Kongsvinger is situated on both sides of the river Glomma with the Kongsvinger fortress as the main landmark. The fortress is situated on a height north of the river. Kongsvinger is a regional center for southern parts of Hedmark county.
Kongsvinger was established as a trading centre in the 17th century during building of the Kongsvinger fortress. Work began on the fortess in 1682 and it was finished in 1690. Today, Øvrebyen, the area around the fortress is dominated by wooden buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In 1964 the Kongsvinger and the surrounding municipalities Vinger and Brandval was united into the current Kongsvinger Municipality.
Major sights in Kongsvinger are the Kongsvinger Fortress, a museum of female emancipation and Øvrebyen (i.e. "Upper Town").