Hallandsgården, an open-air museum established in 1925, sits on Galgberget in central Halmstad. It serves as a window to the past, featuring a collection of traditional buildings sourced from across Halland. Explore the Eldsberga School House, Hörsåsstugan and historic stables, either independently or with knowledgeable guides. The grounds, flourishing with Portland roses, herbs and hops, are open year-round. In summer, the museum buildings and cafe welcome visitors, with guided tours available for both children and adults.

The museum is packed with interactive and informative exhibits and offers unique insight into Oman’s gas and oil production that both kids and adults will find fascinating. Entry is free, and explanations in Arabic and English accompany the displays.

The Mystic Lamb, or ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by the Van Eyck brothers, completed in 1432, is recognised worldwide as a great work of art, and one of the most influential paintings ever made. It is an absolute must-see on your weekend break to Ghent. A total of 18 panels form a magical evocation of scenes from the Bible, as well as a portrait of the church warden, Joos Vijd, who commissioned the altarpiece, and his wife Elisabeth Borluut. The monumental Mystic Lamb was painted on oak panels covered in thin layers of a mixture of chalk and animal glue. The figures were applied in several layers of oil paint. The combination of the painstaking work and transparent paint creates an extra dimension. Discover it for yourself as you stand in front of this masterpiece. You will see that an inner glow seems to radiate from the painting: the light of the divine. Hubert van Eyck painted part of the Ghent Altarpiece that includes the Mystic Lamb, but was never able to finish it. His younger brother Jan, an absolute master of the art of painting, is said to have finished this masterpiece a few years after Hubert’s death.

There are 57 nature reserves within Halmstad Municipality, with different types of flora and fauna. You'll find vast marshes, deciduous woods, steep mountain slopes, rushing waterfalls and a bird sanctuary. Lace up your hiking boots or pump up your bike tires and discover a Halmstad that surprises. If you prefer to explore by water, gently gliding in a canoe is a delightful experience. Distances are short, so you can feel like a true adventurer one minute and be back in your hammock the next. Galgberget, or 'Gallows Hill', just a stone's throw from the city centre, is peaceful despite its name hinting at the site's history. Walking paths, bridleways and fitness trails share space in the beech and mixed woods. With views over Laholms Bay and Halmstad's city centre, it's a perfect spot to rest on one of the benches. Several hiking trails wind through Haverdal's coastal forest reserve. If you listen closely, you might almost hear the gnarled pines lamenting the drifting sands and harsh sea winds. Further north, the nickname of Skipås Nature Reserve, “God’s Green Meadows”, speaks for itself. Venture deeper inland into the heart of the countryside, where meadows and lush mushroom-filled forests offer a bounty of outdoor activities. In Simlångsdalen, tranquil lake waters beckon for leisurely canoeing excursions.