Halland County

Halland is a narrow strip along the west coast, barely 50 kilometers wide, yet home to some of the longest sandy beaches in Scandinavia. If you vacation in Halland, you'll find sheltered swimming coves and dunes, can cycle along the sea, and will experience classic seaside-resort charm in towns like Varberg and Halmstad. In summer, the province is one of the most popular holiday destinations among Swedes themselves.

Coast and Landscape

Between Kungsbacka in the north and the border with Skåne in the south, flat sandy beaches, dunes, and rocky stretches alternate. Tylösand near Halmstad and the beach at Skrea near Falkenberg stretch for miles, while Varberg and Apelviken offer good conditions for windsurfers and kitesurfers. Inland, the terrain rises to forested hills with lakes and rivers, including the Ätran, Nissan, and Viskan, which are known for their salmon fishing. The Kattegattleden cycling route connects Helsingborg and Göteborg over roughly 370 kilometers and runs mostly through Halland. Between Halmstad and Laholm, the roughly twelve-kilometer-long beach of Laholm Bay, one of the longest in Sweden, extends along the coast. Laholm, one of the oldest towns in Sweden, has a small old town on the Lagan River, and Tylösand is home to a well-known beach hotel in which Roxette singer Per Gessle is a stakeholder.

Sights in Halland

Varberg is dominated by a mighty fortress dating from the 13th century; the museum there holds the Bocksten Man, a 14th-century bog body with fully preserved clothing. Below the fortress stands the Moorish-style cold-bath house, where you can go to the sauna and plunge into the sea all year round. Halmstad, the largest town, has an old town with the Norre Port gate, the 17th-century castle, and sculptures by Carl Milles. On the outskirts of town, near Fyllebro for example, trails lead through the river landscape of the Fylleån. Falkenberg stands out with its old town of wooden houses and the old bridge over the Ätran, while Kungsbacka lies within commuting distance of Göteborg and is the gateway to the Särö Västerskog nature reserve. A special destination is Tjolöholm Castle, a Tudor-style manor house on the sea north of Kungsbacka. In Halmstad, the Mjellby Art Museum, dedicated to the Surrealist Halmstad Group, is worth a visit, and the Getterön nature reserve near Varberg is a gathering spot for birdwatchers. In the hinterland of Falkenberg lies Ullared with Gekås, one of the largest department stores in Scandinavia, to which Swedes travel by the busload to shop.

Food and Drink

Salmon, herring, and shrimp come from the sea and rivers; Falkenberg was known for its salmon fishing for centuries. Halland's farms supply asparagus, potatoes, and strawberries, and farm shops sell apples and juices. In the small fishing harbors of Träslövsläge and Glommen, you can get freshly smoked fish straight from the boat. In late summer, crayfish parties and chanterelles from the forests of the hinterland are the big draw.

Getting There and Best Time to Visit

Halland lies on the West Coast Line between Göteborg and Malmö, and all larger towns have train stops. Halmstad Airport serves domestic flights, and Göteborg Landvetter is quickly reached. The best time to visit is from June to August, when the water warms up enough for swimming; in fall, surfers and cyclists come for the wind and the quiet. The Kattegattleden is well signposted and well suited to stages between the coastal towns, and rental bikes are available in several places.