Linköping between the cathedral, canals and nature

Culture among the cathedral, museums and monastery ruins

Linköping Cathedral is considered Sweden’s best-preserved medieval cathedral. It is open year-round and offers opportunities for personal prayer, intercession, and attending a range of services and concerts. The Linköpings slotts- och domkyrkomuseum displays unique cathedral treasures and the hidden 13th-century Bishop’s Tower. The permanent exhibition “Vägen hit” at the Östergötlands museum takes you back on a different timescale, from the present day to the melting of the inland ice 11,000 years ago.

Gamla Linköping also brings together a range of visitor attractions: the area includes around a hundred wooden houses and about 25 different museum settings and exhibitions. There are also small shops, cafés and restaurants, theatre stages and a dance floor. If you want to make your stay a cultural one, the options range from exhibitions and collections to live performances.

Vreta Kloster kyrka is located at the entrance to the Bergs slussar and Göta Canal area and is surrounded by monastery ruins. The nuns’ former granary has been renovated and is now part of the village church visitor centre. Here, the church ruins and a later part of the monastery complex share the same historical setting.

Nature and hiking trails on different scales

Tinnerö Nature Reserve is an oak landscape of pastureland, forests and wetlands rich in birdlife; it is also notable for its great biodiversity. At Smedstad dammar, Frökärret and Rosenkällasjön, you’ll find parking, picnic tables and barbecue areas, as well as opportunities for birdwatching. Several hiking trails run through the entire reserve. Within Linköping Municipality, 115 kilometres of the Östgötaleden trail pass through plains, canals, oak landscapes, pastureland and hilly forests. Several sections are readily accessible for people with disabilities.

The distances help you compare the different hiking options: the Birgittaleden can start at Linköping Cathedral and covers an 81-kilometre hiking route. Shorter is the approximately two-kilometre trail through Stjärnorpsravinen. It starts below the ruins of Stjärnorp and passes through moderately difficult terrain. Stjärnorpsravinen is also one of the places in Östergötland with the highest concentration of bats.

Canals, cycling and paddling

The Göta Canal Cycle Route passes through Linköping and can be started at Bergs slussar. Bicycles can be rented through Kaffeteriet at the tourist information office there. The lock flight at Bergs slussar consists of seven interconnected locks. Boats are raised or lowered by 18.8 metres between Roxen and Bergs gästhamn.

The Kinda Canal is 80 kilometres long and has 15 manually operated locks. It stretches from Linköping in the north to the towns of Horn and Hycklinge in the south. Day trips, evening trips and shorter passenger-boat trips are offered on the canal. The Kinda Canal and its lake system also provide good paddling waters for much of the year. There are canoe landings at every lock, where you can carry your canoe around the locks.

Planning your journey and stay

Linköping lies on the main railway line between Stockholm and Malmö, with frequent train connections, including services operated by SJ, Mälartåg, Snälltåget and Krösatåg. Buses and commuter trains operated by Östgötatrafiken also run within Linköping. When choosing accommodation based on your arrival or planned visits, it’s worth checking the specific connections and journey times for your travel dates. This lets you plan cultural attractions, hikes and waterside routes around your own interests.

Discover more destinations: Vårdnäs, Sturefors, Brokind, Linköping, Roxenbaden, Ulrika, Stjärnorp, Bergsslussar, Nykil, Berg, Kögenäs, Bestorp, Ljungsbro, Linghem, Vikingstad.

Go to the main travel overview: Östergötland.