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Voykit pocket guide · Sweden
Hofors
Skip Hofors unless you have a specific reason to visit the ironworks or mines: a half-day stop on the E16 between Gävle and Falun, not a destination.
Hofors is a small industrial town in Gävleborg County, best known for its historic ironworks and mines. The town centre is compact, but the main sights are a few kilometres apart. Most travellers pass through on the E16 between Gävle and Falun; a 2–3 hour stop covers the Kratte furnace and Storberget's mine in summer. The railway station is 3.5 km north of the centre, making it awkward for a quick visit without a car.
- Country
- Sweden
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (mines and furnace open, guided tours)
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (most outdoor sights closed or snow-covered)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- SEK
- Money
- Currency is the Swedish krona (SEK, kr); the euro is not used. About 11 SEK to €1 — check.
- Daily spend
- Budget kr 500–800 excl. bed · Mid kr 800–1,500 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- EU roaming applies for EU/EEA SIMs.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 112 · Police non-emergency 114 14 · Health advice 1177
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard European two-pin; UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: Included; add 5–10% on the card terminal for good service.; Café and bar: Nothing expected.; Taxi: Round up.; Guides: Optional.
- Water
- Tap water is excellent; ask for 'kranvatten', often free.
- Toilets
- Public toilets are clean but often card-paid (SEK 5–10); cafés reserve them for customers.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | kr 30–45 |
| Meal at Viva Bar & Kök | kr 150–250 |
| Bus 141 one way | kr 80 (check) |
| Train Gävle–Hofors one way | kr 120 (check) |
| Petrol (per litre) | kr 18–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ARN · Stockholm Arlanda
- About 2 h by car or train via Gävle
- GVX · Gävle Airport
- Limited flights; check
Typical fares
- Bus 141 Gävle–Hofors
- about kr 80, about 1 h (check)
- Train Gävle–Hofors
- about kr 120, about 40 min (check)
- Taxi from Hofors station to centre
- kr 150–200
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is easiest: the E16 runs through town. Bus 141 connects Gävle, Sandviken and Hofors. The railway station is 3.5 km (2.2 mi) north of the centre; a connecting bus runs, but check the schedule.Car is easiest: the E16 runs through town. Bus 141 connects Gävle, Sandviken and Hofors. The railway station is 2.2 mi (3.5 km) north of the centre; a connecting bus runs, but check the schedule.
See and do
Known for
- Kratte furnace ironworks
- Storberget's historic mine
- Gästrikland forest setting
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gävle | Car via E16, about 45 min; or bus 141, about 1 h | About 1 h |
| Sandviken | Car via E16, about 20 min; or bus 141 | About 30 min |
| Falun | Car via E16, about 50 min; or train from Hofors station, about 40 min | About 1 h |
Sleep
- Hofors town centre
- Hotell Bergsmannen and a few small guesthouses; walkable to shops and Viva Bar & Kök.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hejhey |
| Thank you | Tacktahck |
| How much? | Hur mycket?hoor myk-eh |
| Where is the station? | Var är stationen?var air sta-shoo-nen |
| Do you speak English? | Pratar du engelska?prah-tar doo eng-els-kah |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake with eye contact; first names; avoid: Kissing on the cheek with new acquaintances
- Fika: Accept the invitation; it is how people connect at work; avoid: Treating it as a quick takeaway
- Home visit: Shoes off; bring flowers or chocolates; avoid: Arriving early — or late
- Conversation: Keep calm, modest and factual; lagom; avoid: Boasting, raised voices, pushing opinions
- Queues: Take a number (nummerlapp); avoid: Jumping the queue
- Public transport: Let people off first, keep quiet, give seats to elderly; avoid: Loud phone calls
Scams and watch-outs
- Hofors railway station is 3.5 km north of the town centre; plan a bus or taxi connection.
- Storberget's mine is open only in summer with guided tours; call ahead.
- Kratte furnace is an outdoor site with no facilities; bring water and snacks.
Hofors is a quiet town with low crime. The main risk is icy roads and pavements in winter; wear sturdy boots.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Hofors yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kratte furnace ironworks
- Storberget's historic mine
- Gästrikland forest setting
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Hofors railway station info: www.dinstation.se/hofors-station/
- Wikivoyage: Hofors, revision 5231693 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5231693
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Hofors
Till den här adressen, tack
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Most embassies are in Stockholm; nearest consulate for non-EU travellers: check in Gävle or Falun.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/hofors). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.