Hostels in Karlstad, Sweden

Spending time in the city of Karlstad, it's easy to almost instantly fall in love with the people, the unique culture, and the scenery. Swedes in Karlstad spend a lot of time outdoors, regardless of the weather conditions. Cross-country skiing through forest trails is a popular activity during the winter months, and biking, swimming, and sitting on cafe patios is common during the warmer months. Karlstad is known to be one of the sunniest cities in Sweden, and their emblem is a sun to reflect this. They have a great university in Karlstad, and good night life. The trains to Gothenburg and Stockholm are affordable and the trains are very new. The bus system in Karlstad is very user-friendly, and there are also Swebus (regional buses) that can get you to almost any city in Sweden, and to Oslo, Norway (three hours by bus).

Hostels in Karlstad are all centrally located -- they're close to the city square, supermarkets, and entertainment and on bus routes or within walking distance. Hostels in Karlstad tend to be very welcoming and appear clean and cozy. Staying in Karlstad hostels is a great idea if you're on a budget, as hotels in Sweden are generally quite expensive in comparison to hostels.

There are also great cafes and restaurants in Karlstad that will showcase both traditional Swedish cuisine and modern cuisine. Cafe's in Karlstad offer indoor and outdoor seating during the appropriate months, so you can enjoy a coffee and a cinnamon bun while taking in the sights of the city or people watching.

Living in Karlstad is much more affordable than Stockholm or Gothenburg, and it still feels connected to the rest of Sweden. Karlstad is situated on Lake Vanern, which offers many activities during the warmer months. The city square offers free bike rentals during the summer, and the bus system also expands to accommodate water taxis on the river channels that move through Karlstad. This city has a lot to see -- you should definitely visit to experience Swedish culture and the outdoors!