Halmstad: the royal castle on the Kattegat coast

On the western coast of Sweden overlooking the Kattegat Sea, Halmstad holds a royal castle that remains an official residence to this day.

The downtown, with the royal castle on the Kattegat coast, is comfortably walkable in a few hours.

The Halmstad Castle, an elegant royal summer residence still used today by the Swedish royal family, dominates the city center overlooking the Nissan River.

A few minutes away, the beach of Tylösand, among the most famous and beloved in all of Sweden, animates summer beach tourism with sandy dunes and seaside venues.

Proceeding to the center, one visits the Halland Museum, which chronicles in detail the history of the region long contested between Sweden and Denmark.

As evening approaches, the lively harbor district animates fish restaurants with beautiful views of the Kattegat at sunset.

Halmstad passed from Denmark to Sweden only in 1645, after long centuries of contention between the two kingdoms for control of the fertile Halland coastal region, now wholly Swedish.

The Tylösand beach, made famous also by a historic hotel frequented by members of the legendary musical group ABBA, remains one of the most beloved bathing destinations for Swedes throughout the entire summer.