c/o Dalsland
Dalsland Guide
They say that Dalsland is Sweden's most forgotten landscape. There's something to that. But we're going to change that! Here you'll find lots of tips on Dalsland's hidden gems, travel destinations, excursions and activities for the whole family.
Dalsland's 12 best attractions and destinations
According to the Dalsland Guide 2025
1
Not Quite - Dalslands Louisiana
Not Quite is a place for art - or as they write themselves, a parrot in the forest. Here in the disused paper factory in Fengerfors you can check out art exhibitions, peek into the blacksmith shop and eat well, especially during the food festival Glupsk in Dalsland. Not Quite is a bit like Dalsland's equivalent of the Danish Louisiana or the Scanian Wanås.
Moose safari at Dalslandsaktiviteter
Dalsland's biggest tourist attraction is Dalslandsaktiviteter in Steneby. Here you can climb treetops, go ziplining and go on beaver and moose safaris. You can also experience nature from horseback. Dalslandsaktiviteter has guides who will take you on wilderness horseback riding with overnight stays in the forest. If you are only there for the day, you must try the moose burger served in the restaurant.
2
Ride the trolley in Bengtsfors
The dressin is a bicycle that you put on the train tracks. I know, it sounds deadly but don't worry, this particular railway is not used for train traffic so you don't have to worry about collisions. And it's easy to cycle. The low friction means you can whizz along on the tracks. Start in Bengtfors in Dalsland or Årgäng in Värmland. You can rent the dressin at " De vackar vyernas järnväg ".
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Manor life at Baldersnäs
The fact that the famous entrepreneur and tv host Ingvar Oldsberg was the owner of Baldersnäs manor says something about the attractiveness of the place. The 19th-century estate is beautifully situated on a peninsula and has an English park. There is a hotel here that attracts celebrities from the big city for a few days of retreat. I highly recommend taking a sauna bath on the jetty. In the farm sheds you can buy caramels and classic Dalsland crafts.
5
Glamping at Nössemarks Camping
The best and last thing Dalsland has to offer before crossing the border into Norway is Nössemarks Camping. The name doesn't sound that special, but the business is anything but boring. Here you can drink IPA and get good vegan food. The place is more reminiscent of a hipster hangout in town than what you usually associate with camping. Every summer they have live performances: Chilean prog, Afropop and Balkan brass mixed with sing-alongs and karaoke. They also have a sandy beach and offer glamping - i.e. luxury camping in large fabric tents. Dalsland delivers!
6
Greasers culture and american nostalgia V8 Garagebar
In a short time, V8 Garagebar has become an obvious meeting place for all of Dalsland's raggare and epakids, who I think have been missing a place that takes car and rural culture seriously. The interior is classic American 50s, yet unique. All the murals and vintage signs are hand-painted with high precision by the owner Johanna, who, fittingly enough, also runs Ed's paint shop next door. Here you can have an AW, play billiards, shuffleboard and party, just like they did in the past. Unpretentious, familiar and a must for anyone who wants to experience Dalsland for real.
7
Dalsland's coziest ice cream kiosk
In the middle of the forest on the border between Ed and Bengtsfors you will find "Ed's second kiosk".(In swedish Eds andra kiosk.) It is built after a model from 1929 which was Ed's second kiosk, ever. By the summer of 2025 there will also be a small art gallery. The owner "Kiosk-Erik" is usually chatty and can tell you where to find chanterelles and what there is gossip about in the area. If you want to stay longer than it takes to eat an ice cream, you can stay at Henneviken Bnb which is located on the hill next door.
8
The aqueduct in Håverud
The aqueduct in Håverud is Dalsland's oldest tourist attraction, built by Nils Ericsson in the 19th century. An aqueduct is a water bridge. If you don't have the patience for a slow-motion canal trip, you can take the " Vackra vyernas järnväg" (In english: Beautiful views railway) to Håverud to see the wonder. Yes, that's what it's actually called, the old railway that takes you to Håverud from Mellerud or Bengtfors. The journey is like train journeys of the past with pounding rails and train horns. Outside you have a dramatic landscape and branches sweeping over the windows. Once in Håverud you can visit Dalsland Center which has art, a museum, a café and a restaurant.
Become a canoe king at Canodal
The most effective way to unwind on holiday is to get into a canoe. You can rent one from Canodal in Ed. They also offer guided tours and excursions for groups. Canodal's charismatic owner and wilderness guide Till, also known as "Kanuking", will take good care of you. He is from Germany but loves Dalsland and probably knows better than the people of Dalsland themselves where to find the fish and the best place to camp for the night.
9
Classic straw hats and views at Gammelgården
Did you know that Dalsland was once the world's largest exporter of straw hats? Learn the craft at Halmens hus in Bengtsfors and enjoy the best view from Gammelgården on Majberget, which is a bit like Dalsland's equivalent of the Skansen in Stockholm. At Gammelgården you can celebrate traditional midsummer and have a coffee. Want to stay overnight? Check into the hostel, which has rooms in the old barns and sheds.
10
Åmål - with Sweden's most beautiful city center
Fucking Åmål. Do you remember the movie from the 90s? Forget everything you learned! Åmål is a picturesque summer town named Sweden's most beautiful city center. Here you can go to Bluesfest and be king in the bar at Åmål's city hotel . The next day you can take a dip in Lake Vänern and try your luck at the Åmålstravet. Åmål is the most urban place we have in Dalsland - so take the opportunity to shop before you head out into the forest.
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Dals Rostock herb garden and railway station
Around the turn of the century, Dalsland was known for its health resorts, or spas as they are called today. Dals Rostock is a shining example. Here you can visit Brunnsparken, which has an herb garden, textile museum and café Gula Villan. Dals Rostock is a journey back in time and a balm for the soul. Don't forget to check out the old train station where fine ladies from society once got off to cure their migraines with a dip in the iron-rich spring, which was consecrated by Saint Helena, already in the Middle Ages!
Map of attractions in Dalsland
Things to do in Dalsland
Har du rastlösa barn eller föräldrar? Här är tips på saker ni kan göra i Dalsland på semestern.
Swimming school for children
There are many beautiful lakes in Dalsland. If you are lucky, you can mark the weeks when the municipality has swimming school for the children. If you have not registered your child in advance, it is usually fine to pay on site. Here you can read about the swimming school in Bengtfors municipality and here about
summer swimming school in Ed municipality.
Auction and flea market
You can find flea markets everywhere in Dalsland in the summer. Dals Långed has several if you want to reduce your driving time. Want to go to an auction? Look out for advertisements in the Dalslänningen newspaper.
Pick berries and mushrooms
Picking mushrooms and berries is easy in Dalsland, especially in the north. There are plenty of them! Also a good motivation to get out into nature. Please read up on the right of public access - so you know your rights and obligations.
You are allowed to pick on private land but please be considerate and stay away from houses and gardens.
Festivals in Dalsland
There are lots of festivals and theme weeks in Dalsland in the summer. For example, the music festival Gardens of Music
Åmåls Bluesfest , Eds Countryfest , Skogsfesten , Book Days , art walks and the food festival " Glutton in Dalsland "
Rent a cottage on the water
Yes, you read that right. In Bengtfors you can rent a cottage boat , meaning cottages that float on the water. You pull the house with a motorboat. Then you can drive to a bay where you want to stay for the night. If you are two families, you can rent two cottages and connect them to form a floating cottage village. The cottages are equipped with a toilet and a simple stove. Crazy but absolutely wonderful!
Go to the Museum
At Dalsland Art Museum you can look at art regardless of the weather. They have a nice park and a cafe with a fantastic view. It is said that Napoleon was there once. Hence the name, Cafe Bonaparte. If you are interested in Dalsland's history, you should visit Gäserudstugan in Håbol, which is a listed building, and perhaps Dalsland's best preserved buildings from the 17th century.
