Summary
On the northern shore of Europe’s largest freshwater lake, the city of Karlstad offers an abundance of cultural experiences. Numerous figures in Swedish art and literature, including painter Lars Lerin and 19th-century poet Gustaf Fröding, are connected to Karlstad. A short distance away, one can visit Mårbacka, the childhood residence of Selma Lagerlöf, the first female Nobel Prize-winner in Literature.
The city features picturesque banks of the Klarälven River and a canal connecting to Lake Vänern. Notable parks such as Mariebergsskogen provide a range of activities, from summer fun for children to ice skating in winter. Additionally, Lake Vänern is perfect for boating, swimming, fishing, and exercising amidst stunning natural landscapes.
Let’s examine the best activities in Karlstad:
1. Sandgrund Lars Lerin
Sandgrund, a prominent venue by the Klarälven River, now serves as a gallery dedicated to one of Sweden’s most celebrated artists.
Lars Lerin is a well-known figure in Sweden, recognized for his exceptional watercolor landscapes, which are prominently displayed here.
Furthermore, he has established his reputation as a passionate traveler, with artwork reflecting his experiences in distant locations across the globe, ranging from Siberia to Iran and even Antarctica.
The museum holds a comprehensive retrospective of Lerin’s career, showcasing the largest collection of his works.
2. Värmlands Museum
As the administrative center of the county, Karlstad is home to the Värmlands Museum, which reveals the history and culture of this region of Sweden.
The museum’s collection includes over 40,000 artifacts, approximately 9,000 works of art, and countless photographs.
It is worth noting that as of 2017, the historical galleries were temporarily closed.
Nonetheless, the Cyrillushuset remains indispensable.
This hall, constructed in the 1920s and designed to resemble a Chinese temple, showcases the museum’s extensive art collection.
Among the displayed pieces are works by Chagall and Miró alongside pieces from Swedish artists such as Lerin, Anders Zorn, and Lena Cronkvist, spanning from the 1700s to contemporary times.
The museum frequently organizes temporary exhibitions covering a diverse range of topics; for instance, in 2017 an exhibition highlighted the works of children’s authors Inge and Lasse Sanberg.
3. Karlstad Cathedral
Established in 1730, Karlstad Cathedral is the episcopal seat of the Karlstad Diocese, encompassing both Värmland and Dalsland.
The 65-meter whitewashed tower and its black spire dominate the Karlstad skyline, mirroring the predominantly white interior walls, a reflection of Enlightenment ideals intended to express reason, morality, and eternity.
Notable fittings include angels sculpted by the renowned Neoclassical artist Johan Tobias Sergel at the old altar, 18th-century oil paintings, and a gilded pulpit from the 1790s.
4. Alsters Herrgård
Situated a short distance east of the city, one can visit the elegant lakeside residence of 19th-century poet Gustaf Fröding.
This mansion, built in the 18th century, served as the ancestral home where Fröding was born in 1860. Visitors are welcome to tour the house and its surrounding outbuildings nestled within extensive gardens overlooking Lake Vänern.
Inside, an exhibition details the mansion’s extensive history, while an art gallery in the east wing is open during the summer months.
In addition, a rich cultural program featuring poetry readings, theater, music, and dance takes place during this season.
From the estate, visitors can easily access hiking trails and bathing facilities along the lake.
5. Brigadmuseum
Inaugurated in 2013, this museum narrates the compelling history of Sweden’s military organization and evolution during the Cold War.
The exhibition covers the period from 1945 to 1991, showcasing military equipment deployed during this era and illustrating daily life during significant events such as the Vietnam War and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
History enthusiasts can view military hardware, including personnel carriers, tanks, and artillery.
Additionally, visitors may explore a bomb shelter and test their skills on a shooting simulator, with options to fire historical and contemporary weapons.
6. Mariebergsskogen
Situated on an inlet of Lake Vänern, south of downtown Karlstad, this park combines multiple attractions in one location.
The experiences available here vary by season.
During summer, visitors can enjoy music and children’s entertainment at the open-air stage, miniature train rides on the Conrad Hööök, a themed “Troll Walk,” swimming in the lake, mini-golf, and much more.
As winter approaches, the park transforms into a winter wonderland, with an ice rink available throughout the season.
The lake freezes, allowing individuals to partake in longer skating excursions around the inlet.
Throughout the year, Lillskogen zoo operates, featuring ponies, potbellied pigs, goats, and rabbits that seek shelter in cozy stables during the winter months.
7. Östra Bron
The “East Bridge,” as its name translates, is among the most photographed structures in Karlstad, spanning the Klarälven River.
With a length of 168 meters and 12 arches, it stands as Sweden’s longest stone bridge, succeeding a series of wooden bridges commonly lost to seasonal flooding.
The first stone was laid in 1761, and it took an additional 50 years for the bridge to reach completion.
For an optimal viewpoint, visit the northern bank of the Klarälven where the bridge, the river island Gubbenholm, and Karlstad Cathedral can be captured in a single frame.
8. Stadsträdgården
Among the variety of green spaces along Karlstad’s waterfront, Stadsträdgården stands out as the ideal location for a picnic during the spring and summer months.
This English-style park features a network of gravel paths framed by flowerbeds, hosting around 800 different species of trees and shrubs, all well-maintained and labeled for identification.
The park originated as a horticultural school in the 1860s and was acquired by the city in the 1920s.
During summer, visitors can enjoy a charming café/kiosk situated in a quaint wooden pavilion on one of the lawns.
9. Stora Torget
Stora Torget represents one of the largest city squares in Sweden, established in 1865 following a devastating fire that impacted the city.
The expansive layout aimed to mitigate future fire risks.
On the square’s western side stands the town hall, designed by architect Ernst Jacobsson while he was still in his twenties, replacing the previous town hall lost in the fire.
Observe the notable eagles adorning the façade, crafted at the Ludwigsberg foundry in Stockholm, each weighing 900 kg.
In February, this square serves as the finish line for a specific stage of Rally Sweden, a prominent event in the World Rally Championship.
10. Inner Harbour (Inre Hamn)
During warm, sunny days, the quaysides and jetties of Karlstad become lively areas to explore.
Visitors can stroll along the rivers and canals, enjoying outdoor seating options in various cafes and restaurants.
This area, particularly to the east of Stadsträdgården, has undergone significant development over the last decade.
Many restaurants have their private jetties, and yachts can be seen berthed next to outdoor dining establishments.
Further along, the banks of the Pråmkanalen offer scenic views at Badhusparken, where the canal meets the Klarälven River.
11. Lake Vänern
Europe’s largest lake, Vänern, is remarkable in numerous ways; it is referenced in Beowulf and Norse sagas recount battles that took place on its frozen surface in the sixth century.
From May to September, the lake buzzes with activity and an extensive range of activities.
Boat trips are readily available, including a cruise on the Stella Polaris, which departs from the inner harbor for a scenic 3.5-hour tour coupled with a meal featuring fresh shrimp.
For fishing enthusiasts, Lake Vänern is particularly appealing, teeming with salmon; it is noteworthy that the largest lake salmon ever caught, weighing 20 kg, was reeled in here.
Furthermore, visitors can walk or cycle along the lake’s shores, with numerous sandy beaches for swimming along the coast.
12. Solacykeln
From Monday to Friday, between June and September, individuals can avail themselves of free bike rentals in Karlstad.
During daytime hours, the Solacykeln scheme permits the rental of up to 20 bikes at no cost, requiring only a photo ID. With its numerous waterways and a substantial student population, Karlstad is an easily navigable and safe city to explore by bicycle.
Individuals can traverse to the shores of Lake Vänern, ride along the Klarälven, or move between various sights and attractions throughout the city center.
Tandem bikes are also an option for those visiting with individuals who may experience mobility challenges.
13. Golf
Golf offers a tranquil way to appreciate the stunning landscapes of Karlstad’s countryside, with seven golf courses located within a 30-minute drive from the city.
For those interested in playing during the spring, summer, or autumn, many local hotels provide golf packages.
The midsummer period represents a unique opportunity to experience golfing in Sweden during the enchanting hours of midnight sunlight. For seasoned golfers, Kils Golfklubb is recognized among Sweden’s top ten courses, delightfully situated by Lake Fryken.
In closer proximity, Karlstad Golfklubb features three nine-hole courses. Of these, two combine to create an 18-hole course that requires reservations, while the other allows spontaneous play at any time.
14. Mårbacka
A cultural excursion into the Värmland countryside leads to the estate of author Selma Lagerlöf.
In 1909, she became the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature and used her prize money to repurchase the estate where she was born and raised.
The renowned author of Jerusalem and Gösta Berling’s Saga transformed what was initially a modest cottage into a magnificent mansion.
The house, gardens, and interior remain preserved as they were at the time of her passing, following her wishes.
This site offers insight into Lagerlöf’s life, showcasing her role not only as an author but also as an employer and businesswoman.
15. Rottneros Park
In the surrounding region, Rottneros Park emerges as an exceptional sculpture park and an intricate landscape of gardens surrounding a manor house.
This location complements Mårbacka well, as the estate inspired the setting of “Ekeby” in Lagerlöf’s Gösta Berling’s Saga.
Redesigned in the 1950s to align with the Romantic depiction in the novel, the park features sculptures from the early 20th century, emphasizing the philosophy that art should harmonize with its surroundings.
In total, there are more than 30 pieces, with over half created by Carl Eldh, a widely cherished sculptor of the era.
