Halmstad received its first charter in 1307, and the city is celebrating its 700 year aniversary in 2007. The oldest remains of that first town are to be found at "Övraby" upstream on the River Nissan, quite close to the regiment buildings. The reamins of the church can still be seen today between a defunct brick industry and a former landfill.

In the 1320s the town moved to the present day town centre. At this time there were two monasteries in the town and during the 15th century the St. Nikolai church was built. Battles raged between the Swedes and the Danes as Halland at that time was a real border county.

During the Kalmar Union – a Nordic Union between Sweden, Norway and Denmark which lasted between 1400-1520 – it was in Halmstad that the Union King was to be finally selected.

At the end of the 16th century, Christian IV ordered the fortification of Halmstad and in the beginning of the 17th century built a crescent with the Nissan as part of the defences.

1619 is an important date in the history of Halmstad. In March of that year, King Gustav Adolf II of Sweden and Christian IV met at the castle. Over a period of a week they celebrated the payment in full of the "Älvsborg ransom". August of the same year saw the destruction of Halmstad by fire.

Peace was declared roughly 25 years later and Halland became Swedish which it hadn't been for 300 years. Halland finally became Swedish when peace was declared at Roskilde in 1658 and Danish rule was broken. However, uncertain times still continued until the battle of "Fyllebro" in 1676, which lies just outside Halmstad, where the Swedes convincingly beat the Danes.

The first May Day demonstration in Sweden was held in Halmstad in 1897.

The old half-timbered house Tre Hjärtan and the silhouette of St Nikolai Church on the square are two of the very few buildings that are still left after the great fire in 1619. Storgatan is the aorta of Halmstad. In the summertime it resemblese a Southern European city, lined as it is with open-air restaurants. At Norre Square is the old city gate Norre Port, which leads to the oasis Norre Katts Park.

On the other side of the park is the Museum with a exhibit of Southern Swedish hanging tapestry, art from the province Halland and an exhibition of shipping. Here is also Martin Luther Church which was the first steel church in Scandinavia and is famous for its acoustics. Halmstad is the home town of worldfamous pop group Roxette and the city, with its surroundings, has a rich musical tradition. ”Brottet” at the ”Simstadion” is a popular outdoor stage, and there are several song festivals in and around Halmstad. Other annual events are the Festival of Fireworks and the International Music Week in Martin Luther Church.
 
The coastline between Halmstad and Steninge is a great attraction, as well as Simlångsdalen with its deep forests and a distinctive scenery. Another beautiful rambling area is Haveerdals Nature Reserve. In both Vilshärad and Haverdal there are lovely sand dunes and beaches suitable for children, surfing and some of the best outlooks in Halland. Among the most popular beaches is Steninge Insjöbad and Nissan and Lagan have great fishing grounds for salmon.