks are perfect bleachers. Sourced with thanks from Cityguide-europe.com/se/marstrand/?cat=attractions

Wikipedia articles for Marstrand

• Marstrand
• Carlsten
• Homarus gammarus
• Åstol