Karlstad

Midway between Stockholm and Oslo is Karlstad, the capital of the Värmland region. This friendly town is situated along the banks of Sweden’s longest river, Klarälven, which flows into the country’s largest lake, Vänern. Apart from its natural beauty and Viking roots, Karlstad is regarded as a lively place with a bustling music scene.

 

The residents of Karlstad are generally known to other Swedes as happy campers, probably because of the region’s agreeable climate and unusually high proportion of sunny days. The self-proclaimed sunny disposition of the natives is manifested in a city symbol of a smiling sun and a local waitress dubbed “the sun of Karlstad” is commemorated with a statue.

 

The Värmlands Museum in Karlstad guides you through the 10,000-year history of the Värmland province, from prehistoric hunters to moon landings, with several permanent and temporary exhibitions. There is also a collection of works by local artists as well as an excellent cafe and a well-stocked gift shop with traditional crafts, books and other souvenirs from around Värmland.