This trip you can choose whether you want to start in Lillestrøm or from Kristinehamn.
The tour suggestion is based on starting in Lillestrøm.
Here you can first stroll around Lillestrøm – visit Elvebredden Art Park, which features many exciting artworks along the river Nitelva.
Afterwards, you can choose whether to take a guided tour at Nitja Art Center, or explore the art on your own. Here, you can also choose to enjoy a light lunch or a cup of coffee.
Right across the street from Nitja lies the train station, and from there you take the train towards Kongsvinger – about 1 hour and 30 minutes on route R14 with VY.
In Kongsvinger, you can decide whether to get off the train and take a trip up to Kongsvinger Fortress and the old part of town. Here you will find the Women’s Museum, cozy narrow streets with cafés. At Kongsvinger Fortress and Hotel you can also stay overnight if you would like a good night’s sleep in historic surroundings. If you’d like a detour to Magnor, you can take bus 120 from Kongsvinger Station to Magnor, where you can experience Magnor Glassworks or The Plus. From Magnor center it is about a 20-minute walk to The Plus. A taxi from there to the factory is also possible.
If you choose to travel directly to Sweden, either with a stop in Arvika or directly to Karlstad/ Kristinehamn
The train ride from Kongsvinger to Kristinehamn takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes – and here you can choose whether to get off in Arvika (approx. 45–50 minutes), or continue to Karlstad and end up in Kristinehamn.
Arvika charms you with small-town architecture, genuine crafts, and second-hand shops and, of course, the art at Rackstad. Don’t miss having a fika at one of the city’s cozy cafés.
Discover Sweden’s oldest arts and crafts shop, founded in 1922, right in the center of Arvika. Unique creations by local artisans are displayed and sold here, often inspired by the Rackstad Colony’s art tradition. Several small exhibitions are held throughout the year to enhance the visitor experience.
Experience Swedish art history at the Rackstad Museum in Arvika, where turn-of-the-century artists from around Lake Racken meet contemporary art and crafts. The museum is set in a beautiful historic environment with exhibitions, an inspiring park, and a shop featuring art and crafts.
Discover Arvika’s beautiful and historic buildings on an architecture walk curated by Värmland’s antiquarian Terese Myrin. Follow the interactive map and experience the elegance of Trefaldighetskyrkan, the Palladium cinema palace, and the functionalist KP-building – a city walk filled with culture and history.
You can then discover the Arvika Vehicle Museum, located in the restored Thermia foundry from 1923. Here you will find vintage cars, motorcycles, bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and unique rarities such as the Marmon 1933 and the Arvika prototype Indigo 3000. A café and museum shop enhance the visit, with themed exhibitions running year-round.
Stay comfortably at Scandic Arvika, one of Arvika’s oldest houses from the 1800s, with charm and history in its walls. The hotel offers 88 rooms, a relaxation area with pool and sauna, several restaurants, and conference facilities – perfect for relaxation and experiences in Arvika.
Elin’s Backyard – one of Arvika’s most beloved places – welcomes you with cozy, old-fashioned surroundings, a crackling tiled stove, the smell of fresh baking, and charming details everywhere. Enjoy homemade lunch and fika, discover arts and crafts in the shop corner, and don’t miss the small concerts and exhibitions often held here.
By the water in Arvika lies Olsson’s Pier, a restaurant and summer gem with outdoor seating, a rooftop terrace, and lounges. Enjoy good food, drinks, and live music during the summer, with a fantastic view over Kyrkviken and Arvika’s harbor.
You can then take the train further to Karlstad and Kristinehamn, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
In sunny Karlstad, you’ll find museums that attract visitors from all over the country, as well as charming galleries and a vibrant food culture. With the Klarälven River winding through the city center and comfortable accommodations in the heart of town, it’s easy to stay longer.
At the Värmland Museum on Sandgrundsudden in Karlstad, you’ll encounter art, photography, and cultural history in 15–20 new exhibitions every year. Both global perspectives and local stories are featured here, such as the exhibition “Värmland Life” about people’s lives in the landscape over 10,000 years. Stop for a meal in the museum restaurant, visit the shop, and discover outdoor art through their own app.
Just a stone’s throw apart, you’ll find three galleries near Herrhagsparken, a short walk from the center. At Gallery Bergman, Gallery Ekdahl, and Art Promotion Värmland, works from Värmland as well as Nordic artists are shown, with a wide range of styles and expressions.
At Hotel Fratelli in Karlstad, you’ll find a boutique hotel where design, energy, and hospitality create a unique atmosphere. Three kitchens and three bars offer culinary highlights – from deli and fine dining to rooftop bar. Here, gastronomy, relaxation, and experiences come together in top-class form.
Continue by train to Kristinehamn, a real gem on the shores of Lake Vänern, where the Picasso sculpture, vibrant art, and the adventures of the archipelago meet. Here, culture, taste experiences, and lakeside life come together.
The 15-meter-high sculpture on Strandudden, representing Picasso’s wife Jacqueline, is one of the world’s largest free-standing Picasso works. Inaugurated in 1965, in collaboration with Carl Nesjar and Bengt Olson, it is today an iconic destination in Kristinehamn, beautifully located on the shores of Lake Vänern.
Kristinehamn Art Museum in Mariebergsparken showcases both contemporary and historical art, with exhibitions by Picasso, Matisse, and Alvar Aalto. Take a break at Restaurant Panncentralen for Italian flavors and ice cream from Värmland milk, and don’t miss the museum shop and Kvadraten, featuring local arts and crafts.
Discover Kristinehamn’s beautiful buildings and history through three cozy city walks with different themes: “Where the houses whisper their stories,” “Yards, churches and old streets,” and “From the city’s Stone Age to the steel bridge.”
In the heart of Kristinehamn lies Stadshotellet Statt – a venerable hotel from 1878 with classic rooms, modern amenities, and views of the square or the river Varnan. At Statt, both families and business travelers stay comfortably, with breakfast buffet, free parking, and the option to bring pets. The hotel’s restaurant, Axel, serves seasonal dishes with local ingredients, and in summer the outdoor terrace in the evening sun is a favorite.
Welcome to an exciting journey across the border!