The Ätran rises in the lakes of Småland and runs roughly 240 km west to empty into the Kattegat at Falkenberg. The last few kilometres through town are what made the place — the river is one of the great wild Atlantic salmon waters of Europe, with a fishery that has been written about and contested for at least 700 years.
The riverside paths through the centre of town are the best short walk in Falkenberg, particularly between Tullbron and the harbour. In May and June you can sometimes watch the salmon jumping the small weirs upstream. The fishing rights remain tightly controlled and expensive — but you do not need a rod to enjoy standing on the bank in the evening.