Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Karlstad
054 / Pop 87,000
A pleasant and compact town centre wrapped in layers of perpetually snarled traffic, Karl-
stad makes itself useful as a base for travellers pursuing outdoor activities in Värmland.
There are several sights worth seeing in town, and a large student population means it has
a decent restaurant and bar scene.
Sights & Activities
Värmlands Museum
MUSEUM
(
054-14 31 00;
www.varmlandsmuseum.se
;
adult/child Skr80/free;
10am-6pm Mon-Fri, to 8pm
Wed, 11am-4pm Sat & Sun)
The award-winning and imaginative Värmlands Museum occupies two buildings on Sand-
grundsudden (reclaimed land now converted into a pleasant park) near the library. Its mul-
timedia displays cover local history and culture from the Stone Age to current times, in-
cluding music, the river, forests and textiles. Some components of the museum are open-
air, activity-based displays about local industry and working life, including a log-driving
museum and a mineral mine, just outside of town; pick up brochures at the museum or
tourist office.
Mariebergsskogen
PARK
( 054-29 69 90;
www.mariebergsskogen.se
; Stadspark; 7am-10pm; ; 1, 31)
For green spaces and picnic spots, seek out Mariebergsskogen, a combined leisure park,
open-air museum and animal park in the southwestern part of town (about 1km from the
centre). Also here is Naturum Värmland, with a cafe and shop, perched over Lake Vänern.
Domkyrka
CHURCH
( 10am-7pm Mon-Fri, to 4pm Sat, to 6pm Sun Jun-Aug, 10am-4pm daily Sep-May)
It's worth peeking into the 18th-century domkyrka (cathedral), a soothing space with chan-
deliers and votive ships.
