Last updated on July 19th, 2026
The area around Halmstad, like much of the Swedish province of Halland, is rural. Just inland from the coast, the region becomes a land of small farms and windswept hills.
In the 19th century, that combination of wind and agriculture led to the construction of wind-powered mills that were used to grind the grain from the surrounding farms. Once this landscape was home to a number of windmills; today almost none remain. Almost none.
The historic Särdal Mill still stands near Halmstad, Sweden.
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The historic Särdals mill
I first visited the Särdals mill a decade ago and stopped again this year after noticing the mill along the way as we traveled to Halmstad for the day. I mean, it is hard to miss if you are anywhere nearby!
Of course, even in the days when windmills were a common sight on Sweden’s west coast, the Särdals windmill (Särdals Kvarn) probably stood out.
Särdal Mill’s buildings now house a cafe, art gallery, and boutique.
Built in 1890, the mill is a Gallery-Dutchman type built on a massive two-story stone pedestal with a gallery below the tower. It’s a style that apparently wasn’t very common in Sweden. And it was constructed with the very latest in 19th century technology, including a tracking system that allowed the sails to automatically change directions with the wind.
The original arms that supported the sails were wood. However, they were replaced with the current metal ones after a lightning strike in 1921 damaged the original ones.
The mill’s current arms aren’t original, but they are over 100 years old.
With six floors and four grindstones, Särdals Kvarn is among the largest built in Sweden. It towers over the surrounding countryside and must have been quite a sight when the sails were up, its enormous arms slowly turning in the wind.
The historic Särdal Mill towers over the surrounding Swedish farmland.
The mill remained in use until 1967, and it’s still an impressive sight. Especially since a recent renovation. However, today it serves as a tourist attraction and a massive advertisement for the shops that make up “the boutique in the windmill.”
Visiting Särdals mill
While the Särdals mill is no longer used for grinding grain, it has found new life as a seasonal tourist stop, boutique, art gallery, and cafe. It’s an easy stop when traveling between Falkenberg and Halmstad, although it is along a more scenic secondary road.
Art gallery
A brick extension of the windmill’s base houses a small art gallery.
The art gallery at the base of the windmill.
While some signage identifies this as a sculpture studio, the gallery offers a range of art.
You’ll find a variety of art (not just sculpture) inside.
Boutique
The largest building on the grounds was once part living quarters and part warehouse. Today it houses a gift shop featuring locally made crafts and specialty grocery items.
The main floor has lots of local food items, along with gift store-type items, local beauty products, kitchen items, and various fancy glassware and china.
But climb the stairs to find secondhand and antique household items, glassware and china, furniture, and decorative items. And don’t forget to continue through the hall that connects this building to the upper level of the windmill for more antiques, craft items, and a glimpse up into the workings of the windmill.
The upper level of the boutique offers antiques and a small peek at the windmill’s working elements.
(I found the coolest metal garden ornaments mixed in with all the antiques and decorator items.)
Café
The site’s stable is now a comfortable café. You’ll find a nice mix of light lunch items and other treats perfect for fika. And, while there’s seating inside, on a nice day, you’ll want to sit in one of the pleasant outdoor seating areas.
You’ll find several areas where you can sit and enjoy a coffee break or lunch.
It’s an inviting spot to relax.
Tour the windmill
While the windmill itself usually isn’t open for tours, once in a while it is. And, apparently, it’s possible to book a tour.
Planning a visit to Särdal windmill
Särdals windmill (Swedish language web page) is located just outside Haverdal in the coastal municipality of Halmstad.
It’s a pleasant drive through the countryside on paved roads no matter where you are coming from. And don’t worry too much about mapping the exact location — you’ll see it from the road.
You’ll see the windmill before you get there.
Parking on the site is free.
Hours
The boutique, art gallery, and café are open seasonally. In the peak summer period everything is open daily. And everything is closed between January and Easter. The rest of the year the site is open a day or two over weekends. Check the website for current hours.
Entrance to the windmill and walkway between the windmill and shop framing the art gallery and cafe.
Of course, you can take a virtual visit anytime at Särdal windmill 360 panorama.
Looking to stay in the area?