Vara: Concert Culture, Architectural History and Nature

Vara Konserthus presents nearly 200 concerts and performances every year. Its changing programme makes concert culture a distinctive part of a visit: if you would like to plan an evening at a concert, check the current programme. Architecture and art also offer their own points of interest, from the railway station building to historic houses and exhibitions.

Art, Stages and Architectural History

The Blue Orange combines Vara’s blue railway station building with sculptural forms. The work was inaugurated in 2012 and makes the building a visitor attraction. The Konst Skaraborg programme is also represented in Vara, including all of the programme’s works of art. Vara’s exhibition hall hosts more than twelve exhibitions a year, including informative exhibitions and exhibitions featuring various art forms; the programme changes over time.

Vara Church was built in 1902 in the Neo-Gothic style. The oldest houses in Vara, dating from the 1860s, are located on Olas gränd. The cemeteries offer another way to explore the town’s history: while there, you can use your mobile phone to access stories about people’s lives, history, buildings and objects. The town’s industrial history is also visible: the first silo in Vara was built in 1919 to designs by architect Gunnar Asplund; the tallest silo tower is 55 metres high.

Choose Trails by Distance and Interest

If distance is a factor in planning your day, the trail information offers several points of comparison. Vara has three marked health trails of 2.5, 3 and 5 kilometres. Skogskullespåret is about 1.3 kilometres long and has outdoor exercise equipment. The Oltorp outdoor recreation area has a 2.3-kilometre illuminated running trail and a 4.2-kilometre mountain bike trail. At Hjortemossen, you’ll find three walking and cycling routes open year-round, measuring 2.5, 3 or 5 kilometres, as well as a mountain bike trail.

There are also other destinations for nature watching and a variety of trail settings. In Ranahult Nature Reserve, a marked trail runs for one kilometre through pastureland and deciduous forest; a second trail, about 0.5 kilometres long, passes through a wetter area rich in orchids. At Rösjö Mosse, an approximately five-kilometre hiking trail crosses the bog on boardwalks and passes Rösjön. The area is suitable for birdwatching; birds of prey, owls, grouse and nightjars breed there.

Open Plains and a Varied Cultural Landscape

Vara Municipality is characterised by the open Västgötaslätten plain and large areas of continuous farmland. Where the plain meets the forest, south, east and west of the municipality, the landscape becomes a varied patchwork of small-scale farmland. Stone walls and gravel roads wind through hilly areas with oak-covered hills and natural pastures. The municipality has five nature reserves.

Levene Äng combines natural and archaeological landscapes: the area covers about 16 hectares and lies near Levene Church. Its historic character includes a large burial ground with more than 100 graves. Backavallen, meanwhile, is a 40-hectare grazed heathland with pines, walking paths and remarkable flora, including pasqueflowers. The two places offer different highlights: archaeological traces at one, heathland, pasture and plant life at the other.

Regional Cuisine and Events

The Mathantverkssafari in the Varaslätten area takes place every year on the first weekend in May and September. It connects farm shops with local accommodation and restaurants. These recurring dates are a useful point of reference when planning your trip if you’re interested in regional produce. Vara is presented in tourism materials as part of “West Sweden’s larder”, with local food producers, regional specialities and distinctive flavours.

Getting Here and Finding Your Way Around

Västtågen trains connect Vara with, among other places, Gothenburg, Herrljunga and Uddevalla. The station is centrally located and just a short walk from the town centre, restaurants and Vara Konserthus. Several bus routes also run from the station to other parts of the municipality; Västtrafik serves both nearby areas and the countryside. If you’re travelling by train or bus, check the timetables before your trip.

A staffed InfoPoint offers information materials and maps, as well as tips on places to visit, activities and available services. Vara Badhus has an 80-metre-long water slide and three children’s pools; there is also a swimming pool, an activity pool, whirlpools and a sauna. The warm-water pool can be used for activities such as swimming lessons, water aerobics and baby swimming. As operating arrangements should be checked before your trip, we recommend consulting the latest information from Badhus.

Discover More Destinations

Larv, Vara, Vedum, Kvänum, Skara, Åmål, Hålta, Ulricehamn

For the main travel guide: Västra Götaland.