Halmstad is a coastal city visited by tourists during the summer holidays due to its nice beaches and rich cultural life. There is also the interesting Mjellby Art Museum, where a group of contemporary artists exhibit their work.
The first city was established by the Danes in the 13th century about two kilometers up the Nissan River. However, over time the settlement was moved to its present place as better for defense. From the beginning, it was a significant shopping center with port access and privileges for organizing fairs. The oldest and only surviving medieval monument in Halmstad is the Church of St. Nicholas from the 15th century.
The remaining medieval buildings in the city were destroyed in a great fire in 1619. Soon before, the Danish king Christian IV ordered the construction of city fortifications and a fort on the Nissan River.
Today's Halmstad is above all a thriving industrial and cultural center with a rich entertainment life and a university. Every year in summer, tourists are drawn to the local beaches, of which Tylösand is the most famous. You can practice windsurfing, kitesurfing and other water sports here. In the evenings, numerous restaurants and bars are teeming with life, and an additional advantage are numerous concerts, outdoor events and festivals held cyclically throughout the summer.
