Guide · Arvika · 2026

Cafés in Arvika and local gems: our favourites on Magasinsgatan and beyond

By Christer at Sulvikstugby · Updated 22 May 2026

A good café in Arvika is not just a cup of coffee, it is a pause in a small town where people still say hello to one another across the table. When we have helped guests at Sulvikstugby plan their day, the question of somewhere to stop for fika has come up in almost every conversation.

Here we collect what we recommend ourselves: a favourite café in the town centre, a home décor shop just across the road, and a couple of cultural experiences that many visitors do not know about. All within eleven kilometres of the cottage.

Elins Bakgård: our go-to recommendation

When guests ask where to start, we almost always say Elins Bakgård on Magasinsgatan 4 in central Arvika. It is a small place with a courtyard behind the building, and it is that courtyard that makes the visit. You order inside, walk out the back, and suddenly you are sitting in a green pocket in the middle of the city.

The ceramics on the walls and shelves are by local artist Ulla Nilsson and give the place a character that is hard to replicate. A weekly lunch menu, waffles and cakes on the counter. On Wednesday evenings there is often live music, with blues as a recurring feature.

We have seen guests get stuck here for two hours even though the plan was a quick coffee before heading on to Rackstadmuseet. Take that as a warning, and allow extra time.

Address: Magasinsgatan 4, Arvika Open: Tue 10–18, Wed 10–20, Thu–Fri 10–18, Sat 10–15 Distance from Sulvikstugby: 11 km, roughly 15 minutes by car Website: elinsbakgard.se

Bruket Interiör: right across the street

At Magasinsgatan 3, directly opposite Elins Bakgård, you will find Bruket Interiör. A well-stocked home décor shop with a carefully curated range: oil lamps by the brand Strömshaga, textiles, mirrors, vases, prints and decorative baskets. Just the right size to browse properly without losing a whole day.

We usually suggest parking once and doing the whole of Magasinsgatan on foot. Grab a coffee, look at the interiors and continue into the town centre. Distances in Arvika are short.

Address: Magasinsgatan 3, Arvika Open: Tue–Fri 10–18, Sat 10–15 Website: bruketinterior.se

Summer concerts in Stadsparken

Every summer, Arvika municipality arranges free open-air concerts in Stadsparken. A varied programme for the whole family, local and nationally known artists, sing-alongs and spontaneous performances. It is an old-fashioned event tradition that many towns have abandoned, but Arvika holds on to it.

Bring a chair or settle on one of the park benches. Simple food service is usually available on site. Exact dates are announced each spring via Visit Arvika and Arvika Nyheter.

Venue: The stage in Stadsparken, Arvika Price: Free Info: turist@arvika.se

Musikhögskolan Ingesund: more concerts than people realise

What surprises many guests is how active Musikhögskolan Ingesund is as a concert venue. The school is part of Karlstad University and produces around 100 concerts a year in Arvika. Everything from student recitals and chamber music to orchestral concerts with guest soloists.

Many concerts are free or cost a nominal amount. If you are in the area for a weekend during term time, there is a good chance something worth attending is on. Check the programme at tickster.com, search for "Ingesund".

Venue: Arvika (Stora Konsertsalen and other halls at the school) Tickets: tickster.com Info: kau.se/musikhogskolan-ingesund

Season and travel time

Arvika is a lively small town all year round, but the rhythm changes with the seasons. In summer the town centre is at its most active and the Stadsparken concerts are running. Elins Bakgård and Bruket Interiör keep their regular opening hours throughout the year, but always check before you drive in as hours can vary.

From the cottage to Arvika town centre is 11 kilometres, roughly 15 minutes by car on a country road through forest scenery. Cycling is possible: Arvika municipality has around 55 km of paved cycle paths and bike hire is available at several points.

Combine a café visit with culture or swimming

Most of our guests slot the café visit into a longer day. A few suggestions:

• Morning at Rackstadmuseet (12 km) and lunch with coffee afterwards on Magasinsgatan
• Walk up Bergs klätt (6 km) in the morning, then coffee in the town centre before lunch
• Concert at Ingesund in the evening, dinner in the town centre beforehand
• Ingestrand beach (18 km) during the day, a café stop on the way home
• Disc golf round at the Ingestrand course (18 km), then into the town centre

Frequently asked questions

Which café do you recommend? Elins Bakgård on Magasinsgatan 4. Courtyard, ceramics, live music on Wednesday evenings. That is where we send our guests.

Are Bruket Interiör and Elins Bakgård close to each other? Yes, they are directly opposite each other on Magasinsgatan. Park once and you can see both within a quarter of an hour.

Can I check Ingesund concerts in advance? Yes, at tickster.com. Search for "Ingesund". Many are free. The programme varies with the academic term.

Are the Stadsparken concerts free? Yes, entirely free. Dates are announced each spring.

How far is it from Sulvikstugby? 11 km to Arvika town centre, around 15 minutes by car.

Book a cottage, get the tips

Get in touch with us at Sulvikstugby when you book. We are happy to send you an updated list of what is on during the week you are here.

See available dates at Sulvikstugby