[3][4] Varberg is located on the Swedish west coast and is a popular beach and surfing destination for both Sweden and Europe.

In fact in the 19th century the town was largely without trees and green areas, being instead characterised by bald rocks and sand.

The Swedish authoritative author and bishop Esaias Tegnér described it in 1826 as the least appealing place in Sweden, which has later been used in the marketing of Varberg.

Varberg has an oceanic climate that although moderate by Swedish standards, still retains quite large seasonal variation.

A fortress called Varberg (at that time written Wardbergh, "watch hill") was erected in the 1280s as part of a chain of military establishments along the coast, in what was then Danish territory.

Near Varberg there is the VLF transmitter Grimeton, an interesting radio-technical facility and classified by UNESCO to be a World Cultural Heritage site.

Apelviken [sv] (Apple Bay Beach), located in the south of Varberg, has many facilities and rental spots for windsurfing, standup paddleboarding, kitesurfing and other sports.