This coastal city in southwestern Sweden has sandy beaches, a 15th-century castle, and numerous museums. Visitors can explore urban areas and nearby forests, or enjoy water sports at Tylösand Beach.
Halmstad, a coastal city in southwestern Sweden, sits on the banks of the Nissan River. The city boasts sandy beaches like Tylösand, a 15th-century castle, and numerous museums. Surrounded by forests and nature reserves, Halmstad offers visitors a chance to explore both urban and natural environments.
Halmstad's Beaches
Tylösand Beach, a 7-kilometer stretch of white sand, can attract up to 40,000 visitors on sunny summer days. You can swim, sunbathe, or take lessons in windsurfing and kiteboarding. Östra Stranden, south of the harbor, has shallow waters making it suitable for families. The beach is lined with mini-golf courses, restaurants, and ice cream shops.
Halmstad's City Center
Walk along Storgatan, the main pedestrian street in Halmstad's center. You'll find shops, restaurants, and cafes, giving you a taste of local life. At the southern end of Storgatan lies Stora Torg, the city's largest square. Here, you can see the Europa and the Bull sculpture by Carl Milles and visit the 15th-century St. Nikolai Church, one of the few medieval buildings remaining in Halmstad.
Parks and Nature Reserves
A short distance from the city center is Galgberget, a hilltop park with views over Halmstad. Once the location of the city's gallows, it's now a green space with beech trees. Within Galgberget, you'll find Hallandsgården, an open-air museum with historic buildings from the Halland province. Halmstad is surrounded by 57 nature reserves, where you can hike and observe local flora and fauna.
Cultural Venues and Museums
Visit the Mjellby Art Museum, west of Halmstad, to see works by the Halmstadgruppen, artists who worked in cubism and surrealism in the 1920s and 1930s. In the city center, you'll find the Halmstad City Library, a modern building worth visiting for its architecture. The regional art museum, scheduled to reopen in 2019 after renovations, will add to the city's cultural offerings.
Sports and Recreation in Halmstad
Halmstad has ten golf clubs near the city. The mild weather and green landscapes make it a good destination for golfers. During warmer months, you can try various water sports at Tylösand Beach. For year-round swimming, visit Arena Bad, one of southern Sweden's largest water parks, which has both indoor and outdoor pools.
Getting Around Halmstad
You can explore Halmstad and its surroundings by bicycle using the city's many cycling paths. For longer trips, use the public transportation system operated by Hallandstrafiken, with the main bus station at Österskans. If you arrive by train, Halmstad Central Station is within walking distance of the city center.
Day Trips from Halmstad
Visit the Danska Fall waterfalls, east of Halmstad. This waterfall system at the southern end of Brearedssjön offers a nature experience. Another interesting nearby site is the Grimeton Radio Station, a UNESCO World Heritage site about 45 kilometers north of Halmstad. This long-wave radio station is the only one of its kind still existing in the world.
