Alingsås Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Alingsås

Alingsås is a town and the municipal seat of Alingsås Municipality, located in Västra Götaland County, Sweden. Situated where the Säveån rivulet empties into Lake Mjörn, the town lies along the European route E20 highway and the Western Main Line railway connecting Stockholm and Gothenburg. Nearby settlements include the small village of Sollebrunn, while local city districts encompass areas such as Nolby, Nolhaga, Hjälmared, and Sörhaga.

Established after residents fled the destruction of Nya Lödöse by Danish forces, Alingsås received its royal charter from King Gustavus Adolphus in 1619. Its history is closely tied to Jonas Alströmer, born here in 1685, who introduced the potato to Sweden and launched a major local drapery enterprise that grew into the country's largest before closing in 1779. Archaeological discoveries in the area include well-preserved 2,500-year-old Bronze Age ornaments found in 2021. Regional historical sights feature the natural rock excavations known as Giant's Kettles, particularly the large formations at Brobacka. Nearby stands the historic ruin of Gräfsnäs Castle on Lake Anten, originally constructed in 1550 by Count Sten Eriksson Leijonhufvud and rebuilt after successive fires in 1634, 1734, and 1834.

Renowned as a central destination for Swedish coffee culture, Alingsås is often referred to as "The Capital of Fika" and featured 26 cafes as of 2010, including several listed in the White Guide. Cultural facilities include an art gallery, libraries, and the Alingsås Museum, which was established in 1928 to house municipal archives and photographic collections. In the Nolby district, a memorial site marks where author Karin Boye died in 1941, serving as a stop for guided educational visits.

Annual public events bring significant activity to the town. During the summer, the municipality hosts Potatisfestivalen, a city festival featuring live concerts and performances. Every October, the month-long Lights in Alingsås event features international lighting designers and architecture students who illuminate selected parts of the town for public tours. Athletic life is similarly prominent, supported by local facilities, health centers, and teams competing in sports such as floorball, ice hockey, track and field, and football—including the Alingsås IF women's team. The town's handball association also hosts an annual nationwide youth tournament known as Potatiscupen.