Experiences, food and drink

Bosgårdsfallet Falls

Just west of Torup, to the left of the road towards Falkenberg, you’ll find the mighty Bosgårdsfallet Falls. The water has a drop of 11 meters in the Bosgårdsån River between Lake Ivesjön and the Nissan River. In the past, there were sawmills, water mills and small industries driven by a waterwheel, and in 1912 electricity began to be generated in Bosgård, which was in use until the early 1930s.

Today, this is a place to experience nature, stroll around the hiking trails, and experience the awesome waterfall. A location place to unpack your picnic basket while listening to the roar of waterfalls in the background.

Danska fall (Danish Falls)

The Danish Falls Nature Reserve is a large reserve. Visitors come here both in winter and summer, attracted by the waterfall itself with its beautiful surroundings and historical features.

The drop from the top of the Danish Falls to the mouth of the river is 36 meters. The river forms several rapids and beautiful waterfalls. A hiking trail goes through the scenic beech forest and the Hallandsleden Trail also runs through the nature reserve. If you follow the trail from the parking lot and out to the waterfall, you’ll have several opportunities to rest your legs and enjoy your lunch at various areas with benches and picnic tables.

The Danes fell in
The name Danish Falls comes from an old legend about the Battle of Fyllebro in 1676. Part of the Danish army is said to have fled up the Fylleån river and sought shelter in the forest at the falls with the Swedes close behind. As the fleeing Danes ran across a suspension bridge, the Swedes cut the ropes, causing the bridge and the Danes to fall. In the middle of the river is a large stone, which according to legend is called Kungastenen (King’s stone) in honor of the then Swedish King Karl XI.

The view from Virsehatt

Virsehatt is a 70-meter-high mountain that rises like a dome over the Sennan valley. The mountain is located in the Virsehatt nature reserve where there are plenty of beautiful views and lovely trails to discover.

Those who want a slightly more challenging hike but with a greater reward should go all the way to the top. At the foot of Virsehatt, a marked path leads steeply upwards, and once at the top you are greeted by a fantastic view of Halmstad and the sea enhancing the taste of your picnic lunch.

Digital treasure hunt and a troll
The Virsehatt Nature Reserve has a digital treasure hunt (swe), External link, opens in new window. perfect for curious children. Using your phone or tablet, you can access the map and listen to the stories of a character named Virse via QR codes. The treasure hunt goes all the way up the mountain and in total there are three treasures hidden along the way: can you find them? Along the way, you might even meet Virse himself, and don't forget to keep an eye out for the troll hiding somewhere in the mountain. The walk is about one kilometer long.

Rydöbruk

The whole of Rydöbruk is a gem in itself. This cozy little community is located right on the border between the provinces of Halland and Småland. Rydöbruk is a place that has undergone a transformation from a mill community to a center for leisure and culture. There is now, among other things, a riding facility at Rydö Gård and a beautiful 18-hole golf course, Rydö GK (swe), External link, opens in new window. with a restaurant that offers good Swedish home cooking. More about Rydöbruk further down the page.

Tiraholm Fisk

At Tiraholms Fisk, the raw material is only a stone's throw from our guests. The restaurant is located on an idyllic peninsula that juts out into Lake Bolmen, the site of commercial fishing. The landscape is typical of the province of Småland with lakes, forests, fields, and meadows forming a beautiful backdrop to your visit to the farm.

The farm shop and fish restaurant, which specialize in fish products caught in the lake, has been a popular destination since the 1980s, and in 2018 the business has been expanded by the addition of a hotel and conference facilities. Activities include hiking, cycling, canoeing, swimming, and fishing.

Ivars kulle (Ivar’s Hill)

If you want to combine a walk with coffee and pastries or take some beautiful nature photos – Ivars kulle is an obvious destination. It’s located on a natural hill created by glaciers and is about 40 meters in diameter and seven meters high.

Ancient burial mounds
To this day, Ivars Hill is said to be one of Halland's largest burial mounds. An excavation in 1972 found graves believed to date back to the early Bronze or Iron Age.

The name Ivars kulle (Ivar’s Hill)
Until the 1700s there was a farm called Skintan nearby, and most likely the hill was originally named after Givar Gunnarsson who farmed the land between 1717-1756. Since then it has been called by different names but in 1956 the hill finally got its present name, ”Ivars kulle.”

Övraby church ruin

Halmstad has not always been located where it is today. Until the 14th century, the town was located in the area now called Övraby, i.e. "the upper village", which is close to the Kärleken neighborhood.

The ruins visible in Övraby today are not from the first church on the site. As early as the 11th century, a stave church is believed to have been built on this site and called Maria kyrka. This in turn was replaced by a stone church in the 12th century and underwent several changes. It consisted of a nave, chancel, and apse. In the western part of the nave, the baptismal font was placed on a high podium. In addition to the usual north and south portals, there was also a wide portal in the west. This part was probably reserved for the king or his representatives when they visited the nearby royal estate.

Brunnsbacka sågkvarn (Sawmill)

The Brunnsbacka Sawmill is beautifully situated next to Lake Kroksjön. The mill is the most exclusive of its kind in Halland County. The facility is in functional condition with a water-powered mill with a frame saw and a planer.

Sawing was discontinued in the 1930s and the mill was closed somewhat later. The stick plane machine was used as late as 1951. The exact age of the facility has not been determined, but it is said that there was what was known as a ”skvaltkvarn” water mill as early as the 17th century. Traditionally, these mills date back to the Middle Ages when foreign monks brought the requisite skills with them. The design, with its hand-axed base logs, has an old-fashioned feel to it.

During the 1870s, some renovation work was carried out on the facility, which contributed to its current design. The sawmill underwent a more extensive restoration in 1983.

Halmstad Castle

Halmstad Castle is beautifully situated by the river Nissan, less than two kilometers from the sea. When the castle was built in the early 17th century, Halmstad and Halland were Danish. King Christian IV felt the need for a larger and more powerful residence during his visits to Halmstad and construction began.

Today, the County Governor lives in the castle and the County Administrative Board has offices here. The courtyard is often used in the summer for outdoor theater and music. An old-fashioned Christmas market is held every Christmas. Food markets are also occasionally held in the courtyard. In 2019, Halmstad Castle celebrated 400 years with several festivities.

Tour of the castle
You can always go into the courtyard. Every year the castle is also opened up inside for popular guided tours, so check with Halmstad Tourist Center if there are any scheduled tours or look at the event calendar. Otherwise, you can take the opportunity to go on a digital 3D walk inside the castle. External link, opens in new window.

Several cycling routes pass Halmstad Castle
In addition to the Hylteleden Bike Trail, the Kategattleden, Tylösandsleden and Banvallsleden trails also pass Halmstad Castle. To get to the Laxaleden trail, just cross Slottsbron Bridge. More about Halmstad's biking trails. External link, opens in new window.

Snöstorp Church

On the eastern outskirts of Halmstad you’ll find Snöstorp Church. This beautiful building was designed by Norwegian architect Emil Viktor Langlet and was completed in 1883.

Langlet based his design on old Roman round churches, but changed the appearance so that Snöstorp's church has a hexagonal shape instead. He also drew inspiration from Byzantine architecture, making the church resemble an oriental knight's castle with its spires and towers. Langlet was known in his time for his cost-effective buildings. The cost of Snöstorp's church amounted to SEK 37,000, which corresponds to about two to four million SEK in today's money.

Unnaryds Bonadsmuseum (tapestry museum)

Unnaryd is known as the Mecca of tapestry art. The inspiration from medieval church art is reflected in the peasant culture of southern Sweden. The forest farmer adorned his log walls with happy stories as he nailed up home-woven cloths, finely decorated in the local colors of "natural pigments, hens' eggs and water".

The Tapestry Museum displays folk art with simple motifs, bright colors, and human kindness that has been passed on to the present day in the Tapestry Museum. Here we get a rare glimpse of the festive joy and childlike faith that characterized the imagination of our ancestors. The tapestries in Unnaryd are a well-preserved part of Sweden's national cultural heritage and are protected by the Swedish National Heritage Board.

Unnaryds Bonadsmuseum (swe) External link, opens in new window. is usually open from May to August. The museum can also be opened at other times by appointment.