Småland: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Your vacation in the historic province of Småland takes you to the south of Sweden. The vast nature with its numerous lakes and rivers makes Småland a wonderful destination for nature lovers. In the east, the Baltic Sea borders the region and entices with its unspoiled sandy beaches for a relaxing family holiday.
Table of contents
Småland - The most beautiful cities
Växjö
Glass art has a long tradition in the region around Växjö. The first glassworks were established as early as the 17th century. Follow the traces of this delicate art and visit the Smålands Museum & Sveriges Glasmuseum in Växjö. Here you will also learn a lot about the local history. Växjö is a green city surrounded by a lot of water, where, among other things, the Linné Park with the adjacent Växjö Lake with its beautiful walking paths invites you to take a break. The forest-rich Kronoberg Nature Reserve also offers wonderful hiking opportunities just a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Kalmar
The center of Kalmar is formed by the castle. It is located on a small peninsula, separated from the rest of the city by the moat. On the Mill Island further north is the old town with its baroque cathedral. Here you can also visit the Maritime Museum and the Local History Museum. Worth seeing are the three brightly painted wooden houses Tripp, Trapp, Trull. They are arranged in a stair-like fashion and are still inhabited. From Kalmar, you can pay a visit to the sunny island of Öland. Along the coast, there are numerous hiking and cycling trails that lead to cozy bathing beaches and picturesque villages.
Jönköping
In the north of Småland, at the southern tip of Lake Vättern, lies Jönköping. The city once had a monopoly on matches, as evidenced by the Match Museum. In the center, you can take a Swedish fika (coffee break) in cozy cafes and restaurants and try Småland's famous cheesecake Ostkaka. After sightseeing, the sandy beach on Lake Vättern in the heart of Jönköping invites you to swim in the summer. But there is also beautiful nature to discover all around. Mountains, forests, and lakes shape the surroundings. Don't miss the 35-meter-high sand dunes Rosenlunds Bankar. From Taberg, you have a magnificent panorama over Jönköping.
Vimmerby
During your vacation, walk in the footsteps of Astrid Lindgren and visit her childhood home, a typical Swedish farmhouse. In the middle of the town center at the Stora torget square, a life-sized monument in Vimmerby commemorates the author of Pippi Longstocking and Ronja the Robber's Daughter. It shows her writing at the typewriter. Stroll through the cozy town center, where a visit to the local history-focused Näktergalen city museum is worthwhile. On a vacation with children, a visit to Astrid Lindgren's World is a must. In this theme park, you can discover the settings of the famous children's books, such as the Noisy Village and, of course, the Villa Villekulla.
Oskarshamn
The small town of Oskarshamn on the coast of northern Sweden is surrounded by fantastic archipelagos. Over 5,000 islands are scattered in the sea in front of the town, including, for example, Blå Jungfrun, a fascinating island that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On hikes, you can discover the impressive geological formations. Slightly elevated by the Baltic Sea is the romantic city center of Oskarshamn. On narrow cobblestone streets, you stroll to cozy cafés. Steep stairs lead past old wooden houses and down to the lively harbor. Here, boat tours and ferry trips to the island of Gotland to Visby start.
Älmhult
In the deep forests around Älmhult, moose, deer, birds, and a variety of other animals live. Several nature reserves extend around the area. A beautiful hiking destination is the Taxås Cliff on the shore of Lake Möckeln. From the top, it offers you a great view over the water. On the Linné Path between Älmhult and Eneryda, you walk in the footsteps of the natural scientist Carl von Linné, who came from nearby Råshult. The 20 km hiking trail passes by many historic sights. The numerous lakes around Älmhult invite you to swim, fish, and canoe.
Eksjö
Eksjö is considered the largest historical wooden town in Sweden. The wooden houses of the old town date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. One of them is the Aschanska Garden Museum, which depicts the residence of a manufacturer family from the 19th century. Furniture, carpets, and the smallest interior details take you back in time! A stroll along Arendt Byggmästare gränd, named after its builder, gives you insights into the transformation of Eksjö over the last 400 years. The wooded ridges around the town invite you to hike. A natural attraction is the Skurugata gorge, about 10 km away, with a viewpoint.
Gränna
Gränna is located on the slope of the Grännaberg, offering you magnificent views over Lake Vättern. Ferries operate from the harbor to the excursion island of Visingsö, where there are runestones and two castle ruins to discover. 144 steps lead to the Tegnér Tower, from which you can overlook the entire Vättern region. Gränna might be known to those with a sweet tooth, as candy canes have been made here since 1850. The red and white sweets are crafted in Gränna's numerous candy cane kitchens. Visitors are welcome to watch the production. Gränna was also the home of the Swedish polar explorer Salomon August Andrée, to whom a museum is dedicated.
Småland - 5 most beautiful natural sights
Ale's Stones
East of Ystad, above the Swedish village of Kåseberga, the stones of Ale, also known as Ales Stenar, are an archaeological fascination. The 59 stones are situated in a picturesque landscape on a hill directly above the Baltic Sea and are arranged in the shape of a ship's hull, 19 meters wide and 67 meters long. While some archaeologists suspect the massive ship setting to be the burial site of a Viking chieftain, others see the ton-heavy stone colossi as a solar calendar. You can either discover the stones on your own or stroll among the rough blocks with the exciting narration of an audio guide and enjoy the view over the vast sea.
Glass Kingdom Nature Reserve
In the Glasriket Nature Reserve, you will encounter impressive moose that reach a height of 2 meters. On a guided safari, you go directly into the enclosure. Some animals are so tame that they even allow themselves to be petted. Experienced guides provide insight into the lives of these mighty creatures. In the nature reserve, not only moose live, but also alpacas. They can be found right next to the parking lot. Additionally, there is a pond on the premises. Anglers catch rainbow trout here. The grill house takes care of culinary needs, offering ice cream, sweets, and drinks, among other things.
Tiveden National Park
The Tiveden National Park spreads between the two large Swedish lakes Vänern and Vättern. On 13,000 hectares, you immerse yourself in a wild nature of dense forests, impressive rock formations, and clear wilderness lakes. Characteristic are the bizarre granite rocks that stand like artworks in the landscape. The up to 10-meter-high rocks were transported to their current location by glaciers of the Ice Age thousands of years ago. Hiking trails crisscross the park and lead, for example, to Tärnsjörn, a picturesque lake in the dense forest. With a bit of luck, you can observe the rich wildlife with moose, deer, and rare bird species.
Lake Vättern
As a very elongated lake, Vättern measures over 100 km in length. It is very popular among fishing enthusiasts. They appreciate the abundance of Arctic char, which can be caught with some luck, especially in the warm summer months. Nature enthusiasts are drawn to the lake for its many natural swimming bays. Numerous small towns are scattered around the shore, such as Hjo and Karlsborg on the west shore or Vadstena and Gränna on the east shore. In addition to swimming fun, look forward to canoe tours or water excursions with the stand-up paddle. With Jönköping located on the southern shore, there is also a vibrant city as a starting point for your lake vacation in Sweden.
High Coast Trail
The 137 km long hiking trail Hogakustenleden runs through the natural heritage High Coast in the Swedish province of Västernorrland County. Here, the rocky shores are particularly steep and the secluded bathing bays are almost deserted. Part of the hiking trail runs at an altitude of 250 m above sea level with correspondingly spectacular panoramas. The 13 stages of the Hogakustenleden have varying degrees of difficulty. The first stage between Hornöberget and Lövvik is easy. You cross the Ångermanälv River over the Högakustenbron bridge and follow the old coastal road to Nyadal. The seventh stage is somewhat more challenging with an optional ascent to the summit of the legendary Skuleberget mountain.
Småland - Climate
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.