Lidköping combines the history of an old town district with the shores of Lake Vänern and a variety of routes into the countryside. The past feels especially tangible at Limtorget, while the Strandpromenaden and Framnäs strandpark put water and nature centre stage. Museums, parks and excursions in the surrounding area offer more ways to explore the city according to your interests.

Discover the city's history and culture

Limtorget is Lidköping's oldest district. It is the only surviving part of the old town to have escaped the great town fire of 1849. The square is home to a printing museum and a craft workshop. The Vänermuseet looks after and displays the Limtorgstryckeriet collection there with the help of volunteers. Visits can be arranged on request.

The Vänermuseet's collections also offer different perspectives on the city's history and life on the water: they explore shipping, trade, lighthouse communities and the everyday lives of small-scale fishermen. The museum also features exhibitions on Lidköping's history and fish species in its aquariums. Lidköpings konsthall offers a different cultural focus. Exhibitions by local, national and international artists are on display there, complemented by exhibition tours, workshops and other programme events. For specific events, it's worth checking the current programme.

At the Rörstrand Museum, collections tell a story spanning almost three centuries. The café serves a locally produced selection of open-faced sandwiches on homemade bread, pastries and seasonal light meals on Rörstrand porcelain. As menu details may change, the selection available on site is what matters.

Waterfront paths, swimming spots and water activities

The five-kilometre Strandpromenaden route runs along Lake Vänern from the marina and Framnäs strandpark, through Tofta and on to Giacomina. Along the way, paths lead to small beaches suitable for swimming and picnics. The vegetation along the shore is also a habitat for birds, amphibians and plants. The route combines views of the waterfront landscape with opportunities to linger by the water.

At Framnäs strandpark, a long waterfront promenade leads out to a pier. A 150-metre-long jetty reaches deeper water and can be used for swimming. Boardwalks and other jetties around a small lake invite you to observe the park's wildlife and plant life. Framnäsbadet adds a heated outdoor swimming pool to the waterfront: it includes a 50-metre pool, diving towers at 3, 5 and 10 metres, a diving board, a 20 × 6-metre pool and a paddling pool.

If you'd rather explore from the water, you can paddle canoes rented from Lidköpings kanotförening on the Lidan towards the Flian. SUP boards and kayaks are available for hire at the beach by KronoCamping. Rental options may change, so check what is available for your visit in advance.

Parks, hiking trails and excursions

Villa Giacomina reveals a different side of the landscape: the 18th-century English landscape park is characterised by winding paths, streams, bridges and a summerhouse. The woodland at Villa Giacomina is mostly open and easy to walk through. By contrast, the Östra Sannorna nature reserve, right next to the city, offers paths through a protected natural area. It has a boardwalk trail with information panels and a birdwatching tower; hiking and swimming are also possible.

For more outdoor activities, the Råda Ås recreation area is about five kilometres from the city centre. It has hiking trails, running and exercise tracks, an outdoor fitness area and a viewpoint. One longer hiking route is the approximately 13-kilometre, blue-marked Traneberg Trail. It starts at Läckö Golf, follows the shore through a variety of natural environments and passes through varied terrain.

Excursions further afield add to the range of things to do. Läckö slott can be visited on a peninsula in the Eken archipelago on Lake Vänern, along with its castle garden. At Spikens Fiskehamn on Kållandsö, you can find freshly smoked fish from Lake Vänern, sea fish from the inland lake, refined products, delicacies and vendace roe. Västtrafik bus route 132 connects Lidköping with Spiken and serves the Spiken stop; check the current timetable before travelling.

Together with Götene and Mariestad, Lidköping is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Vänerskärgården med Kinnekulle. Naturum Vänerskärgården–Victoriahuset is intended as a gateway to Djurö National Park and other natural areas in the Lake Vänern archipelago. Four main routes in the municipality connect neighbourhoods with the centre; across the municipality there are approximately 95 kilometres of combined walking and cycling paths. Self-guided tours are also available in the Läckö-Kinnekulle app for exploring Lidköping.

Discover more destinations: Tun, Hagalund, Lidköping, Mellby, Spiken, Järpås, Härryda, Dals-Ed.

Return to the main travel overview: Västra Götaland.