Stay in a cottage during Arvika Hamnfest: calm and comfort close to the festival

Every summer, Arvika Hamnfest draws over 20,000 visitors to Sweden's most inland harbour for two days filled with music, food and festival atmosphere at Kyrkviken (the event has been a 2-day festival since 2020, according to the organisers). If you don't live in Arvika, the question becomes urgent fast: where do you stay? Central hotels are often fully booked months in advance, camping means cramped tents and shared facilities, and most people want something more than a sleeping bag after a long festival day.

There is a smarter alternative: a cottage in Sulvik, a stone's throw from Glafsfjorden and just over 10 minutes from the festival. Here you can combine the festival experience with peaceful natural surroundings, private parking and the freedom to make your own breakfast while the rest of Arvika is still asleep. Festival energy in the evening, nature idyll in the morning.

In this guide we cover why a cottage is the best accommodation during Arvika Hamnfest, what we at Sulvikstugby offer, how to get to the festival, and how to make a full weekend of it by combining the music with hiking in Glaskogen or fishing in Glafsfjorden.

Why a cottage beats both hotels and camping

Three options, three very different experiences. Here is what guests typically weigh up when comparing.

	Hotel in the centre	Festival camping	Cottage 10 min away
Price per night (per person, 4 people)	High, often doubles during festival week	Lowest, but tiring	Moderate, fixed price year-round
Quiet after 02:00	Depends on room and neighbours	Non-existent	Complete
Own kitchen	No	No	Yes, fully equipped
Own bathroom	Yes	No, shared	Yes
Parking	Often extra charge	Yes	10 m from the door, included
Pets	Rarely	Complicated	Yes, by arrangement

Private parking and flexible transport

With us, your car is 10 metres from the cottage. You drive to and from the festival whenever you like, avoid fighting for central parking at 4 pm on the Friday, and don't have to wait for a night taxi once the harbour has emptied. If you decide one of you is the designated driver, it is a 10-minute drive home, not a drawn-out logistics operation.

Kitchen and self-catering saves both money and time

Hotel breakfast for four people over three days easily adds up to several thousand kronor. With us, you shop at ICA Nära Sulvikingen around the corner or at the larger ICA in Arvika centre and cook yourself: sandwiches in the morning, grilled food after the festival, coffee on the terrace. It is not just cheaper, it is also part of the holiday. Many of our guests say the evening barbecue after a festival night is at least as memorable as the festival itself.

Peaceful recovery after festival days

The festival closes late. Going from the music to a hotel corridor with clanking lifts and colleagues checking in is not recovery. Going to a cottage in Sulvik where the only sounds are birdsong and wind in the pine trees is. Ten minutes' distance is close enough for convenience, far enough for real quiet. Your own shower and bathroom also means the morning does not begin with queuing.

Perfect for families and groups

Both our cottages sleep four. If you share the cost, the price per person often ends up below what a hotel room would cost a single guest, while you get your own kitchen, your own terrace and your own bathroom. For families with children it is especially valuable: a peaceful environment where the kids can go to bed on time, while the adults can have a late evening on the terrace.

Pet-friendly accommodation

We welcome dogs by arrangement; contact us before booking. The forest and water around the cottage are perfect walking territory, and your dog will not have to sit locked in a hotel room while you are at the festival. More about dogs in Sulvik in our guide to cottages with dogs.

Sulvikstugby: your festival accommodation in Sulvik

We (Maria and Christer) run two cottages in Sulvik, a stone's throw from Glafsfjorden and just over 10 minutes from Arvika harbour. Here is what that means in practice.

Just over 10 minutes from Arvika harbour

The road from the cottage to the harbour is about 11 km and takes around 10-12 minutes in normal traffic, a little longer when the festival is on and the harbour roads fill up. Private parking at the cottage means you do not need to worry about finding a space on the way back at one in the morning.

Two cottages: Cottage 1 and Cottage 2

Both cottages have the same high standard and the same scenic surroundings. The difference is the layout:

• Cottage 1: 37 m², two bedrooms, 4 beds (2 single beds plus a bunk bed). Rated 4.5/5 on Airbnb. Good for a family or two couples who do not mind compact accommodation.
• Cottage 2: 45 m², three rooms, 4 beds with a slightly more spacious layout. Rated 4.81/5 on Airbnb. A bit more room to move around, good if one of you needs a desk corner or if the children want their own room.

What is included

• Fully equipped kitchen: hob, fridge, coffee maker, sink, crockery
• Bathroom with shower
• Private terrace and barbecue area
• Parking 10 m from the door
• Scenic location in Sulvik, close to Glafsfjorden

Bed linen, towels and end cleaning are not included in the base price. Let us know if you would like us to arrange that; we have solutions for both.

Make a weekend of it: combine the festival and nature

One of the strongest advantages of staying in Sulvik is that the festival becomes one of several highlights of the weekend, not the entire experience. Here is how our guests typically use the days.

Glaskogen and hiking

Glaskogen nature reserve is about 20-30 minutes by car from Sulvik, depending on which entrance you choose. Large parts are forest, lakes and trails of all difficulty levels, from easy day hikes to multi-day routes with wind shelters. Since the festival usually opens late in the afternoon, a morning in Glaskogen fits perfectly: hike, eat a packed lunch by a lake, come back, shower, fresh shirt, head to the festival. More in our Glaskogen guide.

Fishing in Glafsfjorden

Glafsfjorden is right on the doorstep. Fishing permits are most easily bought via iFiske or at ICA Nära Sulvikingen (Glafsfjordens FVOF manages the water). Glafsfjorden is rich in pike, perch and pike-perch, and a quiet morning on the water is one of the best ways we know to recharge before a long festival evening. More detail in our guide to fishing in Arvika.

Morning swim before the festival wakes up

Glafsfjorden is swimmable from mid-June to well into September. Take the short path down to the lake for a morning dip before the coffee is ready; that is Värmland summer in its purest form. Since the festival gets going in the afternoon, the whole day is yours before the music starts.

Practical tips for festival visitors

Getting from the cottage to the harbour

• Car: about 11 km, around 10-12 minutes in normal traffic. Parking is available at the harbour and on streets in the centre, but they fill up early during the festival. Arrive in good time, or plan to park a bit outside the core with a 10-15 minute walk in.
• Taxi: there are local taxi companies in Arvika. Book in advance on festival evenings; demand is high once the festival empties at two in the morning.
• Bicycle: technically possible at 9 km each way, but we do not recommend cycling back in the dark. Save it for a peaceful morning ride along the lake instead.

Book early: August fills up fast

Cottages in the area are often booked months in advance before Hamnfest. If you want specific dates, get in touch early in the year. Check availability via our Airbnb listings or call Christer directly on +46 70-594 77 05.

What to pack

• Bed linen and towels, or book them through us
• Festival pass and ID
• Rain gear, August weather in Värmland can change quickly
• Swimwear for Glafsfjorden
• Fishing tackle if you plan to cast a line
• Good shoes if you also want to hike in Glaskogen

Frequently asked questions about accommodation during Arvika Hamnfest

How far is it from Sulvikstugby to Arvika Hamnfest? About 11 km, around 10-12 minutes by car.

Is there parking at the cottages? Yes, private parking 10 metres from the cottage is included.

Can you bring pets? Yes, by arrangement. Contact us before booking so we know which dog to expect.

How many people fit in the cottages? Cottage 1: 4 people (2 single beds plus bunk bed). Cottage 2: 4 people (3 rooms).

What is included in the accommodation? Fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with shower, barbecue area, parking. Bed linen, towels and end cleaning are not included in the base price, but can be arranged through us.

Do you have to clean yourself on checkout? Yes, guests clean on departure as standard. If you need help with end cleaning we can arrange it for an additional fee.

How do you book the cottages? Via Airbnb (links below) or directly by phone: Christer, +46 70-594 77 05.

Can you combine the festival with nature experiences? Absolutely. Glaskogen is 20-30 minutes by car, Glafsfjorden is right on the doorstep. Perfect for hiking, swimming or fishing during the day before the festival starts.

When does Arvika Hamnfest usually take place? The festival is held annually in August and has been a 2-day event since 2020. Dates for 2026: 7-9 August according to the organisers. Check arvikahamnfest.se for current information.

Book your cottage

Choosing a cottage during Arvika Hamnfest means festival energy in the evening and nature calm in the morning. You avoid the hassle of the centre, get private parking, can barbecue at home, and easily combine the music with hiking in Glaskogen or fishing in Glafsfjorden. For families, groups and couples who want something more than a hotel room or a tent, Sulvikstugby is the obvious choice.

Book early; August tends to fill up well in advance.

• Cottage 1 on Airbnb
• Cottage 2 on Airbnb
• Call Christer directly: +46 70-594 77 05

We look forward to welcoming you.

Maria and Christer (Kitten), Sulvikstugby