Your guide

At fashion and textile fairs across the world, Borås is a fa-mous city. The city has enjoyed a solid reputation for decades, even centuries.

The same applies to shopping in Borås, at least in a Swedish context. Everyone knows about Knalleland and all the strong brands with offices in the city. If you mention Borås to anybody with an interest in art, they will soon rave about the city’s fantastic art, sculptures and street art. But whatever you do, don’t tell a football fan you’ve been to Borås. He will probably mutter that it was luck when Elfsborg beat his favourite team.

Lucky or not, Borås is simply a city with a lot of gumption. We are build-ing like never before. Cafés and restaurants are popping up on every street-corner, not to mention one of the best zoos in Sweden, indoor and outdoor pools in the middle of the city and a beautiful countryside within easy reach.

Welcome to Borås!

Borås is thriving

Borås city centre

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Culture

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A city with a textile heritage

A city with a textile heritageBorås is sometimes called knallecity. Knallar were pedlars, who, already in the 16th century, travelled by foot from door to door, selling handicrafts and textiles. They were a welcome part of people’s everyday life, not only be-cause of the merchandise they offered,

but also because they brought news. The pedlars also had a secret language called månsing.

However, it was not until the middle of the 19th century that Borås, found-ed in 1621, really started to develop a textile industry. Soon, there were textile

industries and cotton factories in every neighbourhood. This was a trend which developed, over time, in combination with trade. Nearly all Swedish mail or-der companies are or have been located in Borås. In percentage terms, the re-gion actually has a larger foreign trade than Hong Kong.

Culture .....................................................20

Everything at hand ..................................24

Wildlife and outdoor life around the corner .................................................26

Quality Accommodation ...........................28

Food and drink .........................................30

Traveling to and around Borås ..................32

Contents

Borås Zoo

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Textile Fashion Center

8

Knalleland

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Borås city centre

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Culture

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There is a great choice of shops, cafés and restaurants in Borås city centre. We’ve also been told that the fashion city Borås has more hair salons per capita than any other city in Sweden. Read more about what’s on offer on the following pages.

borascity.se

Borås city centre

Beautiful walks along the river Viskan

The river Viskan, which provided hydraulic energy for the textile indus-try, was once Borås’ commercial lifeblood. Today, Viskan is a spiritual lifeblood which connects the three centres of the city with its soothing flow. Strolling from the city centre to Knalleland is not only a beautiful walk of around 2 km, it is also a walk through history. From the city’s in-ner core built in 1621, through the old textile industrial area Simonsland, currently known as the Textile Fashion Centre, to Knalleland shopping centre, with Borås Arena and the Zoo around the corner.

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Did you know that King Gustav II Adolf

founded Borås in 1621. Eleven years later, in 1632, he died at the battle of Lützen in the

Thirty Years War.

KnallelandTextile Fashion CenterFind out on pages 10-13 why you must not miss a visit to Sweden’s and Borås’ new international fashion, textile and design centre.

textilefashioncenter.se

For forty years, Knalleland has been a magnet for shopaholics. Read about why seven million visitors per year can’t be wrong on pages 14-17.

knalleland.se

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Some factsCaroli Church, built in 1669, locat-ed between Stora Torget and Textile Fashion Center is the city’s oldest building. It has survived no less than four city fires – in 1681, 1727, 1822 and 1827.

Stora Torget is flanked by Rådhuset and Merkuriushuset. Both were built in the 1910s in the National Roman-tic style. Merkurius was designed by Ivar Tengbom, who is best known as the architect of Stockholm Concert Hall.

The flamboyant mural of Alfred Nobel on the picture is by Eduardo Kobra, a Brazilian artist. Read more about the Street Art-festival No Limit on page 24.

Borås city centreWhy not start your discovery of Borås city centre at the feet of Pinocchio. Jim Dines’ nine metre high sculpture at the start of Allégatan is a good starting point for a walk through Borås. Walk a couple of hundred yards in a north-west di-rection. Here, in the middle of Borås’ very own piazza, Sandwalls plats (see photo), you are surrounded by bath houses, cafés, restaurants, sculptures, street art and shops.

Close at hand, Stora Torget has shops in all directions. Take a brief rest on one of the twelve granite chairs by sculptor Richard Nona next to the well on Stora Torget.

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Stadsparken, the city’s oasisThe city’s oasis was landscaped in 1899 and, with its beautiful flower arrangements, since then it has attracted everyone from couples having a picnic to lunchtime strollers. The park is used by families with toddlers in the modern playground, stroll-ers on the way to Rosengården or workmates on the way to the adventure golf course up on Maries Kulle. On summer Thursdays, there is dancing with live dance bands and in winter time you can go ice skating here.

New meeting place for sustainability issuesA meeting place with a focus on sustainability is found in the city park at Orangeriet, designed by Gert Wingårdh. It was inaugurated in 2015. It is a café, restaurant, space for consideration, exhi-bitions, seminars and lectures. The focus is on a sustainable lifestyle and consumption. The round glass house is an arena for civil dialogue.

Popular summer entertainmentIf you are lucky enough to be in Borås on a Thursday in the summer - then do as the Boråsers do - take to the streets and enjoy concerts, dance and enter-tainment at Stora Torget and Stadsparken. After 25 years, Sommartorsdagarna® have become a popu-lar tradition, for socialising and entertainment by Sweden’s top artists and dance bands. Obviously, it is free for everyone and the shops in the city centre are open till 9 pm. sommartorsdagarna.se

Make sure you

book a table well in advance if you want to eat out in Borås

on a Thursday in the summer.

Borås City Centre

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There are over 60 rose species in Rosengården of Stadsparken.

Every Thursday

in the summer, Sommartorsdagarna®, you can dance in Stadsparken to

the tunes of some of the most popular Swedish dance bands between 9 pm and 11.30 pm.

Adventure golf in the parkBorås Äventyrsgolf is located on the highest peak of Stadsparken. The course looks like a long golf course in miniature with bunkers, a green and a water-filled moat. There are twelve holes and you don’t need a green card – everyone is welcome. The winner buys cof-fee in the ice cream café. borasaventyrsgolf.se/

Always good swimming weather in Borås

With Stadsparksbadet in the mid-dle of the city, there is always good weather for swimming in Borås. Bring your family and friends to this water park and explore caves, warm pools and slides. If you like competition, challenge each other to see who is fastest up the climb-ing wall! Have lunch at Bryggan Café & Bistro, accessible both from inside the water park and from outside.

bit.ly/stadsparksbadet_en

Borås’ biggest play-ground

Magnificent Annelundsparken is not just a fantastic park to stroll around, with its peonies and azal-eas. It also features Borås’ biggest playground. Children can play for hours on climbing frames and tow-ers, in swings and sandpits. The parks also has adapted accessibili-ty for the disabled.

bit.ly/annelundsparken_en

Shopping

With its charming city centre, Borås constantly attracts shoppers and walkers to its many shops and merchants. Traditional large out-door markets are also held both in spring and autumn. Vendors spread over all of central Borås and offer everything from spices and old-fashioned confectionery prod-ucts to clothes and carousels.

borascity.se

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Trendy shopping city with an edgeAs a textile and fashion city, Borås is also a great city for some trendy shopping. The big chains are concentrated wall-to-wall with several unique boutiques in the city centre. borascity.se

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Textile Fashion CenterImagine a creative centre where Europe’s perhaps most promising students in textile, fashion and design meet business, research and new brands. Imagine a neighbourhood where old textile industries are transformed through modern ar-chitecture into a creative melting pot.

Textile Fashion Center is Sweden’s and Borås’ new international fashion, textile and design centre. When Lars Wallin, perhaps Sweden’s foremost fashion designer, attended the inauguration in 2014, he was candid: “I feel all tingly thinking about all the fantastic fashion meetings that will take place here.”

textilefashioncenter.se

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Did you knowJaume Plensa’s mind-blowing sculp-ture House of Knowledge stands out-side the entrance of Textile Fashion Center. It’s at least as fascinating at a distance as when you enter the sculpture. Don´t miss the street art re-presented her with works of PichiAvo and DaLeast for instance.

The Simonsland neighbourhood, where Textile Fashion Center is lo-cated today, has had a textile con-nection since the mid 1800s. Dyeing, spinning mills and yarn processing, among other, have been located here.

Many famous brands connected with fashion, textile and mail order have their headquarters in Borås, among other Hemtex, Gina Tricot, Nelly, Ellos, Craft, Abecita, Morris and Team Sportia.

Try on old or design new clothesAt the Textile Museum, you can be both a spectator and a participant. Let yourself be impressed by the unique collection of clothes and costumes worn by ordinary folk through history or join a tour around the museum. Try on clothes from a whole century or design your own. Every month, new program items are presented, including lectures, workshops and guided tours. On your way out, shop for design clas-sics and one-offs in the museum boutique.

textilmuseet.se

Innovation at its bestAs a part of the University of Borås, Smart Textiles interweaves business and research. Aiming to im-prove everyday life and to create new jobs, they de-liver innovation and research at its best. Head over to one of the exhibitions, that display knitted blood vessels, clothes that charge your mobile phone or other research and design projects in Smart Textiles.

hb.se

Fashion by the designers and trendsetters of the future.At Fashion Gallery you can see fashion by the de-signers and trendsetters of the future. Exclusive shopping is an understatement the context of this creative environment, consisting of equal parts atel-ier and cosy indoor fashion market. Open on Thurs-days and Saturdays.

fashiongallery.se

Textile Fashion Center

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A knitted blood vessel, developed by Smart Textiles, is on display in the Textile showroom.

Textile shock is the name of the

Textile Museum’s permanent exhibition. On display are items that you never knew

textile was used for.

A tasty meeting placeIn the old industrial area, today known as Textile Fashion Center, The Company is the obvious melting pot. Res-taurant, bar, café and meeting place. Meet the creative people of the region, natives and guests, over a meal, a drink or a coffee. If you are lucky, you might visit The Company on one of the popular and crowded after-work or quiz nights.

thecompany.se

Creative inspiration for everyoneWith interactive exhibitions, experimental stations and challenges, Navet (the Hub) is a technological and creative playground for all children and adults. By way of interactive exhibitions and inspiring learn-ing, we promise that your knowledge and your inter-est in physical sciences, technology and mathemat-ics will grow at this creative Science Center!

navet.com

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International centre for textile and designThe Swedish School of Textiles is a knowledge centre for the textile industry and an international centre for textile and design. Some of the most coveted stu-dents in Sweden study here, to become designers, shop managers, and everything in between. If you are interested in the Swedish School of Textiles, vis-it the showroom, where research and theses are on public display.

textilhogskolan.se

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Did you knowThe pedlars’ secret language, ‘måns-ing’, contained many words that are still used today – including ‘fika’ (to have coffee or refreshments), ‘stålar’ (cash) and ‘tjacka’ (to buy).

If you like shopping, don’t miss the summer outlet in the old roundhous-es at Åhaga.

Interested in photography and art? If you are, a visit to Abecita Konst- museum in Knalleland is a must! The permanent exhibition consists of graphic art and photography from Europe and the USA as well as award winning Nordic textile art.

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Knalleland is one of the best shopping centres in Sweden. People have journeyed here to shop for nearly four decades. They still do, but today Knalleland is much more than shopping. Obviously, the range of shops, chain stores and brands is much greater than when the doors were opened in 1975. However, Knalleland offers entertainment arenas that can-not be compared with any other shopping centre in Sweden. With Borås Zoo, indoor and outdoor pools, a playland, the photographic museum Abecita Konstmuseum and Borås Arena, where Elfsborg play, Knalleland deserves several visits.

Knalleland

The grass is always green at Borås ArenaOn IF Elfsborg’s home arena, the dress code is yellow. On the grandstand, the Guliganerna (a pun - yellow hooligans), perhaps the finest fans in Sweden, create an incredible atmosphere. Everyone who’s watched a football match here knows that the grass is always green on one of Sweden’s most modern arenas.

elfsborg.se

Wide selection of shoppingPeople have journeyed to Knalleland to go shopping for nearly four decades. No wonder, there is a wide range of shops and it’s open every day. If you wish, you can spend a whole day wandering around the 80 shops, restaurants and supermarkets. On Thurs-days between 3 and 7 pm, all children between 4 and 10 are welcome to Knatteland, to play and have fun while their parents shop. Parking at Knalleland is al-ways free.

knalleland.se

Knalleland

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Information about the shopping

centre is available at knalleland.se. You can

also download a visitors’ guide from the site.

Treetop AdventuresBalance among the treetops or swing in the giant swing at eleven metres above ground. Borås adven-ture park offers “at height” adventures. Booking is mandatory, whether you wish to challenge each oth-er in competing teams, or just try out climbing with an instructor. If you are ready for a challenge at a high level, you are in the right place.

upzone.se

Popular aquatics centre Borås Simarena is an excellent exercise, training and competition facility. Apart from the 50 metre pool which offers plenty of space for everyone from exer-cise swimmers to water polo elite swimmers, there are large galleries, a cafeteria with a sundeck, sauna and space for warming up and dryland training. In the summer, the outdoor Alideberg facility is attrac-tive with its high diving board, a pool for playing and paddling, large lawns, a beach volleyball court, and a kiosk.

bit.ly/badboras_en

Animals from all over the worldJust a couple of hundred metres east of Knalleland, Borås Zoo offers exceptional adventures. This is one of Sweden’s largest, most famous and modern zoos with nearly 600 animals. At boraszoo.se you can check out what’s happening in the park. Read more on the next page.

boraszoo.se

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Although parking is free at

Knalleland, it is not far from the city centre: it’s

a 15 minute walk.

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Borås ZooBorås Zoo is full of animals from all around the world. The large zoo is located near Knalleland, in the north of central Borås. When it was founded in 1962 it was unique – many of the magnificent animals in the zoo live side by side on a large savannah. Boråsers visit the zoo all days of the week to grill sausages, go for a walk among the animals or simply let their children run around the playground.

boraszoo.se

Become a sponsorBorås Zoo works to support the survival of several endangered animal species. By becoming a spon-sor you can participate in and support the work of Borås Zoo. By doing so, you contribute to the con-servation work. The annual fee is SEK 500 and as a thank you for your contribution you will receive a nice diploma and a lion card – with free entrance for a whole season!

Go camping in the cityBorås Camping, Sweden’s biggest city campsite, is located five minutes walk from Borås Zoo and just 2 km from central Borås. In addition to camping pitches, the campsite offers accommodation in a youth hostel and cabins. The campsite offers sever-al accommodation packages with the wild animals of the Zoo in close proximity. Entrance to Borås Zoo and Stadsparksbadet is always included in the at-tractive packages.

borascamping.com

Who will you encounter in the park?There have always been lions at Borås Zoo. The first animal to move in was the lion cub Simba, who ac-companied founder Sigvard Berggren home from one of his many journeys. In the fenced savannah, you will also encounter the wise elephants, the cheetah - the fastest mammals in the world, ele-gant giraffes, beautiful rhinoceroses, buffalos, fla-mingos, antelopes, zebras, tigers and red pandas. Whatever you do, don’t miss all the funny mon-keys.

There are also some magnificent Nordic animals, including moose, bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine. Borås Zoo is home to over 80 different animal spe-cies.

Hungry as a wolfWalking around in a gigantic zoo can make anyone starving. Take the opportunity to eat in one of the many restaurants and cafés of the Zoo. The Savan-nah restaurant, the Bear House, the Yard Cafe, the Ice Cream Bar or the Boat House - there is some-thing for everyone.

Become a Keeper for a DayDid you know you can become a keeper for a day at Borås Zoo? If you are over 8 years old, you are welcome to participate in the daily care of the ani-mals. Your day as a keeper starts promptly at 9 am with a review of the tasks of the day and continues around the entire park. You will get to meet and feed hungry animals, make sure that they are feel-ing well, clean up animal enclosures, have lunch and refreshments. Your day in the service of ani-mals ends at 5 pm.

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The zoo’s savannah, full of

animals, is a whopping 23,000 m²– watch out for

curious giraffes!

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CultureWhere do we begin to present the cultural life of Borås? An obvious starting point is, of course, Kulturhuset at beautiful P A Halls terrace. The house accommodates a library as well as an internationally renowned art museum, a theatre, a café and a restaurant. On the other hand, we might also start with a guided tour of the city’s sculptures. There are so many beautiful sculptures! Every Boråser has their own favourite sculpture (and some they like less – a good sign of a vibrating cultural life).

Then there is the Street Art-festival No Limit with murals across the city, many museums, concerts on summer Thurs-days, the association Ny Musik [New Music] which offers unique arrangements of contemporary classical music, the independent cinema Röda Kvarn, concerts at Sagateatern, the cultural association Tåget [the Train], Brygghuset where there is always something happening, art galleries.... well, you probably get the point.

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Worth knowingBorås grew most during the era of functionalism. As a result, there is an abundance of beautiful functionalist buildings in the city. The neighbour-hood Steglitsen just above Kulturhu-set is a fine example.

The music scene has always been very varied in the city - from hard rock to club. Some examples are Be-seech (goth metal) Moonlit Sailor (in-strumental) and AronChupa with the hit ”I'm an Albatroz”.

Mondays at Kulturhuset is a concept among those with social and cultural interests in Borås. Every Monday in autumn and spring, a new cultural experience is on offer.

Boundless art on Borås’ facadesIn September 2014, the Street Art festival No Limit turned Borås into a gigantic outdoor gallery for the first time and in 2015 it was held again. The festival is one of a kind and delivers works of art of impres-sive quality. You won’t need to look long before you catch sight of one of all the paintings covering Borås’ facades. Sometimes they are as high as a seven sto-rey building. No Limit will resume with new works of art in autumn 2017.

nolimitboras.com

Interesting walks in the city of sculpture Sculptures in Borås are multifaceted and of the highest international class. In addition, they are al-lowed to stand out and take up space. A lot has been written about Jim Dines’ nine meter high “Walking to Borås” (popularly known as Pinocchio). Fredrik Wretman’s Bodhi was nearly as well publicised when the 3.5 metre high bronze bust representing the art-ist himself was anchored on the riverbed of Viskan in 2004. And that’s just two of many equally remark-able sculptures. Every second year, an international sculpture biennale takes place in Borås like this year (2016).

Something for everyone Travel to exotic cultures or expand your knowledge about local design and education history in one of Borås’ many museums. Choose from among Borås Konstmuseum [Borås Art Museum], Borås Muse-um, Textilmuseet [Textile Museum], Abecita Kon-stmuseum, Biblioteksmuseet [The Library Muse-um], Brandkårsmuseet [The Fire Brigade Museum], Idrottshistoriska museet [The Sports Museum], Immi-grant-institutets museum [The Immigration Institute Museum], Kunskapens Torg [Knowledge Square] and Polisens museum [The Police Museum].

bit.ly/museumboras_en

Culture

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See the entire range of

art and culture in Borås at: boras.com/stadensomgalleri

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Art museum with international statusBorås Konstmuseum is located in Kulturhuset next to Borås theatre and library. Widely known for its national and in-ternational exhibitions and for its rich collection of Swed-ish contemporary art. A visit is a must for anyone with even a slight interest in art. Take the opportunity to enjoy the menu, the cosy atmosphere and beautiful outdoor area at restaurant Utbult Borneby & Co. Don’t miss a guided sculp-ture tour around the city.

bit.ly/konstmuseum_en

Impressive collection of modern art and photography.If you want to see graphic art and photography from the 1960s onwards, then head to Abecita Konstmuseum in Knalleland. The permanent exhibition of modern art and photography from Europe and the USA is impressive. Add to this award winning Nordic textile art and photography exhibitions, and you will find that you should keep track of the museum’s program as well as its frequent photography evenings. Don’t miss the well stocked museum shop, which has a wide selection of photography books.

abecitakonst.se

The sculpture House of Knowledge outside

the entrance of the Textile Fashion Center represents a hollow sitting human figure composed of silver-

coloured letters.

Kulturhuset is easy to find. Head

in the direction of the Gustav Adolf church steeple.

Kulturhuset is next door. Only five minutes

from the citycentre.

Hall with interesting history Beautiful Torpa Stenhus, dating back from the 1500s, is lo-cated on the shores of the lake Åsunden. Here you can feel the tide of history and you might also meet a ghost or two - there are many tales about Torpa Stenhus. Visit the medie-val days, botanise at the Christmas market or eat in the café of the old warehouse from the 1700s. Torpa Stenhus can also organise private parties and weddings in the castle.

torpastenhus.se

Everything at hand

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250 unique wood sculptures Uno Axelsson was a famer with an impressive artistic talent. Over nearly 30 years, he carved 250 wood sculptures of differ-ent animals. Over the years, the wood artist Uno Axelsson’s animals have travelled around the world and been on display at exhibitions in Mexico, the USA and Canada, as well as at Virserums Konsthall, Nordiska Museet, Liljevalchs Konsthall in Stockholm and Göteborgs Konstmuseum. All the sculptures are on display in Bredared, just north of Borås.

unosdjur.com

A more festive mansion houseSince you are already at Torpa Stenhus, take the opportunity to visit beautiful Hofsnäs, to enjoy fine angling, the leisure beach or a sauna. The restaurant, café and the small indoor market are also worth a visit. Don’t miss their popular histo-ry walks, or the cheese, beer and whiskey tastings.

hofsnas.se

A living textile heritageTake the opportunity to visit one of Sweden’s oldest spinning mills. At Rydals museum, you can access a living textile tra-dition. The museum demonstrates spinning machines and tells the history of the old spinning mill. There is also a ba-sic exhibition about the local region, art, crafts, textile and design. To finish, we recommend a visit in the crafts shop Akleja where you can shop for new crafts in textile, wood and ceramics.

mark.se/rydalsmuseum

The great thing about Borås is that not only does the city have a lot to offer, but you can also reach Liseberg Amusement Park as well as the nearby archipelago and a number of other attractions in less than an hour. End the day with a quiet dinner in the city before walking home to the hotel.

This is only a small

selection of all the things to see and do in the region around Borås. Visit us at

the Tourist Office for more information

and tips.

Sweden’s oldest glassworks Glasets Hus is located in Limmareds Glasbruk, founded in 1740. A new exciting destination with a foundry, glass blow-ing and so-called ‘hyttsill’ - a local tradition from the neigh-bouring province of Småland of socialising over feed in the foundry. There is also an exhibition with glassware dating from the 1700s up to the ABSOLUT bottle of the present day. Refreshments in the winter garden. In brief, a house full of experiences.

glasetshuslimmared.se

The biggest amusement park in the Nordic regionRemember that the biggest amusement park in the Nordic region, Liseberg, is only 45 minutes away from Borås. Apart from amusement rides and enormous roller coasters, Lise-berg also offers restaurants for all tastes, and artists on stage. At the end of the day, return home to your accommo-dation in pleasant and comfortable Borås.

liseberg.se

Zebeda chocolate

We promise that chocoholics will find all they can wish for in Viskafors. Luxurious pralines, raw chocolate or health-, functional food- and Spanish handmade chocolate. If you find it hard to choose your favourite, why not attend one of Zebeda's chocolate or praline tastings. The shop stocks a wide range of chocolate, tea, coffee and gifts. Take out or sit down.

zebeda.se

Cosy café in beautiful surroundings

A short car ride north of Borås, you will find a mill café in beauti-ful surroundings. A wide range of sandwiches and pastries are on of-fer. All baked goods are made with grains milled in Vänga mill. Around the mill, which has existed since the mid 1800s and is still in use, there is also a museum which is well worth a visit. There are also popu-lar musical evenings.

vangakvarn.se

Café in national herit-age surroundings and farm shop

Charming Hyssna kvarncafé wel-comes guests for weddings, Christ-mas, baptisms, parties and musical evenings. The mill dates back to the 1700s and the surrounding area is a listed industrial heritage site, unique for its kind. There is a saw, a smithy, a mill and old residential houses, which are listed as a nation-al heritage site.

kvarnenihyssna.se

Unique medieval church

Sweden’s only remaining medieval stave church is located in Hedared, 16 km from Borås. The church in its current form was built in the 1500s. In connection with the ren-ovation of the stave church, it was discovered that a part of the current structure dates back from as early as the 1100s. The church houses medieval inventories and beautiful paintings.

stavkyrkan.se

Åhaga Quality Outlet - summer shopping in old roundhouses

Once upon a time there was a large locomotive workshop here, but fol-lowing extensive renovations the premises are now home to a fan-tastic local fair with an impressive ceiling height. In summer, Åhaga is used as an outlet with famous brands. It’s a 15 minute walk from the city centre. Fittingly, the en-trance is adorned by a beautiful steam locomotive.

ahaga.se

Sweden in miniature

LillPuttLand, Sweden in miniature if you like, is located in Hudene outside Herrljunga, 50 km north of Borås. An impressive 40 more or less famous buildings, such as Carl Larsson’s Sundborn and Herrljun-ga’s old mill, are built in this pictur-esque destination.

lillputtland.dinstudio.se

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The connections

between Borås and Gothenburg are very good. You can be in Gothenburg

in an hour, by bus or by train.

Nature reserve with plenty to experienceHike along one of the 20 km long vertiginous trails and hiking trails offered by the nature reserve Rya Åsar. Through virgin forest and grazed pastures via pleasant picnic spots, small lakes and viewpoints you can gaze over Borås and Öresjö. Deep inside the nature reserve, there are also several beautiful lakes. At Fjällsjön, you can spend the night under a shelter and have a refreshing morning dip.

bit.ly/ryaasar_en

Cycle on the embankmentSjuhäradsrundans 150 km is mostly located on con-verted railway embankment. It is possible to cycle around it in one day, if you so wish. Most people take a little longer to enjoy the beautiful nature. The trail is divided into four stages between the cities Borås, Ulricehman, Tranemo and Svenljunga, and there are many opportunities for taking a break and doing some sightseeing. A cycling package including ac-commodation and assistance with luggage transport is also available.

cykelledensjuharadsrundan.se

A leisure beach for every-oneAlmenäs is the definition of a leisure beach for everyone. Swim from the jetty, the beach or the swimming ramp. The entire leisure beach is adapt-ed for disabled persons and there are also spaces for playing football, rounders, having a barbecue, throwing a frisbee, having a picnic or angling for fish. Speaking about food, at Almenäs there is also a cosy café and pub.

almenascafe.se

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Wildlife and outdoor life around the cornerThe nature in and around Borås offers many possibilities for outdoor life and exercise. There are many hiking trails, MTB-trails and jogging tracks. With a cold winter and lots of snow, the tracks are long and fine. Kypesjön is a gem you mustn’t miss, with a wood-fired sauna, lakeshore swimming and numerous tracks. There is more to be discovered.

If you like cross country skiing,

Borås has many fine ski tracks. As soon as it is cold enough, the snow

canons work at full speed.

Boråsers like to exercise,

and there are many gyms in the city. In most,

you can pay for single visits.

Bird Kingdom in BoråsVänga mosse is a 238 hectare munic-ipal nature reserve where both bird-watchers and wetland birds thrive. With unlimited potential for excur-sions and bird watching, perhaps you might be tempted to come here even if you aren’t yet a birdwatcher. It’s easy to get around the nature reserve, and from the bird tower, with adapted ac-cessibility for disabled persons, you can see very far. Not so far from Vänga mosse, refreshments are available at Vänga kvarn.

bit.ly/vangamosse_en

Child-friendly skiing facility

A modern and child-friendly skiing facility with a 140 metre drop and 7 pistes in Vistabergen northeast of Borås. Ulricehamn Skicenter offers fun downhill skiing, ski school, nice child slopes, rental of everything you need and a cosy restaurant where you can warm up and recharge your batteries. Tale the opportunity to walk though picturesque Ulrice-hamn.

uc-skidcenter.se

For both short and long legs

The area around Borås offers nu-merous hiking trails of different dis-tances. The terrain is mostly hilly, rich in breath-taking lookouts and beautiful lakes. There are hiking maps on the Internet which can be downloaded as well as hiking pack-ages with for example accommoda-tion and food both at Årås Kvarn and the mill at Hyssna.

vandraisjuharad.se

A lot of golf

There are over 10 golf courses of varying sizes and difficulties in the vicinity of Borås. Many of the clubs offer golfing packages in co-operation with guesthouses and conference facilities nearby. Borås golf course also offers pay and play. Simply choose your tee and let the adventure begin.

borasgolfklubb.se

27

Wildlife and outdoor life around the corner

Grand Hotel’s restaurant

Bara is popular both for business lunch

and as a bar.

Quality Hotel GrandCentrally located just next to Viskan river and Sand-walls plats. The four-star hotel has 158 rooms with a modern decor. From Topfloor on the 9th floor, there is a view of Borås. The hotel also offers a spa, restau-rant, cocktail bar and a popular nightclub.

nordicchoicehotels.se/quality/quality-hotel-grand-boras/

Hotell Scandic Plaza Four-star with a central location near the University, the railway station and the travel centre. At the top of the Plaza-tower, there is a relaxation area with a gym, sauna and jacuzzi. The hotel also has a restau-rant and a bar.

scandichotels.se/boras

28

Quality AccommodationThere are numerous accommodation alternatives - from Borås Camping nearby Borås Zoo to the Grand Hotel with Topfloor in the city centre. Whatever you choose, the accommodation is of good quality. The standard is always as advertised, and each alternative has its advantages – price, location or service.

If you stay at Borås Camping, it’s only a short

walk to Borås Zoo and Knalleland.

Borås CampingA stone’s throw away from Knalle-land and Borås Zoo, stay in a cabin (from simple to larger with a shower and WC), tent, caravan or at the youth hostel. The campsite is the largest city campsite in Sweden and is open year round.

borascamping.com

Best Western Hotel

Four-star Best Western in the mid-dle of Borås with rooms in all price ranges. The hotel has a restaurant and a sauna.

hotellboras.se

Comfort Hotel Jazz

Three-star modern city hotel with a relaxation area and a gym.

nordicchoicehotels.se/comfort/comfort-hotel-jazz/

Hotell Sköna Nätter

Hotel Sköna Nätter is only a 15 minute walk from the city centre.

hotellskonanatter.se

CentRum

Accommodation is available in a hostel and flats. In the city centre.

cent-rum.se

Lages Motel & Restaurang

Located at the east junction to Jönköping. It’s a 10 minute bus ride away from the city centre.

lages.se

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Viskan café and wine barViskan is a young café and lunch spot that’s always full of people. The wine bar, with enticing food and wines door to door with the café is also worth one or two visits. Outdoor area.

cafeviskan.se

VinciPopular restaurant Vinci is located next to the Vis-kan river. The luxury neighbourhood restaurant serves delicious Italian food. On Fridays and Satur-days the bar is definitely full of party-loving guests, but the bar can get busy even on a weekday. Outdoor area.

vincivinci.se

OlivenIf you enjoy Greek and Mediterranean food, Oliven is an excellent choice. How about halloumi, souvlaki in various forms, charcoal grilled tuna or calamari. Outdoor area.

restaurangoliven.com

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Food and drinkThe positive development in Borås in recent years has affected the city’s range of restaurants and cafés. Borås boasts many good restaurants and Boråsers are eating out like never before. Below is a small selection of restaurants located in the area around the hotels in the city centre. Find more information on the Internet at Borås Tidnings Krogtestare (in Swedish only).

Both Café Viskan and

Vinci are mentioned in Sweden’s only comprehensive

restaurant guide. – the White Guide.

The restaurants we present here represent only a small selection of

the wide range on offer in Borås.

La CopitaTapas and Spanish food is available at La Copita, a stone’s throw from the Pinocchio sculpture. Candle-lit tables in a cosy surrounding and a family at-mosphere. Outdoor area.

lacopita.se

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Cyrano

Cyrano is located across the street from Caroli church. As the name suggests, the menu is French. The restaurant is best known for its Provençal pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven. Outdoor area. cyrano.se

Thai Silk

There are many nice Thai restau-rants in Borås. Thai Silk serves a highly appreciated lunch buffet, but it is also open in the evenings. Don’t be late for lunch, Boråsers like Thai. Outdoor area.

thaisilk.se

Café Orion

Classic café dating back to the 1930s. On Österlånggatan between Stora Torget and Södra Torget, choose between something tasty from the patisserie and fine salads. Outdoor area.

cafeorion.se

Café Bakgården

Very charming café. Have coffee right next to Caroli church in a cosy environment inside a beautiful old stone house. Tasty pastries as well as lunch are available. Outdoor area.

cafebakgarden.se

Raw Food Café

Just beyond Södra Torget, healthy and tasty food is served - but nev-er heated above 42 degrees. All in order to ensure maximum preserva-tion of nutrients and enzymes.

rawfoodcafe.se

PARKINGFor parking places, see parkeringboras.se

Payment: Cash or card, fuel card/VISA/Mastercard.

By phone, 0770-87 00 00, easypark.se. Call each time you park and retrieve your car. The parking fee is payable in arrears based on a fuel- or credit card invoice.

SMS, to park, send an SMS to 0700404040 with ”Zone code Regis-tration number Personal identification number“, Example: 111 ABC123 5804233912

The second time you park, you will only need to send ”Zone code Registration number”.

When you obtain an SMS receipt in the mobile, the parking has started.

To end parking, send another SMS to number 0700404040 with the text ”Avsluta” [In English: End].

You will receive a confirmation SMS when the parking has ended and the total parking cost will be calculated.

Please note that SMS payment for parking is only available if you have a Swedish personal identity number.

Traveling to and around Borås

32

PUBLIC TRANSPORT – Västtrafik To buy a ticket:Pay with a Visa/Mastercard/Rikskort/JCB charge/GE/Finax card/k, on the bus.

Buy a Västtrafikkort travel card and top up with SEK 100 incre-ments, plus a SEK 50 refundable deposit for the card.

Points of sale in Borås:

• Coop Forum - Enedalsgatan 10• Ica Maxi - Trandögatan 20• Spelmagasinet - Sjöbo Torg• Västtrafik’s shop/Södra Torget,• Lasarettkiosken-Lassarettsgatan 1 • Pressbyrån - Borås Central Station • Pressbyrån - Bergslenagatan 9/Knalleland• Pressbyrån - Sven Erikssonsplatsen 15/Travel Centre• Pressbyrån - Österlånggatan 52/Södra Torget• Södra Torgkiosken/Södra Torget• Via our home page, vasttrafik.se• Via Västtrafik’s app, Reseplaneraren

For travel within one zone, the ticket is valid for 90 minutes, in-cluding changes. If you travel across zone boundaries, the ticket is valid for 180 minutes. You may change as many times as you like during the validity period of the ticket. If the ticket is valid when you board, you may complete your trip even if the ticket becomes invalid before you reach your destination. Schoolchildren up to the age of 20. Free entrance for accompanied children under 7.

The main starting point for the city buses is Södra Torget, and for long distance buses, the Travel Centre/Central Railway Station.

SWEBUSBuy tickets at swebus.se, Pressbyrån or Borås Tourist Office.

TAXI Sverige taxi, +46 (0)33-12 70 70, taxiboras.se

CAR RENTAL* AVIS, Åsboholmsgatan 16, +46 (0)33 12 65 00, avis.se * BUDGET, Åsboholmsgatan 16, +46 (0)33 12 65 00, budget.se * EUROCAR, Ålgårdsvägen 25, +46 (0)33 23 65 99, europecar.se * HERTZ, Hultagatan 51, +46 (0)33 15 16 45, 15 16 46, hertz.se * MABI, Pickesjövägen 2, +46 (0)33 323 11 99, mabi.se* SIXT, Företagargatan 16, +46 (0)33 22 65 60, sixt.com Also available at Göteborg Landvetter Airport

Traveling to and around Borås

CARAVAN INFORMATION Caravan service (spare parts in stock or may be ordered): OKQ8, Hultagatan 9, +46 (0)33 15 60 50, okq8.seHUSVAGN & SERVICECENTER, Kronängs Gård, +46 (0)33 24 14 18BORÅS HUSVAGNSSERVICE, Sjögabovägen 11, Aplared, +46 (0)33 28 04 50

Spare parts etc.: for caravans/campers:MEKONOMEN, Enedalsgatan 11, +46 (0)33 12 40 45, mekonomen.se BILTEMA, Elementgatan 4, +46 (0)77 520 00 00, biltema.se

Emptying of toilet sewage:Rest area Borås Torpet on national road 40, between Borås and Bol-lebygd. Exit only from the Gothenburg direction.Borås Camping, emptying fee applies for non-guests.

Sites:Parking is allowed everywhere. If you occupy two parking places, pay two parking tickets. Otherwise head to Borås Camping, boras-camping.com

BIKE RENTAL VILLASTADENS CYKELVERKSTAD, Åsbogatan 26, +46 (0)33 13 26 73+46 (0)707-495225

SEGWAYNYRENT AB, Nyboholmsvägen 8, Ulricehamn, +46 (0)321 353 80, nyrent.se

GENERAL INFORMATIONPOLICE, 114 114, polisen.seEMERGENCIES, 112, only in the event of an emergency

CURRENCY EXCHANGEFOREX, Österlånggatan 48 A, +46 (0)10 211 16 75, forex.seGULD & VALUTA, Hötorget 1, +46 (0)33 10 51 08, 10 52 08, guld-valuta.se

33

Borås Tourist CenterSven Eriksonsplatsen 3

503 38 Borås033-35 70 90

tourist@boras.com

boras.comboraspunktcom.blogspot.sefacebook.com/borascom@boraspunktcomboraspunktcom

Borås Tourist CenterSven Eriksonsplatsen 3

503 38 Borås033-35 70 90

tourist@boras.com

Find out more

We hope you enjoyed this magazine. It’s not easy to describe what a city has to offer in 36 pages. There is much more to be discovered. A lot more! There is always something new to try – restaurants to visit, concerts to enjoy, perform-ing arts that make you cry or laugh, sculptures and street art to be impressed by. You are very welcome to visit us at Borås Tourist Office. Alternatively, why not visit boras.com - always up to date with what’s happening in Borås.

Borås Tourist CenterSven Eriksonsplatsen 3

503 38 Borås033-35 70 90

tourist@boras.com

boras.comboraspunktcom.blogspot.sefacebook.com/borascom@boraspunktcomboraspunktcom

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