This calm Swedish town sits among rolling hills and lakes in the countryside. Local cafés line the streets, while the town museum and nearby zoo draw visitors year-round.
Explore Falköping in Sweden’s Västra Götaland County, where you can step inside reconstructed Stone Age homes at Ekornavallen, count cranes at Lake Hornborga each spring, or walk part of the Pilgrim Trail to see medieval ruins. The town’s rail connections link Stockholm and Gothenburg, making it easy to reach. Local cheese makers at Falbygdens Ost produce varieties like Herrgård, and disc golf courses sit alongside hiking routes used for thousands of years. With its compact size, Falköping lets you move quickly from train platforms to forests or ancient burial sites without long drives.
Prehistoric Sites and Ancient Settlements
Falköping lies in Falbygden, an area filled with Stone Age monuments. Dolmens and passage graves built over 5,000 years ago dot the landscape, including Sweden’s largest chambered barrow near Gudhem. At Ekornavallen, walk through a reconstructed Stone Age village and examine actual burial sites preserved in the open air. The Falbygdens Museum exhibits tools, pottery, and other items from these early communities. Nearby, the 18th-century hill cottages at Åsle Tå demonstrate how later generations adapted to the same land. These locations reveal how people lived here across millennia, adjusting to new ways of farming and building.
Bird Migration at Lake Hornborga
From late March to mid-April, Lake Hornborga hosts over 10,000 cranes resting during their migration north. Follow trails along the lake’s edge to see these birds up close, as well as geese, swans, and herons feeding in the wetlands. Observation towers and boardwalks let you watch without disturbing the wildlife. Nearby farms sell fresh produce like strawberries in summer, and guides lead walks explaining the lake’s role in local ecosystems. Plan your visit during early morning or dusk for the best chance to see cranes performing their courtship dances.
Trails for Hiking and Cycling
Walk the 40-kilometer Pilgrim Trail from Falköping to Varnhem, passing Gudhem’s 12th-century convent ruins and fields dotted with grazing sheep. For a shorter route, try the 8-kilometer Hälsoslingan loop around town, which connects to Mösseberg’s forest paths. Mösseberg also has a small zoo and a disc golf course open year-round. Cyclists can pedal sections of the Sverigeleden route, which stretches across Sweden, or explore the Västgötaleden trails. In winter, these paths become cross-country ski tracks, and the Motorstadion west of town holds motorbike races from April to October.
Cheese, Markets, and Local Produce
Sample Falköping’s dairy traditions at Falbygdens Osteria, where a cheese buffet includes varieties aged in local cellars. Every Saturday from June to August, the Malta Johanna Market fills the central square with vendors selling rye bread, pickled vegetables, and wool knitwear. Drive to nearby farms for jams, smoked sausages, or berries picked the same day. Cafés in town serve dishes like pea soup with pancakes or cinnamon buns baked on-site. Many use ingredients sourced from within 30 kilometers, including mushrooms foraged from surrounding woods.
Museums and Seasonal Events
During Konstrundan in May, artists across Falbygden open their studios to visitors, and Konstnatten in September adds outdoor sculptures and live performances. The Dalénium Science Center has interactive exhibits on physics and technology, ideal for families. Motorcycle fans can view over 120 classic bikes at the Lennart Magnusson Museum, while the Fonus Begravningsmuseum details Swedish funeral customs since the 1800s. Catch a movie at Cosmorama, a cinema operating since 1914, or attend a concert at Stadsteatern, which stages plays and music events throughout the year.
Getting to and Around Falköping
Trains from Falköping Station reach Gothenburg in one hour, Stockholm in two and a half hours, and Jönköping in 45 minutes. Buses run regularly to nearby villages, but renting a car makes visiting Lake Hornborga or rural farms easier. Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport is a 90-minute drive, while Jönköping Airport handles shorter domestic flights. Most shops, museums, and restaurants in Falköping are within walking distance of the station. Rent a bike at the tourist office to explore trails or reach Mösseberg’s forests.
Spas and Places to Stay
Mösseberg Kurort, a spa hotel on the town’s outskirts, has an indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs, and a sauna. Day passes allow access to the spa, and the hotel restaurant serves dishes made with local lamb and root vegetables. For quieter stays, book a cottage near Lake Hornborga or a room at a family-run guesthouse. Central hotels like First Hotel Falköping cater to travelers needing quick access to trains. Most lodgings provide bikes or picnic baskets for day trips to nearby archaeological sites.
