Guide of Varberg

Varberg is a town on the southwest coast of Sweden, and it is a well-known resort town in the summer thanks to its lovely beaches. In 1826 the Swedish writer and bishop, Esaias Tegnér, famously called the town “the ugliest place in Sweden” but today the Varberg is working to shed this reputation and make its mark as a spa town. The municipality has the highest density of spas in Sweden, and Varberg is home to one of the most striking bathhouses, built in 1903, this seafront spa is an exciting mixture of orientalist and gothic architecture.

A brief history of Varberg 

Varberg first emerged as a military settlement in the 1280s with the construction of a fortress that was part of a chain of military establishments along the coast. At that time, this part of Sweden was Danish territory. In the middle of the 14th century, after being resituated 5 km north, it was destroyed during the Kalmar War in 1611 and rebuilt again. In 1645, the area in which Varberg is situated passed from Denmark to Sweden for 30 years under the Treaty of Brömsebro, at that time there were around 600 inhabitants. In 1658, the Treaty of Roskilde stated that the area would permanently remain Swedish. In 1666, there was a fire, and the town was relocated once again, to the place we find it today. There was another massive fire in 1863, and subsequently, most of Varberg was rebuilt with stone or brick houses. In 1890 the population reached over 4,000 and industrialization increased this figure to 8,500 by 1930. Local government reforms in 1971 saw Varberg designated within the much larger Varberg Municipality, and the current population stands at around 56,000 inhabitants. Although several houses were torn down in the 1970s, most of the city centre remains intact.

Things to do in Varberg

If you go to Varberg during the winter, taking a nice warm sauna in front of the sea is the best way to spend your day; Varberg bathhouse is a located along a promenade in a beautiful building, it is open every day apart from Thursday and Tuesday. Fishing and eating seafood are prevalent in Varberg, and the waters are home to a large variety of fish, including freshwater species in the lakes - you can even catch salmon in the nearby Viskan river! There are crews available to take you out on a boat, or you can hire your equipment from a shop. For those looking for something sporty, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that Varberg is one of northern Europe’s best windsurfing spots. There are courses available and equipment to rent from one of Scandinavia’s biggest surf shops, Surf Paradise. One of Varbergs most iconic attractions is the fortress; it is situated high on the cliffs with sections that date back to the 13th century. The most exciting thing is that you can sleep in the castle as it houses a hostel! If you’d like to do some shopping, then check out the market, it is said to be one of the best in Sweden and takes place in the main square every Wednesday and Saturday. If you’d rather watch the hustle and bustle unfold, then there are around ten cafes dotted around the square to choose from too. 

Beaches around Varberg 

There are 2.5 kilometres of sandy beach in Varberg that should provide enough space even at peak season! Getteron beach is beautiful and breezy, with excellent views of the archipelago located just offshore. There are some pleasant places to swim, a lighthouse and a small plot of land where Carl Larson, the painter, used to stay with his family, for a few summers. For those looking for sporting activities, check out Apelviken Badplats, you can either take a dip in the sea, try windsurfing or paddleboarding. There are also a couple of cafes such as Brittas or Johns.