Gokarthallen Inomhusbana I Halmstad

In Halmstad, on Sweden's west coast, Gokarthallen is one of the country's oldest covered tracks, founded in 1996, and also one of the longest with its four hundred and fourteen metres of indoor layout. The well-ventilated hall holds a full fleet: a dozen Caroli karts for adults, Dino models for children and even karts adapted for people with disabilities. The twin-catalyst Honda engines push to around sixty kilometres an hour on the main straight, the legal speed for an indoor track.

Karting stays open to everyone, no licence or experience needed: a briefing, a helmet, and off you go chasing your best lap. The variety of the fleet, from the youngest to seasoned drivers, makes it open to every generation, and the length of the track leaves real room to overtake. People come to challenge friends or family, stopwatch in hand, and happily return to improve their time. It is best to check the hours before coming.

Halmstad is a coastal town in Halland, prized for the long sandy beach of Tylösand, one of Sweden's most famous, and for its castle by the Nissan river. Its pedestrian centre, its sculptures and its old streets make it a pleasant stop on the west coast, between Gothenburg and Malmö. The region, alternating beaches, countryside and small harbours, is easily reached by the E6 motorway or by train, which puts Gokarthallen a short way from the town's northern entrance, along the main road.