What to do in Halmstad - 16 sights and experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated May 2026 | What to see and do in Halmstad? Halmstad is a cozy city on the west coast of Halland, with fine sandy beaches, beautiful nature and also a lot of art and culture. Here are our best tips on what to see and do in Halmstad, including a complete 2-day guide.

Halmstad

I spent all my childhood summers in Halmstad, and Peter and I have been back many times, not least by camper. Here are some of the best things to do in Halmstad – from sights to nature experiences.

• Stroll along the Nissan
• Relax in Norre Katts park
• Experience art in art museums
• Play golf
• Sunbathing and swimming in Tylösand

Planning more trips? Don't miss our guides to Helsingborg and Varberg

16 things to do in Halmstad

Halmstad is a nice and famous city on the west coast. Here are 16 things we can recommend in Halmstad

1. Experience the crowds at Stora Torg and Storgatan.

The first thing you might want to do in Halmstad is to head to the city centre, around Stora Torg and Storgatan. In the square you will find, among other things

• Carl Milles fountain ”Europa and the Bull”
• The beautiful Three Hearts Inn
• The Town Hall, whose carillon plays four times a day.

The square is also a place for market trading and commerce.

Right next to Stora Torg is Storgatan, which is a pleasant street filled with shops and restaurants.

2. Check out historical sights: St Nicolai Church, Norre Port and Halmstad Castle.

In the centre of Halmstad there are several interesting historical sights. Right next to Stora Torg is Church of St Nicholas. The church was probably built in the 15th century and is dedicated to the patron saint of seafarers.

In the 17th century, the Danish king Christian IV fortified Halmstad with a wall and four city gates. Only one of the gates remains today - the North Harbour.

Here you can also check out 91 Karlsson, who stands statue at the gate. This cartoon character was created by Halmstabon Rudolf Petersson, who was inspired when he was a recruit in the Halland Regiment I16, 1916-1918. The name 91 is obtained by turning 16 upside down ...

Halmstad Castle was built in the 17th century by the Danish king Christian IV, who felt he needed a more splendid residence during his visits to Halmstad.

The castle is not usually open to the public, but occasionally the gates are opened for guided tours.

At other times, you can just peek into the courtyard. This is also where events such as outdoor theatre, music or the Christmas market sometimes take place.

3. Walk along the Nissan River

Nissan is the large river that runs straight through Halmstad. It is nice to walk along the river, and for those who wish, there is a a signposted footpath which in its total length is eight kilometres. .

4. Relaxing in Norre Katts park

If you walk from the centre and out through Norre Port, you will soon reach Norre Katts Park. This is a lovely green oasis with colourful flower beds including azaleas, magnolias and rhododendrons.

In the centre of the park is a small yellow house called Rotundan, a classic café,

5: Experience Art: Art Museums and Outdoor Art

If you like art, you'll find plenty to see and do in Halmstad. There are several art museums and also a lot of public art in the streets and squares.

Mjellby Art Museum is located just outside the centre of Halmstad and has in particular a large collection of the art of the famous Halmstad Group.

Halland Art Museumlocated at Norre Katts Park and Nissan, showcases a wide collection of art, farmhouse paintings, textiles and products from Halland.

Halmstad Art Centre is located on the ground floor of the city library, which is interesting to see for its special design. This is a small art gallery that hosts various exhibitions.

Public art can be found in many parts of the city. Perhaps the most famous is Picasso's 15-metre-high 'Woman's Head' in Figaro Park/Picasso Park.

Street Art are also plentiful in Halmstad. The picture below shows Carolina Falkholt's work Pi, opposite the City Library. At Destination Halmstad, you can read more about the city's street art and murals.

6. Coffee at Söderpiren

If you make your way down to Småbåtshamnen in Halmstad, you can find the small café Söderpiren, which is idyllically located on a beautiful beach. In addition to coffee, you can also book a hot tub and sauna here. Right next door there is also a popular dog bath, and Prince Bertil's trail that leads all the way to Tylösand.

7. Enjoy nature on Galgberget

Galgberget is a green oasis close to the city, where many Halmstad residents take refuge when they want to get out into nature.

Here you can hike on various trails through beech or mixed forest, have a picnic or take the children to the popular playground Sagoängen.

At the highest point of Galgberget, Klyftehög, there is a 13 metre high viewing tower. The tower is open to the public and from the top you have a magnificent view of Halmstad and Kattegatt.

8. Visit Hallandsgården

Galgberget is also home to the Hallandsgården open-air museum. This is a slightly smaller open-air museum where you can see a number of older buildings from Halland.

There is also a summer café and various events are organised, such as Midsummer celebrations.

9. Play golf

Golf is a very popular sport in and around Halmstad, and the city even calls itself the ”Golf Capital”.

There are eight golf courses in total, including three pay-and-play courses where you can play on the course without having completed a beginner's course and received a green card.

10. Admire Snöstorp's church

If you like beautiful churches, head to Snöstorp on the eastern outskirts of Halmstad. Inspired by Roman round churches and Byzantine architecture, the church was voted Sweden's most beautiful church in 2006.

11. Fascinated by the waterfall at Danish Falls

Danska Fall is a large nature reserve with beech forests, lakes and several hiking trails. The Hallandsleden trail runs through the reserve. The main attraction is the waterfall, which has a total fall height of 36 metres.

The name 'Danish Fall'? According to the story, the name comes from the Battle of Fyllebro in 1676, when part of the Danish army fled up the Fylle River while the Swedes chased them. When the Danes ran across a suspension bridge, the Swedes cut the ropes so that the bridge and the Danes fell into the rushing water and died.

12. see the Sling Stone

It's only a stone.

Dutch tourists

Slyngestenen is a 3.5 metre high boulder, a reminder of the Ice Age, where it stands alone and majestic in the otherwise flat landscape south of Halmstad. When we arrived, two young Dutch guys had arrived before us. "It's only a stone", they confirmed to us and to themselves.

Then they told us about films and reviews they had seen and read online, where people talk about magical properties that can be transferred when touching the stone... Of course we took the opportunity to feel the stone, but we are still waiting for the magic to happen...!

13. Walking along the coast on the Prince Bertil Trail

The Prince Bertil Trail is considered Halmstad's most beautiful walk. The trail is a total of 18 kilometres long and winds along the coast, from central Halmstad, out to Tylösand and then on to Möllegård.

The path is named after Prince Bertil, who was Duke of Halland. He spent several summers here with Princess Lilian in their summer house in Tylösand.

14. Sunbathing and swimming in Tylösand

One thing you don't want to miss doing in Halmstad is of course a trip to Tylösand. Tylösand is located south-west of the centre of Halmstad and is mainly known for its long sandy beach, but also for wild partying in the summer.

Tylösand beach is a sandy beach just over four kilometres long, which can be crowded on hot summer days.

Right next to the beach is Per Gessle's Hotel Tylösand. Here you can of course stay, but also enjoy the spa and in the summer take part in After Beach and performances. The hotel is also beautifully decorated with art and photography.

For those who like smaller sandy beaches, you can also find these beaches in Tylösand:

• Thief's den
• Svärjarehålan - with accessible beach, service building and wheelchair ramp

At Svärjarehålan there is also Halland's first snorkelling trail. The trail works like a nature trail, but underwater. Buoys on the surface and a rope underwater help you follow the 200-metre trail, and along the way you'll find information signs telling you about life under the surface.

READ MORE: What to do in Tylösand - 13 tips for a summer paradise

15. Hang out at the lovely Steninge beach

Steninge beach is a small sandy beach surrounded by rocks and skerries. There is a path out to a small rocky peninsula, where we can imagine that it is really nice to hang out on a sunny summer day.

16. Climb up the Lynga sand dune.

Lynga sand dune, in Haverdal Nature Reserve, is one of the highest sand dunes in Scandinavia. The dune measures 36 metres above sea level and a wooden staircase leads to the top, where a viewpoint and coffee table await.

Want to extend your trip? Combine with a weekend in Falkenberg or Båstad - both are located near Halmstad.

More to see and do in Halmstad

For those who like shopping, culture and history

There is of course even more to see and do in Halmstad than our suggestions. Here are some more tips for those interested in shopping, culture and history.

• Feldt's funfair kiosk is a charming shop with lots of colour and lots of joy. (Nygatan 1)
• Halmstad-Grenå ferry line with StenaLine offers opportunities for food, shopping and activities for children before arriving in Denmark.
• Garrison and Air Defence Museum tells the story of Halland's military history. The museum is currently (August 2021) closed.
• The halls offers shopping in a fresh environment. There are around 80 shops, restaurants and cafés under one roof (Prästvägen 1).
• Halmstad City Library is a beautiful building, where you can of course also borrow books. (Axel Olssons gata 1)
• Slättåkra Local produce is a farm shop located a bit outside Halmstad. (Lya Gård, Slättåkra)

For those who love nature

Do you like nature best? Then here are some more suggestions for things to do in Halmstad:

• Haverdal nature reserve offers opportunities for swimming, walking, exercise, picnics and mushroom picking.
• Rhododendron Park can be found at Tjuvahålan in Tylösand. If you come here in late spring, you can see all the large rhododendrons in bloom.
• Simlångsdalen is a natural area that offers opportunities for hiking, adventure or peace and quiet.
• Skulls is a viewpoint in the northern part of Haverdal, with a view of the sea, Haverdal harbour and north towards Glommen.
• top hat is a popular nature reserve with hiking trails, a digital scavenger hunt for children and ancient remains.

For those with children

Here are some more tips for things to do in Halmstad with children or teenagers.

• Halmstad Arena offers opportunities for swimming and skating, but also various sports events (Växjövägen 11).
• Halmstad Adventure Land is an amusement park with carousels, water park, pirate land, dinosaur park and more. (Gamla Tylösandsvägen 1)
• Minigolf and adventure golf is available in several places. There is also disc golf in Sannarp and football golf in Vilshärad.
• Sagas is an imaginative and popular playground on Galgberget.
• East beaches is located about 5 kilometres from the centre of Halmstad and is a shallow, child-friendly sandy beach. 

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

Best areas to live in and explore

• Centre - Ideal for those who want to be within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and city attractions.
• Tylösand - For those who want to stay near the beach, nightlife and luxury hotels.
• East beach and Frösakull - Quiet area close to nature and sea, ideal for families.
• The Gallows Mountain - Scenic area with hiking trails, viewpoints and historical connections.

Pitches and campsites

If you are travelling by motorhome, you can stop at the parking lot in the marina. has you have access to all the services you need including electricity. Within walking distance of the parking area there is a café and a dog park, and it is about two kilometers to the center. Some additional options where you can spend the night with your camper:

• Citycamp Halmstad, Styrmansgatan
• First Camp Karlstorp - Halmstad, Gamla Tylösandsvägen 200
• First Camp Hagön - Halmstad, Hagöstigen, Sommarvägen 1
• First Camp Tylösand - Halmstad, Kungsvägen 3
• Grötvik Harbour, Grötvik Sailing Society, Grötviksvägen 35

More city guides nearby

Planning a trip along the southern west coast? Here are more guides:

• Things to do in Falkenberg
• Things to do in Varberg
• Things to do in Båstad
• Things to do in Ängelholm
• Things to do in Helsingborg

FAQ - frequently asked questions about Halmstad

What is the best way to get to Halmstad?

Halmstad is easily accessible by train, bus and car. The city is located on the E6 motorway, making it easily accessible from Gothenburg, Malmö and Helsingborg. There are also direct trains from Gothenburg and Malmö via SJ and regional trains.

What is Halmstad best known for?

Halmstad is known for its beaches, especially Tylösand, its art and sculptures, as well as its music scene - the city has produced several famous artists and music festivals. Halmstad is also popular for cycling and scenic hiking trails.

What can you do with children in Halmstad?

Families with children can visit Tylösand beach, Halmstad Adventure Park, and make excursions to nature reserves. There are also smaller playgrounds and family-friendly cafés around town.