For nature lovers
Beautiful hiking trails, enchanting bogs, or heavenly swims — what would you like to experience in nature today? Near Varberg, you’ll find perfect settings for wonderful outdoor experiences, surrounded by lush greenery and wide-open views. Here are a few little gems for a lovely day out in the wild!
Sauna bathing
Of course you should hit the sauna in Varberg! Here, cold dips and sauna time are almost a way of life. Head to Varbergs Kallbadhus with views over the Kattegat, warm up in the sauna, and finish with a refreshing dip in the salty sea.
If you fancy a nude swim under the open sky, you’ll also find the classic nude bathing spots along the seaside promenade: Skarpe Nord for women and Goda Hopp for men. A little daring, very freeing, and truly wonderful! Read more here.
Fishing
Varberg offers fantastic fishing in varied surroundings – from sea-sprayed cliffs and coastal coves to calm lakes where the whole family can join in. Whether you’re keen on coastal and sea fishing, sport fishing, or a classic angling trip with a rented boat, there are plenty of great spots to try.
See fishing areas here!
Want to head out on the open sea? There are also sea-fishing trips – MS Clipper and Fladenbåtarna are two great tips!
Pick-your-own
Pick-your-own – how summery is that? Here you get the chance to get close to nature and fill your basket with your favourites. Pick a bouquet of fresh flowers, hunt for sun-warmed berries – or go all in on both. Here are some lovely pick-your-own spots in Varberg!
Surfing
Did you know Varberg is one of Sweden’s best surf spots? People surf here all year round! If you’re up for waves, wind, and board fun, you’re in exactly the right place. Apelviken and Läjet are two firm favourites for windsurfing – and here you’ll find more tips!
Golf
There are several great golf courses around Varberg and Kärradal. The closest ones are Kärradal’s short-hole course (open during high season) and Klosterfjordens Golf Club – perfect for a round when the golfing urge kicks in. Find more tips here.
Naturum Getterön
Naturum Getterön is Varberg’s second most visited attraction after Varberg Fortress and is just a 15-minute drive from First Camp Kärradal-Varberg. You can also cycle here from Varberg city centre. This bird reserve is beautifully located by the sea and is a true paradise for nature lovers. More than 70,000 people visit every year to watch birds and enjoy the wonderful surroundings. Getterön Marina has also been awarded the Blue Flag.
Naturum offers guided tours, and on site you’ll find a shop and a café with a magical view. There’s also a permanent exhibition about the birdlife in the reserve and the nature of Halland. Naturum also runs children’s activities such as a walk along Flora’s Fairy-Tale Trail and a treasure hunt. Binoculars and bird books can be borrowed inside Naturum for maximum nature enjoyment and birdwatching.
Website: Naturum Getterön
Day trip to the Åkulla beech forests
Time for a forest day out! Åkulla beech forests lie just east of Varberg and make up a large woodland area filled with exciting sights, beautiful viewpoints, around 20 lakes, and twelve nature reserves. Today it’s considered one of Sweden’s finest beech forest areas, thanks to the unusual and endangered species found here. In total, there are twelve well-marked hiking trails.
Other sights in the forests include Järnmölla, the Björnekullen Ecomuseum, Ästad School Museum, Svartrå Church, Öströö Sheep Farm with a café, and Bockstens Mosse where the Bocksten Man was discovered in the 1930s.
Bexell’s Talking Stones
The beech forests hide plenty of sights and activities you can discover all year round. One of the best-known is Bexell’s Talking Stones from the 1800s. The landowner Alfred Bexell hired two stonemasons in the 19th century to carve different inscriptions around his estate in Torstorp. Today you can find around 160 engraved sayings – mostly on stones, but also on boulders and rock faces. In addition, 560 names of more or less famous historical figures have been found.
Bring the family for a fun discovery walk during the holidays! Who can find the most Talking Stones?
Website: Åkulla Bokskogar
Cycle the Kattegattleden
Discover Sweden’s beautiful west coast along the Kattegattleden! Kattegattleden is Sweden’s first national cycle route, stretching from Helsingborg in the south to Gothenburg in the north. The trail follows the coastline and offers stunning sea views along Halland’s shore. It’s 370 km long, almost completely car-free, and takes you through small fishing villages and summer towns like Båstad, Halmstad, and Varberg. Along the way you’ll pass historic sites and interesting attractions – including Tjolöholm Castle, Varberg Fortress, and Höganäs, known for its family-run farm shops and vineyards. Don’t miss a stop in Apelviken for surfing and beach time.
Website: Kattegattleden
Hike the Hallandsleden
Let your hiking boots lead you through Halland’s varied landscapes! Hallandsleden is a nature-rich hiking trail that winds through forests, open fields, and sparkling lakes – from Skåne in the south up to the border of Bohuslän in the north. Expect peaceful stages, impressive viewpoints, and great picnic spots along the way. Stop by Fjärås Bräcka, hike through Åkulla’s beech forests, or take a break by one of the many swimming lakes. The trail offers both calm and a bit of a challenge, and whether you’re after a day hike or a multi-day trek, there are plenty of experiences to enjoy. Stay comfortably with us during your hike and let the trip begin!
Website: Hallandsleden
The stretch by Kärradal
From Kärradal you can choose to continue cycling south or north. If you follow the routes south, you’ll have three First Camp campsites to stay at along the way. Here are a few different stretches depending on how far you feel like cycling.
From First Camp in Kärradal to Tylösand
Stages 5, 6, and 7 take you from Kärradal south past Varberg and on to the beautiful beaches of Tylösand. Stage 7 runs from Varberg to Kungsbacka, so you’ll start heading south on that stage, passing through Varberg. Then you switch to stage 6 between Varberg and Falkenberg. As you leave Varberg, you’ll cycle past the lovely seaside promenade, Varberg Fortress, and the beautiful beaches of Apelviken. This stretch is also known for rich birdlife, perfect if you enjoy birdwatching and nature. From Falkenberg, stage 5 continues down to Tylösand on the way toward Halmstad. The total distance is about 90 kilometres, so a few stops along the way are definitely recommended.
From First Camp in Kärradal to Torekov
If you’re up for a longer bike ride, you can cycle from beautiful Kärradal down to the summer idyll of Torekov. Start on the same stretch as for Kärradal to Tylösand – stages 6 and 7 via Varberg and Falkenberg – then continue on stage 5 heading south toward Tylösand and Halmstad, and on to stages 4 and 3 to reach your destination.
From Halmstad you follow stage 4, which takes you from Halmstad down to Båstad. Along this stretch you’ll see Halmstad Castle, two nature reserves – Tönnersa and Gullbranna – and the cosy town of Laholm, which is well worth a little detour. A short distance from the trail you’ll also find Skottorp Castle with its cheese shop and chocolaterie, plus Skottorps Stengods where you can try pottery turning. Once you reach Båstad, you switch to stage 3 heading toward Ängelholm and Höganäs. Pedal the last bit to Torekov and enjoy the scenery – you’ll pass plenty of charming villages along the way. The total distance is around 150 kilometres, so an overnight stay in Tylösand is recommended.
From First Camp in Kärradal to Mölle
From the campsite in Kärradal you can also cycle the Kattegattleden all the way down to Mölle in Höganäs. It’s about 190 kilometres if you ride via Torekov and the Bjäre Peninsula. Follow the same route as from Kärradal to Tylösand and Torekov, then continue on stage 3 outside Torekov toward Ängelholm, and stage 2 from Ängelholm to Höganäs along the beautiful Skälderviken bay and out onto the Kullahalvön Peninsula – packed with art, farm shops, and flea markets. A nice tip is to visit Krapperup Castle when you’re nearby. We also recommend spending a night in Tylösand and Torekov along the way, so you have time to take in the lovely surroundings.