Destinations > Sweden > Småland

Småland

This province in southern Sweden occupies much of the area between Stockholm, Skåne and Gothenburg. It is a region that many travellers pass through on the way to someplace else; those that do stop over here usually visit Jönköping, Växjö and Kalmar.

Jönköping

Located on the southern shore of Lake Vättern, Sweden's largest lake, this city of 120,000 people was once the centre of the world's match industry. This city, situated 150km east of Gothenburg, is a nice enough place, however it doesn't hold enough interest for most budget travellers who catch only a glimpse of Jönköping from the bus or train window.

Practical Information

Jönköping Tourist Office

Djurläkartorget Centre, Jönköping

Tel (036) 10 50 50

Website www.jonkoping.se/turism/english/

Coming & Going

Jönköping has good transport connections with other destinations in Sweden. Both the bus and train stations are located by the lake shore in the city centre. The train station has a lot of regional traffic, however Jönköping's location off the main train line means that it doesn't get much long-distance traffic. Buses are often a more convenient way to visit Jönköping and it lies on Swebus's route 831, which runs between Gothenburg and Stockholm.

Accommodation

Jönköping-Norrahammar Vandrarhem

Spånhults herrgård, Spånhultsvägen 19, 562 31 Norrahammar

Tel (036) 610 75

Strandängens Bed and Breakfast

Strandängen, 554 94 Jönköping

Tel (0701) 706810

Sights

Radio Museum

Jönköping's radio museum has a collection of over 1000 radios in addition to exhibits that cronicle over 80 years of radio history.

Tändsticksgränd 16, Tändsticksområdet, Jönköping

Tel (036) 71 39 59

Website www.radiomuseum.home.se

Admission SEK 20

Open 1 Jan-31 May Tue-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm; 1 Jun-15 Aug Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm, Sun 11am-3pm; 16 Aug-31 Dec Tue-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm

Tändsticksmuseet (Match Museum)

The world's only match museum is housed in Jönköping's first match factory. The museum provides an insight into the match industry and features machines that were used in the production process.

Tändsticksgränd 27, 553 15 Jönköping

Tel (036) 10 55 43

Website www.jonkoping.se/kultur/matchmuseum/engindx.htm

Admission Jan-Feb free; Mar-Oct SEK 40; Nov-Dec free

Open Jan-May Tue-Thu noon-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-3pm; Jun-Aug Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-3pm; Sep-Dec Tue-Thu noon-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-3pm

Eksjö

This town is noted for its well-preserved wooden buildings. Although Eksjö has been around for around 600 years, it's current layout dates from 1586 when the town was rebuilt after being ravaged by fire.

Practical Information

Eksjö Turistinformation

Södra Kyrkogatan 4, S-575 80 Eksjö

Tel (0381) 361 70

Website www.eksjo.se/English/welcome2.htm

Open 1 Jan-9 Jun Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 11am-2pm; 10 Jun-11 Aug 8am-8pm daily; 12 Aug-31 Dec Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 11am-2pm

Coming & Going

Although relatively close to Jönköping, Eksjö is located off the beaten track, which means that you'll have to take the local länståg train to get here or take bus 321 from Nässjö.

Accommodation

Eksjö Camping och Vandrarhem

575 36 Eksjö

Tel (0381) 109 45

Eksjö STF Vandrarhem

Österlånggatan 31, 575 80 Eksjö

Tel (0381) 361 80

Sights

Eksjö Museum

This museum has displays on the history of Eksjö and also features paintings by Albert Engström.

Österlånggatan 31, S-575 80 Eksjö

Tel (0381) 361 70

Website www.eksjo.se/English/Tourism/Museum/

Open Mon-Fri 1pm-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm

Växjö

This important city is home to several interesting museums. Most backpackers that visit Växjö are Swedish-Americans who come to trace their roots at the Emmigrant Institute.

Practical Information

Växjö Turistbyrå

Kungtsgatan 11, Växjö

Tel (0470) 414 10

Website www.vaxjo.se/english/

Accommodation

Växjö STF Vandrarhem

Evedals Brunn, 352 63 Växjö

Tel (0470) 630 70

Sights

Smålands Museum

The Smålands Museum has exhibits on local history, forestry and furniture. There are also extensive exhibits on glass and crystal showing how it was made from the Stone Age to the present day.

35104 Växjö

Admission SEK 20

Swedish Emmigrant Institute

More than 1.3 million Swedes emmigrated to the United States between 1850 and 1930 and the Swedish Emmigrant Institute is popular with American-Swedes who want to trace their roots and learn about their culture. The centre has archives, a library and a museum with exhibits on the lives of Swedish-American immigrants.

35104 Växjö

Tel (0470) 201 20

Website www.swemi.nu

Open Jan-May Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm; Jun-Aug Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm

Xperiment Huset

This is an interactive science museum with lots of interesting hands-on exhibits.

Lokstallarna, 352 36 Växjö

Tel (0470) 101 25

Website www.xperiment.se

Admission SEK 60

Open Tue-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm

Kalmar

This port has a rich history and it boasts some impressive sights including a baroque cathedral and the Renaissance Kalmar Slott (castle).

Kalmar is also the gateway to the island province of Öland, which is noted for its windmills.

Practical Information

Kalmar Tourist Information Centre

Ölandskajen 9, Kalmar

Tel (0480) 41 77 00

Website www.kalmar.se/turism/eng/

Open 1 Jan-30 Apr Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; 1-31 May Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm; 1-26 Jun Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; 27 Jun-14 Aug Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm; 15-31 Aug Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; 1-30 Sep Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm; 1 Oct-22 Dec Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Accommodation

Hotell Svanen

Rappegatan 1, 392 30 Kalmar

Tel (0480) 129 28

Sights

Kalmar Castle (Kalmar Slott)

This remarkably well-preserved Renaissance castle is Kalmar's star attraction. Although parts of the castle date from the 12th century, most of what you see today was built in the 16th century.

Kalmar Slott, 392 33 Kalmar

Tel (0480) 45 14 90

Website www.kalmar.se

Admission SEK 75, students SEK 50

Open Jan-mid Mar 11am-3.30pm daily; Apr-May 10am-4pm daily; Jun-Aug 10am-5pm daily; 1 Sep-16 Oct 10am-4pm daily; 17 Oct-6 Nov Sat-Sun 11am-3.30pm

Kalmar County Museum

This museum features exhibits on local history that include an exhibition on the Royal Ship Kronan, which sank off the coast of Öland in the 17th century.

Skeppsbrogatan 51 (Ångkvarnen), Kalmar

Tel (0480) 45 13 70

Website www.kalmarlansmuseum.se

Admission SEK 50, students 25 SEK

Open 1 Jan-14 Jun Tue-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm; 15 Jun-13 Aug 10am-6pm daily; 14 Aug-31 Dec Tue-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm