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- Store Mosse National Park — Sweden’s largest bog south of Lapland: a vast, open moor with boardwalks, observation towers and hummingbird-quiet horizons. The landscape — sphagnum hummocks, blanket bog pools and Crane calls — feels like nowhere else in southern Sweden.
- Åsnen National Park — an archipelago of lake islands, shallow bays and misty reedbeds near Växjö. Canoeing between tiny islets, spotting sea eagles and sleeping in simple lakeside cabins makes this a very Småland way to be outdoors.
- Kosta/Glasriket (Kosta Glasbruk) — the heart of Småland’s glass tradition. Watch live glassblowing, buy one-off studio pieces and wander the cluster of glassworks (Orrefors, Kosta, Målerås) where centuries of craft still shape modern designs.
- Visingsö — an island in Lake Vättern with ruined castle
- Store Mosse National Park — Sweden’s largest bog south of Lapland: a vast, open moor with boardwalks, observation towers and hummingbird-quiet horizons. The landscape — sphagnum hummocks, blanket bog pools and Crane calls — feels like nowhere else in southern Sweden.
- Åsnen National Park — an archipelago of lake islands, shallow bays and misty reedbeds near Växjö. Canoeing between tiny islets, spotting sea eagles and sleeping in simple lakeside cabins makes this a very Småland way to be outdoors.
- Kosta/Glasriket (Kosta Glasbruk) — the heart of Småland’s glass tradition. Watch live glassblowing, buy one-off studio pieces and wander the cluster of glassworks (Orrefors, Kosta, Målerås) where centuries of craft still shape modern designs.
- Visingsö — an island in Lake Vättern with ruined castle earthworks, pony-friendly lanes and an off-the-mainstream island pace. Cycle the flat roads, examine medieval stones and enjoy a distinct island culture that feels removed from mainland Sweden.
- Eksjö Old Town — one of Sweden’s best-preserved wooden towns. Narrow streets, painted timber houses and hidden courtyards give a proper 18th-19th century vibe — quiet, tangible and much less polished than bigger heritage sites.
- Gränna and the Polkagris workshops — candy-striped streets where the polkagris (hand-pulled peppermint candy) still gets made in front of you. It’s a sugary, small-town tradition that’s oddly specific to this part of Småland.
- Blå Jungfrun (The Blue Maiden) National Park — a wild, rounded rock island in the Baltic reachable by boat from Oskarshamn. Strange boulder formations, ancient rune-like rocks and layers of witch-lore make hikes here feel mythic and very local.
- Huseby Bruk — hidden gem: a beautifully preserved manor and ironworks estate near Växjö with gardens, old factory buildings and period interiors. It’s a peaceful slice of Småland industrial and aristocratic history that locals cherish but many visitors miss.
- Stensjö By — hidden gem: a living 19th-century village that hasn’t been over-retooled for tourists. Timber farmhouses, meadows and small lanes were used in Astrid Lindgren films, but the place itself is quietly atmospheric and very authentic.
- Stalpet Waterfall (Stalpets naturreservat) — hidden gem: a compact but dramatic waterfall and gorge near Aneby. Good for a short, scenic detour — mossy rocks, a wooden bridge and a neat, local spot for a picnic away from the crowds.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.