Relaxed city on Lake Vänern with parks, museums, and a lakeside promenade. Home to Värmland Museum and Karlstad Museum of Art. Gateway to central Sweden.
Karlstad, the capital of Värmland County in west central Sweden, sits where the Klarälven river meets Lake Vänern. The city's emblem, a smiling sun, reflects its reputation for good weather. In Karlstad, you can explore the Värmlands Museum, admire watercolors at Sandgrund Lars Lerin, or swim in Lake Vänern. The city also has connections to Swedish literature, with nearby sites related to authors Gustaf Fröding and Selma Lagerlöf.
Värmlands Museum and Sandgrund Lars Lerin
The Värmlands Museum houses over 40,000 artifacts, 9,000 artworks, and nearly a million photographs. You'll find it where the Klarälven splits to form an island, in a building known for its distinctive architecture.
Next door is the Sandgrund Lars Lerin gallery. Lars Lerin, a prominent Scandinavian watercolor artist, displays his work in this former nightclub building. Lerin's landscapes depict scenes from across the Nordic region.
Karlstad Cathedral
Karlstad Cathedral, built in 1730, stands out in the city center. Its 65-meter white tower topped with a black spire is visible from many parts of the city. The cathedral serves as the main church for the Karlstad Diocese, which covers both Värmland and Dalsland regions.
Lake Vänern and Mariebergsskogen
Lake Vänern, the largest lake in Europe, surrounds Karlstad with water. You can take boat trips, fish, or relax on the lake's beaches. The lake includes an archipelago of 22,000 islands and islets, creating numerous spots for exploration.
Mariebergsskogen, a large park on Karlstad's southern edge, is both a city park and open-air museum. You'll find old wooden houses, a small zoo, and seasonal activities here. In winter, you can ice-skate in the park.
Literary Sites Near Karlstad
About 10 kilometers east of Karlstad, you'll find Alsters Herrgård, the birthplace of poet Gustaf Fröding. This 18th-century mansion, where Fröding was born in 1860, is now open to visitors. Tours of the house include readings of Fröding's poetry.
An hour's drive from Karlstad takes you to Mårbacka, childhood home of Selma Lagerlöf, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The preserved estate allows you to see the environment that inspired many of Lagerlöf's stories.
Coffee and Local Food in Karlstad
Karlstad is home to Löfbergs, one of the largest coffee roasters in the Nordic countries. Visit their café, Rosteriet, near the Inner Harbor to taste locally roasted coffee. For a typical Swedish break, order a cinnamon bun with your coffee for a proper fika.
Transportation in Karlstad
You can walk to most places in Karlstad's compact center. For longer trips, the city has a network of local buses. From June to September, you can use Solacykeln, a free bike-sharing program. To borrow a bike for the day, show your ID at the yellow hut on the main square.
Karlstad's Major Events
In February, Karlstad hosts part of the Swedish Rally, a World Rally Championship event. This brings rally teams and fans from around the world to Karlstad and the surrounding Värmland region. In July, the Putte i Parken music festival takes place in the city, featuring both Swedish and international musicians. Entry to this festival is free.
