Alingsas, Sweden is known for its fika. The time when Swedes stop what they are doing and enjoy a cup of coffee and most likely a cinnamon bun or cake with friends or family. This hidden gem is filled with cute cafes, charming shops and surrounded by stunning forests, making autumn in Alingsas a perfect time to visit. It is also conveniently located only a 45 minute drive from Gothenburg, Sweden. It is a perfect location for a day trip or a short overnight trip. 

Our family took a day trip to this scenic village in October. We wished we had more time to see more of it and the beautiful natural surroundings. Here’s how you can also enjoy autumn in Alingsas, Sweden with your family. 

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Alingsas Fika

As the capital of fika, you must find a café or two and simply sit, relax and enjoy some cake and a steamy cup of coffee. Soak in the cozy atmosphere and warmth that the hot coffee provides. There is an abundance of cute cafes in Alingsas to choose from. Here are 3 of the highest rated cafes. 

Bok & Bord – This cozy cafe right downtown is for the book lovers. I heard the soup is also delicious. 

Nolbygårds Ekobageri – Located a little out of town in a country setting, this cafe is known for its tasty pastries. 

Café Eile – Visit this cafe if you are looking for some of the best coffee in town. The brunch also looks very good. 

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Visit The Cute Shops 

Alingsas’s downtown area is worth exploring and doing a little shopping. It is filled with small shops and some well-known stores as well. We were there in the evening during the Lights in Alingsas festival, so we luckily got to do some shopping in the nice little shops because they stayed open late. Even if you don’t like shopping, the city center is a great place to stroll and enjoy the city’s peaceful vibe. 

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Lights In Alingsas

Autumn in Alingsas is a great time to visit because of one of their most popular events, Lights in Alingsas. During the Alingsas light festival, lighting designers and students from around the world work together for one week to create illuminated installations throughout the city. Immediately after the designers finish the artwork, they hold the opening ceremony. 

Each year there is a new theme that the designers use as inspiration for their lighting displays. This year’s theme for the Alingsas light festival is ‘The Magical World of Mythology.’ Lights in Alingsas is open for visitors to enjoy throughout the whole month of October. 

To find your way around to the many glowing installations, you can download an app that will guide you around the city. You can also follow the signs along the route. Find out more information about the festival on the Lights in Alingsas website.

This event was one of the main reasons we decided to plan a day trip to Alingsas. We were excited to explore the city in the evening and see what the students imagined. While the festival was truly interesting, it’s important to remember that the students crafted the installations in just one week. They were not grand displays, but they certainly added a charming and unique atmosphere to the town. It also brought people outside making it a very fun and festive atmosphere. 

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Hiking And Nature Around Alingsas

One of the best things to do in Alingsas is to experience the nature that surrounds it. Autumn in Alingsas is a perfect time to hike with the cooler temperatures and see the beautiful leaves changing color. We wandered around these two different hiking areas. 

Brobacka Nature Reserve Loop

Brobacka Nature Reserve Loop is a moderate nature reserve hike that offers a couple beautiful viewpoints. It is short and fairly hilly, but nothing that our kids couldn’t handle. The kids loved exploring through this mossy forest. 

I felt that the trail was a bit confusing to navigate. We didn’t really know where we were going much of the time, but we didn’t get lost. Afterwards, I looked at the map and it is really just a loop with a few different ways to go. We ended up finding our way back to our car even when we didn’t feel confident that we were going in the right direction. Here is the map of Brobacka Nature Reserver that will help you navigate.

It was a pleasant hike and not too long. I think the area is pretty but if you only have time for one hike, I would recommend the next area we explored, which was Gerdskastigen. 

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Gerdskastigen

This easy 2.9 mile loop hike snakes its way around Lake Gerdsken. It is an easy and beautiful hike that is close to the town of Alingsas. We parked in a nearly empty lot next to the trail and hiked around the whole lake through the beautiful trees. There were many opportunities to take breaks and appreciate the lake view along the way or throw rocks in the water. The kids even found a fun playground to enjoy mid-hike. 

I hope you are able to experience the charm of autumn in Alingsas, Sweden with its lovely streets, cozy cafes and miles of wild trails that wind through the hills surrounding this small laidback town. It is the perfect place to escape the busy life in Gothenburg and enjoy some calm and refreshing fresh air. 

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