A municipal excursion guide offers an unusually broad look at the nature around Jönköping: “Naturpärlor i Jönköpings kommun” (Nature Gems in Jönköping Municipality) presents 68 natural areas, with directions and interesting facts about each one. Cultural sites, historical traces and trails where landscape and history can be discovered together are a fitting complement.

Museums of Industry, Art and Nature

The Husqvarna Museum presents 400 years of industrial history across 2,400 square metres. Jönköpings läns museum takes a different approach: its exhibitions focus on art, history and life in the province. The museum offers talks, guided tours and creative workshops throughout the year; admission to the museum and its events is free. Check the latest programme and admission information before your visit.

Friluftsmuseet is also part of Jönköpings läns museum. Located in Jönköping’s city park, it comprises several older buildings, including a soldier’s cottage, a wire-drawing workshop, a parish granary and a bell tower. The Soldattorpet was moved here from Råssmäte in Linderås Municipality in 1929. The story of this one building can also be traced back to the time before it was relocated.

Tändsticksmuseet is one of only three match museums in the world. It is housed in a wooden building dating from 1848, which is listed as a historic building. Activities for children include searching for hidden giant matches and making their own covers for matchboxes. Check whether these activities are available before you travel. Fågelmuseet offers a gateway to the world of birds: it displays 1,450 birds from 330 species and has 2,500 eggs from 281 bird species. In summer, it holds activities for adults and children and lends outdoor toys for activities in the park outside the museum.

Nature Trails and Roses in the Landscape

Rosenlunds bankar is an erosion escarpment 35 metres high and two kilometres long. An interactive story map highlights places of interest and walking trails. Facilities in the area include a car park, an information board, a cycle path, a walking trail, viewpoints, a rest area, a tent site and a fire pit. Sandy beaches lie to the east and west of the escarpment. The height and length figures give a clear sense of scale, while the map helps visitors see what they might discover in the area.

At Rocksjön, two paths complement each other without following the same route: the boardwalk is about 900 metres long, while the paved walking and cycling path around the lake is about five kilometres long. Part of the circular route runs outside the nature reserve. In eastern Jönköping, Rosenlunds rosarium is set in an old cultural landscape, within walking distance of the shores of Lake Vättern. It features 550 rose varieties and, in 2022, became the first rose garden in Sweden to receive the Award of Garden Excellence. The rose garden is open around the clock, and admission is free. Park, rose garden and historical walking tours, along with an audio guide available year-round, offer different ways to explore the garden; dates for guided activities and bookings vary by season. Check the latest access information before your visit.

Trails and History on Visingsö

The ferry between Gränna and Visingsö takes about 25 minutes and runs daily, with return trips, throughout the year. Check the timetable before travelling. On Visingsö, the green Nordslinga trail of Visingsöslingan starts near the harbour: this easy circular route is 7.2 kilometres long. Visingsöslingan passes a clearing with the remains of S:t Laurentii Chapel and also goes by Rysskyrkogården. Around 2,000 prisoners of war were held at this site between 1715 and 1718.

There are three marked trails in the oak forest on Visingsö, measuring 3.8, 6.4 and 7.2 kilometres. Another option is the flat Hagavägen through the oak forest, which you can explore on foot or by bicycle. In summer, horse-drawn Remmalag carriage rides run there regularly. The trails therefore differ both in length and in how you can explore the forest.

Buildings on Visingsö also tell stories of different eras: Brahekyrkan was built in the early 17th century as the historic castle church of Visingsborg; clear traces of the medieval Ströja kyrka can be seen inside. During the summer season, from mid-May to August, the church is open daily. The grounds around the ruins of Visingsborg are accessible at any time, but the ruins themselves may not be entered because of the risk of collapse. They recall the time when Visingsö was the centre of what was then Sweden’s largest county.

The Polkagris Tradition in Gränna

At Johans Polkagrisar in central Gränna, visitors can watch the traditional making of Polkagris candies; visitor access varies by season. Since 2022, Gränna Polkagrisar have carried the EU designation SGB. Only Polkagrisar made in Gränna may be called “Äkta Gränna Polkagrisar” (Authentic Gränna Polkagrisar). This combines a glimpse of the candy-making process with a clearly defined designation of origin.

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

Back to the main travel overview: Jönköping.