Kosta: Glass Art, Forest Trails and Safari Experiences

Kosta combines Swedish glassmaking tradition with forest trails, lakes and unique wildlife experiences. Those planning a trip can combine cultural discoveries with hikes, cycling tours and a visit to the Safari Park. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, the key consideration is therefore which experiences should form the focus of the stay.

Glass Art and Living Industrial History

The Kosta Boda Art Gallery is located in Kosta and presents exhibitions of contemporary glass art. The connection between art and production is even more immediate at the glassworks, where visitors can experience the glass production of Kosta Boda and Orrefors up close. Kosta Glassworks is Sweden’s oldest still-active glassworks.

Even independently of any individual exhibition, the town has an unusual historical character. Kosta is considered Sweden’s oldest continuous glassworks complex. Preserved buildings and artefacts from four centuries make the development of this early glassworks community understandable. At the same time, Kosta is now an industrial and commercial community. Those interested in crafts, design and Swedish economic history will find a clear cultural focus for their trip here.

Forests, Lakeside Trails and Active Days

For a hike, the 8 km Kosta 8 km trail is a good option. It runs mainly along forest paths beside a lake. In wet sections, non-slip boardwalks cross the trail. The starting point can be reached via a footpath of approximately 300 metres from Kosta Lodge; the route then follows red markings.

The Visjön nature reserve lies north of Kosta. There, a marked hiking trail of approximately eight kilometres runs around the lake. This provides two different lake and forest experiences to choose from: the Kosta route with its forest paths and boardwalks, or the circular trail in the nature reserve. This distinction can provide helpful guidance when planning holiday days and choosing a suitable accommodation location, without combining the trails with one another.

Mountain bike fans will also find a specific destination. The Kosta Safari Trail is an 11-kilometre route with built obstacles and sections ranging from Green to Black in difficulty. At Kosta Rentalcenter, bicycles, fishing equipment, boats and canoes are available for hire. The Rentalcenter also provides maps of the local fishing waters as well as cycling and hiking trails.

Safari Experiences for Different Travel Days

The Kosta Safari Park adds a wildlife experience to the cultural and natural attractions. In the large enclosure, visitors can safely drive their cars and observe moose, bison, red deer, mouflon, fallow deer and wild boar. A weekend train also travels through Kosta Safari Park, allowing visitors to see these animals from close range. The park offers a nature experience for the whole family and thus provides an alternative to hiking days, cycling tours and a visit to the glassworks.

Those who would like to combine both will find a versatile basis for varied holiday days in the town.

Discover More Places in the Surrounding Area

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Kosta, you can also include Hovmantorp, Skruv and Lessebo in your further travel planning.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Lessebo.