Kungsbacka combines a town centre shaped by wooden houses with a long history of trade along the river. There is also contemporary art, live performances and opportunities to explore the town outdoors. You can focus your stay on architecture and culture, or take in the river, park and viewpoint.

Wooden houses and local history

Kungsbacka’s town centre is defined by low wooden houses, continuous blocks of buildings and courtyards. A particularly striking example is Sparbankshuset on Kungsbacka torg: its wooden facade imitates the more understated architecture of a stone house. Röda Stugan is Kungsbacka’s oldest building and one of two buildings that show what the town looked like before the fire of 1846.

The history of trade is also connected to the Kungsbackaån. Towards the end of the Viking Age and in the early Middle Ages, a trading centre developed along the river. The medieval trading site was later moved to the area of today’s town centre between the Kungsbackaån and Söderån. The river and the town’s development are therefore closely linked in Kungsbacka, although its history is not limited to individual historic buildings.

A market is held on the market square throughout the year on the first non-working Thursday of each month. If you would like to plan your visit around it, check the date again before travelling. The regular monthly schedule gives you a specific point of reference for planning, while the historic town centre offers a focus in its own right.

Art, workshops and performances

Kungsbacka konsthall hosts exhibitions focusing on contemporary art. In addition, one work from the Municipality of Kungsbacka’s collection is presented there each month; the work on display may change. For a self-guided art walk through the town centre, there is the Digital konstrunda. The artworks on display here may also change.

Kulturhuset Fyren is a cultural centre in central Kungsbacka. Its library offers workshops for children and adults; the programme may change, so it is worth checking the latest dates. These activities complement the exhibitions and art walk with another cultural dimension, without requiring you to plan your visit around a particular age group.

Kungsbacka Teater hosts touring productions, including concerts, dance and theatre performances, as well as stand-up comedy. The programme changes. The theatre is just a few minutes’ walk from Kungsbacka Resecentrum. Alléteatern is an independent theatre in Kungsbacka, run on a voluntary basis by the cultural association Kulturföreningen Alléteatern. Those interested in the performing arts will find a range of theatre options; check the dates for individual performances.

River, views and trails

The Kungsbackaån offers another way to experience the town: you can fish in it right in the centre of Kungsbacka, and the river is home to trout and salmon. If you would like to fish, check the applicable rules and season in advance. This means the activity is subject to local conditions and does not imply general access to every fishing spot.

Badhusparken is a green oasis in the centre, between the town centre and the travel centre. It was created as a green meeting place when the railway arrived in Kungsbacka. For a view over the town, you can visit the wooden lookout point at the top of the hill in Björkris: from there, you can see across Kungsbacka and catch a glimpse of the Kungsbackafjord. There are also many walking and cycling paths that offer a way to explore the town by bike.

You can also factor rail travel into your plans: Västtrafik commuter trains between Gothenburg and Kungsbacka run several times an hour and take 25 minutes. Frequency and journey time may change, so check the transport operator’s latest information before you travel. This can help you decide whether to plan your stay around the town centre and its cultural offerings, or the river, trails and views.

Discover more destinations: Onsala, Frillesås, Kullavik, Gottskär, Hammerö, Särö, Åsa, Anneberg.

For the main travel overview: Kungsbacka.