Holiday apartment in Mariestad on Lake Vänern – Gamla Stan and nature

Mariestad lies on Lake Vänern, where the Göta Canal meets the lake. The town has a coastline 14 Swedish miles long. From Mariestad, the 22,000 islands and skerries of Lake Vänern can also be reached by private boat. Water, historic buildings and trails through protected natural areas thus shape very different sides of the town.

Water and trails

The Mariestad–Lidköping stage of the Vänerleden can be started at the guest harbour in central Mariestad. The section follows the existing Biosfär cycling trail. In the wider regional area around Mariestad, there is no regular boat connection to Djurö National Park; getting there requires a private boat or a water taxi.

Nature

The shallow shores of Gamla Ekudden at the mouth of the Tidan are an important resting place, especially for wading birds. The old, gnarled, broad-crowned oaks of Gamla Ekudden have very high natural value. Along Lake Vänern, the Ekudden–Sandviken hiking trail runs for 6 km in one direction from central Mariestad through the Gamla Ekudden and Sandviken nature reserves. The trail is marked in orange and is not suitable for prams, wheelchairs or walking frames. The Biosfärleden hiking trail runs along the southern shore of Lake Vänern between Läckö Castle and Mariestad.

History and townscape

Gamla Stan in Mariestad is considered one of the ten best-preserved town centres in Sweden. Most of the buildings date from the 18th and 19th centuries. A folding map is available for Gamla Stan, enabling visitors to explore notable houses with information boards independently. In summer, Mariestad Kulturturism organises guided walks through Gamla Stan on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The Marieholm Residenset in Mariestad served for more than 350 years both as a royal estate and as the residence of the county governor, until Skaraborg County was incorporated into the newly formed Västra Götaland County in 1997. Vadsbo Museum is located centrally on Marieholm island. It is housed in four wings of the former county governor’s residence, two of which are open to the public. Using historical objects, the permanent exhibition covers Mariestad’s development from prehistory to the beginning of the 20th century. Another exhibition presents Mariestad’s industrial development up to the present day.

Church and theatre

Mariestad Cathedral was built between 1593 and 1625. Following its restoration from 1903 to 1905, its spire reaches a height of 82 metres. The cathedral is open for visits every day. Its carillon has 20 bells and plays different melodies four times a day at 09:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00.

The theatre building of Mariestads Teater was built in 1842, opened in January 1843 and not fully completed until 1848. Mariestads Teater is one of the oldest and best-preserved provincial theatres in Sweden and has been protected as a listed building since 1993. Children’s theatre productions and concerts are listed as performances at Mariestads Teater. The Nyårsrevyn is also listed there for every January.

Ekudden outdoor pool has three different pools.

Further places to explore: Lugnås, Lyrestad, Mariestad, Sjötorp, Ekby, Torsö. In addition: Mark and Kungälv.

For the overarching travel overview: Västra Götaland.