Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Borås, Sweden

Borås is situated in West Sweden, approximately 45 minutes inland from Gothenburg. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Borås emerged as the country’s primary textiles manufacturer, a legacy that persists at the Textilmuseet, where industrial spinning and weaving machines remain operational.

One of the first impressions visitors have of Borås is its vibrant street art: magnificent murals several meters high adorn the sides of apartment blocks and municipal buildings, commissioned through a week-long event held annually every September. Three years into this initiative, the murals have begun to dominate the urban landscape, distinguishing Borås from any other city in Sweden. For adults, there are notable cultural destinations such as the Abecita Modern Art Museum. However, Borås also offers numerous attractions for children, including one of the country’s premier zoos, an action-filled city park, and an innovative science center.

Let’s delve into the top attractions in Borås:

1. Borås Djurpark

This prominent attraction is an ethical and thoughtfully designed zoo located on the northern outskirts of the city.

The park is home to over 600 animals representing 65 species, including Sweden’s lone African elephants.

What sets the zoo apart is the impressive design of its enclosures.

Species from the savannah, such as elephants, giraffes, and zebras, roam freely in a spacious area bordered by stone walls and observation points for visitors.

Moreover, it is one of the few zoos where cheetahs have successfully bred, in addition to featuring Nordic species such as grey wolves, moose, Finnish forest reindeer, and grey seals.

Children have the opportunity to engage with farm animals, including goats, sheep, cows, and horses.

2. Textilmuseet

Within Sweden, Borås is often referred to as Textilstaden, denoting its textile industry that flourished in the 20th century.

The Textile Museum is situated in the city’s former industrial district, chronicling this trade by documenting the evolution of technology from the mid-1800s and illustrating how the working lives of industry employees transformed over time.

The museum boasts one of Europe’s largest collections of operational textile machinery, providing insights into the crafts of spinning, yarn production, weaving, and knitting.

Additionally, its extensive textiles archive hosts fashion-themed exhibitions showcasing this rich heritage of fabrics and garments.

3. No Limit Street Art Borås

Graffiti and urban art often spark debate in Sweden, yet Borås has chosen to embrace these art forms in a regulated manner.

The city’s unadorned apartment structures have been transformed into monumental artworks, reaching heights of seven stories.

Previously, Borås maintained a strict anti-street art policy, but this shifted in 2014 with the inception of the “No Limit” event.

At that time, artists from seven different countries were invited to enhance the cityscape during a week-long festival each September.

This event has since evolved into an annual celebration, consistently adding more vibrancy and uniqueness to the city.

A particularly exciting aspect of this initiative is that preliminary sketches are kept confidential, ensuring that the final creations remain a pleasant surprise.

4. Navet Science Center

The Navet Science Center provides an ideal environment for inquisitive children, enabling them to explore concepts in technology, mathematics, and science through engaging, hands-on activities.

The center’s staff assist children aged approximately 5 to 11 in tackling challenges within the “Palace of Math,” constructing their own machines, or conducting experiments in the “Water Zone.” Children are encouraged to actively participate and unleash their creativity while learning about topics such as the universe’s origin, light, and human anatomy.

5. Abecita Museum of Modern Art

In 2006, the Abecita textile brand established an art museum at its factory.

Starting in the 1960s, the owners, Berit and Bengt Swegmark, cultivated a collection primarily composed of Pop Art and photography.

This collection has since expanded to encompass over 500 works by renowned artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Kiki Smith, and Ellsworth Kelly.

The artworks are displayed across three levels, in a space that was formerly dedicated to the production of corsets and lingerie before manufacturing was outsourced.

A small brassière museum is located on the fourth floor, while a café offering complimentary coffee for museum guests is near the entrance.

6. Borås Museum

This outdoor museum, established in 1914, features fifteen historic buildings relocated from the Sjuhäradsbygden region. Among them is the Nymanska Gården, a rare example of a Borås-style farmhouse from the 17th century.

The oldest structure on-site is the remarkable Ramnakyrkan, a wooden church dating back to the 1500s.

This church continues to host christenings, weddings, and regular worship services today.

The museum’s buildings are open to the public, offering glimpses into daily life in bygone eras, while the workshops display the traditional crafts people once depended upon.

During midsummer, guests can witness traditional Swedish folk dancing and ancient customs, including the maypole dance.

7. Stadsparken

Borås’ principal park spans 33 hectares along a bend in the Viskan River, just south of the city center.

Originally established in the 1890s, the park features mature trees that were planted during this time.

Throughout the year, various activities and events take place here: in winter, visitors can enjoy an ice rink and rent skates from the historical orangery.

In summer, the park showcases vibrant flowerbeds and an enchanting rose garden, and families can partake in a round of adventure golf.

The children’s playground was renovated in 2013, and significant attention has been given to its layout and equipment.

8. Borås Konstmuseum

Founded in 1934, the city’s art museum has resided in the Kulturhuset since 1976, alongside the City Theatre and Library.

The museum encompasses several departments and galleries across three levels.

The permanent collection provides an exploration of the western Swedish art scene throughout the 20th century, showcasing works by artists such as Roland Kempe and Sixten Lundbohm.

A dedicated space is available for the Swedish-French painter Peter Adolf Hall, who was born in Borås in 1739. This room features 20 of Hall’s works, along with his piano on display.

The atmosphere of this space resembles a Parisian Rococo salon, adorned with a chandelier, a sculpture of the artist, candlesticks, and a book cabinet.

9. Mölarps Kvarn

For a serene rural excursion, consider visiting the northern shore of Öresjö Lake.

A mill has existed at this location by the Viskan River since the 1500s, utilizing the swift waters that flow into the lake.

The current mill structure dates back to the 19th century and was still producing flour until 1968. Visitors can view the miller’s residence, as well as the fully operational mill and its restored waterwheel.

While visiting, take time to explore the surrounding countryside, which is designated as a nature reserve.

This region boasts wildflowers that are not typically found locally, such as the spring-blooming pasqueflowers and the August-blooming silver thistle.

10. Borås International Sculpture Biennale

Since 2008, the city has hosted a summer-long sculpture exhibition that occurs biennially in even-numbered years.

The biennale showcases works throughout Borås, typically focusing on Stora Torget, the city’s main square.

In its 2016 edition, there were 15 creations by artists from Sweden, the USA, Lebanon, Finland, Denmark, and the UK. This event leaves a significant imprint on the city, having initially provided Borås with a nine-meter bronze statue of Pinocchio, created by American artist Jim Dine.

Titled “Walking to Borås,” this sculpture is situated on the southern edge of the city near Annelundsparken.

It pays tribute to Gustaf Tenggren, the Swedish Disney illustrator born in nearby Alingsås in 1896.

11. Rya Åsar

For those seeking adventure outdoors, Rya Åsar is an expansive nature reserve encompassing 550 hectares located north of the city.

This reserve features a series of ridges, interspersed with over 20 kilometers of walking trails leading to various points of interest, including remnants of ancient settlements, glacial rocks, historic paved roads, and stone walls.

Among its most notable features is Ryssby Klint, which offers sweeping panoramic views of Borås from its peak.

In spring, the meadows blossom with wildflowers, and visitors can enjoy leisurely walks through lush oak, linden, and pine forests.

12. Torpa Stenhus

Located to the east on the shores of Åsunden Lake is a medieval castle in remarkably good condition.

Torpa Stenhus was constructed in the 15th century as a fortification against the Danes and was later remodeled in a Renaissance style during the 16th century.

Little has altered since its inception; the original fireplaces and haunting grisaille paintings remain intact.

The building’s excellent preservation can be attributed to continuous ownership by the same family since its establishment, as it was used as a granary rather than being demolished.

Guided tours of the wood-paneled interiors are available from May to August, providing insight into the life of King Gustav Vasa’s wife Katarina, who resided in the castle during the 16th century.

13. Hedared Stave Church

Another essential excursion is to visit this remarkable monument located 15 minutes northwest of Borås.

Hedared Stave Church is the only surviving stave church in Sweden from medieval times and one of only two outside Norway.

Initially believed to date from the 1300s, recent timber analysis has revealed the church was actually built in the early 1500s.

Numerous fittings and ornaments inside appear to originate from an earlier church: images of Mary and Francis of Assisi from the 13th or 14th century, a chalice from that period, and a French-made crucifix dated to the 1100s.

The interior walls are adorned with figurative paintings from the 16th century.

14. Upzone Adventureforest

Adjacent to the zoo, this family-oriented adventure park operates from March to November.

Children as young as six can tackle climbing nets, high wires, rope bridges, tunnels, zip lines, and various obstacles, all while securely wearing helmets and harnesses.

Multiple courses are available, supervised by trained instructors, reaching heights of up to 18 meters above the ground.

Older children and energetic adults can challenge themselves at the highly demanding Riskzone.

15. Lyckans Äpple

For a unique experience, consider visiting this farm located just a few minutes into the countryside north of the city.

Lyckans Äpple is a relatively new establishment; its apple trees were planted in 2005, and the adjoining shop opened in 2008. The climate of Western Sweden is particularly suitable for growing specific fruits, as the cool summers allow for gradual ripening.

The farm shop sells fresh apples in the autumn, along with cider, chutneys, jams, and mustard.

During summer weekends, the farm café provides a picturesque setting for enjoying a cup of coffee and a slice of cake.