dalsland tourist information

• 1.1 Municipalities
• 2.2 By public transport
• 3 Get around
• 9 Stay safe

Dalsland is a province in western Götaland in Sweden , with lake Vänern (the largest lake in Sweden and the largest lake in Europe outside Russia ) to the east, and Norway to the west. It borders Värmland , Bohuslän and Västergötland .

Understand [ edit ]

Dalsland is a province off the beaten path. It is varied, with a fertile southeast and southwest, and more hilly otherwise. The northern part have lots of lakes. Dalsland is less populated than the rest of Götaland, with Åmål as its only city. The rest of Dalsland is very rural. What you will find is lots of nature, including some of the few remaining areas of old-growth forest in this part of Scandinavia, large oak woods, hundreds of lakes and ancient burial grounds. The provincial tourism motto for Dalsland, "you will not feel crowded here" is therefore very true.

Municipalities [ edit ]

• 59.05 12.7 1 Åmål , with some 9,000 inhabitants it is the largest settlement in the province.
• 59.029167 12.226389 2 Bengtsfors
• 58.916667 11.916667 3 Dals-Ed , or only Ed . With some 5,800 inhabitants on a 825.43 km² area, it is a sparsely populated place.
• 58.566667 11.983333 4 Färgelanda
• 58.7 12.466667 5 Mellerud

Get in [ edit ]

By car [ edit ].

E45 is the main route running south-north in Sweden going through eastern Dalsland. To drive from south to Färgelanda, Dals-Ed, or Bengtsfors try road E6 and 172. From Norway, use roads E6, 220 and 166 past Halden to Ed, or E18 and 172 to Bengtsfors.

By public transport [ edit ]

To go from Karlstad or Gothenburg use SJ trains to Mellerud, Ed or Åmål, and to the other places (except Färgelanda) connecting bus from there. To Färgelanda and also to Ed or Bengtsfors, you can take the Västtrafik train to Uddevalla and use connecting bus. The southeast belongs to Vänersborg municipality, accessed by bus from Vänersborg. In general, search the Västtrafik site for connections.

From the Gothenburg-Landvetter airport, the airport bus to Gothenburg (going directly from the airport building) and then train is preferred. Karlstad and Trollhättan have domestic airports. There you need to take taxi to the railway station. You can also rent a car at any of these airports.

Tickets for Västtrafik can be bought by credit card onboard, but not for buses in Gothenburg. SJ tickets are from machines at the station or prebooked on the web. Pressbyrån and some other shops sell tickets. The airport bus need special tickets which are bought with credit card onboard.

Get around [ edit ]

Inside the area there are buses. Public transport in the area is organized by Västtrafik .

See [ edit ]

• 58.69992 12.4613 1 Nordiska Tomtemuséet ( The Nordic Gnome Museum ), Järnvägsgatan 16 ( Mellerud ), ☏ +46 530-40116 , [email protected] . Daily 10:00-18:00 . A museum, cafe and store showcasing some 500 "Tomtar", or gnomes. ( updated Dec 2017 )

Do [ edit ]

• 58.93272 12.20917 1 Dalslands Aktiviteter , Steneby gård ( Dals Långed ), ☏ +46 531-33086 , [email protected] . An activity centre offering a lot of different actities, such as horseback riding, archery and a moose farm! ( updated Dec 2017 )

Eat [ edit ]

• 58.87841 12.5666 1 Bill's Grill & Mini Mart , Lilla Mossen 120 ( Located on the E45 at Animskog 25km North of Mellerud/25km South of Åmal. ), ☏ +46 532-250 23 . Open 7 days a week . American grill/breakfast.  
• 58.9296 12.1333 2 Falkholts Dalslandskrog , Norebyn 12 ( Dals Långed ), ☏ +46 531-350 70 , [email protected] . A restaurant in an old school building. Listed in the White guide. A three-course dinner for 525 kr . ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 59.0534 12.70414 3 Kupén , Kungsgatan 5 ( Åmål ), ☏ +46 532-12626 , [email protected] . A cafe, bar and restaurant. ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 58.70775 12.50457 4 [dead link] Sunnanå Hamnkrog , Sunnanå hamn 1 ( Mellerud ), ☏ +46 530-10084 , [email protected] . ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 59.03041 12.23133 5 Rosellmagasinet , Karlbergsvägen 5 ( Bengtsfors ), ☏ +46 531-10040 , [email protected] . In a 19th-century warehouse, which is the oldest building in Bengtsfors. ( updated Dec 2017 )

Drink [ edit ]

Sleep [ edit ].

• 58.9636 12.2767 1 Baldersnäs Herrgård , Baldersnäs 22 , ☏ +46 531-41213 , [email protected] . A mansion turned hotel. ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 58.9063 12.5422 2 Dalslands Gästgiveri , Gyltungebyn 810 ( Ånimskog ), ☏ +46 532-25011 , [email protected] . ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 59.02986 12.2322 3 First Hotel Bengtsfors , Karlsbergsvägen 3 ( Bengtsfors ), ☏ +46 531-72700 , [email protected] . ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 58.81021 12.43378 4 Upperud 9:9 , Upperud 9 , ☏ +46 70-7498779 , [email protected] . A hotel and cafe. ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 59.05158 12.70613 5 Åmåls Stadshotell , Kungsgatan 9 ( Åmål ), ☏ +46 532-61610 , [email protected] . ( updated Dec 2017 )

For camping, search camping.se

In Dalsland there are these camping places:

• Ragnerudssjön, 20 km north of Färgelanda, road 172.
• Ursand, 3 km north of Vänersborg, at the coast.
• Sikhall, 10 km north of Vänersborg, at the coast.
• Brålanda, inside Brålanda village, 20 km north of Vänersborg, road E45.
• Kerstins, 2 km west of Mellerud, road E45/166.
• Vita Sandar, 5 km east of Mellerud, road E45
• Örnäs, inside Åmål, road E45.
• Laxsjön, 10 km south of Bengtsfors, 2 km south of Billingsfors, road 172.
• Gröne Backe, near Dals-Ed, road 166.

Stay safe [ edit ]

See cold weather and driving in Sweden .

Go next [ edit ]

• Bohuslän – known for its archipelagic coast
• Karlstad – the largest city in Värmland
• Gothenburg – the largest city in western Sweden
• Norway – Fredrikstad and Oslo are not far away

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If we want to leave Gothenburg behind for a while, we can reach Dalsland in a two-hour drive by car. Then we are right in the heart of one of the most Swedish regions of all. Dalsland is regarded as Sweden in miniature.

From Gothenburg you’re there in just two hours

For those who arrive in Gothenburg by ferry from Fredrikshavn (Denmark) or Kiel (Germany), Dalsland can be reached easily. Therefore, the region is also ideal for short trips in the off-peak season, for anglers, hikers, canoeists or kayakers.

Like Västergötland and Bohuslän , Dalsland belongs to the area that is jointly marketed as West Sweden.

More than 1,000 lakes

Dalsland is Swedish wilderness. With over 1,000 lakes, Dalsland has the most lakes of any Swedish region (in relative terms). Water, forest and nature are always within reach.

In the north there are deep forests and clear lakes. In the southern parts of the region you can also find sandy beaches and smooth rocks. You can go on a beaver safari or pet moose and elks. The woods are full of berries and mushrooms in the summer – the wild strawberries (smultron) are particularly popular with children.

In many places there are farm shops and farm cafés, crafts and flea markets called “loppis”, exciting museums and wonderful wooden churches – Skållerud’s church was once voted the most beautiful in Sweden.

Dalsland Centre in Håverud

As a starting point, we recommend Håverud. Here, on the Dalsland Canal and next to the famous aqueduct is the Dalsland Centre. Here you can find cafés, restaurants, a shop and an exhibition. The centre’s friendly staff will be happy to provide information about the area.

Those who like to sit outside can watch the activity on the canal and in the locks for hours. From Håverud all sorts of boat tours start on the canal, a 250 km long waterway through the region.

Sparsely populated

The region has approximately 50,000 inhabitants. In Dals-Ed, one of the five municipalities of this region, there are only seven people per sq. km, compare this with Holland which has 406 inhabitants per sq. km!

Many Dutch and German emigrants have moved to Dalsland, where they run some of the canoe rentals, bakeries, and campsites in the region.

Good to know

In Dalsland there is (as of 2020):

• not one single escalator
• not a single traffic light (except at railway crossings)
• not a single car park ticket machine
• and not a single McDonald’s!

  Hotels in Dalsland

Book now: Hotels, hostels, B&Bs in Dalsland

Lake Stora Le in northern part of the region

Skållerud Church

  Holiday homes in Dalsland

Wide selection of holiday homes, including cottages, villas, cabins and apartments.

Book now: Holiday homes in Dalsland

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The Pilgrim Path

Have you ever dreamt of hiking in tranquil wilderness, deep forests, past calm lakes and medieval churches? Hike the Pilgrim Path (Pilgrimsleden) to experience it all.

The Pilgrim Path in Dalsland winds through over 100 kilometres of stunning nature. It starts in Vänersborg in the south and ends in Edsleskog in Åmål municipality in the north. The southern part comprises country roads that are easy to walk, whereas the section north of Mellerud can be more challenging with smaller paths and hilly countryside. 

If you like being active and comfortable at the same time, book a room at  Upperud 9:9  – a modern hotel in a former granary located by the Dalsland canal. You’ll stay in the one-hundred-year-old silos which are elegantly designed, with French balconies overlooking the water. The restaurant serves green, locally sourced food that is sure to satisfy your hunger after a day’s hike. The hotel is an excellent base for exploring the area by foot - heading south will lead you past several medieval churches and the area surrounding Upperud is pure wilderness with breath-taking views of the Dalsland forests and lakes.   

The Pilgrim Path, Upperud  9, 464 40 Åsensbruk

Upperud 9:9 in West Sweden

Upperud 9:9 is located in an old silo from the 1920's by lake Nären and the popular Pilgrim path.

Photo : Anna Hållams

Déjeuner à la base de produits locaux à Upperud 9:9

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Sweden · September 8, 2023

Canoeing along the Dalsland Canal: Guide and Itinerary

Dalsland’s mix of raw Swedish nature, beautiful freshwater lakes, and the canal’s intricate system of locks, makes it one of Europe’s best places for canoeing and kayaking. If you are visiting Sweden in the summer and want a genuine Swedish nature experience, look no further than a canoe trip in Dalsland.

Dalsland is one of my personal favourite destinations in Sweden . Located only a few hours north of Gothenburg , it is the perfect destination for a weekend escape from the busy city. The region is well known for its natural landscape, the “lake district” of Dalsland (Dalsland-Nordmarken’s lake system) being one of the main reasons for this. This area makes up over 10,000km 2 and the Dalsland canal system connecting these lakes is over 250km long.

This canoe trip to Dalsland was something I had on my Sweden bucket list since the day I moved to Gothenburg , however, it wasn’t until my brother came to visit from Australia that we finally made the time to do it – and wow do I wish we had done it sooner! The trip was incredible and definitely something I recommend to anyone who enjoys water sports, camping and spending time in nature.

In this guide, I will take you through everything you need to know about canoeing in Dalsland, including where to hire canoes and kayaks, what you need to know about DANO and details of our route.  

Want to spend more time in Dalsland? Make sure to read my detailed itinerary for two days in Dalsland which includes tips for places to visit, hikes and wild swimming spots!

This post was written in collaboration with Bootshaus and DANO but all thoughts and opinions in this post are genuine. Please note that this post contains affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase through the link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I make sure to only ever promote products and brands I have used and like, and that all links are to trusted websites.

Where is Dalsland?

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Dalsland is a region in West Sweden , just north of the second largest city Gothenburg . To the west of the region you will find Norway , and to the east Sweden’s biggest lake the Vänern. As a region, Dalsland is well known for its lakes and rich forest lands as well as the historic canal and aqueduct in Håverud.

How to get to Dalsland

There are many ways to reach Dalsland and the Dalsland Canal. In this guide, I will assume you are coming from Gothenburg in the south. From here, you can either travel by car or public transport to reach the Dalsland Canal. Both options take a similar amount of time.

Taking the train and bus from Gothenburg to Dalsland is a relatively easy journey, with frequent trips every day of the week. There are several different routes you can take, the time of which depends on how well the connections line up. The best way to plan your trip is to search for the best option on Västtrafik , West Sweden’s public transport company. On average, it takes around 2.5 hours to reach Bengtsfors and 1.5 hours to reach Håverud.

If you want to make the most of your trip, I can recommend taking the train and bus to Håverud where you can take a look at the aqueduct and walk along the canal before taking the DVVJ train from Håverud to Bengtsfors. Known as The Beautiful Views Railway, this train journey is really worth making time for. You can find out how to book train tickets and find the timetable here .

If you are planning to canoe in Dalsland, you will likely want to drive straight to your canoe rental. We hired our canoes from Bootshaus in Bengtsfors where they have parking available. From Gothenburg, this is quite a simple drive following the E6 to Uddevalla and continuing along the 172 all the way to Bengtsfors. This trip takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Canoe Rental along the Dalsland Canal

There are a few different places to hire canoes and kayaks along the Dalsland Canal. We hired ours from Bootshaus , a rental shop and lodge located in Bengtsfors. This turned out to be the perfect starting point for our three-day canoe trip as we wanted to include a mix of locks along the canal and the more untouched side of Dalsland, all of which were close by. You can find out exact route at the bottom of this post.

The other great thing about hiring our canoe and kayak here is that they have lodging available so we could stay the night before starting our trip early the next morning! We stayed in the mini apartment, with views over Lake Lelång, which was perfect after a long day of travelling and exploring Håverud. You can find all their accommodation options on this page .

If you are more interested in paddling in Dalsland from a training/fitness perspective, they also sell paddle spots products online at dietzpaddling.com .

Bootshaus have the option to hire both canoes and kayaks. We hired one of each as we were three people and wanted to test out both alternatives. While there were definitely positives and negatives to both, I would probably hire only kayaks next time. The canoes were a lot of fun and it was nice to be able to chat to each other whilst we paddled, however, we did struggle in the harsher winds with control and speed.

Rental costs vary whether you take a canoe, kayak or double kayak, but when it comes down to it the price difference is quite minimal. If you are interested in hiring a canoe or kayak from Bootshaus, you can find their prices here .

If you are not from Sweden, or don’t own your own camping gear, doesn’t mean that you can’t do this trip! Not only do Bootshaus hire out canoes and kayaks, they also have tents, sleeping mats, camp kitchens, dry bags and barrels available to rent – basically everything you will need for this trip! You can find all the prices for camping gear, along with canoe and kayak rental here .

The best time to canoe in Dalsland is during the summer months of June to August. June is a great month as the locks are open, the weather is usually nice, and the canal is a little quieter. In the peak season of July and early August, you will likely find it much busier and will likely be sharing a wind shelter or camping area with another group. Peak season is considered the middle of June to the middle of August, with pre-season starting at the end of May and post season running until the end of August.

Something to consider when planning your paddling trip along the Dalsland Canal is that the locks are only open from June to August. While it is not a problem if you visit outside these times (you can use your boat cart to pass these areas) they are very much a part of the experience so I would recommend trying to visit while they are open.

Things to Know Before Canoeing or Kayaking in Dalsland

Canoeing in the Dalsland Nordmarken area is an incredible trip, but, before planning your trip, there are a few things you need to know and plan for.  

Locks Along the Dalsland Canal

The Dalsland Canal which connects the system of lakes is made up of a system of locks (sluss in Swedish) which work to raise and decrease the water level so the canal can flow over hills and valleys. There is a total of 31 locks along the Dalsland Canal, 17 of which have lock stations. These are usually very picturesque red cottages adorned with flowers, where the lock workers live during the summer months as they work to open and close the locks.

You can find a map which includes all the locks along the canal on this page .

The locks in the Dalsland Canal are open from June to August, with the hours differing throughout the summer months. In 2023, when we took our trip, the majority of June locks were open from 11am to 4pm, while in July they were open from 9am to 7pm. In the beginning of August, they were open from 9am to 7pm, and 10am to 5pm on Sundays, and in the second hand of August they were open from 10am to 5pm. Planning your trip for another year – here you can find a list of the updated opening times .

While the locks are open these times, to enter a lock you must be able to complete it by the time it closes. However, this is much less of an issue if you are canoeing or kayaking as if the locks is closed its very easy to use the boat cart to reach the other side.

While it may seem confusing before you take the trip, using the locks of the Dalsland Canal is very easy. Arriving at a lock, you will see an orange sign pointing to “sluss”. Following this sign, you will reach a waiting dock where you can park up until you have talked to the lock keeper who will let you know when you can pass through, and where in the canal you should be placed. If you are alone in the lock, you will likely be placed on the right-hand side, holding a rope as the water is lifted/ removed.

To pass through the locks, you will need to purchase a ticket. If you know the route you plan to take, you can purchase the ticket in advance online here . If you are unsure, you can instead purchase tickets at the lock. The best way to do this is to pay by card. The prices for the different lock stations depends on the number of locks chambers – generally it is 45kr per lock per boat. For example, there is one lock at 18:e so a ticket for a double canoe costs 45kr, however, there are 2 locks at Bengtsfors, so a ticket costs 90kr.

You can find more details here .

DANO Campsites

The Dalsland Nordmarken region is looked after by DANO, a non-profit organisation who work to preserve the natural landscape of the Dalsland lake district. A part of this, they have a selection of wild camping sites set up throughout the region. To access these, you will need to purchase a DANO Nature Conservation Card . At each campsite, you will find a toilet, pre-stocked piles of wood for fires, and wind shelters perfect for spending a night in the wilderness.

The card costs 60kr per person per night and can be bought online or at your canoe rental. While you don’t necessarily need it to canoe in the Dalsland Canal, it is very much recommended, especially if you plan to canoe along Lake Svärdlång where camping is only allowed in the DANO campsites. Additionally, keep in mind that if you are a group of 5 or more people, DANO ask that you only stay at the designated campsites.

You can buy the DANO nature Conservation Card here .

In addition to the unbookable wild campsites, DANO has two bookable wind shelters. These are great if you want to sleep in a wind shelter overnight but don’t want to worry about sharing one with others. The wind shelters in question are Vikningen (Campsite no. 50) and Snäckan (campsite #87) . We stayed in Vikningen on the first night of our canoe trip which was a really special experience. The wind shelter is of a unique design, with three “beds” and storage space for your things. It was my first time staying in a wind shelter and not a tent, and it was truly amazing.

Another benefit I have to mention is that unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side on the first night and we experienced quite a lot of rain during the evening. Waking up in the wind shelter, not having to worry about drying or packing up a wet tent was great – especially as we planned to camp the next evening.

Another thing to consider taking with you is a map of the Dalsland lake system. We took the Canoe Country map with us on our trip which was great because not only did it include all the campsites, details of the locks and each area, there were also loads of tips on how to respect the nature while camping/ canoeing, and guides on the local plant and animal life. The book was waterproof so easy to keep in the canoe at all times and available in English, Swedish and German. You can buy the map on DANO’s website .

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3 Day Itinerary: Self-guided canoe trip along the Dalsland Canal

Our canoe trip to Dalsland lasted a total of 3 days. While this was the perfect long-weekend trip, I would in the future definitely try and stay out for longer. With help from Christian at Bootshaus , we planned out our three day route which consisted of a mix of canoeing slowely through the locks of the canal, and enjoying some time paddling along the larger Lake Svärdlång. You can find some of their suggested itineraries here , however, they will definitely help you plan the perfect trip when you arrive if you want help. Below is our exact itinerary in more details.

We began our trip in Bengtsfors, at the Bootshaus canoe rental shop and paddled through a total of 7 locks on our way towards Vikningen and Lake Svärdlång. In total, this took us around 5 hours. If you plan to take this route I recommend starting early to be able to make the journey, especially if there is high wind in areas.

The highlight of this day was definitely passing through the locks; Bengtsfors, 19:e & 20:e, 18:e, and Billingsfors. Each lock station is so picturesque and just being able to experience the canal from the water is an amazing experience.

After passing through the Billingsfors lock, we stuck to the left-hand side and made our way up to the land crossing from Laxsjön to Lake Svärdlång. This was probably the most difficult part of the day as the crossing consists of quite a considerable hill which you will need to take the canoes up. However, being able to get that mix of locks and beautiful lake canoeing definitely makes it worth it!

We spent the night at Vikningen which is located on a beautiful peninsula. Standing down by the water you can really take in the nature which makes Dalsland so special. As I already mentioned, staying in this wind shelter was perfect as we awoke to quite a bit of fog and rain in the morning. If you are planning on taking this route, I recommend booking the wind shelter as soon as possible.

The second day started at the wind shelter Vikningen and was much more of a leisurely trip as we made our way up through Lake Svärdlång towards Kråkenäs. On this section of the route, you will not come across any locks, only one short land crossing by Campsite #55 (Skifors). We spent the day making short swimming stops, exploring the forests and small islands, and searching for chanterelles.

By the late afternoon, we decided not to head to a campsite but instead spend the night in a clearing to the side of the lake. The forest land here here was beautiful, with a mix of blueberries, lingon, spruce trees and heather growing along the lakeside. As I mentioned before, there is a fire ban throughout the Dalsland Nordmarken lake system from June 1 to August 31, so if you plan not to stay at a campsite, please keep this in mind.

On the third day of our canoe trip through Dalsland we decided to have a slow morning enjoying the forest and take a leisurely paddle to our final destination of Kråkviken. As I mentioned before – I would definitely recommend paddling in Dalsland for more than 3 days if you can make the time, however, this long weekend was still a perfect chance to experience the incredible lakes and canal.

If I were to extend this trip by one day, we would have continued from Kråkviken, through the lock station at Krokfors, and back to Bootshaus through lake Lelång (perhaps a trip for another day?)

Canoeing in the Dalsland-Nordmarken lake district, and through the Dalsland Canal is an incredible and unique experience that should be on everyone’s Sweden bucket list . There is no better way to experience the magic of Swedish summer than by canoeing through the Swedish wilderness, stopping for wild swimming and spending the evenings by the fire. On top of that, there is no better way to experience the Dalsland Canal than through its waterways, taking the locks up and down the lakes.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments and I will get back to you with answers as soon as possible!

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Welcome to Dalsland Center

What’s on in Dalsland Center

In Dalsland Center, by Dalsland Canal, you'll find a Tourist Information Office with information and tip-offs to make your holiday in our region an adventure! Under the same roof  there is an exhibition hall and two halls for concerts and/or conferences. During summer time there is always something going on! Our premises, which used to be a paper mill, also houses a café, a souvenir shop and a glassworks.

During the summer season we put on art exhibitions, children’s activities and concerts. For those who want to know more about Håverud, Dalsland Canal and the aqueduct we offer guided tours (to be booked in advance). There is a choice of different accommodations and restaurants in the area. If you choose to put on your exhibition, conference or your in-service training here you will get everything a modern conference centre has to offer. You will also be close to nature, stillness and opportunities for reflections. Our premises are well suited for people with disabilities. Dalsland Center has about 150,000 visitors a year.

Opening hours

During the summer season 2021 we are open

May 1 - June 20 : 10am - 4pm

June 21 - August 31 : Monday - Saturday:  10am - 5pm Sunday: 11am - 3pm

Midsummer: June 26 - 28 11am - 3pm

September : Saturdays and Sundays 10 am - 4 pm

Dalsland Center is available for events like trade fairs, conferences and concerts all throughout the year.

Dalsland Center Kanalvägen 4 464 72  Håverud Sweden +46 (0)530 18990, 18992

[email protected]

Dalsland Center on Facebook

Tillgänglighet

Visitors Guide to Dalsland Canal and the Dalsland Nordmarken Lake District

Download the ultimate guide to Dalsland Canal – an app fully stocked with canal facts, marinas, lock stations, campsites, accommodation, sights, attractions, restaurants, activities, amenities and much more. The app is free and many of its features are available offline, so you can use it even when you’re far off the beaten track!

Canal Facts

Welcome to Sweden’s most lake-rich landscape, Europe’s best canoeing waters and one of the best lake systems in the world. This app contains all the information you need, whether you’re travelling by pleasure craft, canoe or passenger boat.

Inspiring articles

The Dalsland Canal and Dalsland Nordmarken lake district offer clean air, fresh water and extraordinary outdoor activities. We’ve put together a collection of inspiring and interesting articles and reports about the canal that you can have a look at before your visit.

These maps will help you easily find everything you’d like to visit and experience during your visit. Use the GPS feature in your mobile phone to view the sights and attractions in your area. Or use the app to plan your trip and then save the places you’d like to visit as favourites.

The clear and explanatory structure of the app makes it easy for you to make the most of your visit to the Dalsand Canal and Dalsland Nordmarken lake district

Here is everything you need to explore the Dalsland Canal and vicinity. The app’s various menu options make it easy to select the perfect information for you and your party. You can save places you’d like to visit as favourites. Many of the app’s features are also available offline, so you can use it even when you’re far off the beaten track!

The simple symbols help you quickly find the perfect place to overnight, the cosiest café, the best barbecue site, where you can refuel and where you can moor the boat for the night. It also marks out great activities and attractions for the whole family.

Castle, hut or something in between?

The app compiles information on our pleasant marinas, campsites, guest houses and bed & breakfasts. Our hotels are cosy and friendly and nearly all have lakeside locations. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor experience at one of the lake district’s campsites or prefer the comforts of indoor accomodation and amenities, you will find your perfect lodging here.

Fabulous nature experiences and adventures await you all along the Dalsland Canal. The district has everything you could wish for – and then some. Locks, hiking trails, canal boats, fishing, art museums, beaches, moose parks, trolleys, cycle trolleys, canoes, kayaks, bicycles, high-rope activities, panning for gold, horseback riding and much more. With so much to choose from, there’s sure to be a perfect fit for everyone in your party!

Here, you will find every service and amenity you could possibly need along the Dalsland Canal

We’ve gathered as much information as we possibly could in the app. However, if you find that you need personalized service during your trip, please contact one of our tourist offices. The knowledgeable and engaged staff are passionate about making sure your stay is as wonderful as possible and will be happy to provide you with information, brochures, fishing licenses, Nature Conservation Cards and maps.

Welcome to Visit Dalsland Center in Håverud

Opening hours 2024

2 April – 30 April Weekdays at 11:00 – 16:00

May – September Every day

Feel inspired to explore every corner of our beautiful Dalsland

Welcome to Visit Dalsland Center in Håverud. Here you will feel inspired to explore every corner of our beautiful and content-rich part of the world. In the newly furnished premises, there is knowledge and help so you can find new places to visit and you can book experiences on site. Browse at the shop, visit our food market with locally produced products or hang out at our campsite!

Here you will find

Tourist Information

Souvenir shop

Food market

Book new experiences

Opening hours.

2 April – 30 April weekdays at 11:00 – 16:00

1 May – 16 June every day at 11.00 – 16.00

17 June – 1 September every day at 10.00 – 19.00

2 September – 30 September every day at 11.00 – 16.00

[email protected]

Phone (only during opening hours)

+ 46 (0)530-251558 + 46 (0)70-6245460

Visit Dalsland Center Kanalvägen, 464 72 Håverud

Also in Håverud

The aqueduct, canal boats, Håfveruds Rökeri & Brasseri, Glasserian, Patriks antik, Canal museum, Akveduktens Vintage, The Visitor.

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• Über Visit Sweden
• Regionen in Schweden
• Südschweden

Auf nach Dalsland: sieben gute Gründe für eine Reise ins Land der Täler

Das geheimnisvolle Dalsland ist mit seinem 250 Kilometer langen Seen- und Kanalsystem wie für einen Paddelurlaub gemacht. Du kannst der Natur aber auch ganz ohne Körpereinsatz nahekommen: nämlich bei einer Übernachtung in einem Glashaus im Wald. 

1. Wenn Schiffe schweben: der Dalsland-Kanal mit Aquädukt in Håverud

Der Dalsland-Kanal ist, je nach Blickwinkel, verschwindend kurz oder beeindruckend lang. Er bildet nämlich ein System aus elf Kanälen, die mehrere Seen in der Region miteinander und mit dem Vänern, Schwedens größtem See, verbinden. Das ganze Netz aus Wasserwegen ist über 250 Kilometer lang, die Kanalstrecken insgesamt aber nur zwölf. Einen spektakulären Anblick bietet die bekannteste Attraktion von Dalsland: die markante Trogbrücke von Håverud, die über einer Stromschnelle in der Luft hängt. Der Dalsland-Kanal hat außerdem zwölf Schleusen, die zusammen einen Höhenunterschied von 66 Metern überwinden. Das heißt, Boote steigen über die Schleusen eine Art Treppe hinauf. Das beste Erlebnis ist natürlich, selbst in einem Boot zu sitzen. Von Mai bis September bieten die drei Veranstalter M/S Dalslandia, M/S Storholmen und M/S Nils Ericson af Håverud Schifffahrten verschiedener Länge und Dauer an. 

2. Im Takt der Paddel: das Kanureich Dalsland-Nordmarken

Die vielen länglich-schmalen Seen bilden natürliche Wasserwege mit idealen Bedingungen zum Paddeln . Überall verleihen lokale Unternehmen Kanus und Kajaks – über tausend Paddelboote sollen in der Region verfügbar sein. Die regionale non-profit-Organisation DANO – Dalsland-Nordmarken, eine Zusammenarbeit der schwedischen Regionen Dalsland und Värmland sowie Nordmarka in Norwegen, pflegt über 100 Schutzhütten und Zeltplätze am Ufer der Seen und Kanäle, wo Besucher gegen einen kleinen Obolus übernachten können. Die App „Dalslands Kanal“ weist dir den Weg zu Kanuverleihern und Zeltplätzen. Zu den schönsten Zielen zum Paddeln gehören die Strecken Baldersnäs-Köpmannebro und Västra Silen-Svärdlång. Beide sind ca. 30 km lang und in 2-3 Tagen zu schaffen.

3. Außergewöhnliche Aktivitäten: von Geländelauf bis Zipline

Für den gewissen Kick im Urlaub kannst du in Dalsland bei mehreren Veranstaltern adrenalingeladene Aktivitäten buchen. Camp Dalsland bringt seine Gäste beim Geländelauf, Mountainbikerennen, Kanumarathon und Swimrun gleichzeitig der Natur und den körperlichen Limits näher. Dalslands Aktiviteter hat mit Kajakverleih, geführten Wanderungen, Bibersafari und Reiten ein entspannteres Programm, aber an der Zipline und im Hochseilgarten schnellt der Puls in die Höhe.

Dalslandkanal und Aquädukt bei Håverud

Foto : Roger Borgelid/Westsweden.com

Kanu in Dalsland

Lagerfeuer in Dalsland

Mit dem Kajak in Dalsland

Foto : Henrik Trygg/ Westsweden.com

Mit dem Kanu in Dalsland

Abendliches Baden in Dals Långed

4. Übernachten im Kult-Glashaus: die 72 Hour Cabin

Im Jahr 2017 führte Visit Sweden in Zusammenarbeit mit der Region Westschweden und dem Stockholmer Universitätskrankenhaus Karolinska ein Experiment durch: Fünf Menschen mit stressigen Berufen waren eingeladen, 72 Stunden in der schwedischen Natur auf der Insel Henriksholm zu verbringen. Sie wohnten dabei in gläsernen Hütten im Stil von Gewächshäusern, um der grünen Umgebung stets nahe zu sein. Nach den drei Tagen hatten sämtliche Teilnehmer einen niedrigeren Blutdruck, einen ruhigeren Puls, bemerkten ein höheres Wohlbefinden und waren sogar kreativer. Die fünf Originalhütten der Studie stehen noch immer auf der Insel Henriksholm und sind hier für jeweils drei Nächte buchbar. Zusätzliche Hütten stehen bei Dalslands Aktiviteter in Dals Långed. Erfahre hier mehr, wie du die Glashäuser buchen kannst . 

5. Wenn die Natur inspiriert: Kunst & Kultur in Dalsland

Dalsland ist zwar für seine üppige Natur und Wasserwelt bekannt, doch ein Abstecher in die Zivilisation kann sich lohnen, um die Region besser zu verstehen. Nicht weit vom Aquädukt in Håverud liegt Dalslands Kunstmuseum in einem modernen Gebäude mit Nachhaltigkeitsgedanke, das sich dennoch in die Umgebung aus Industriedenkmälern einfügt. Jede Saison (März-November) zeigt das Museum zwölf Ausstellungen, bevorzugt mit plastischen Kunstwerken, in denen sich Natur und Künstlerfantasie begegnen. Die Dauerausstellung umfasst Bauernkunst und Handwerk aus der Region. Das Museumscafé Bonaparte mit verglaster Veranda und Seeblick ist ebenso einen Besuch wert. 

Noch moderner zeigt sich Dalsland im 2002 eröffneten Kulturzentrum Not Quite in einer ehemaligen Papierfabrik in Fengersfors. Hier haben Designer, Künstler und Handwerker ihre Studios und zeigen ihre Werke in Ausstellungen und im Shop (Mai-September). Auch spannend: das Strohmuseum (Halmens Hus), das von der Tradition erzählt, das „Gold der Bauern“ zu Hüten und Gebrauchsgegenständen zu verarbeiten. 

6. Von Räucherlachs bis Straußenei: der Geschmack von Dalsland

In Westschweden und auch in Dalsland kannst du in Hofläden und bei Bauern und lokalen Produzenten regionale Spezialitäten von hoher Qualität verkosten. Der Exot unter den Bauernhöfen ist Dalslands Struts in Färgelanda – eine Straußenfarm im Herzen der Region. Im Sommer kannst du hier Straußeneis essen! Ebenfalls in Färgelanda liegt die Molkerei Dals Spira, die Käse, Joghurt und Eis aus Ziegenmilch herstellt. Im Café Brukets Godaste in Fengersfors liegt der Duft von frischgebackenem Brot in der Luft. Ein Tipp: die hauseigene Pizza Dalsland, belegt mit Roter Bete und Schafskäse. Einen Abstecher lohnt das Herrenhaus Baldersnäs Herrgård , dessen Menüs das Angebot an Zutaten aus der Umgebung und die Jahreszeiten widerspiegelt. Das wahrscheinlich beste Restaurant von Dalsland ist Håfveruds Rökeri & Brasseri, das frischen Fisch wie Makrele, Weißfisch, Saibling und natürlich Lachs vor Ort räuchert.

7. Zur Besinnung kommen: Wanderung auf dem Pilgerweg

Durch Dalsland zieht sich wie ein gerader Strich von Süd nach Nord der Pilgerweg ( Pilgrimsleden ). Er ist Teil eines größeren Pilgerwegenetzes mit einem gemeinsamen Ziel: dem Nidarosdom im norwegischen Trondheim. Empfehlenswert ist der 81 Kilometer lange Abschnitt von Mellerud über Edsleskog nach Åmål, der durchgehend ausgeschildert ist und sicher über Wanderwege und Landstraßen führt. Er verläuft im Norden von Dalsland durch eine zerklüftete Seenlandschaft, wo die Landkarte mehr blaue als grüne Flächen zeigt. Du wanderst über karge Felsen und hast oftmals eine so atemberaubende Aussicht, dass sich der Weg mit dem UNESCO-Welterbe Höga Kusten in Nordschweden vergleichen lässt.

Mittelalterliche Gotteshäuser wie die Kirche Holm in Mellerud und die Kirche von Edsleskog, beide aktive Gemeinden seit dem 13. Jahrhundert, erinnern an die lange, fromme Geschichte von Dalsland. Ein weiteres Highlight ist der Dalslands Kanal, den du in Upperud passierst. Gaststätten, Unterkünfte und Zeltplätze am Weg sowie der Anschluss an öffentliche Verkehrsmittel erleichtern die individuelle Planung. Als Ausgangspunkt eignet sich das moderne Hotel Upperund 9:9 , das ein umgebauter Getreidespeicher ist und dessen fünf Zimmer schicke, kompakte Studios auf zwei Etagen sind .Egal ob gläubig oder nicht, ob achtzig Kilometer oder nur zehn: die Wanderung und die Zeit in der Natur werden dir innere Ruhe schenken. 

Gläsernes Ferienhaus auf Henriksholm

Ferienhaus der 72hCabin-Initiative auf der Insel Henriksholm, Dalsland: Du kannst Stress abbauen, wenn du 72 Stunden in der schwedischen Natur verbringst

Foto : Jonas Ingman/Westsweden.com

Foto : Anna-Lena Lundqvist/Westsweden.com

Gläsernes Ferienhaus auf dem Herrenhof Baldernäs

Aussichten vom Pilgerweg in Westschweden

Foto : Roger Borgelid / Westsweden.com

Wanderweg in Dalsland

Foto : Henrrik Trygg/Westsweden.com

Wandern in Dalsland

Foto : Henrrik TryggWestsweden.com

Der Worte sind genug gewechselt: hier kannst du einen kleinen Film über Dalsland sehen, den unsere Freunde in Westschweden produziert haben: 

Das müsste dich auch interessieren

Wandern auf dem pilgerweg durch dalsland, westschweden ist wie fürs paddeln gemacht, genusswandern in westschweden: neun wanderwege von kurz bis lang, unsere initiative the 72 hour cabin, über die studie und die ergebnisse (the 72 hour cabin), natur & outdoor natur & outdoor, die schönsten urlaube am see in schweden.

aktiviteter

36 Hours in Munich

By A.J. Goldmann April 18, 2024

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By A.J. Goldmann Photographs by Laetitia Vancon

A.J. Goldmann has written about European arts and culture for nearly two decades. He currently divides his time between Munich and Berlin.

Munich is giving Berlin, its longtime cultural rival, a run for its money. Shedding its reputation as the conservative Bavarian capital, Munich is emerging as a younger, laid-back hub that’s balancing tradition and innovation in unusual ways. Look to the Schlachthofviertel, a rapidly evolving cultural district centered around an active slaughterhouse (yes, really) that’s sprung to life with nightclubs and bars (including one in a decommissioned ship) and a beautiful new home for the Volkstheater , one of the city’s main playhouses. Head to the Isarphilharmonie , an ultra-modern new concert hall, to hear some of Munich's top musical ensembles, including the splendid Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra , which turns 75 this year. And if you’re visiting in the summer, don’t miss the Munich Opera Festival , which is nearing its 150th birthday.

Recommendations

• The Englischer Garten , or the English Garden, Munich’s sprawling and beloved central park, is popular with locals during the warmer months.
• The Lenbachhaus Museum has Germany’s most important collection of works by the artists of Der Blaue Reiter, the influential modern art association founded in 1911 in Munich.
• Bahnwärter Thiel , a hip cultural space in a formerly abandoned lot with graffitied freight containers and old subway cars, has a vibrant techno club at its center.
• The Viktualienmarkt , Munich’s central outdoor greengrocers market, is full of attractively displayed fresh produce and vendors selling street food.
• Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism , a sobering museum built on the former site of Nazi headquarters, traces the ideology and the crimes of the party that was founded in Munich in 1920.
• The grand Nationaltheater is home to the Bayerische Staatsoper , one of Germany’s best opera companies.
• The grassy banks of the Isar , the river that runs through Munich, form an urban oasis where locals (and their dogs) stroll, picnic and even go for a dip in the river.
• The Alte Pinakothek , in Munich’s museum quarter, houses a storied collection of European paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries in a stately building.
• The Nymphenburg Palace was the former summer residence of Bavaria’s ruling family. The palace’s sweeping and stately gardens rival those of Versailles.
• Alva-Morgaine is a delightfully overstuffed second-hand shop with an unpredictable and ever-changing assortment of elegant and eccentric vintage clothing.
• Der Dantler gives a modern and refined take on Alpine cuisine in an informal atmosphere.
• Drei Mühlen is a bustling neighborhood restaurant where you can find the best deal on weisswurstfrühstück, a traditional Bavarian breakfast of veal sausages and a pretzel.
• Café Zimt und Trallala is a bakery and cafe that makes exquisite breakfast pastries.
• Deutsche Eiche is a gay-friendly restaurant and hotel with a lovely rooftop terrace.
• Alte Utting , a decommissioned ship perched on a railway bridge, is one of the city’s most unusual and most atmospheric places to have a cocktail.
• GötterSpeise is an eye-poppingly colorful cocoa emporium with a creative and delicious assortment of hot chocolate.
• Caspar Plautz , on the Viktualienmarkt, serves baked potatoes with a variety of stuffings.
• Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt , a cafe and roastery in the middle of the market, is your best bet for coffee.
• Lea Zapf , a cafe and patisserie on the Viktualienmarkt, makes decadent cakes and small pastries.
• Eataly , in a cavernous indoor market next to the Viktualienmarkt, is a mecca for gourmet Italian products.
• Café Frischhut makes local doughnuts called schmalznudels and other deep-fried delights.
• Conviva im Blauen Haus , a restaurant attached to the Münchner Kammerspiele, one of the city’s main playhouses, is the place to go for a quick and delicious pre-theater meal.
• The Königlicher Hirschgarten , one of the world’s largest and oldest beer gardens, is a perfect place to enjoy local delicacies and have a pint with thousands of your closest friends.
• Cortiina Hotel is sophisticated and centrally located, within spitting distance of the Hofbräuhaus, Munich’s legendary beer hall, and a few blocks from the opera house. Wooden floors and furniture and stone tiling in the bathroom contribute to the sense of luxurious minimalism. Rooms start at 289 euros, or $307.
• Living Hotel Prinzessin Elisabeth , a block from the Isar River, offers a variety of tastefully furnished rooms and suites. The rooms are spacious and all come equipped with a kitchenette and free drinks in the minibar. Rooms start at €120.
• Hotel Mariandl offers elegant, rather old-fashioned rooms (some with shared bathrooms) with Belle Époque charm. Set on a leafy boulevard close to the central train station, the hotel also has an atmospheric Viennese-style cafe and restaurant, Café am Beethovenplatz. Rooms start at €69.
• For short-term rentals , consider looking in Maxvorstadt and Schwabing, two residential neighborhoods north of the center with more vacation properties than the cramped old town.
• Munich’s public transportation system, MVG , which includes trains , buses and trams , is extensive, efficient and affordable. In central Munich, a single ride costs €3.90, a day pass costs €9.20, and a week pass costs €21.10. On weekends, the system runs all night long. The MVG also offers bike sharing , which can be booked with an app . Uber operates in Germany as a regulated taxi service nearly identical to the city’s other taxi companies. A good local ride-hailing option is IsarFunk . It’s more common (and easier) to order a ride in advance than to hail one on the street.

The Eisbach in the Englischer Garten

Start by getting to know Munich’s beloved central park. From Odeonsplatz, a 19th-century square, stroll to the Hofgarten , a manicured park surrounded with hedges and crowned by an elegant central gazebo. From there, cross into the rambling Englischer Garten , which is larger than New York’s Central Park. Wave to the bathers bobbing up and down in the Eisbach, the freezing man-made river that snakes through the park, and watch the daredevil surfers who ride its waves. You can also stop for an inaugural pint at the beer garden next to the Chinese Tower, a five-story wooden pagoda; take a boat out on the placid Kleinhesseloher See lake; or visit the hilltop Monopteros , a 19th-century replica of a Greek temple that was built for the Bavarian king Ludwig I.

Germany’s culture of commemoration, seen in its willingness to examine the crimes it committed during World War II, make the country unique. The Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism , which opened in 2015 at the site of a former Nazi headquarters, charts the history of Nazism in Munich, the birthplace of the movement. It traces the rise of the party and Adolf Hitler, including his failed but deadly coup, known as the Beer Hall Putsch , in 1923, while also describing the persecution of Munich’s Jewish population, which numbered roughly 12,000 before Hitler’s rise to power, and the city’s postwar reckoning with its Nazi past. The current temporary exhibition (through July 28) examines right-wing terrorism in post-war Germany to the present day, including the 1980 Oktoberfest bombing and the 2016 attack at a Munich shopping mall. (Entry, free.)

Get a taste of modern Bavaria at Der Dantler, one of a new crop of restaurants injecting Alpine cuisine with Asian accents. The restaurant, in the former working-class neighborhood of Geising, has a casual, hole-in-the-wall vibe; friendly and attentive staff; and, in the evenings, a frequently changing five-course menu (105 euros per person) with ambitious preparations of regional produce. A recent dinner included roasted carrots coated with preserved lemon and a spicy macadamia crunch; and a tender saddle of veal in jus, served with schupfnudeln, or German gnocchi. Vegetarian and pescatarian options available. The wine pairing (currently 56 euros per person) is a great way to get to know the menu’s German and Austrian bottles, including some adventurous natural wines. Reservations required.

The Fischbrunnen (Fish Fountain) on Marienplatz, the central square in Munich’s old town, with the white Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) in the distance.

Drei Mühlen

Weisswurstfrühstück is a time-honored German tradition in the south: A pair of boiled veal sausages, eaten with sweet mustard and a chewy pretzel, washed down with beer. It’s the Bavarian breakfast of champions. Try it at Drei Mühlen , a restaurant that gets its sausages from the area’s best-known butcher, Magnus Bauch . Drei Mühlen recently raised its prices, but even so, its weisswurstfrühstück remains an unbeatable deal at €6.55 (which includes a half-liter of Augustiner lager beer). It’s a bustling locals’ hang, especially on weekends, so you might end up sitting at the cramped bar. Reservations recommended. For vegetarians, Café Zimt und Trallala , around the corner, bakes some of the best croissants in the city and not-to-be-missed franzbrötchen, a sticky, flaky, cinnamon-and butter-pastry (€2.80 each).

After you’ve polished off your beer, head to the Isar, the river that flows through Munich. Cross the Wittelsbacherbrücke, a bridge, and walk along the dirt paths on the river’s grassy bank. A bold, decade-long rewilding project , completed in 2011, widened the Isar here, purified its waters and added a series of gravel paths along its banks. Watch (and maybe even join) the courageous swimmers carried by the strong current around the Weideninsel, a small island that emerged during the rewilding. To keep exploring the banks of the Isar, walk south, past the lovingly maintained Rosengarten, whose flowers are just starting to bloom. You will soon reach the Flaucher, a series of pebbled beaches, connected by an elevated walkway, that are popular with both nudists and families who barbecue (they keep to their separate shores).

The years that Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the rock group Queen, lived in Munich (between 1979 and 1985) made him a local hero and one of the city’s gay icons. Visit some of his haunts around Gärtnerplatz, a circular plaza, like the nearby Deutsche Eiche , nowadays a hotel and restaurant with a stunning rooftop terrace. (He was also a habitué at Pimpernel and Ochsengarten , two still-operating gay bars and nightclubs on the neighboring Müllerstrasse.) Mercury bought an apartment with the Austrian actress Barbara Valentin on Hans-Sachs-Strasse, a quaint street lined with prewar buildings. There, find Alva-Morgaine , a delightful wunderkammer (or cabinet of curiosities) of one-of-a-kind fashion, like 1920s flapper dresses. Around the corner is GötterSpeise , a cocoa emporium with a creative assortment of hot chocolates (€4 to €6).

If the Englischer Garten are the lungs of Munich, then the Viktualienmarkt , one of Europe’s best outdoor food markets, is the city’s stomach. Try the heavenly pressed sandwiches at Luiginos Bio Feinkost , which include a pastrami-Cheddar melt or grilled eggplant, chevre and spinach (from €6.90); or head to Caspar Plautz , a potato merchant that serves stuffed baked spuds (from €7.50 a plate). If the weather is inclement, duck inside the temple-like Eataly directly next door for a slice of focaccia (from about €6). For dessert, try the freshly fried schmalznudels – Bavarian doughnuts — at Café Frischhut (from €3) — or the decadent cakes and pastries at Lea Zapf (from €4). The house-roasted coffee at the Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt might be the best in town.

Der Blaue Reiter, or the Blue Rider , a group of Expressionist artists which coalesced in Munich in 1911, is arguably the city’s greatest contribution to 20th-century art. In boldly colorful works, the Blue Rider artists used modern painting as a conduit to the spiritual. The Lenbachhaus Museum , in the city’s central Kunstareal, or museum quarter, boasts the world’s largest collection of paintings by the group whose members included Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc and Paul Klee. The trove exists because of Gabriele Münter , a distinctive and prolific painter who was also Kandinsky’s lover (he eventually left her to move back to Russia). In 1957, when she turned 80, she donated more than 1,000 works by herself, Kandinsky, Marc, Klee and others to the museum. (Entry, €10.)

It’s easy to miss Conviva im Blauen Haus , an unassuming restaurant behind the Münchner Kammerspiele , one of the city’s three publicly funded theaters. The restaurant, with industrial lighting and long wooden tables, doubles as the theater’s canteen and employs people with mental and physical disabilities as cooks and servers. Prompt and attentive service ensures that everyone — actors and audience members alike — gets to the show on time. A recent evening menu featured osso buco on saffron risotto, Iberian pork loin with king oyster mushroom and potato strudel, and sea bream with artichokes and fennel puree, all in the €20 range.

Nationaltheater

Germany is home to more than 80 opera companies and the Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera), which traces its history back more than 350 years, might be the country’s finest. These days, it has a reputation for a varied operatic repertoire, often presented in avant-garde productions. Locals love to get gussied up for performances at the company’s grand main venue, the nearly 2,000-seat Nationaltheater . Germany’s lavish public subsidies mean that there are tickets for every budget, including over 300 standing room tickets for under €20. Upcoming highlights include Romeo Castellucci’s densely symbolic take on Wagner’s “ Tannhäuser ,” a new “ Tosca ,” directed by the Hungarian filmmaker Kornel Mundruczo and the summertime premiere of “ Le Grand Macabre ,” directed by Krzysztof Warlikowski, in honor of the Hungarian composer Gyorgy Ligeti’s centennial.

Alte Utting

Munich still lags behind Berlin when it comes to clubbing, but its nightlife has become much more varied over the past decade. One of the most unusual club venues is Bahnwärter Thiel , a cultural space in the edgy Schlachhofviertel district, just south of the center of town. The large outdoor area contains abandoned subway cars and sea freight containers, one of which contains the Kulturhaus, a club that attracts some of Germany’s best techno D.J.s. (Most concert tickets, €10.) A few blocks away is the Alte Utting , a bar and event space in a decommissioned passenger steam ship perched high above street level on a disused railway bridge.

The statue of Bavaria, the female personification of the southern German state, looks over the expansive Theresienwiese, the site of the annual Oktoberfest beer festival.

Alte Pinakothek

On Sundays, Munich’s state-run museums charge €1 entry to their permanent exhibitions. If you need to choose just one, head to the Alte Pinakothek , one of the world’s finest collections of European paintings, which is housed under the soaring ceiling of an early-19th-century building. Highlights include a richly varied assortment of paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, which looks more stunning than ever after recent improvements to the skylights. More than 200 paintings in the main upper galleries have changed places as part of a recent reorganization that eschews traditional ordering along geographical and chronological lines in favor of a more flexible presentation. If you have time to spare, cross the road to the Pinakothek der Moderne , home to 20th- and 21st-century art. Be warned, though: It will set you back another euro.

Königlicher Hirschgarten

Man does not live by art alone. After you’re done soaking in centuries’ worth of masterpieces, head over to the Königlicher Hirschgarten , one of the world’s largest beer gardens, founded in 1791. Find a spot in the main 7,000-seat area, which is self-service and has long, shared tables and Augustiner lager on tap. Sausages, potato salad and rotisserie chicken are king here, but the steckerlfisch, a whole grilled fish on a stick, is also a local delicacy. (Half-liter beer, €4.20; beer garden food, €3 to €20.) After lunch, stroll through the nearby Nymphenburg Palace , the former summer residence of Bavaria’s ruling family. Explore the 445-acre garden and marvel at the palace’s vast main building, whose 2,000-foot-long facade is larger than that of Versailles (gardens and parks entry, free; ceremonial rooms, €8).

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Visa Information for Nationals of Haiti

The Department of State has suspended visa services in Haiti

The information below outlines options Haitian nationals seeking U.S. visas may consider.

Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visas are for foreign nationals who intend to live and/or work permanently in the United States.  In most cases, a relative or employer sponsors the individual by filing a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  Further information on immigrant visas can be found here:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate.html .

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has suspended routine immigrant visa appointments until further notice. Immigrant visa applicants who can travel to another U.S. embassy or consulate that processes immigrant visas and remain in that country for the duration of their visa processing should consider requesting the transfer of their case from U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince using the instructions below:

If the case is at U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince :   Applicants may contact a new U.S. embassy or consulate in writing to request the transfer of their immigrant visa case.  Applicants can find the contact information for Immigrant Visa Units at U.S. embassies and consulates at https://usembassy.gov/ .  The applicant should provide evidence, if possible, of their presence in the country to which they would like their case to be transferred, or documentation of their ability to enter and remain in that country for the duration of the immigrant visa process.

If the Case is Pending at the National Visa Center (NVC):   Applicants may contact NVC at https://nvc.state.gov/inquiry to request a transfer to another immigrant visa processing post.  Applicants should be prepared to provide evidence of the ability to enter and remain in the requested country for the duration of the process.

Applicants may also request NVC expedite their case at the new consular section by emailing [email protected] and providing the specific reason for their expedite request.  Please be aware expedited case processing does not apply to family preference visa categories where a case is not current.

The Department of State continues to communicate with U.S. adoptive families in the intercountry adoption process and adoption service providers regarding recent developments in Haiti, and we are assessing the situation as it unfolds.  The Department is responding to individual inquiries from Adoption Service Providers and prospective adoptive parents. 

We are working as quickly as possible to identify options for continued case processing and assisted departure for Haitian children in the intercountry adoption process, while meeting U.S. laws, regulations, and our Hague  Convention obligations as well as minimizing the risk of Haitian children coming to the United States with no clear path to legal status .

We are also working with Haiti’s child welfare authority, the Institut du Bien-Être Social et de Recherches (IBESR), to assist Haitian adoptive children in obtaining exit permissions, while we work on solutions at other stages of the intercountry adoption process. 

Prospective adoptive parents should remain in regular contact with their adoption service providers in the United States.

U.S. citizens who have adopted Haitian children through the domestic Haitian process (rather than an intercountry adoption) and have an appointment date from USCIS for an N-600K interview may apply for a B-1/B-2 visa for the child to attend the interview and naturalize.  This is appropriate only for children who do not intend to reside in the United States.  See Nonimmigrant Visas  below.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Most nonimmigrant visa categories require the applicant to demonstrate intent to leave the United States after a temporary stay .

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has suspended routine nonimmigrant visa appointments until further notice.  T he U.S. Embassy in Port au Prince can only accept expedited nonimmigrant visa appointments for life-or-death medical emergencies (with proof of travel plans) or to facilitate travel for a child with a confirmed USCIS appointment for a naturalization interview based on a Form N-600K .  Applicants can submit a request for an expedited NIV appointment by following the instructions provided at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ht/en/nonimmigrant-visa .

Nonimmigrant visa applicants may apply at any embassy or consulate where they are physically present and where appointments are available.  A full list of embassies and consulates is available here: https://www.usembassy.gov/ .  Appointment wait times are available at U.S. Visas (state.gov) .  Once an interview appointment is made, applicants can request an expedited appointment but must describe the unique circumstances that justify such a request.

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