Jönköping: Nature, Trails and History

Travel ideas for Jönköping range from marshland boardwalks and hiking trails to museums and historic sites. For your stay, you can focus on the subjects that interest you most: exploring the landscape, industrial history or regional culture.

Nature trails and outdoor excursions

In Store Mosse National Park, boardwalks cross the marsh and pass through a changing landscape of marshland, pine forest and spruce forest. The national park can be reached by car, train, bus and bicycle, and has several entrances. As access options and route details may change, check the latest travel information before setting out.

The naturum Store Mosse visitor centre is located next to the main entrance. There, you can get information about the national park and its wildlife, as well as suggestions for places to visit; it is also a place to rest during a hike. Check the visitor centre’s seasonal offerings and opening arrangements.

There are around ten hiking trails at Isaberg, ranging in length from 1.5 to 21 kilometres. Bjärsvedsleden is a separately named trail: it crosses hilly terrain from Isaberg to Bjärsved and Bjärsvedsklint and is 12.5 kilometres long. The hiking trail information provides a range of distances for guidance; for the current trail network, consult the latest hiking map.

Östra Vätterbranterna has hiking and cycling trails, as well as boat and kayak tours in the area around Landsjön, Bunn and Ören. Which activities and operators are currently available may change; check before planning. Another specific travel connection is the paid Visingsöleden ferry between Gränna and Visingsö on Lake Vättern. The crossing takes about 30 minutes. Check the timetable and fares in advance.

Museums and history

The Husqvarna Museum covers more than 300 years of craftsmanship, innovation and production. It is housed in the oldest factory building, next to a waterfall, and features interactive exhibitions on industrial innovation. A visit to the museum therefore combines a historic site with exhibitions about technological developments.

Eksjö museum is located in the old town by the Eksjöån river. It presents the history of Eksjö, as well as changing exhibitions on contemporary art and cultural history; the content may change. The museum also offers guided walks through the wooden town. If you are planning to join a tour, check availability before booking.

Tändsticksmuseet is housed in a wooden building dating from 1848. Among the things you can see there are a matchworkers’ apartment, printing presses, inventions and thousands of matchboxes with different labels and designs. The history of production goes back further: it began in Jönköping in 1844–45, and safety matches were produced there from 1853. The building, objects and production history each offer a different insight into the subject of matches.

Aschanska hemmet is a preserved middle-class home from around the turn of the 20th century. On Visingsö, Brahekyrkan is associated with the powerful Brahe family and houses numerous art treasures. Gränna polkagrisar are another regional highlight: in 2022, they received the EU designation of Protected Geographical Indication.

Gardens and seasonal experiences

Around 550 varieties of roses grow in Rosenlunds rosarium. These include old and modern shrub roses, climbing roses, groundcover roses, wild species and grafted bedding roses. Guided tours share the garden’s history, from the first spadefuls of earth to the present day, and introduce selected varieties of roses. Tour availability may change. From Jönköping Travel Centre, Rosenlunds herrgård and Rosarium can be reached on foot or by bicycle along the shore of Lake Vättern, via a route of about three kilometres; check the current route in advance.

High Chaparral is a Wild West theme park set in 1876. Interactive activities include dressing up, a bank robbery, gold panning and the Trappers Challenge. The programme also features stunt shows, cowboy duels, living history and family-friendly comedy shows. Activities and shows vary by season, so check the current seasonal programme before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Jönköping, Gnosjö, Ödeshög, Gräsberg, Ramkvilla, Gislaved, Aneby, Nässjö, Eksjö, Vaggeryd, Värnamo, Månsarp, Vetlanda, Marieholmsbruk, Sävsjö, Tranås, Habo, Mullsjö.

For the overview of destinations: Sweden.