Are you travelling to Karlstad and need sightseeing recommendations and tips on things to do? We have collected the top attractions from the staff at Clarion Collection Hotel Bilan in Karlstad!
Just at the river delta area near lake Vänern you’ll find Karlstad, the gem of Värmland. On approach you’ll see many charming little bridges across river Klarälven’s various branches, which gives Karlstad its unique life and quaintness. Karlstad is a city which has a lot crammed into a small area. Everything is within walking distance – restaurants, bars, museums and other attractions you mustn’t miss!
Coffees and beers for the connoisseurs at Inner Harbour (Inre Hamn)
As a coffee and beer lover you’re spoiled for choice at Inner Harbour. You can’t miss the landmark Löfbergs Lila, whose head office and coffee roastery are located here. Enjoy the aroma from freshly roasted coffee and visit Löfbergs Rosteri & Kaffebar. Try out one of their coffee tastings or attend a barista course.
Where: Tolagsgatan 1
Inner Harbour offers several nice restaurants and bars, including Ankdammen and Olssons Bazar. Micro-brewery Good Guys is an absolute must for the beer lover!
Where: Ankdammen is on Tynäsgatan 12 Magasin 1, you’ll find Olssons Bazar at Tullhusgatan 1 and Good Guys at Tynäsgatan 10B.
Mariebergsskogen – ideal for families
Mariebergsskogen is Karlstad’s very own city park – and it’s not tiny! The park covers an area of 78 hectares, but the main attractions are obviously the beach, Lekträdgården (The Play Garden), the animal park Lillskogen with its many Swedish farm animals, Restaurant Terrassen and Naturum Värmland. Mariebergsskogen is always a great place for outings, picnics, swimming and relaxation in the sun during summer months and skating and Christmas bazars during winter.
Where: Treffenbergsvägen
When: The City Park is open every day of the year. Check out the park’s calendar for opening hours for the restaurant and the kiosk, the bazar schedule, exhibitions and various activities for children.
Sandgrund Lars Lerin – watercolour paintings that make your chin drop
Sandgrund is a must for any art lover, any Karlstad fan and any Lars Lerin fanatic.
Most people know of Karlstad’s own son Lars Lerin, who has become a world renown artist and loved TV character in Sweden. He is obviously represented in his home town Karlstad with his own art exhibition. It doesn’t matter if you appreciate art or not – you simply cannot miss the opportunity to see works by the most recognised watercolour artist in the Nordic region.
Where: Västra Torggatan 28
Scalateatern
Why not do a dinner and theatre combo? There are always a few plays, concerts or musicals on at Scalateatern. Check out their current program!
Where: Västra Torggatan 1
Löfbergs Arena
Löfbergs Arena is not only the home court for ice hockey team Färjestad BK, but is also often hosting concerts, seminars and shows with artists like Lars Winnerbäck and Mia Skäringer.
Where: Norra Infarten 79
Nöjesfabriken
Bowling hall, concerts, nigh club, soft ice cream and tapas. You’ll find it all at Nöjesfabriken – a vibrant place with a cosy back yard and delicious food, a place you simply must not miss.
Where: Karlagatan 42
Experience Karlstad onboard Båtbussarna from lake Vänern and river Klarälven.
Nothing beats a boat tour, the ultimate way to get around and experience a city. Popular tour operator Båtbussar runs tours on lake Vänern and through the Klarälven river delta
during summer months. Get onboard at Café Slusswakten, Mariebergsskogen or Inner Harbour – the ticket price is the same as a normal bus ride, only with a few exceptions for some routes.
Where: Route 91 and 92 leave from Café Slusswakten. Route 94 leaves from Mariebergsskogen. Route 93, 95 and 96 leave from Inner Harbour.
When: June - August (see more information here
The Sightseeing Train in Karlstad
Although Karlstad is a great place to go on foot, it’s still a good idea to do a guided tour! The city’s own Sightseeing Train, Loke, runs two different tours - the City Garden tour and the River tour.
Where: Departure from the Town Square
First Camp at Skutberget
At the shore of lake Vänern you’ll find the camping grounds at Skutberget – an outdoor area with lots of fun activities. Apart from the camping grounds and cabins there is beach volleyball, mini golf, frisbee golf, windsurfing, football fields, mountain biking tracks, bumper cars and canoe rental. With its location at the lake, it’s also a great place to go for a swim or to relax on the rocks around the water or go for a run along one of the running tracks.
Where: Bomstadsvägen 117, approximately 8 km west of Karlstad
When: The grounds are open all year round, but with different attractions open during summer and winter seasons. Check out their website for the current program.
Stay at the former provincial prison Clarion Collection® Hotel Bilan
The 3.5 metre high wall around the hotel reveals the building’s history.
Clarion Collection Hotel Bilan is located in the heart of Karlstad and was the provincial prison of Värmland between 1847-1968. Prisoners like Raskenstam (a famous Swedish con artist) and Sillbodalsprästen (a Swedish priest and serial killer) served time here. There is a prison museum in the cellar, which shouldn’t be missed.
Hotel guests can enjoy a wonderful breakfast buffet, Afternoon Sweets and Evening Meal – severed in what once was the prison guard’s house.
They say ghosts have checked in to the hotel...
Where: Karlbergsgatan 3
When: The museum is open daily from 8 am to 10 pm. Free entry.
Are you scared of ghosts? Then we recommend you rather stay at Clarion Collection® Hotel Drott or Clarion Collection® Hotel Plaza – ghost free, central location, great food and comfortable beds.
