Attractions in Småland & Glasriket
Deep forests, red cottages, and Pippi Longstocking 👧🌲
Showing 53 attractions · Sorted by importance
Astrid Lindgren's World
📍 Vimmerby
🎢 Theme ParkA storybook theme park where visitors can explore the worlds and meet characters from Astrid Lindgren's beloved children's books.
Borgholm Castle
📍 Borgholm
🏰 CastleThe majestic ruins of a 17th-century baroque palace, known for its vast courtyards and panoramic views of the Baltic Sea.
Kalmar Castle
📍 Kalmar
🏰 CastleA beautifully preserved Renaissance castle with a rich history of defense and diplomacy, offering interactive exhibits for all ages.
Kalmarsundsbadet
📍 Kalmar
⛱ BeachA popular city beach offering shallow waters and a 180-meter long pier with stunning views of the historic Kalmar Castle.
Kosta Glassworks
📍 Kosta
🏘 Town / VillageThe oldest glassworks in Sweden where families can watch master blowers create art and try glassblowing themselves.
Ölands Djur & Nöjespark
📍 Färjestaden
🦁 ZooA comprehensive family destination on the island of Öland featuring a large zoo with exotic animals, a water park, and an amusement park.
Store Mosse National Park
📍 Värnamo
🌲 NatureSweden's largest mire south of Lapland offers expansive boardwalk trails through a unique marshland landscape perfect for birdwatching and family hiking.
A World of Dinosaurs
📍 Kalmar
🔬 ScienceEurope's largest dinosaur museum featuring over 200 dinosaur skeletons and life-sized animatronic models across 3,500 square metres, located at Tingby manor 10km west of Kalmar.
Isaberg Mountain Resort
📍 Hestra
🧗 AdventureA comprehensive outdoor activity hub featuring a large high-ropes course with 67 challenges across 8 courses, rodel tracks, and southern Sweden's largest mountain bike park with 25 trails.
Linnés Råshult
📍 Älmhult
🌿 GardenThe birthplace of botanist Carl Linnaeus featuring meticulously restored 18th-century gardens and unique cultural landscapes.
Little Rock Lake Zipline
📍 Åseda
🧗 AdventureEurope's longest zipline system with over 4km of lines, offering high-speed forest canopy tours and spectacular views over the Småland wilderness.
Rosenlundsbadet
📍 Jönköping
🌊 Water ParkOne of Sweden's premier aquatic centers featuring adventure pools, wave machines, multiple slides, and extensive relaxation zones.
Smålandet Markaryds Älgsafari
📍 Markaryd
🦁 ZooA premier safari park where families can drive their own cars or take a train through a large woodland enclosure to see moose and bison.
Southern Öland UNESCO Heritage Route
📍 Färjestaden
🚗 Road Trip140km paved circular route (3-5 hours) traversing the southern half of Öland, accessible via the bridge from Kalmar. Key highlights include the Stora Alvaret limestone plain (UNESCO World Heritage site), historic wooden windmills, the Eketorp Iron Age fort, and the Långe Jan lighthouse at the island's southern tip.
Sydostleden (The South East Trail)
📍 Växjö
🥾 Hiking & Cycling274km easy to moderate long-distance cycling route connecting Växjö to Simrishamn. Most cyclists complete it in 4-6 days with a total elevation gain of roughly 1,200m. Much of the route is car-free and paved. Bike rental: Rent-a-bike (rent-a-bike.se).
The Kingdom of Crystal (Glasriket) Road Trip
📍 Växjö
🚗 Road TripApproximately 150km paved touring route (1-2 days) weaving through the dense forests of central Småland. Key highlights include world-renowned glassworks such as Kosta Boda, Målerås, and Skruf, traditional red timber cottages, and numerous small forest lakes where visitors can stop for picnics and swimming.
Turistväg Vättern (The Scenic Lake Vättern Road)
📍 Jönköping
🚗 Road Trip40km paved scenic route (1-2 hours) following the eastern shoreline of Lake Vättern between Jönköping and Ödeshög. Key highlights include the steep cliffs of the Vätternbranten biosphere reserve, the historic town of Gränna known for its candy canes, and the dramatic ruins of Brahehus Castle overlooking the lake.
Utvandrarleden (The Emigrant Trail)
📍 Korrö
🥾 Hiking & Cycling110km moderate loop trail through the historic 'Emigrant District' of Småland. Typically takes 5-7 days. Elevation gain is approximately 1,100m. The trail passes through sites famous from Vilhelm Moberg's novels. Equipment rental: Småland Check-In (smaland-check-in.se).
Eketorp Fort
📍 Degerhamn
🏰 CastleA completely reconstructed Iron Age and medieval ring fort where visitors can experience living history and ancient crafts.
Grönåsens Älg- & Lantdjurspark
📍 Kosta
🐄 FarmExplore one of Sweden's premier moose parks, where you can see rare white moose and meet traditional farm animals in a scenic forest setting.
High Chaparral
📍 Hillerstorp
🎢 Theme ParkAn immersive Wild West theme park featuring live stunt shows, steam trains, and authentic 1870s-style frontier buildings.
Kronoberg Castle Ruin
📍 Växjö
🏰 CastleA picturesque lakeside fortification ruin once used by rebel leader Nils Dacke during the 16th-century peasant uprising.
Norra Kvill National Park
📍 Vimmerby
🌲 NatureThis magical primeval forest features moss-covered boulders and serene lakes that offer a glimpse into an untouched wilderness for adventurous families.
Ostkustleden (The East Coast Trail)
📍 Oskarshamn
🥾 Hiking & Cycling160km moderate to challenging circular hiking trail divided into 8 stages. Expect roughly 8 days to complete with an elevation gain of 1,800m. Features coastal views, dense forests, and rocky outcrops. Managed by Döderhults Naturskyddsförening.
Solliden Palace
📍 Borgholm
🏰 CastleThe private summer residence of the Swedish Royal Family, featuring extensive Mediterranean-style gardens open to visitors.
The Match Museum
📍 Jönköping
🏘 Town / VillageHoused in the original factory, this museum tells the story of the safety match through engaging exhibits and vintage machinery.
Växjö Cathedral
📍 Växjö
🏛 LandmarkAn iconic medieval cathedral featuring distinctive twin spires and a rich collection of contemporary glass art by Swedish masters.
Åsnen Runt (Around Lake Åsnen)
📍 Alvesta
🥾 Hiking & Cycling140km easy cycling route circumnavigating Lake Åsnen and the national park. Usually takes 2-4 days with minimal elevation gain. Nearly half the route follows an old railway embankment. Bike rental: Cykelcentralen (cykelcentralen.se).
Äventyrsbadet Kalmar
📍 Kalmar
🌊 Water ParkA popular indoor adventure pool facility in the heart of Kalmar, offering high-speed water slides and dedicated children's splash areas.
Dackestupet
📍 Virserum
⛷ Ski Resort130-212m elevation range, 3 runs, 2km total skiable pistes, Jan-Mar season, featuring 3 lifts and floodlit runs for evening skiing overlooking Lake Hjortesjön.
DreamHack Summer
📍 Jönköping
🎭 EventTypically mid-June, 3-day duration, the world's largest digital festival and LAN party, attracting over 20,000 on-site participants and millions of international viewers, featuring e-sports, gaming, and digital arts workshops. Extremely family-friendly with dedicated zones for children to explore creative technology and robotics.
Eksjö Old Town
📍 Eksjö
🏘 Town / VillageOne of Europe's best-preserved wooden towns, featuring charming cobblestone streets and unique 17th-century architecture.
Gränsö Nature Reserve
📍 Västervik
⛱ BeachA picturesque coastal reserve offering rugged granite cliffs, sandy coves, and well-marked hiking paths through the Tjust archipelago.
John Bauerleden
📍 Huskvarna
🥾 Hiking & Cycling46km moderate trail named after the famous fairytale artist. Typically takes 2-3 days, gaining approximately 850m elevation. Connects Huskvarna to Gränna through enchanting forests and hilly terrain. Camping available along the route.
Kosta Boda Art Gallery
📍 Kosta
🖼 Art GalleryThe premier venue for contemporary glass art in the Kingdom of Crystal, showcasing world-class sculptures by renowned Swedish glass artists.
Kosta Safari Park
📍 Kosta
🦁 ZooLocated in the heart of the Glass Kingdom, this safari park features European bison, moose, red deer, and mouflon roaming in a natural forest setting.
Mullsjö Alpin
📍 Mullsjö
⛷ Ski Resort235-330m elevation range, 7 runs, 4km total skiable pistes, Jan-Mar season, equipped with 5 lifts, extensive snowmaking, and slopes with gradients up to 30 degrees.
Rosenlunds Rosarium
📍 Jönköping
🌿 GardenAn award-winning formal rose garden featuring over 500 varieties of roses and exotic trees in a beautiful lakeside setting.
Stensö Recreation Area
📍 Kalmar
⛱ BeachA scenic coastal peninsula featuring forested hiking trails, rocky swimming spots, and a popular jogging track along the Kalmar Strait.
Upptech Science Center
📍 Jönköping
🔬 ScienceAn interactive discovery center where children and families can explore physics, technology, and chemistry through hands-on experiments.
Västervik Resort Adventure Pool
📍 Västervik
🌊 Water ParkA Mediterranean-themed indoor adventure bath featuring warm lagoons, fountains, and exciting slides located within a major coastal holiday resort.
Brahehus Castle Ruin
📍 Gränna
🏛 LandmarkA high-altitude 17th-century ruin offering breathtaking panoramic views over Lake Vättern and the surrounding landscape.
