Karlstad

Tourist office

• Karlstads turistbyrå

  phone: +46 54-540 24 70
  address: Bibliotekshuset, Västra Torggatan 26

By plane

has daily business priced flights to Stockholm, Jönköping and Frankfurt. Norwegian Air Shuttle is operating seasonal flights to Alicante and Gran Canaria. 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 250 kr if you take a taxi. Airport taxis can be ordered on +46 20 979797. A cheaper option is to take the bus for 60 kr, however you must order the bus in advance on +46 20 323201.
An even better way for the one that don't mind walking a bit is to walk down to the main road (about 1-2 km) and just take the bus. The name of the bus stop is Hynboholmsmotet.
A better way for international travellers heading for Karlstad is to fly to Oslo airport (Gardermoen) and travel to Karlstad from there by train or bus (3-4 hours).

By train

can be reached by direct train from Gothenburg and Stockholm in Sweden and Oslo in Norway. Bookings on the SJ site. The train journey from Stockholm takes about 2½ hours on a X2000 train (slow to spotty wifi internet free in first class, pay in 2nd class).

By bus

A good alternative to the train are buses, with services by Swebus Express and Säfflebussen.
You can also go to Karlstad directly from Stockholm's Arlanda Airport with NettBuss.

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 very efficient 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.

• Town centre. A mix of attractive, yet solid traditional Swedish buildings plus some modern ones.

• Karlstad Cathedral

  phone: +46 54-14 14 00
  address: Västra Kyrkogatan

• Mariebergsskogen

  phone: +46 54-540 27 50
  address: Treffenbergsvägen 20
  A small leisure park.

• Värmlands Museum

  phone: +46 54-701 19 00
  address: Sandgrundsudden
  A museum about the cultural history of Värmland.

Walk beside the river, or the lake. Karlstad is best treated as a base to access the natural areas beyond.
The city is also a city of sports:
-The World Rally Championship visits Karlstad in the early weeks of February for the annual Uddeholm Swedish Rally. Spectating that rally will give you a chance to visit the small towns in Varmland and to see the forest under a fresh blanket of snow. Be aware that rental cars and seats on Skyways out of Karlstad can be sparse during Rally time.
-During the winter the city have an ice hockey team in the highest division in Sweden. Bandy is a sport played on ice with sticks and a small ball but rules similar to football (soccer). In Karlstad you also find good Curling teams.
-During the summer athletic events also take place.

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.
In the western outskirts of the city at Bergvik you will find another main shopping area. Several shops including garments and electronics as well as smaller restaurants serves not only the local area but also the region and is popular among visitors from Norway as prices in Sweden are mostly considerably lower than in Norway.
Market days at main square Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Local produce and crafts.

There are plenty of restaurants in the town centre, especially on Stora Torget (the main square).

• Blå Kök & Bar

  phone: +46 54-10 18 15
  address: Kungsgatan 14
  Classical White guide restaurant in central Karlstad

• Freden

  phone: +46 54-21 17 92
  address: Tingvallagatan 15
  Traditional Swedish cuisine.

• Nya Via Appia

  phone: +46 54-24 06 00
  address: Järnvägsgatan 16
  Combination of Mediterannean and Nordic cuisine, with a great view.

• Olssons Bazar

  phone: +46 54-12 02 60
  address: Tullhusgatan 1

• Tiffany's

  phone: +46 54-15 33 83
  address: Västra Torggatan 19
  A French White guide gourmet restaurant.

• Bishop's Arms

  phone: +46 54-29 30 20
  address: Kungsgatan 22
  Elite Stads Hotel in the centre of the town, by the main square.

• The Leprechaun Pub

  phone: +46 54-18 25 50
  address: Östra Torggatan 4
  An Irish pub.

• Nöjesfabriken

  phone: +46 54-22 22 00
  address: Karlagatan 42
  Good night club! They also have bowling, go-carting and lots of other fun activities.

• Clarion Collection Hotel Plaza

  phone: +46 54-10 02 00
  address: Västra Torggatan 2

• Clarion Collection Hotell Bilan

  phone: +46 54-10 03 00
  address: Karlbergsgatan 3
  The old county prison. With a five minute walking distance to the centre of town.

• First Camp Karlstad - Skutberget

  phone: +46 54-53 51 30
  address: Skutbergsvägen 315
  Cottages and camping, gym and fitness classes. Wireless internet connection available.

• Kils Hotel och Restaurang

  phone: +46 554-40530
  address: Storgatan 16
  Storgatan 16. In the outlying town of Kil, it is the closest accommodation to the Karlstad Airport.

• Hotell Savoy

  phone: +46 54-15 66 40
  address: Västra Torggatan 1
  Free Wi-Fi in all rooms.

• STF Vandrarhem Karlstad

  phone: +46 54 56 68 40
  address: Kasernhöjden 19
  Charming hostel opened spring 2007, about 1 km from the railway station and central Karlstad. Price from 195 kr per person. Rooms from 1 to 8 beds.

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 and Mårbacka, where two well-known Swedish authors (Gustaf Fröding and Selma Lagerlöf) used to live and where there are museums nowadays.
If you travel by car Rottneros Park is a beautiful park with manor house, gardens and lots of statues an hour's drive away. Only open summertime.