Östergötland: Monasteries, Birding Areas and Canals

Östergötland offers a variety of reasons to visit: medieval monastic history and Renaissance architecture, birding areas, archipelago landscapes and canals. To plan your trip, you can first consider whether culture, nature or activities on the water should take centre stage. The places and routes below show different sides of the region.

Monasteries, Castles and Glassmaking

Vadstena Castle is now a museum and open to visitors; as access may change seasonally, check the visiting arrangements before your trip. Construction began in 1545 as a defensive fortress. At the same time, the castle features an unusually early Palladian influence for northern Europe and is considered Scandinavia’s most important surviving Renaissance castle. This brings defensive function and Renaissance architecture together in a single building.

Vadstena is also a pilgrimage destination: people from all over the world come to hike and visit the abbey church. A 145-kilometre pilgrimage route with seven sections runs from Söderköping through meadows and forests to Vadstena. This means you can plan your stay as a longer hiking project rather than focusing only on individual sights.

Alvastra Monastery was built in the 12th century and remained in use for 400 years. It is open to visitors in its medieval monastic setting; check access conditions before your visit. Vreta Abbey Church is also a medieval church dating from the 12th century. The ruins of Sweden’s oldest nunnery lie directly beside it. Various guided tours are offered in and around the church, and availability may vary.

At Reijmyre Glassworks, you can try working in the glassworks alongside experienced glassblowers; advance booking may be required. Guided tours cover the history of the glassworks from 1810 to the present day and show the production process, from glowing molten glass to the finished product. Tours may vary by season.

Birdwatching and Nature Trails

At Tåkern, the Naturum offers guided tours, birdwatching, themed days and talks; programme details may change. So far, 278 bird species have been observed at the lake in the nature reserve. This number may be updated as further observations are made. The Naturum also includes an exhibition, a film room and a laboratory.

The four-kilometre Vassleden trail at Tåkern passes through an orchid marsh and across open, grazed lakeside meadows to a birdwatching tower on Toregårdsören. At the tower, either stairs or a curved wooden ramp lead to the top. The route and viewpoint give the outing a clear focus; those mainly interested in birdwatching can also visit the Naturum at Tåkern.

The Bokö Nature Reserve can be reached by boats on the public archipelago service; timetables may vary. The landscape combines lush vegetation with bare cliffs by the open sea. A three-kilometre circular trail passes through flowering pastures and grazed woodlands, over rock slabs, and through hay meadows and meadows by the shore.

The two circular trails in Kvädöfjärden Nature Reserve differ in both length and route. The 5.6-kilometre Odletslingan passes through rugged cliffs, archipelago scenery and grazed meadows. The 3.1-kilometre Ekuddeslingan runs through forest, along a gravel path and cliffs, and also through archipelago scenery. In summer, there is a kayak landing between the shelter and the Ekudden jetty.

Canals and Trip Planning

The Östergötland section of the Göta Canal begins in Motala and ends in Mem, outside Söderköping. At the flight of locks, seven interconnected locks raise or lower boats by 28.8 metres. Since 2023, the Borensberg–Berg section has been classified as a national cycle route. When planning, you can choose between exploring the canal’s history and cycling along this designated route.

The 80-kilometre Kinda Canal connects Linköping and Kinda and offers opportunities to experience nature along its route. Hiking, paddling and cycling are possible there; trips aboard the motor vessel m/s Kind are also available, though availability may vary with the operator. The Östgötaleden, meanwhile, runs through all 13 municipalities of Östergötland. Its planning map provides information about starting points and facilities such as picnic areas, shelters and toilets.

Seasonal events can also play a role in planning your trip. During Östgötadagarna, small rural businesses in food, culture, art, crafts and gardening open their premises to visitors for one weekend in May and one in September. Dates change every year. There, you can sample freshly harvested vegetables and enjoy a fika in a rural setting.

Then choose your hotel location to suit the places you would like to visit.

Discover more destinations: Motala, Vadstena, Sanktanna, Mjölby, Linköping, Finspång, Åtvidaberg, Dånhult, Vikbolandet, Ydre, Söderköping, Norrköping, Boxholm, Ödeshög, Valdemarsvik, Kinda.

For the broader travel overview: Sweden.