Arvika: Discover art, technology and history

Arvika can be explored through a range of interests: art and contemporary work, vehicle and heating technology, regional history, and walks and hikes. Its themes range from the Rackstad Colony to today’s heat pumps, and from the town park to trails close to town. If you are considering Arvika as a holiday destination, you can start by thinking about what kind of cultural and outdoor activities you would like to shape your stay.

Art and artists’ history

The Rackstad Museum presents the Rackstad Colony and influences of the Arts and Crafts movement alongside contemporary art. This contrast brings together a regional artistic community and a perspective on contemporary art. On the grounds of the Rackstad Museum is Oppstuhage, an artist’s residence dating from 1894. In addition to its styles, the art theme therefore has a tangible historical connection. Those interested in the interplay between artistic heritage and contemporary art will find two different perspectives here under one thematic umbrella.

Vehicles and technological development

The Arvika Vehicle Museum displays cars from every decade, as well as veteran motorcycles, mopeds, light motorcycles, horse-drawn vehicles, sleds and bicycles. Its scope therefore extends beyond cars to encompass different types of vehicles. The collection includes more than 100 vehicles, and the selection changes from year to year. The Thermia Museum focuses on a different aspect of technology: it traces the development of boilers, stoves and wood-fired water heaters from the start of production in 1923 to today’s high-tech heat pumps. The two museums therefore differ not only in their exhibits but also in their approach: one focuses on means of transport, while the other follows the development of heating technology over a long period.

Regional history and nature at Sågudden

The Sågudden Open-Air Museum comprises around 20 historic buildings from western Värmland, dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The buildings span several centuries, offering a broader timeframe for the region’s architectural history. An exhibition at the Sågudden Museum covers the period from prehistory to the Middle Ages. Its contents include medieval ecclesiastical sculptures, church paintings and the history of public shaming punishments. Historic buildings from several centuries thus stand alongside an exhibition spanning the broad period from prehistory to the Middle Ages. The Sågudden Museum grounds also feature a diverse flora and numerous Swedish trees, whose names are marked on signs. The signs make the tree names a tangible point of interest alongside the historical themes.

Walks and hikes

Arvika City Park is in the heart of Arvika and invites visitors to enjoy walks and various activities in both summer and winter. The town’s nearby hiking trails and exercise routes, Stadsnära vandringar, are in or close to the centre; they are suitable for walks as well as longer hikes. For planning your day, these offer two different options: the park, with activities for summer and winter, and the trails, where you can choose between a walk and a longer hike. This makes it possible to explore Arvika through its culture and history as well as through time outdoors. When choosing a holiday apartment in Arvika, this mix can help you find a place that matches the interests that matter for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Glava Glasbruk, Jössefors, Sulvik, Salungen, Ottebol, Edane, Gunnarskog, Klässbol.

For the overview of the wider area: Arvika.