Jönköping: Nature, Culture and History

Jönköping can be explored through a variety of themes: industrial history in museums, historic sites on Visingsö and trails through nature areas. The municipal excursion guide “Naturpärlor i Jönköpings kommun” presents 68 nature areas with directions and information about each area. It offers guidance if you would like to add landscapes and walks to your trip.

Museums and traces of industrial history

Jönköpings läns museum features exhibitions about art, history and life in the province. Its year-round programme includes lectures, guided tours and creative workshops; admission to the museum and its programmes is free. Check visitor information in advance in case the admission policy has changed. The Friluftsmuseet, which belongs to the museum, is located in Jönköping City Park. Its older buildings include a soldier’s cottage, a wire-drawing mill, a parish granary and a bell tower. The soldier’s cottage was moved here from Råssmäte in the municipality of Linderås in 1929.

Tändsticksmuseet is one of only three match museums in the world. It is housed in a wooden building dating from 1848 that is listed as a historic building. Activities for children include searching for hidden giant matches or making their own matchbox covers. If you plan to take part, check availability before you arrive. Fågelmuseet offers a different perspective on collections: it displays 1,450 birds from 330 species and also has 2,500 eggs from 281 bird species. Activities for adults and children are available in summer; outdoor toys are lent out for independent activities in the park outside the museum.

Nature trails, views and garden culture

Rosenlunds bankar is a 35-metre-high, two-kilometre-long erosion escarpment. An interactive story map guides visitors to interesting places and hiking trails. Visitor facilities include a car park, information board, cycle and walking path, viewpoints, rest area, campsite and fire pit. Sandy beaches lie to the east and west of the escarpment. This lets you choose between a trail, a viewpoint and a stay at the beach when planning your visit.

At Rocksjön, there is a boardwalk about 900 metres long and a paved walking and cycling path about five kilometres long around the lake. Part of this loop runs outside the nature reserve. The two routes differ considerably in length: the boardwalk is suitable for a shorter walk, while the loop allows more time for a longer outing.

Rosenlunds rosarium is located in an old cultural landscape in eastern Jönköping, within walking distance of the shores of Lake Vättern. The garden features 550 varieties of roses; in 2022, it became the first rose garden in Sweden to receive the Award of Garden Excellence. Park, rose and historical tours are offered, as well as an audio guide year-round. The rosarium is open around the clock and admission is free; check visitor information before your visit, as access arrangements may change.

Visingsö: Circular trails and historic sites

The ferry between Gränna and Visingsö takes about 25 minutes; return services run daily throughout the year. As timetables may change, it is worth checking the latest departure times before your trip. On Visingsö, the green Nordslinga trail of Visingsöslingan is an easy 7.2-kilometre circular route that starts near the harbour. The route passes a clearing with the remains of S:t Laurentii Chapel. Visingsöslingan also runs past Rysskyrkogården: between 1715 and 1718, around 2,000 prisoners of war were held on Visingsö at this site.

Brahekyrkan was built in the early 17th century as the historic castle church of Visingsborg. Inside, clear traces of the former medieval Ströja kyrka can be seen. During the summer season, from mid-May to August, the church is open daily; check seasonal visiting hours before your visit. The grounds around the ruins of Visingsborg are accessible at any time, but the ruins themselves must not be entered because of the risk of collapse.

Three marked routes of 3.8, 6.4 and 7.2 kilometres are available through the oak forest. The flat Hagavägen can be explored on foot or by bicycle. In summer, horse-and-carriage rides known as Remmalag run regularly there. The different route lengths help you choose a walk or cycle ride that suits your day’s plans; check trail conditions before setting out.

Gränna and Taberg

At Johans Polkagrisar in central Gränna, you can watch the traditional making of Polkagris sweets; visitor access is seasonal. Since 2022, Gränna Polkagrisar have held the EU designation PGI. Only Polkagrisar made in Gränna may be called “Äkta Gränna Polkagrisar”. A visit therefore combines a local craft with a protected designation of origin.

Tabergstoppen reaches 343 metres above sea level and offers views of Lake Vättern and the forests of Småland. Fladdermuseum is located at the entrance to Tabergsgruvan; six Swedish bat species use the mine as a winter roost. Guided mine tours are offered from early May to the end of September. Tour dates and booking conditions are seasonal, so check in advance. The 18-kilometre Tabergs-å-leden runs between Månsarp station and Jordbron on Munksjön in Jönköping and can be walked in full or in sections. The landscape’s historical themes include Taberg’s importance for iron ore mining, Jönköping’s industrial development and dams dating back to medieval mills.

Discover more destinations: Bottnaryd, Gränna, Huskvarna, Jönköping, Lekeryd, Mulseryd, Odensjö, Tenhult, Taberg, Lovsjö, Visingsö, Skärstad, Bankeryd, Norrahammar, Alboga, Sjöhult, Rastad.

Back to the main travel overview: Jönköping.