Kosta offers several different themes for a trip: the history of the glassworks, contemporary glass art, trails through forests and lakeside landscapes, and wildlife watching. Those who want to focus on culture will find exhibitions and insights into glass production. For days outdoors, you can choose from hiking, a mountain bike trail and the Safari Park as different activities.

Glassworks History and Glass Art

Kosta is Sweden’s oldest continuous glassworks complex. Preserved buildings and artefacts spanning four centuries shape its historic setting. At the same time, Kosta is one of Sweden’s most significant examples of an early glassworks community and its development into today’s industrial and commercial community. The subject thus ranges from the town’s long history to the glass art and production visitors can experience today.

The Kosta Boda Art Gallery is located in Kosta and presents exhibitions of contemporary glass art. Kosta Glassworks, Sweden’s oldest still-active glassworks, offers a different perspective: visitors can experience Kosta Boda and Orrefors glass production up close. The gallery and glassworks have different focuses—exhibitions on the one hand and manufacturing on the other. Those interested in glass culture can keep these perspectives in mind when planning.

Hiking Between Forest and Lake

Two trails with distinct descriptions are available for hiking. Kosta 8 km is an eight-kilometre hike that runs mostly along forest paths beside a lake. In wet sections, non-slip boardwalks provide footing. From Kosta Lodge, you can reach the trail via a footpath of about 300 metres; the route then follows red markings. Check access and markings locally before setting out.

The Visjön Nature Reserve lies north of Kosta. A marked hiking trail of about eight kilometres runs around the lake. The distances are similar, but the trail descriptions emphasise different features: Kosta 8 km is described as having forest paths and wet sections with boardwalks, while the trail at Visjön loops around the lake in the nature reserve.

Wildlife Watching and Outdoor Activities

Kosta Safari Park offers a nature experience for the whole family. Visitors can safely drive through the large enclosure and watch moose, bison, red deer, mouflon, fallow deer and wild boar. A weekend train also runs through the park, offering close-up encounters with these animals. The car and train are two different ways to experience wildlife watching in the park.

Those who would rather ride a mountain bike than go hiking can try the Kosta Safari Trail. The 11-kilometre route includes purpose-built obstacles and sections graded from green to black. Compared with the two hiking trails, it is longer and described as a cycling route with designated difficulty grades. Kosta Rentalcenter rents out bicycles, fishing equipment, boats and canoes. It also provides maps of local fishing waters and cycling and hiking trails. This gives you a starting point for choosing between hiking, cycling, fishing and activities by boat or canoe.

Discover more destinations: Hovmantorp, Skruv, Lessebo

Go to the broader travel overview: Lessebo.