Halmstad-a picturesque coastal city.

Halmstad is a city and seaport in Sweden. It is located on the country's west coast in the Halland region at the mouth of the Nissan River into Laholmsbukten Bay. It is inhabited by about 70,000 people.

Halmstad is located at the crossroads of medieval trade routes, which contributed significantly to the development of an urban center in the area several hundred years ago. The earliest known municipal privileges for Halmstad date back to 1307, although as late as 1255 Danish King Christopher I began building a castle there on the Nissan River. For centuries the city belonged to Denmark; it was not annexed to Sweden until 1645.

Halmstad - attractions in and around the city

About what to see in this Swedish city and its surroundings we suggest in the text below.

Market square and old town

In the market square there is a fountain from 1926 depicting mythological Europe and a bull by Carl Milles. Note the oldest building in Halmstad - a house dating from the 15th century called the "Three Hearts," so called because of the three hearts present on it from the city's coat of arms image.

Halmstad Castle

This castle dates back to the early 17th century, when the area was still part of Denmark. It has the form of a quadrangle, in the middle of which is a courtyard 30 meters long and 36 meters wide. Today the castle is home to local government officials, including the governor of the Halland region. To the south of it is located a park with the remains of the castle's fortifications. In front of the castle the Naiad ship is moored and open to tourists.

St. Nicholas Church

This church dates from the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. It was built in the Gothic style and dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors. Inside you can admire the beautiful 17th-century chapels, stained-glass windows or the oldest surviving object in the church - a bell of over 500 kilograms.

Mjellby Museum

The Mjellby Art Museum was founded in 1980, primarily to showcase the work of the Halmstad Group (Halmstadgruppen). This was the name given to a group of six artists with ties to the city and working in currents of modern avant-garde art, such as Surrealism, Cubism and Post-Cubism. The museum presents various exhibitions ranging from modernism to contemporary art, as well as numerous temporary exhibitions.

Halland Art Museum

Located in the center of the city, this museum features numerous art exhibitions by local and national artists.

Hallandsgården Open Air Museum

The open-air museum is located on Galberget Hill, in the center of the city. It showcases 16th- and 17th-century buildings and the lives of people from around Halmstad and the Halland region. While visiting the open-air museum, you can look inside most of the buildings, and after the historical walk, you can also visit a small café serving waffles or traditional ice cream, among other things. The site is free to visit during the summer months.

Norre Katts Park

The park is located near the city center and is a great place for a walk or picnic. It features numerous flower and shrub plantings, ponds, as well as food outlets and a large, modern playground.

Galgberget Forest Park

This is a beautiful oasis of greenery in the Halmstad area. Its location on a hill guarantees beautiful views of the city, and the multitude of paths promotes walking and outdoor exercise. Witches were once executed here, and today the park features the Hallandsgården open-air museum, an observation tower, a playground or numerous barbecue areas.