In Arvika, art and craftsmanship come together in a story that dates back to the 19th century. The Rackstad Museum houses the largest collection of works by the Rackstad artists’ colony. The first artists arrived in 1898; the colony developed through their collaboration with the arts and crafts community established in Arvika. This connection offers you a special way to explore local cultural history: here, art and craftsmanship are not treated as separate subjects.

Artists’ Colony and Historic Sites

Nytomta Minnesgård offers another perspective on the past. It is one of the oldest farms in Taserud, Arvika. The farm commemorates the sculptor Olof (Ola) Eriksson and his family. The exhibitions are spread across the farmhouse, the weaving room, the shop (Boden), the small house and the Elis-E Palace. Rather than focusing on a single building, you can explore several exhibition venues here. Nytomta Minnesgård is open to visitors year-round; exhibition content may change. Check the current opening arrangements before your visit.

Glava Glasbruk also brings cultural history to life through specific places. The Bruksmuseet explains the site’s importance to Swedish window glass production in the early 20th century. A cultural trail leads through the former industrial area, showing where the various factory buildings stood and how extensive the operation was in the late 1930s. In this way, the history of glass production complements the physical traces of the former factory. Glava Glasbruk borders the Glaskogen Nature Reserve.

The Arvika Vehicle Museum is housed in a restored former Thermia foundry dating from 1923. On display are vintage cars, historic motorcycles, mopeds, light motorcycles, horse-drawn carriages, sledges and bicycles. The collection therefore ranges from motorised vehicles to carriages and bicycles. The museum is accessible to wheelchair users and people with visual and hearing impairments. Facilities also include a lift, an accessible toilet and an accessible parking space. As current accessibility information may change, it is advisable to check before your visit.

Forest, Marsh and Trails

In the Rackstadskogen Nature Reserve, the area’s high ecological value is largely associated with nutrient-rich, herb-rich spruce forest and old pines. Wooded slopes offer views over Lake Racken, and forest trails form part of a larger trail network. Here, you can explore the landscape and forest ecology together, without the entire nature experience revolving around a single viewpoint.

Nature and history also come together in the Bergs Klätt Nature Reserve. A marked trail passes through old forest, hazel stands, archaeological remains and bird-rich meadows along the shore. The archaeological remains include around 15 Bronze Age graves and a stone cist from the Late Stone Age. A 1.2-kilometre section of the trail is suitable for wheelchair users; there is also an accessible toilet. As temporary trail restrictions may occur, check the latest notices before setting out.

For unguided canoe trips, canoeists have been setting out from Arvika Kanot & Turistcenter since 1979. The centre rents out tents, sleeping bags and mats, and provides food and cooking equipment for trips. If you plan to use this equipment, check its current availability in advance.

Discover more destinations: Arvika, Edane, Glava Glasbruk, Gunnarskog, Klässbol, Sulvik, Jössefors, Glava, Salungen, Ottebol

For the regional travel overview: Värmland.