Halmstad is a port, university, the industrial and recreational city at the mouth of the Nissan river, in the province of Halland on the Swedish west coast. Halmstad is the seat of Halmstad Municipality and the capital of Halland County. Halmstad is Sweden’s 19th-largest city by population and is located about midway between Gothenburg (the second most populous) and Malmö (the third). Timber framing architecture is common.
Housing
All student accommodation in Halmstad is organised by the Student Union. Depending on what type of student you are there are different student accommodation options available.
Exchange students are guaranteed student accommodation upon arrival. Shortly after you have been admitted to Halmstad University, you will receive an email with information regarding accommodation options, pick-up service, rent, application deadlines and payment instructions from the Student Union.
A limited amount of student accommodation is available for international students. Shortly after you have been admitted to Halmstad University, you will receive an email with information regarding accommodation options, pick-up service, rent, application deadlines and payment instructions from the Student Union. Due to the limited amount of housing available, we strongly advise you to register for accommodation as soon as possible after receiving the information email from the Student Union.
The Student Union only supports accommodation for admitted students. If you are bringing your family and need a different accommodation option, you are responsible for organising this yourself. Please contact the Student Union directly for any questions regarding student accommodation.
Transportation
When making travel arrangements you can choose to fly to any of the three different airports below.
Copenhagen Airport – Copenhagen (Denmark) – approximately 2 hours to Halmstad C with direct trains and buses.
- Train: travel from Copenhagen Airport to Halmstad C
- Bus: Travel from Kastrup Terminal 2 to Halmstad Regionbussterminal
Landvetter Airport – Gothenburg (Sweden) – approximately 2 hours from Halmstad with a few options of buses and trains.
- Train: Take the Airport Coach from Landvetter Airport to the Central Station, Nils Ericsson Terminal, downtown Gothenburg. Then you take the train from Gothenburg to Halmstad.
- Bus: Take the Airport Coach from Landvetter Airport to the Central Station, Nils Ericsson Terminal, downtown Gothenburg. Then you take the bus from Gothenburg, Nils Ericsson Terminal to Halmstad Regionbussterminal.
Arlanda Airport – Stockholm (Sweden) – Stockholm is a 4 to 5-hour train ride from Halmstad, but some students may still prefer to arrive in Stockholm.
- Train alternative 1: You can take the long-distance train to Halmstad: travel from Arlanda C to Halmstad C. You will have to change trains somewhere along the route.
- Train alternative 2: Take the Arlanda Express Train or the Airport Shuttle to Stockholm Central Station. From there you can take a train to Halmstad C. Travel from Stockholm C to Halmstad C. You may have to change trains somewhere along the route.
- You can also travel by bus via Gothenburg. Travel from Stockholm City Terminal to Nils Ericson Terminal and then from there to Halmstad Regionbussterminal.
Hallandstrafiken AB is the local transit authority in Halland, Sweden (with the exception of Kungsbacka, where Västtrafik is responsible for public transportation). Their main office is located in Falkenberg. Hallandstrafiken app is the easiest way to travel on buses and trains throughout Skåne. Just download the app from Google Play or App Store.
Halland has commuter trains on three different lines, although none are procured by Hallandstrafiken, or run under their brand. These trains are the Øresundståg on the West Coast Line (Gothenburg-Copenhagen), procured by Skånetrafiken with support from Hallandstrafiken, Västtågen on Viskadalsbanan (Varberg-Borås) procured by Tåg i Väst, as well as Krösatågen procured by Jönköpings Länstrafik on the Halmstad-Nässjö railway line. Hallandstrafiken is responsible for selling tickets on all three of these trains within Halland.
Student unions and organisations
There are several ways for you to influence your studies during your time at Halmstad University. Getting involved in the Student Union is one way to make a difference.
The Student Union is divided into two main areas. One focuses on education and motivation and the other on study-social activities. The Student Union’s main task is to ensure that education at Halmstad University is of high quality, that laws and regulations are followed and that students gain influence over their education. The union is also active in student politics, where the goal is to make the student experience at Halmstad University as good as possible.
Membership in the Student Union is optional. As a member, you will get discounts in local shops and cafes, take part in Fresher’s Week and other events at the student pub.
Shopping
Shopping is an experience in itself. Happy to be with friends and maybe have a coffee. In Halmstad, it is easy to get a black belt in shopping.
You can go cross country and you will always find something that suits you. You can also choose whether you want to spend time in a covered mall, or go shopping in the fresh air. Let us take you on a little quick trip to some of our shopping places.
- The halls – shopping mecca under one roof
- Stenalyckan – dear neighbour to Hallarna
- The airport – on the way to the coast
- Halmstad city – the heart of the city
- Second hand and flea markets – when you are looking for the unique
- Farm shops – when you are looking for the genuine
Life in Halmstad
Halmstad, Halland’s biggest town, has a lot to offer. It serves as an ideal base from which to explore the rest of the province. A draw for outdoor enthusiasts, Halmstad’s abundance of trails will enable you to explore much of its beautiful countryside, on foot or by bike.
A cycling hotspot, Halmstad is the starting point of Kattegattleden – Sweden’s very first national cycling trail. Unsurprisingly to anyone who’s whizzed along this scenic path, it was awarded European Cycling Route of the Year (2018) by the Cycling & Hiking Fair. This unique cycling route extends across 390 km, taking you through the spectacular coastal landscapes of Halland and beyond. It’s divided into eight stretches, and along the way, you’ll be able to refuel at the many eateries in close proximity. Or, check into a hotel for a restful night’s sleep before jumping on your bike for the next day’s ride.
For a less ambitious, yet equally satisfying outing, consider Prince Bertil’s Trail – an easy 18 km hike offering up never-ending seaside views as well as stretches of enchanting forest. Before setting off, you might want to take some extra time to explore Halmstad Castle, the trail’s starting point. The trail will take you to the unique Möllegårds Nature Reserve (Möllegårds Naturreservat). Take the chance to replenish your energy levels with a scoop of delicious family-recipe ice cream at World of Riccardo’s.
Other not-to-miss attractions near Halmstad include:
- Danska Fall, is a beautiful waterfall flowing through an unspoilt nature reserve.
- Haverdals Nature Reserve, a beech tree forest and probably Sweden’s tallest sand dune towering at a mighty 36 metres.
- Lynga sand dune, has a dedicated trail that enables you to get all the way to the top for sweeping views across the forest and sea.
