The municipality of Växjö has 250 lakes and 29 nature reserves. Water, forest and open landscapes provide the setting for all kinds of discoveries: Helgö Nature Reserve covers 372 hectares of land and water, of which 182 hectares are land. Hissö is characterized by beech forest, large old pine trees and a diverse birdlife. There are also several walking trails, designated barbecue areas and a dog beach.
Lakes, forests and trails through nature
Bokhultet also shows how varied Växjö’s nature reserves are. Nearly 200 bird species have been observed there. Many trails pass through beech forest, along a lake and across open grazing landscapes. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can experience different landscapes in a compact area: forest, water and pasture are all part of the picture.
For a longer outing, Växjö runt connects six lakes and eight nature reserves. The well-marked hiking and cycling trail is more than 40 kilometres long. Along the route are rest areas with bathing jetties, viewpoints, barbecue areas, shelters and other facilities. When planning, you can take into account both the length of the trail and the range of natural sites and places to stop along the way.
Sigfridsleden offers a different scale: it is about 88 kilometres long. It also includes a 14-kilometre marked link via the narrow-gauge railway to Evedal and Växjö Cathedral. The trail can also be used for mountain biking, provided cyclists respect hikers and nature. Compared with Växjö runt, Sigfridsleden is the longer of the two routes described; both offer their own way to explore nature and the landscape.
Art, history and glass culture
In Växjö, nature and culture are not just separate themes. The Växjö Art Site art trail runs around the central lakes. For those who want to combine a walk with art, it offers a concrete starting point. Växjö Cathedral adds a historical dimension: it was built in the early Middle Ages. Visitor facilities include accessible toilets and lifts, as well as a hearing loop.
Teleborg Castle evokes a different era. It was completed in 1900 and features Neo-Gothic architecture. Following careful renovation and restoration, its distinctive interior furnishings and park have been preserved. The two buildings differ markedly in their historical periods: the cathedral dates back to the early Middle Ages, while Teleborg Castle was built at the beginning of the 20th century.
The museums offer further ways to explore cultural history. The Swedish Glass Museum brings together glass and glass art with history and culture. Smålands Museum presents the cultural history of Kronoberg through permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as lectures, events and guided tours. The House of Emigrants focuses on emigration to North America through exhibitions, archives, a library and research. Together, these themes offer different perspectives on art, regional history and migration.
Practical information for your explorations
For information about sights and activities in and around Växjö, the InfoPoints offer brochures, information and tips. If you are travelling by bicycle, Växjö has a central bicycle parking facility with space for 62 bicycles. It has a charging point for electric bikes, as well as lockers for helmets and rainwear. This practical infrastructure complements the cycling and walking trails described above, without taking the focus away from the discoveries themselves.
Which side of Växjö interests you most depends on your priorities: the nature reserves and trails lead to lakes, forests and birdlife; the cathedral, castle, art trail and museums add historical and cultural highlights. This makes it possible to shape your stay around specific interests rather than reducing the municipality to a single attraction or experience.
Discover more destinations: Dädesjö, Gemla, Växjö, Braås, Åryd, Lammhult, Rottne, Ryd, Jät, Ör, Ingelstad, Vederslöv, Uråsa, Tävelsås, Värends Nöbbele.
See the overview of the wider travel region: Kronoberg.
