Attraction
Eksjö Trästaden
Eksjö's Old Town is among Sweden's best-preserved wooden towns. Colorful wooden houses and courtyards line the alleys north of the center.
Sweden
Småland
Region
Småland is southern Sweden's forested, lake-dotted landscape, between Lake Vättern (north) and the Baltic Sea (east). Red wooden houses, stone walls, and moors define the scene.
by Felix Gillen
Småland is southern Sweden's forested, lake-dotted landscape, between Lake Vättern (north) and the Baltic Sea (east). Red wooden houses, stone walls, and moors define the scene. Highlights include the Kingdom of Crystal (between Växjö and Kalmar) and Vimmerby, Astrid Lindgren's hometown.
Småland is one of southern Sweden's large historical regions and today essentially covers the provinces of Jönköping, Kronoberg, and Kalmar. The largest cities are Jönköping on the southern shore of Lake Vättern, Växjö inland, and Kalmar on the Baltic Sea coast. In between lie extensive coniferous forests, thousands of lakes, and small villages; the landscape is sparsely populated. East of Växjö, the glassworks of the Kingdom of Crystal are strung together, and in the northeast lies Vimmerby with Astrid Lindgren's World. The island of Öland is actually a region of its own, but it is reached from Kalmar via the Öland Bridge and can be easily combined with a trip to Småland. For excursions outside the cities, you generally need a car.
More places in Småland
Kalmar is located on the Baltic Sea coast of Småland, opposite the island of Öland. The Renaissance castle on the water, the baroque cathedral, and the Old Town on the island of Kvarnholmen make the city one of Southern Sweden's most important historical destinations. Via the Öland Bridge, you're on Öland in just a few minutes.
Öland is Sweden's second-largest island after Gotland, located off Kalmar in the Baltic Sea. The island is flat and elongated, featuring open limestone plains, windmills, stone walls, and sandy beaches. The agricultural landscape in the south is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Vimmerby is a small town in northeastern Småland and the hometown of Astrid Lindgren. It is best known for Astrid Lindgrens Värld, a theme park featuring settings from her books, and for Näs Farm, where the author grew up. In the surrounding area are filming locations for the Michel and Bullerbü films.
Växjö is the main town of the Kronoberg district and a university city in the heart of Småland, surrounded by lakes. In its compact center are the Cathedral, the Småland Museum with the Swedish Glass Museum, and the House of Emigrants. The city is considered a pioneer in municipal climate protection, and in 2018, it was the first Swedish city to receive the European Green Leaf Award. It's not far to the Kingdom of Crystal.
Sights in Småland
Discover the most important sights and attractions
National Park
Store Mosse National Park
Extensive bog area approximately 17 km west of Värnamo on Road 151 towards Gnosjö, featuring boardwalks, observation towers, and a Naturum at the main entrance. In spring and autumn, many migratory birds, including cranes, rest here.
Park
Skurugata
Narrow, deeply cut rock gorge northeast of Eksjö. A hiking trail leads between steep, moss-covered walls and up to the Skuruhatt viewpoint.
National Park
Norra Kvill National Park
Small national park northwest of Vimmerby. The forest has remained untouched for over 150 years, with individual pines over 350 years old. Between moss-covered boulders lie the forest lakes Stora and Lilla Idgölen, a path leads up to the viewpoint on Idhöjden, the highest point of the park.
Food & Beverages
Småland's cuisine is rustic, with potatoes, meat, fish from the lakes and berries from the forest.
Småland cheesecake
Baked cheesecake made from milk, rennet, and almonds, served lukewarm with jam and cream. It is considered a typical dessert of the region.
Isterband
Slightly tangy, smoked pork and barley groat sausage, which is fried and often served with dill potatoes.
Kroppkakor
Potato dumplings with a filling of bacon and onions, served with lingonberries and melted butter.
Hyttsill
Herring, traditionally cooked at the Glass Kingdom's furnace embers. Some glassworks hold Hyttsill evenings in summer.
Best Time to Visit
When is the best time for your trip?
12–18°C·49–90 mm(moderate rain)
From May to September, the days are long and mild, and swimming lakes, glassworks, and theme parks like Astrid Lindgrens Värld are open. July is the warmest, but also the rainiest and busiest due to the Swedish summer holidays. June and August are good alternatives; in September, the forests change colour and it becomes quieter.
Reference city: Växjö, averages 2002 to 2018 according to SMHI. Inland, winters are somewhat colder; on the coast near Kalmar and on Öland, it is sunnier and drier.
Seasons
Jan
Feb
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Summer season
Off-season with mild weather
Cold and dark time of year, many attractions closed
Best Time to Visit
▶Show detailed monthly data
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sun (h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1.7 | 51 | 1.0 |
| February | -1.4 | 36 | 2.0 |
| March | 1.6 | 32 | 4.6 |
| April | 6.8 | 29 | 6.8 |
| May | 11.6 | 52 | 7.6 |
| June | 14.7 | 67 | 7.9 |
| July | 17.5 | 90 | 7.5 |
| August | 16.4 | 78 | 6.2 |
| September | 12.8 | 49 | 5.1 |
| October | 7.2 | 65 | 2.8 |
| November | 3.4 | 57 | 1.2 |
| December | 0.3 | 55 | 0.8 |
Culture and History
Barrenness, Emigration, and IngenuityThe stony soil made farming in Småland difficult for a long time. In the 19th century, many people therefore left the region and emigrated to North America. Vilhelm Moberg's novel series The Emigrants tells of a family from Småland, and The House of Emigrants in Växjö documents this history. To this day, Smålanders are known for their frugality and resourcefulness. A famous example is Ingvar Kamprad, who founded IKEA in the Älmhult area. The naturalist Carl Linnaeus also came from Småland; he was born in Råshult near Älmhult.Glass and Children's BooksWood, water, and sand made the region a location for glassworks from the 18th century onwards. Kosta was founded in 1742, many more glassworks followed, and you can visit some of them today. Astrid Lindgren grew up on the Näs farm near Vimmerby, and the landscape with its farms, meadows, and forests is reflected in books such as Emil in Lönneberga and The Children of Noisy Village.
Getting There and Around
Småland is conveniently located between Malmö, Gothenburg, and Stockholm, though a car is the easiest solution for areas off the main routes.Train: The main line from Malmö to Stockholm runs via Alvesta and Nässjö. Öresundståg and the regional Krösatåg connect Växjö and Kalmar with Alvesta and Southern Sweden; Jönköping can be reached via Nässjö.Car: The E4 runs along Lake Vättern via Jönköping, and Road 25 connects Växjö with Kalmar. To reach Öland, you cross the Öland Bridge near Kalmar.Flight: Regional airports are located in Växjö, Kalmar, and Jönköping.Local Transport: Regional buses serve smaller towns but run infrequently in rural areas. For the Kingdom of Crystal, national parks, and remote lakes, planning with a car is recommended.
