Welcome to the hospitality of Värmland
Midway between Stockholm, Gothenburg and Oslo, on the northern shore of Lake Vänern - you'll find Karlstad. Here you will find a mixture of a vibrant nightlife, food from all corners of the world and a wide range of cultural activities. It's close to most things and within easy walking distance you'll find everything you need.
Sun, water and the hospitality of Värmland - where Sweden's longest river meets Europe's third largest lake you will find Karlstad. The place where the sun always shines. Or "Sola" if we are to refer to the innkeeper Eva-Lisa Holtz who spread joy and hospitality already in the 18th century. We dare to say that the people here are a bit more open and sunny, but then we are also the city with the happy sun as a symbol.
Värmland also has a long tradition of cooperation to strengthen our region, a cooperation between business, the public sector and the university. Yes, Karlstad can be described in several ways, but the easiest would be to describe the city as a place where people feel good and feel at home.
There is always time for a “gofika” in Karlstad!
And in Sweden, a gofika often involves drinking coffee and eating something really good and sweet.
At Carli Choklad, a stone's throw from the railway station, there are many different treats. The range includes homemade products such as chocolate pralines, bread, pastries and Italian ice cream.
Artisan Bread, located in beautiful premises at Kasernhöjden, is a modern artisan bakery offering sourdough bread, pastries and coffee. Artisan's baker was also named Baker of the Year in Sweden in 2018.
Swenströmskas Stenungsbageri is located on Östra Torggatan. Sourdough bread, buns and pastries are some of the goodies you will find at the counter and through the large window you can see straight into the bakery where magic is created.
In the Inner Harbour (Inre hamn) there is often a wonderful smell of freshly roasted coffee from Löfbergs, the coffee roastery in Karlstad. They also run a café called Löfbergs Rosteri and Kaffebar which is located on the glazed ground floor of the coffee scrape, where they serve fantastic coffee and you can also book a coffee tasting.
A growing cosy neighbourhood - Inner Harbour
Less than a 10-minute walk from the city centre, you'll find the Inner Harbour. Here you can enjoy the proximity to the water and have a nice meal at one of the popular restaurants on the pier. At Olssons Bazar you can eat from early morning to late evening at their bakery and adjacent restaurant. Are you more interested in really good tapas, shrimp on a sunny summer evening or local beer brewed in their own microbrewery? Just head to the other side of the harbour and Naviero, Ankdammen and Good Guys will take care of it for you!
Culture and entertainment - a living tradition of storytelling
Karlstad has a rich cultural offering on several stages around the city. From the small, intimate stage that offers stand-up and troubadour evenings to the huge arena experience where big Christmas shows and elite hockey can be enjoyed.
Wermland Opera is one of six opera houses in Sweden with productions such as Shrek, Les Misérables and Wagner's The Ring. The former foundry workshop Nöjesfabriken houses three concert stages, a bowling alley, a tapas restaurant and the award-winning nightclub Verket. The Scala Theatre hosts musical artists, stand-up comedy and theatre. Last but not least we have Löfbergs Arena, which hosts big events and is the home arena of Färjestad BK.
At Sandgrundsudden is the Sandgrund Lars Lerin art gallery situated, which has become a major tourist destination and where art is rehung twice a year. A stone's throw away is the Värmland County Museum (Värmlands Museum), which shows both Värmland's history and international exhibitions. And about a 10-minute walk from the centre is the Brigade Museum (Brigadmuseum), an experience museum with material from the Cold War.
Accomodation
Situated in the city centre with maximum 12 minutes walking distance from the Central Station there are several options for accommodation. Karlstad University has a government agreement with most of the hotels in Karlstad City. The conference venue is within 15 – 20 minutes walking distance from the hotels in the city center which will avoid unnecessary transport. There are buses available and free bikes to borrow from the city center during the summer. In addition there are plenty of restaurants, pubs, music venues, opera, museums, galleries, sporting arenas and cafes, if you have a moment to spare. Most are within a comfortable walking distance from the city’s hotels.
Situated in the city centre with maximum 12 minutes walking distance from the Central Station.
• Best Western Savoy Hotel Rooms: 81 (Svanen)
• CarlstadCity Hostel Rooms: 24
• Clarion Collection Hotel Bilan Rooms: 73 (ISO14001)
• Clarion Collection Hotel Drott Rooms: 85 (ISO14001)
• Clarion Collection Hotel Plaza Rooms: 139 (ISO14001)
• Elite Stadshotellet Rooms: 183 (Green Key)
• First Hotel River C Rooms: 49 (Svanen)
• Good Morning Hotel Karlstad Rooms: 61 (Green Key)
• Hotel Fratelli Rooms: 85 (ISO14001)
• Scandic Karlstad City Rooms: 145 (Svanen)
• Scandic Winn Rooms: 199 (Svanen)
• Solsta Hotel Rooms: 20
Accomodation 5-15 minutes cycling distance from the Central Station.
• Best Western Gustaf Fröding Rooms: 160 (Svanen)
• Scandic Klarälven Rooms: 143 (Svanen)
• Hotel Nova Rooms: 38
How to travel
Karlstad has easy access from big cities. If you fly you can go to Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo. There are also possibilities to reach Karlstad by train or bus.
By train: Stockholm city centre 2.5 to 3 hours, Gothenburg city centre 2.5 hours, Oslo city centre 3 hours
By bus: Stockholm Arlanda (direct from Arlanda airport to Karlstad) 4 hours, Oslo city centre 3 hours.
By car: Stockholm 3.5 hours, Gothenburg 3 hours, Oslo 3 hours.
