Halmstad: Beaches, Nature and Art

At the highest point, Klyftehög on Galgberget, there is a 13-metre-high observation tower with views over Halmstad and the Kattegat. Halmstad also features various coastal landscapes: Östra Stranden is a shallow bathing beach east of the harbour area, while the beach in Tylösand is supervised by lifeguards and forms part of a four-kilometre-long stretch of beach.

The immediate urban area of Halmstad includes Öppinge, Eldsberga, Getinge, Halmstad, Haverdal, Kvibille, Laxvik, Oskarström, Simlångsdalen, Steninge, Harplinge, Villshärad, Skedala, Gullbrandstorp and Holm.

Coast and nature

Galgberget is a natural area covering just over 66 hectares. The Hagön Nature Reserve contains sand dunes, heathland and wet meadows. There are a total of 57 nature reserves in the Halmstad area.

The Nissan, which flows through Halmstad, is 186 kilometres long. In the nature reserve, the Assman River forms one of Halland’s few waterfalls, with a drop of 36 metres. A 200-metre-long underwater route with ten information boards is marked by buoys on the surface and a line underwater.

Rhododendronparken is home to five different park rhododendron species, as well as cherry trees, around 40 katsura trees and birch trees. The path from the car park to Rhododendronparken is adapted for accessibility and suitable for wheelchairs, wheeled walkers and pushchairs.

Hiking and water

All major cycle routes in Halland pass through Halmstad Municipality. The municipality has marked routes and trails for shorter and longer hikes. Many easily accessible paths run through Möllegård Nature Reserve.

Prins Bertils stig leads from Halmstad Castle to Möllegård. Another marked hiking trail runs between Hagön and Brogård. Halmstad Municipality also has 14 fishing spots where fishing is permitted with a fishing licence.

In Simlångsdalen, you can fish, paddle and swim in the elongated lake system.

History and art

Halmstad Castle was completed in 1619 as a pleasure palace for entertainment and recreation. It offers self-guided audio tours; part of the east wing is open year-round, and guided tours are also held in summer.

Norre Port is the only surviving one of Halmstad’s four historic city gates and was completed in 1601.

Snöstorps kyrka is a hexagonal church designed by Swedish architect Emil Viktor Langlet and completed in 1883.

Picasso’s 15-metre-high work “Kvinnohuvud” stands in Picassoparken on the Nissan in Halmstad.

Hallands Konstmuseum displays an extensive collection of Halland painting, as well as works by the Söndrum Colony and the Halmstad Group. Mjellby konstmuseum is dedicated to surrealist art and has an extensive collection of artworks by the Halmstad Group.

Leisure and garden culture

Halmstad Arena Bad offers water slides, water cannons, a white-water ride, a lazy river and bubble zones. The facility also has a children’s area, a lap swimming pool and a diving pool.

Vargåslätten consists of a woodland garden, a museum and a tree nursery. Hallands kustväg runs between Halmstad and Falkenberg. Along Hallands kustväg, you can stop at a café, buy locally produced products such as jam, juice and preserves, and view art in a mill.

To the overarching travel overview: Halland.