Östergötland

interest in history

Visit one of the medieval towns of Vadstena, Skänninge or Söderköping and follow the footsteps of Arn, Birger Jarl and Saint Birgitta. The Vadstena Abbey Museum is located in an old palace of a king from the 13th century and is Sweden's only abbey museum.Häfla Hammarsmedja is an industrial monument to Swedish iron processing from the 1600's until the 1900's; it is a unique tourist attraction in a beautiful, natural setting. The industrial landscape right in the middle of central Norrköping is one Europe's most interesting industrial landscapes. The buildings remind us of a time when nearly all woolen material was manufactured in Norrköping. Also take the opportunity to visit two interesting museums Arbetetsmuseum Museum of Work and the City Museum of Norrköping which are both located within the industrial landscape.Löfstad and Ekenäs Castles were both built during the 1600's and are now open to the public. Wander around the beautiful castle grounds and take a guided tour through centuries of furnishings, art and furniture.Vadstena Castle is one of many historical monuments in Vadstena. With its renaissance castle once inhabited by Gustav Wasa, among others, Vadstena is, together with its abbey area, alleys and shops, an exception tourist attraction well worth seeing. Linköping's Cathedral is Sweden's best preserved medieval cathedral. The city castle dating from the same era lies just next door and houses the city's castle and cathedral museum which is filled with unique medieval objects.

what should we do when it rains?

Medley can offer you four water parks, one in Finspång with a fully modern swimming, sports and health care facility where you can find everything you would wish for. Take a shopping spree in Linköping's and Norrköping's shopping centres or visit one of the many handicraft artists throughout the county.Björke Vävstuga weaving mill is a different kind of visitor's attraction in countryside of great natural beauty. Do as 25,000 others and buy woven linen of the best quality at good prices.Boxholm's cheese is a winner of numerous cheese awards and has a genuine history reaching as far back as the beginning of the 1890's. Rejmyre Glassworks is Sweden's second oldest glassworks which is still in operation. Here, you can see, learn and experience how hand-blown glass is made. A factory shop and handicraft village lies nearby. Visit a few of Östergötland's many museums: Motala Motor Museum, Norrköping's Museum of Art, Arbetetsmuseum Museum of Work, Östergötland's County Museum, the Emigrant Museum in Kisa, Linköping’s Castle and Cathedral museum, the Åssa Museum in Åtvidaberg, the Andrew Peterson Museum in Ydre, the broadcasting museum in Motala and BP Nostalgia station in Björkfors.

experience nature

Göta Canal crosses through Östergötland and is a fantastic structure and an experience for the entire family. Rent a boat, canoe or bike or book a cruise on the canal. Regardless of mode of transport, a trip along the beautiful Göta Canal is a memory for life. The Omberg Ecopark on the shores of Vättern is Sweden's first ecopark nature reserve with orchids, giant oak trees, caves and dramatically steep mountain slopes. Omberg proudly shows off its varied nature, unusually numerous threatened species and its forest countryside which is one of the richest in species in Sweden.Kinda Canal is a 90 km waterway with 15 sluices joining a string of lakes. Thickly wooded shores, beautiful meadows, churches, ancient castles and country estates welcome those travelling along the canal.With the boat lines of the archipelago you can easily make your way out to the most beautiful places in Östgöta's archipelago. Pack your lunch for a delightful day tour or the big knapsack for a few days of exciting island hopping among islets and cliff rocks.Some of the country's best canoeing waters can be found in the area around Finspång where more than a 100 lakes are joined together by rivers and streams. There are tours for everyone - from calm waters for the beginner to demanding rapids for the more advanced.In Östergötland there are no less than 21 Golf courses within a radius of 100 km, of which 14 are 18-hole courses. Challenge your fellow travellers and plan your own golf tour through the county. If you are looking for an active, close-to-nature holiday, you should set out for Southern Östergötland, including Boxholm, Kisa and Österbymo. Here, you will find magnificent nature and a rich cultural heritage of tales and legends.

Visit the event calendar at www.pagang.info to make sure that you don't miss any of the excitement happenings in Östergötland. This is only available in Swedish.

fun for children

Kolmården's Djurpark is one of Scandinavia's largest zoo and safari parks; here the whole family can enjoy wild animals from all over the world. Kolmården's animal park was awarded Stora Turistpriset the tourism prize in 2008.At Busfabriken the fun factory in Norrköping and Linköping, there is an indoor jungle-environment play park with lots of activities offering stimulation and movement. Free entrance for adults!The Toy Museum in Vadstena offers nostalgia for everyone who is still a child a heart. There are rows upon rows of toys dating back to the beginning of the 1900's until today.The Open Air Museum in Old Linköping. Take a trip back in time and experience Swedish small-town life from a century ago. Old Linköping offers numerous activities for the whole family. A favourite spot in Söderköping is Sweden's largest restaurant with ice-cream creations you wouldn't believe existed! Relax in our café and choose among 60 fantastic ice-cream creations.At Trollegater, put on your helmet and robust clothes, bring your torch and climb down into Trollegater, one of Sweden's largest primary rock caves. The Varamo beach, just outside of Motala, with its kilometer stretch of beaches attracts swimmers to cooling swims and lots of fun in the clean waters of Vättern.