Vetlanda: Trails, Nature and Culture

Get to know Vetlanda through art and local history, waterside trails and natural areas. At Vetlanda Museum, Swedish contemporary art and cultural-history objects connected to Vetlanda sit alongside photographs and archive material. Outdoors, options range from the walking area at Illharjen to longer routes; themed walking tours explore architecture and history. You can shape your stay around the subjects that interest you most.

Art, crafts and local history

Vetlanda Museum features exhibitions, a children’s trail and a variety of activities. Its collection includes Swedish contemporary art, archive material, photographs and cultural-history objects connected to Vetlanda. The museum also offers a creative workshop for all ages. Local craftspeople hold exhibitions at Hantverksgården in Apoteksparken. Items on offer include sheepskins, handwoven rag rugs, woodwork, blacksmithing, ceramics and textiles; the selection may vary. The Vetlanda Art Association also holds exhibitions in Apoteksparken several times a year. Check the latest dates before your visit.

Hedersplats along Biblioteksgatan honours people connected to Vetlanda with stars. Another way to explore local history is the Historical Walk: it leads from the medieval village to the modern commercial town and passes, among other places, the distinctive town hall in the town square. Those interested in architectural history can also take the Digital Architecture Walks, a digital tour of architectural history and period details. The first walk focuses on the old Stationsgatan in Vetlanda. Parts of the 12th-century structure are also preserved in the lower storeys of the tower of Vetlanda Church.

Nature and waterside routes

Illharjen is a natural delta on the Emån and an easily accessible walking area for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs. Facilities in the nature reserve include an approximately 875-metre wheelchair-accessible path, parking, bridges, information boards and an accessible toilet. About 60 different bird species nest there each year. For a longer hike, take the Illharjen runt route around the nature reserve.

The 27-kilometre Vetlandarundan loops around the main town of Vetlanda. Its landscape includes Lake Grumlan, the Emån and Vetlandabäcken; the route also passes churches and prehistoric burial grounds. The Planetrundan has a different focus: it is a cycling and walking route from the Sun sculpture in central Vetlanda to Neptune, located in the Östanå recreation area. Signs at each planet point the way to the next planet in the solar system. Vetlanda Golf Club has an 18-hole course in the Småland countryside by the Emån and Lake Grumlan. The club also has a 9-hole pay-and-play course, which is open to players without a course proficiency certificate.

Getting there and finding your way

Vetlanda Travel Centre has a railway station, a bus stop, taxi services and a kiosk. It also has larger bicycle parking facilities and public bicycle pumps. As some services may change, check current connections for your specific journey.

Discover more destinations

Holsbybrunn, Korsberga, Kvillsfors, Landsbro, Näshult, Skede, Skirö, Stenberga, Vetlanda, Kvillsfors, Lindshammar, Pauliström, Nye, Lillarp, Björköby

For the regional travel overview: Jönköping.