Discover Östergötland: Nature, Culture and Holiday Rentals

Östergötland combines impressive nature reserves with medieval churches, monasteries, museums and special experiences. At Lake Tåkern, trails lead to birdwatching towers and through orchid marshes, while along the coast lush vegetation alternates with bare cliffs. At the same time, Vadstena Castle, Alvastra and Vreta Kloster Church tell of different eras. This makes nature observation, hiking, culture and activities for children part of the same destination.

Nature and Trails

Naturum Tåkern offers guided tours, birdwatching, themed days and lectures. So far, 278 bird species have been observed at the lake in the Tåkern Nature Reserve. The four-kilometre-long Vassleden trail leads through an orchid marsh and across open, grazed shoreline meadows to a birdwatching tower on Toregårdsören. This birdwatching tower can be reached via stairs or a curved wooden ramp.

Bokö Nature Reserve can be reached by boats operated by the archipelago transport service as part of public transport. There, lush vegetation combines with bare cliffs by the open sea. A three-kilometre circular trail leads through flowering pastures, grazed forests, rock slabs, hay meadows and shoreline meadows. The trails clearly show the transition between vegetated areas and the open coastal landscape.

In Kvädöfjärden Nature Reserve, two circular trails run through forest, cliffs, archipelago landscapes and grazed meadows. The 5.6-kilometre-long Odletslingan leads through barren cliffs, archipelago landscapes and grazed meadows. The 3.1-kilometre-long Ekuddeslingan runs through forest, along a gravel road, beside cliffs and through archipelago landscapes. In summer, there is a kayak dock between the wind shelter and the Ekudden landing stage.

Ombergsliden Nature Reserve also combines botanical attractions with short trails. Wild orchids grow there, including the rare fragrant orchid. The 1.4-kilometre-long Orkidéstigen runs in several circular loops through grazing landscapes; wooden walkways allow visitors to cross the wet limestone marshes without getting their feet wet. Next to the nature reserve are a ski slope and a ski lift, which are open to the public in winter.

Culture and History

Vadstena Castle is now a museum and open to visitors. Construction began in 1545 as a defensive fortress. Also in Vadstena, Ellen Key’s Strand can be visited as part of a guided tour, while the garden is accessible during the day. The path from the car park to Ellen Key’s Strand is approximately 200 metres long and partly steep; it is not possible to drive by car all the way to the house.

Alvastra Monastery was built in the 12th century and existed for 400 years. Today, it is open to visitors in its medieval monastic setting. Vreta Kloster Church is a medieval church from the 12th century. The ruins of Sweden’s oldest nunnery are located next to it. Various guided tours are offered in and at Vreta Kloster Church.

At Reijmyre Glassworks, visitors can try working in the glassworks together with experienced glassblowers. Guided tours also explain the history of the glassworks and the production steps, from the glowing glass mass to the finished product. Both hands-on work with glass and the development of the glassworks and its manufacturing process are therefore central there.

Experiences

In Kolmården, the safari cable car carries visitors in gondolas over animal enclosures where, among others, lions and giraffes can be seen. Bamse’s World in Kolmården includes rides as well as a theatre programme with Bamse and his friends. Kolmården Wildlife Park can be reached by car, bus, train or aeroplane.

The Östergötland Museum offers “Viljans värld”, a play exhibition and interactive environment for children and families. At the Swedish Air Force Museum, an audio guide is available in Swedish, English, Finnish, French, German and Spanish. The museum also has “Leklanda”, a playground where children can play with aircraft on wheels and do crafts in a workshop.

Further Subregions

For further regional orientation, you can access the direct subregions: Ydre, Söderköping, Norrköping, Boxholm, Ödeshög, Valdemarsvik, Kinda, Motala, Vadstena, Vikbolandet, Sanktanna, Mjölby, Linköping, Finspång, Åtvidaberg and Dånhult.

For the higher-level travel overview: Sweden.