Discover Hjo

Hjo combines an exceptionally well-preserved wooden town with nature experiences along the Hjoån and special impressions on Lake Vättern. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Hjo is choosing a place where historic townscapes, paths through forests and valleys, harbour atmosphere and cultural discoveries exist side by side. Depending on your travel plans, you can spend your days relaxing, actively or with plenty of variety.

Historic Hjo around the market square and town park

Stora torget has been the centre of Gamla staden for several centuries and is considered one of the best-preserved older small-town squares in Sweden. The historic wooden town around the medieval market square and church follows a street layout dating from the late 14th century. Hjo is one of Sweden’s best-preserved wooden towns and received the Europa Nostra Medal of Honour in 1990 for the remarkable preservation of its unified wooden town structure.

During a walk along Hamngatan and Långgatan, you will notice many historic gates, courtyard buildings and wooden houses. The town park is also part of the area’s special history: the landscape architect Johan Joseph Sternemann designed it in 1877. In 2018, the park and its buildings were granted special protected status because the site is probably one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in inland Sweden. In the late 19th century, the Hjo Vattenkuranstalt spa was also located here, at the time one of the leading facilities of its kind in inland Sweden.

Nature trails, water and different day plans

The Hjoån Valley is part of the European Union’s Natura 2000 network of protected areas. Walking and cycling paths run throughout the valley; sport fishing is permitted in the lower section of the Hjoån. One specific hiking idea is “Hjo's Jungle”: the easy route, approximately 4 km long, leads from Hjo harbour to Stämmorna on Lake Mullsjön and follows the Hjoån stream through deciduous forest, ravines and open clearings. This also makes it possible to plan a stay if, alongside sightseeing in the town, you are looking for a manageable route through the countryside.

Guldkroksbadet is centrally located by the harbour. The Badhyttsbastun offers sauna sessions there all year round, with views over Lake Vättern. A private beach hut can be rented year-round at Hjo’s beach bathing area. In summer, the S/S Trafik steamship travels from Hjo harbour to Visingsö, Vadstena and Hästholmen. Built in 1892 for the route between Hjo and Hästholmen, the ship has now been fully restored, is registered as a protected vessel and classified as a heritage vessel.

Culture, exhibitions and local specialities

At Kulturkvarteret Pedagogien, the former Hjo samrealskola, which operated from 1898 to 1964, changing and permanent exhibitions are shown throughout the year. For travel planning, this place combines the history of education with a current cultural offering. Another local speciality is Hjo Bryggeri: it has been brewing Svagdricka according to a traditional recipe since 1926 and is now Sweden’s only wood-fired brewery.

The Hjo Tourist Information Office sells fishing permits and books admission tickets and guided town tours. Bus 402 takes you from Resecentrum in Skövde to Hjo in approximately 40 minutes. For further comparison on this page, Grevbäck is also available. This allows you to assess Hjo as a holiday destination based on the preferred combination of a wooden town, nature trails, water experiences and culture.

For the overarching travel overview: Hjo.