Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [181]
Mjellby Konstmuseum (13 71 95; adult/under 20yr Skr50/free; noon-5pm Tue-Sun) is 5km from town but worth a trip if you’re into modern art – the museum includes the permanent Halmstad Group exhibition of surrealist and cubist art (labelled in Swedish). Take the irregular bus 330 from the North Bus Station.
Sleeping
IN TOWN
The tourist office can arrange private rooms in town from Skr160 per person (plus booking fee). It’s a popular town, with a solid smattering of the large hotel chains.
Patrikshills Vandrarhem (18 66 66; info@patrikshill.se; Neptunigatan 3; dm Skr175, r Skr350-700; mid-Jun–mid-Aug; ) Located 500m southwest of St Nikolai Kyrka, this stock-standard hostel has handy extras such as laundry facilities and an outdoor patio with barbecue facilities. Add Skr200 to all prices during the four-day Midsummer holiday period in late June.
Hotel Amadeus (16 60 00; www.amadeus.nu; Hvitfeldtsgatan 20; s/d Skr850/975, discounted to Skr640/845; ) At 65 rooms this isn’t a tiny hotel, yet it manages to retain a personal and welcoming air. Rooms are comfortably mid-market, with new beds recently added. There are budget alternatives (up to Skr200 less) for the kronor-conscious.
There’s little difference in price or standards at the following two upmarket places, both with sauna, solarium, bar, restaurant and so on:
Best Western Grand Hotel Halmstad (280 81 00; www.grandhotel.nu; Stationsgatan 44; s/d Skr1350/1650; ) Handy for the train station with rooms decorated in a traditional style with the odd modern touch.
Scandic Hotel Hallandia (295 86 00; hallandia@scandichotels.com; Rådhusgatan 4; r/ste Skr1320/1800; ) On the main square with more modern Scandi-style accommodation; some rooms have balconies overlooking the river.
IN TYLÖSAND
First Camp Tylösand (305 10; www.firstcamp.se/tylosand; Kungsvägen 3; sites Skr130-280, cabins from Skr525) A huge and bustling camping ground near the beach, with loads of family-friendly facilities. Avoid holidays such as midsummer, when prices go stratospheric.
Tylebäck (19 18 00; info@tyleback.com; Kungsvägen 1; sites Skr230, hostel 1-/2-/3-/4-bed r Skr295/430/600/800, hotel s/d Skr895/1095) Accommodation to suit all travellers – camping, hostel, hotel – is offered at Tylebäck, in a stylishly rustic setting.
Hotel Tylösand (305 00; info@tylosand.se; Tylöhusvägen; s/d Skr1695/1895, discounted to Skr1245/1395) Check-in here if you’re into beaches, clubbing, spa treatments and/or Roxette (it’s part-owned by Per Gessle, one half of the Swedish pop duo). It’s a large, upmarket complex on the beach, with top-notch sipping and supping options, a shiny spa centre and summer entertainment gigs; check out the glam foyer full of art, and Leifs Lounge nightclub. This is one of the few Swedish hotels where prices go up at weekends, although packages are available.
Eating & Drinking
Halmstad is jam-packed with dining spots, pubs and bars, mostly around pedestrianised Storgatan. Alternatively, on summer nights head to the after-beach parties at Tylösand.
Skånska (21 24 07; Storgatan 40; Mon-Sat) This is a good old-fashioned bakery with cafe attached. Sandwiches cost around Skr50, and there’s a tempting stock of chocolates and cakes to crank up the calories.
Fridolfs Krog (21 16 66; Brogatan 26; meals Skr75-270; from 6pm) Loaded with a wide menu, this is another pleasant spot for fine supping. There are low-priced pasta options, or more expensive, well-prepared meat and fish dishes like chilli-marinated swordfish.
Bakficka (Lilla Torg; mains Skr90-170) Behind Pio & Co is this place, which literally