On the west coast of Sweden, there’s a small town called Varberg, with a population of around 35,000 people. Surrounded by hills, it’s famous across Sweden for its sandy beaches. The drive from Gothenburg to Varberg took us less than an hour.
After the road trip, we stopped by a cozy café-bar called Kasset in the central square, and we made the right choice. They serve such great, proper coffee there!
The mild climate and incredibly fresh sea air made Varberg a popular holiday destination for Swedes over 200 years ago. Since then, millions of people from all over the country have visited this seaside town, looking for a calm and relaxed vacation.
Varberg has an oceanic climate, which is considered mild by Swedish standards. Summers are generally cooler than in Gothenburg, and the warm temperatures are softened by the sea breeze.
The true symbol of the town is its old fortress, built at the end of the 13th century. What started as a small family castle eventually turned into a strong fortification that withstood many attacks.
From the dramatic battles between Denmark and Sweden in the 14th century, through the wars and fortress expansions of the 1600s, to its time as a prison in the 1800s, the place has seen it all. Today, the medieval fortress is a museum and offers stunning sea views.
It’s a real historical gem.
Right across from the fortress, you can see the fairytale-like Kallbadhuset, proudly standing on its pillars in the sea. Dating back to 1903, Kallbadhuset is one of the most beautiful bathhouses in Sweden, built in a Moorish style, and it’s the only one left like this on the west coast.
Kallbadhuset is open both in summer and winter. Through the big sauna windows, you can enjoy a view of the sea. The bathhouse is split into two sides, one for men and one for women. Each side has two saunas, one small and one large, along with changing rooms and showers.
Varberg is often called a paradise for sailors and surfers. The safe waters, steady breeze, great instructors, and modern equipment make it a perfect place for beginners to try windsurfing for the first time.
I also want to mention Apelviken, it’s the perfect camping spot for anyone who wants a sandy beach, swimming, and nearby activities. You can stay in a cottage, hotel, apartment, or bring your own camper, caravan, or tent. It’s open year-round.
Like many small towns on the west coast near Gothenburg, Varberg is a cozy and charming place to visit for a summer weekend. But there’s something a bit special about this town. I can’t quite put it into words. I’ve been to a lot of similar towns around Gothenburg, but Varberg stayed in my heart.
I’ll definitely come back again this summer!
How to Get to Varberg
If you’re traveling from Stockholm, the train ride takes just over 4.5 hours with a smooth connection in Gothenburg. From Gothenburg, you can either hop on a train or a bus; both take about an hour and cover roughly 70 kilometers. The road trip from Gothenburg to Varberg is straightforward and scenic and takes around one hour.
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About the author:
Hello and welcome! My name is Victoria, and I’m a private tour guide in Kyiv. Since 2016, I have been offering private tours on various topics for visitors to the capital of Ukraine. I speak fluent English and love sharing stories. When not guiding, I write about Ukraine on my blog and my travel experiences and insights in Sweden and the Baltics.