Here's Why You Should Visit Karlstad At Least Once

Tell any Swede you’re going to Karlstad and they’ll likely smile dreamily and say something along the lines of, “Ah, Karlstad! Where the sun always shines!” Of course, that’s not entirely true. This small, picturesque town on the bank of the Klarälven River in Värmland does have downcast days – but it carries them elegantly. For that reason, and several others we’ll touch upon shortly, Karlstad deserves to be on your must-visit list.

It’s equally easy to reach from both Stockholm and Oslo

Karlstad is very conveniently located exactly between Stockholm and Oslo – so it’s equally accessible (and equally cheap to visit) from both Sweden and Norway. In less than three hours, the train from Oslo or Stockholm will have you in Karlstad, with ample time to explore the area before heading back home for the night. Oh and the way there, both from Norway and Sweden, is just beautiful – crossing endless forests and lakes.

It played a key part in Scandinavian history

The fika game is strong here

There’s a somewhat Parisian vibe to Karlstad – people love sitting outside, enjoying their coffee. But because this is still Sweden, the coffee is usually accompanied by something sweet. There are many places to go for “fika”, and one of the most intriguing ones is Artisan Bread, where you can have your coffee with a side of freshly made, gorgeously looking and smelling pastries and baguettes. Don’t leave without trying their cardamom buns. In fact, buy a couple for the road as well.

People love sitting outside for fika in Karlstad

…So is the art game

Did you know that the works of one of Scandinavia’s leading artists in watercolor technique are waiting for you in Karlstad? There’s probably nobody who has managed to capture the beauty of Scandi landscapes better than Värmland-born Lars Lerin (if you ask him, it’s Norway’s Lofoten Islands that made him discover the sea and the horizon). Lars is also a celebrated author and, along with his husband, Mozambique-born photographer Manoel Marques Lerin, starred in the award-winning documentary “För dig naken”. Oh, the things Karlstad will teach you!

You can have a picnic by the river

Having made the disclaimer that it’s not always sunny, we also have to say that Karlstad is, actually, one of the sunniest towns in Sweden (and has a smiling sun for its symbol). Take advantage of that with a picnic by the Klarälven. There are many wooden decks across its bank, some of them even featuring seating arrangements, where you can have a romantic picnic or share a beer with friends. Our advice? Get a nice, crispy pizza from Färjestads Krog & Pizzeria and munch on it with a view that definitely beats Netflix and chill.

…Or use a lush islet as an outdoor gym

The good people of Scandinavia are very active, and they would like to help you get active as well. So, they’ve turned one of Karlstad’s islets, Gubbholmen, into a communal outdoor gym. You will be using tree barks as weights and as stretching and pull-up aids, and you will be having 10 times more fun than your friends at the (conventional, indoor) gym.

You can get an understanding of the whole Värmland area

The Värmland county is not short on treasures of all kinds, and Värmlands Museum is the place to start exploring them. The building itself is part of the area’s history, as it has been here since 1929! Venture inside, and you’ll be greeted with art installations, archaeological findings, and cultural history gems.

…And return home with a souvenir like no other

Sure, you could buy a fridge magnet. But why do that, when you can get a bag of premium quality, locally roasted coffee to bring home with you? Karlstad has been roasting its own coffee since 1906. Lōfbergs brings its beans from Colombia and produces brews that would make even the poshest coffee aficionado sip appreciatively. Next to the factory, there is a roastery/cafe-bar where you can have your coffee to buy for home or drink it there as well. Talk about Karlstad leaving a great taste in your mouth.

Karlstad’s roasting its own coffee since 1906

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.