Today we're taking you on a city and nature trip. And where are we going this time? To Trollhättan!
This city has a long history and many sights. We always find new and exciting places when we explore.
If you want to visit Trollhättan, you will find the city about 75 kilometers north of Gothenburg. Trollhättan is located about 12 kilometers south of Lake Vänern. Water flows everywhere in the city, as the Göta Canal runs through Trollhättan and empties into Lake Vänern.
There are few cities where waterways and industrial history merge as much as they do here.
The Göta Canal connects Lake Vänern with the Kattekatt, the western sea of Sweden.
Brief facts and figures
Trollhättan has about 60,000 inhabitants and is located in the western Swedish province of Västra Götaland. The first time Trollhättan was mentioned was in 1413. Even earlier, Trollhättan had a strategic importance on the main road between Västergötland and Norway and a commercial importance for shipping to and from Lake Vänern.
Wild beauty: The roaring waters of Trollhättan
Since Trollhättan is surrounded by water, we would like to show you one of our favorite places. The waterfalls and locks in Trollhättan are a popular visitor magnet. Of course, we also wanted to see this natural phenomenon .
It should be said in advance: The waterfalls serve to supply electricity to the city and industry. Due to the ongoing energy crisis, the locks to the waterfalls are currently not open, or only at special times and events.
We knew this in advance, but still wanted to see the surroundings and the small gorges.
We set off on a sunny Sunday in July. Unfortunately, we didn't reach our destination. The access roads were closed. - On a Sunday?
So we drove, down back roads and winding paths, and found a parking lot on the other side of the canal, high up in Trollhättan.
After a short hike, we reached a viewing platform and were able to admire the rugged gorges. Even without the falling water, the view was impressive.
But we had the right instinct! By chance we happened to come on the weekend when the Trollhättans Waterfall Days were taking place. It was just before 10:00 in the morning and at 10:00 the locks were opened for a few minutes. We quickly looked for a suitable vantage point and enjoyed the spectacular spectacle.
Well, what can we say, it was simply spectacular when the water came. 300,000 litres of water cascaded down the rocks every second. An impressive experience. After about 5 minutes it was all over and the locks closed again.
Days later we drove to the Göta Canal in Trollhättan again. This time we were able to get where we wanted to go. In the morning hours we managed to get a parking space, but minutes later more visitors arrived with their cars and campers. Now we had time to walk on the bridges in peace and take a look at everything up close.
Another walk, past the 40-meter-high neo-Gothic Trollhättans Church, takes you towards the hydroelectric power station. This hydroelectric power station was the first Swedish state plant to use water to generate electricity. The view from above down into the valley is truly impressive.
Even though the locks are usually closed, this place is really beautiful.
Architecture meets history – The open-air museum
We discovered Forngården, the open-air museum in Trollhättan, by chance.
It is a place with a fascinating history. It is home to a collection of 17th and 18th century buildings that originally stood elsewhere and were moved here in 1934 to save them from demolition. The buildings include a bell tower, a knight's house, a small 18th century house and other small houses. Each of these old houses tells its own story and shows the unique architecture of times gone by.
We were lucky that the houses were open when we were on our way back, so we were able to take a look inside and see how people used to live and work in the small houses.
It is always exciting to see the means by which people in the past managed their everyday lives and how the forerunners of today's modern devices have developed.
The buildings are now managed by the local history society. As a small thank you for their preservation, we left a small donation.
The city invites you to stroll and eat
Like many other places, Trollhättan has a lot to offer in the city center. Shops line up here for a great shopping experience and strolling tours. There is a large selection of shops and boutiques with clothing, electronics, jewelry, books and much more.
If you prefer to go out in the evenings or at weekends, you will find several restaurants in the pedestrian zone. From sports bars with a great atmosphere where you can play billiards and snooker, to tapas and cocktail bars.
Överby- The shopping experience at the foot of the Göte Canal
The Överby shopping center is located just outside Trollhättan, on the E45. Depending on which side you come from, you drive over the Stallbacka Bridge over the Göta Canal. The bridge offers a short but wide view of the canal.
How should we describe Överby? It is an area of about 330,000 square meters.
There are over 120 different shops here.
As is usual in Sweden, there are a number of roundabouts that connect the individual areas.
From grocery stores such as Lidl, ICA, Coop and CityCross to electronics stores, hardware and garden centers and various clothing stores. In between there are various fast food restaurants.
In the two centers - Sibahuset and Etagehuset - you will find classic covered shopping malls with cafés and other shops, as is usual everywhere. Also ideal on rainy days.
It may seem a little confusing at first until you find your way around and the right exit to the various shops. But with over 4,500 free parking spaces, you can always easily find a parking space, and there is enough space even for large vehicles.
So no matter whether you need tools, fishing equipment or new outdoor clothing, everyone will find what they need here, from small to large.
Other sights around Trollhättan
Trollhättan has planned various attractions and events for its residents and guests throughout the year, from open-air cinema to culture and concerts.
Whether on foot, by bike or on four wheels – the city of Trollhättan offers a unique experience for every visitor.
There are also other sights around Trollhättan. Depending on the weather and your interests, you can explore Sweden's largest lake, Lake Vänern, or hike on the Hunneberg and Halleberg table mountains. You can also find interesting blog articles from us about this here. Feel free to stop by.
Or maybe you would like to take a detour to the Swedish west coast?
Park
There are plenty of parking spaces in Trollhättan, both in parking garages and directly on the streets.
There are also well-signposted parking spaces near the locks.
If you drive past the church towards “Insikten Museum”, you will find plenty of parking spaces. From here you can easily walk to the lock and enjoy the view.
Parking with a camper van/caravan: If a camper van is parked over two parking spaces, for example, you must purchase two parking tickets and place them clearly visible in the windshield. The same rules apply to both caravans and buses.
Conclusion
We like to go to Trollhättan. We can find everything here, whether we want to go shopping or see nature and water. Trollhättan has a lot to offer at any time of day or year.
The possibilities are endless, what are you waiting for? Explore the area and find your personal favorite spot.
We hope you enjoy exploring and traveling this beautiful region.
Feel free to write in the comments what you think of Trollhättan and whether you know of any other great sights in the city.
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