Lake Vättern is a key element of life in the town, with boating, clear waters for bathing, and a gorgeous archipelago with beautiful natural harbours.

Karlsborg Fortress has given the town its name and is now a monument to a bygone era. It was built as a central defence in the country, intended to house the Swedish Parliament, the royal family, the crown jewels and the nation’s gold reserves in the event of war. With a circumference of five kilometres, the Karlsborg Fortress is one of Europe’s biggest constructions. Tourists come in droves each year to experience the fortress adventure and feel the wings of history within its thick stone walls.

Forsvik, a little community just north-west of Karlsborg, has pursued industrial activities for nearly 600 years. Over the years, Forsvik has taken advantage of all the industrial opportunities it could – milling flour, sawing lumber and smelting iron. Forsvik is also home to the canal’s oldest lock, dating back to 1813.
The town sees much activity in the summer months, with a shipyard, theatre, commerce, hotels and restaurants. The shipyard is building a replica of the paddle steamer Eric Nordevall using the technologies and craftsmanship of the original’s day and age. Guided tours in the industrial area teach about Sweden’s period of industrial greatness.

The Tiveden National Park is the magical enchanted forest between Lakes Vättern and Vänern. Once a hideout for robbers and bandits, the woods are a mighty natural experience. Among the tall trees and mossy rocks are 25 km of marked trails, well labelled and easy to follow. A manned information centre can provide you with tips and maps, and even food for your lunch bag.
“All you need is a pair of sturdy walking shoes,” says Tor Axelsson, guide in Karlsborg.

Golf at the Brevikens Golf Course in Karlsborg
Enjoy a game of golf on the beautiful 18-hole Brevikens Golf Course – an easily accessible, pleasant park/moor course in an open, waving landscape with a breathtaking view of Lake Vättern. Home to a motel, golf restaurant, café and golf shop.

In Karlsborg, you can choose between home-baked bread and top-notch gourmet cuisine. No matter what you choose, you’ll find the same care taken in the raw materials, milieu and personal treatment. You’re always welcome, whether buying home-baked bread at Nymans Café och Schweizeri, or exquisite cuisine at the renowned Idas Brygga. Other places worth visiting are the historical Kanalhotellet from 1894, the Hotell Wettern with its beautiful location on Lake Vättern near the fortress, Brostugans Mat, Café & Present, or the Forsviks Café & Mat next to the Forsvik lock. Just outside of town, on the way into the deep Tivedsskogen Forest, lie Tivedstorp and Stenkällegården, which also have outdoor tables. The forest is also home to Tivedens Mat och Café. Chef Jon Söderlund has cooked at many famous restaurants in Sweden.

If you’d like to spend the night in Karlsborg or book a conference, we have everything from top-quality, newly renovated hotel rooms to self-catering and camping accommodation. Gammalruds Brygga receives guests for private events or conferences. At Skäveruds Gård you can try out farm living, while Idas Strandgård offers newly renovated rooms and the campsite offers tent camping and cottages.

Adventure or relaxation
There’s plenty to do in Karlsborg. But sometimes it’s nice not to have to do anything. Just sit there and find your inner peace.
    “A lot of stressed-out people are looking for peace and quiet, without knowing that’s what they want,” says guide Tor Axelsson. “It can be very relaxing to sit on a bench by one of the locks on the canal and just watch people working with their boats. Or why not take a walk out to the end of  Vanäs Cape and sit down on the bench known as The Reward [Belöningen], watching the sun glitter on the water?”

Another way to relax is to take a boat out on the canal. The M/S Sandön travels between Karlsborg and Töreboda, which many consider the most beautiful part of the canal. Come along and see if you agree!
You can also discover the Göta Canal on two wheels. No preparation is needed – just rent a bike at any of several places along the canal, jump in the saddle and pedal off.

But life isn’t just about relaxation – we need some excitement from time to time. How about skydiving, booking an adventure package in Granvik or challenging your mental skills in a survival course? Sveriges Överlevnadscentrum, based in Karlsborg, has trained many individuals and company groups over the years, providing the participants with strong insight into their own abilities.

Five good reasons to visit Karlsborg:

1 The central location. Wherever you are in southern Sweden, you’re close to Karlsborg!

2 Broad range of hotels, restaurants and diners.

3 The peace and quiet. There’s a lot to do without making an effort.

4 Lake Vättern. Where you swim in drinking water!

5 The echoes of history in the Karlsborg Fortress and the Forsvik Industrial Area.

Karlsborgs Turism AB
Ankarvägen 2
Phone +46 (0)505-173 50