20 gems in Borås

and around 20 gems in Borås

Sometimes you find that picnic spot, restaurant, courtyard café or shop that you fall in love with and want to return to over and over. Every city has its own little gems; some are better known than others, and the people who know the area best are the locals, of course. That’s why we asked them: what are the gems of Borås? Below is a selection of all the tips we received – places that are well worth a visit!

Mölarp’s Mill and Kröklings Hage Nature Reserve

Mölarp’s mill is located along the beautiful river Viskan in the little area of Fristad, north of Borås. Since the sixteenth century, the rivers have been used here to power mills, a saw, and a fulling mill. The area is also home to fascinating ancient relics that will take you back in time. The beautiful and ever-changing Kröklings Hage Nature Reserve is located nearby. This undulating area has a temperate deciduous forest, mixed coniferous forest and a wooded meadow. We suggest a hike between these gems, and why not a picnic surrounded by the beauty of nature? Sundholmen

At the western shore of Lake Tolken outside of Äspered, you will find the beautiful and historically fascinating Sundholmen nature reserve. A lovely, popular swimming beach can also be found here. From there, you can see the island of Holmen, location of the ruins of the old Brahe castle known as Sundholmen. The castle dates to the fifteenth century, but burned down in 1706 during a thunderstorm. Today it is uninhabited, but bats enjoy the old ruins.

Stadsparken

The city’s oasis was built in 1899, and its beautiful scenery has attracted everyone from couples on picnics to Borås residents on lunch break strolls ever since. Families with kids gather at the big, modern playground; ice-cream lovers and foodies flock to Orangeriet; and friends head to Mariekulle for a round of adventure golf. In winter, you can go ice skating on the illuminated skating rink.

Hedared Stave Church

The little area of Hedared outside Borås is home to Sweden’s only preserved medieval stave church. It was built in the early sixteenth century, but in all likelihood, a church of the same kind stood on the site before then. Echoes of history can be heard clearly here; take the chance to visit the church with a guide to learn more about this fascinating place! Ålgården

When it was founded in the seventeenth century, Ålgården was a mill. Today it is an artists’ workshop and an exciting gallery. The association regularly holds exhibitions, so it is well worth a visit if you enjoy art. This beautiful area is also surrounded by nature, so you can combine a visit here with a walk along the Viskan or up to the Rya Åsar nature reserve.

Ryssby Klint

The best view in town can be found high above Borås, in the Rya Åsar nature reserve. Depending on how tough of a hike you want, you can get here from several different directions. Families with kids can park a little bit away and walk the final stretch. However you get here, the view from the top is well worth the walk. Once you arrive, take a seat on the stone slabs and enjoy the peace and quiet. You might also find the 100-year-old memorial stone in one of the nearby stone walls?

Summer Thursdays

Since 1989, Summer Thursdays have been a Borås fixture. Every Thursday during the best weeks of summer, residents and visitors enjoy one of Sweden’s biggest selections of free entertainment. Stores stay open until 9:00 pm and Stora Torget and Stadsparken offer concerts, dancing and entertainment by well-known musicians and Swedish dance bands. Read more at sommartorsdagarna.se.

Knallestenen and Älmås Nature Reserve

In these beautiful nature reserves, you can hike and immerse yourself in history. Loftsliden is home to the Knalle stone, which is thought to be where travelling peddlers met when they came to Borås to split up the commerce areas. There is also a 2.7 km forest trail here that is especially well-suited to kids.

Ramnaparken and Café Gästis

Ramnaparken is a green oasis in the centre of Borås. It has historic buildings, a beautiful trail around Lake Ramnasjön, and a delightful green area. Have a seat on the grass with a picnic basket in summer, ride a sledge in winter, dance around the Midsummer pole or do some birdwatching. Take the chance to have coffee and a treat at Café Gästis, and enjoy the old-fashioned environment.

Tarzanberget

Head over to the screes at Tarzanbergen and enjoy the beauty of nature and spectacular views. Start from the green and white trail from Kypegården. The trail includes gravel roads and small paths through the forest, and some stretches are quite steep – but it’s a must-do if you want to see the magnificent views at the top!

Bruket in Wiared

Bruket is an oasis, beautifully nestled amidst green surroundings just outside the Viared industrial area. Browse beautiful interior decor, treat yourself to a wood-fired pizza, sleep in a glamping tent and buy cut flowers and freshly baked rolls and buns from the sourdough bakery. Four-footed friends are also welcome! Räven & Rönnbären

The little community of Dalsjöfors is home to a true gem. This cosy restaurant serves outstanding tapas and is well worth a visit! Take the opportunity to stroll around Lake Dalsjön, a beautiful walk split into different stretches. It is easy to get here by bus or car.

Skenstaboá Farm Shop and u-pick strawberries

If you’re already exploring the nooks and crannies around Dalsjöfors, then we suggest a visit to Skenstaboá’s lovely farm shop. It is best known for its beautiful gift baskets, which include locally made products from Sjuhäradsbygden and other parts of Västergötland. Browse mustard from Öxabäck, strawberry jam made with home-grown strawberries, honey from the beehives behind the barn, beer from Marbäck and much more. In summer, you can also pick strawberries from the farm’s strawberry patches.

Aroma Spa

A peaceful oasis in the centre of town. Relax in heated indoor and outdoor pools, with views of Stadsparken and Viskan. Don’t miss the food at Vito’s, which has a fresh Scandinavian menu.

Vattentornet

One of the city’s best-known landmarks, this area is perfect for a picnic in summer and a sledge ride in winter. Also known as Kvarnbergsparken, this is a popular hangout spot for locals.

Ådalens Café & Present

Between Borås and Ulricehamn is the area of Nitta, which is home to Ådalens Café & Present. You can get here by bicycle via the old railway embankment, or by car. The cosy café is best known for its fantastic waffles with jam and cream, along with a lovely, warm-hearted welcome from owners Linga and Bernt. With a bit of luck, you may find some flea market treasures in the little shop. We promise that this gem will quickly find a place in your heart, especially if you love coffee and a nice baked treat!

Annelundsparken

This park comprising over 90,000 square metres is filled with spring and summer beauty. Come enjoy early-summer azaleas and rhododendrons, and on one of the terraces, you will discover about 80 different kinds of peonies. The flowers begin to bloom in mid-May and reach their peak around Midsummer. Uddetorps Säteri

With a painstakingly renovated manor house from the late eighteenth century, as well as a barn, cow shed and ‘ryssalängan’ building, Uddetorp Säteri is a beautiful, tranquil oasis filled with history and life. Enjoy a cup of coffee or lunch at the cosy café in spring and summer, as the countryside begins to blossom.

Pickesjön

Lake Pickesjön is a small hidden gem located just a few kilometres from downtown, near the old infantry regiment. Come here to enjoy a hike on the accessible hiking trail, go fishing, have a barbecue or simply enjoy the scenery. This is also a popular place for dog owners, who can pair a walk around the lake with a visit to the fantastic dog park.

Borås Bio Röda Kvarn

Röda Kvarn is a municipal art-house movie theatre that shows hand-selected, high-quality movies from all over the world in a magnificent setting. The theatre opened in 1914 and is one of Sweden’s oldest and best-preserved cinemas. The auditorium has been restored to its original look and with 252 seats, it is the biggest in Borås. A unique experience for film-lovers!

Bonus: Fritsla Tyglager.

In an old sewing factory with plenty of history, deep in the textile world between Borås, Varberg and Gothenburg, you will find Fritsla Tyglager. But don’t let the name deceive you; there is so much more than fabric here. Come enjoy three storeys of interior design and textiles, as well as clothes and carefully selected gourmet products. Don’t miss the little bakery right outside!