Travel Tips 24 > Northern Europe > Sweden > Svealand > Värmland >
Karlstad
Karlstad [1] is in Värmland in Sweden. It is a University city located in the rural centre of the country. It was founded by King Karl IX in 1584, and is sited on an island of the Klarälven river, and beside Europe's largest freshwater lake, Lake Vänern. If it isn't raining, it is a cute little town. However, there is very little to do there.
Travel to Karlstad, visa requirements
Flights to Karlstad, airtickets
Karlstad Airport [2] has daily business priced flights to Stockholm and Copenhagen. Tickets are purchased from the airline Skyways [3]. Do not go to the airport too early for the morning flights - there will be no one there, and the cafe will not open before the flight. Getting between Karlstad and the airport will set you back about SEK 250 if you take a taxi. Airport taxis can be ordered on +46 20 979797. A cheaper option is to take the bus for SEK 60, however you need to order the bus in advance on +46 20 323201.
Another way for international travellers headed for Karlstad is to fly to Oslo airport (Gardermoen) and go to Karlstad from there.
By train
Karlstad can be reached by direct train from Gothenburg and Stockholm in Sweden and Oslo in Norway. Bookings on the SJ site [4]. The train journey from Stockholm takes about 2.5 hours on a X2000 train (wifi internet in first class).
Buses to Karlstad
A good alternative to the train are buses, with services by Swebus Express [5] and Säfflebussen [6].
Get around
The town centre is all walkable, so if you're coming to see the town there is no need to hire a car.
There is a good local bus service (especially to the university), but if you want to travel beyond the suburbs then a car is still the best way to go.
Karlstad attractions and sightseeing
- Town centre. A mix of attractive, yet solid traditional Swedish buildings plus some modern ones.
- Mariebergsskogen, on the South side of the city (walkable from the centre). A small leisure park.
- Karlstad Cathedral.
- Värmlands Museum, at the corner where the Klarälven river splits to create the island that the city sits on.
City tours
Walk beside the river, or the lake. Karlstad is best treated as a base to access the natural areas beyond.
Shopping, Karlstad souvenirs
There are plenty of shopping opportunities in the town centre, especially on Drottninggatan, Västra Torggatan and Östra Torggatan. Nothing you can't find everywhere else in Sweden though.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
There are plenty of restaurants in the town centre, especially on Stora Torget (the main square).
Karlstad nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
- Blue Moon bar [7] - Good night club!
- Nöjesfabriken [8] - Good night club! They also have bowling, go-carting and lots of other fun activities.
- Bishop's Arms [9] - Elite Stadt Hotel in the center of the town, by the main square. A nice pub.
- Plaza Night club [10]
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
- Karlstad Youth Hostel [11]. Charming hostel opened spring 2007, about 1km from the railway station and central Karlstad. Price from 195sek per person. Rooms from 1 to 8 beds. Address: Kasernhöjden 19, 653 39 Karlstad. Tel: +46 54 56 68 40.
- Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel [12]. Close to railway station.
- Best Western Hotel (Savoy) [13]. Close to railway station. Free wireless internet access in all rooms.
- First Camp Karlstad - Skutberget [14]. Cottages and camping, gym and fitness classes. Wireless internet connection available.
Get out
Find a spot beside Lake Vänern and have a picnic or a barbecue, such as Skutberget.
If you are interested in Swedish literature, you can visit Alsters herrgård [15] and Mårbacka [16], where two well-known Swedish authors (Gustaf Fröding and Selma Lagerlöf) used to live and where there are museums nowadays.
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