What to do in Vadstena - 10 tips for a historic town

What to see and do in Vadstena? Vadstena is a small town beautifully situated on the banks of Lake Vättern. Here the houses are low, while the castle and abbey church rise high above all other buildings, just as they did in the Middle Ages. In Vadstena you can feel the history everywhere, in the walls and in the old houses.

Vadstena

Vadstena is not only history, but also a promenade, boating, cosy cafés and delicacies. But there's no getting away from it. History plays a very big role here, and you don't want to come to Vadstena without seeing the monastery area and the castle.

Vadstena is located on the eastern shore of Lake Vättern, 16 kilometres southwest of Motala.

What can you do in Vadstena?

So, what can you see and do in Vadstena? This lovely town offers both beautiful surroundings and lots of history. Here are our top tips on what to see and do in Vadstena.

1. learn about St Birgitta

St Birgitta is perhaps one of the most important people in the history of Vadstena. Birgitta was born around 1303 as Birgitta Birgersdotter. Even as a child she had visions, but it was only after her husband passed away that she had visions of a monastery. In 1349, she travelled to Rome to get permission from the Pope to found a new monastic order.

2. Discover the Vadstena monastery area

The Vadstena Abbey area includes a variety of historic buildings. These include the monastery church, the nunnery, the ruin park with walls from the monastery's parlour, the monastery garden and the old water tower. Here you can stroll around and feel like you are surrounded by history from all sides.

3. Stroll in the ruin park

The ruin park contains the foundations of the monastery's speech centre. The monks and nuns were clearly separated, but here they could talk to each other through grilles. In addition, curtains were hung in front of the bars so that there could certainly be no physical or visual contact between the sexes.

4. Visit the Sancta Birgitta Monastery Museum

In the monastery area you will also find the Sancta Birgitta Monastery Museum. Here you can learn more about the life of the nuns in general and Birgitta's life in particular. For example, did you know that Birgitta made several long pilgrimages in Europe?

At the age of 68, Birgitta began her dream of making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the Holy Land. She fell ill during the journey and died a year later in Rome. Work then began on bringing her remains back to Sweden and Vadstena. The coffin used for this is now in the museum.

5. Admire Vadstena Abbey Church

Vadstena Abbey Church was built according to Birgitta's precise instructions. It took almost 60 years to build the church, which was consecrated in 1430. Since then, people have flocked to the church, making it one of Europe's most important pilgrimage destinations.

6. Coffee at the Monastery Café

After the visit to the monastery area, we needed a break and some energy. We each had a meatball sandwich at the Monastery Café, and then we were ready for more history.

6. Take a tour of Vadstena Castle

We continued to Vadstena Castle, which is possibly even more magnificent than the monastery area. The castle was built as a defence facility by King Gustav Vasa in the 16th century. During the reign of Johan III, the castle was transformed from a defensive fortress to a continental Renaissance palace.

The castle is truly magnificent, and walking around it, you're constantly seeing it from new and fascinating angles. The sturdy towers are reflected in the waters of the moat and small leisure boats chug around carefree.

You can also, for a fee, visit the interior of the castle and this is recommended. Each room is more splendid than the next and there are a number of interesting details. For example, you can check out the wedding hall, the bedchamber and the castle church. Children can try to solve the "Gustav Vasa riddle".

7. Enjoy the seafront

When you have had enough of history and culture, and if the weather is nice, you can enjoy the promenade. It's really nice on the shores of Lake Vättern!

8. Walk in cosy neighbourhoods

We also went for a walk through all of Vadstena's cosy neighbourhoods. The houses are low and characterised by old-fashioned charm. Many people sat on the outdoor seating on the square or walked among the shops on Storgatan.

9. Shopping at Ladugård 206

On the way from Vadstena, we took the opportunity to turn into Ladugård 206, which is located a few minutes outside of town. There is a restaurant and a shop with charcuterie and delicacies. Nice!

10. Eat Vättern crayfish

We then rolled south towards new adventures, and what did we see? A sign with "Vadstena crayfish". Of course, we couldn't resist! Two buckets of fresh Vättern crayfish followed in the motorhome.

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

There are of course several hotels to choose from in Vadstena, such as Vadstena Klosterhotell, and there is also Vadstena Camping. If you are travelling by campervan, you can park overnight at the car park in Lilla hamnen, not far from the castle. As usual, we arrived too late to find a free space, so we had to roll further out of town.

More to see and do in Vadstena

We really liked Vadstena. What a wonderfully cosy little town, which also has an incredible amount of history to offer. We were very happy with our day. If you want even more ideas for things to see and do, here are some more tips we got from the local tourist office:

The Toy Museum at Slottsgården
Guided city tours and garden tours
The King's Train - the "Little Train" that takes you around the city with a guide.
Galleries and studios
Home-made coffee at the Pilgrimage Centre
Restaurant Hörnet, featured in the White Guide
Cycling dressin
Adolfsnäs Commercial Garden

More to see in the neighbourhood

Just north of Vadstena you will find Motala, with locks on the Göta Canal, the Motor Museum and the long sandy beach of Varamon. Nearby you will also find charming Borensberg. If you are travelling south instead, you can visit Alvastra monastery ruins and charming Gränna.

More tips for things to do in Vadstena?

Have you been to Vadstena? How was your experience? Do you have any other tips on what to see and do in Vadstena?

Facts about Vadstena

Municipality: Vadstena municipality
County: County of Östergötland
Population: About 7400 (2020)
Attractions: Monastery area with monastery church, monastery ruins and castle.
Activities: Toy museum, city tours, the 'King's Train' and more.
Parking spaces: Berth in the small harbour
Camping: Vadstena camping (Hofslagaregatan 11)

Facts about Vadstena Castle

Opening hours: In summer 2020 (22 June - 9 August) the Castle Museum is open Mon-Sun 10:00 - 17:00. For other opening hours see the castle's website.
Prices: Adults 90 kr, pensioners/students 80 kr, children/young people 70 kr and children 0-7 years free (2020). The cultural heritage card gives half the price of admission.
Guidance: Several different guided tours are offered, including a Renaissance walk and a children's walk. See the castle's website for the calendar.
Read more: You can find more information at the castle's website.

History of Vadstena

The Iron Age: There are traces of human settlement from this time.
12th century: A Romanesque church existed on the site of the Red Tower (St Peter's Church) today. Vadstena was a stop on the pilgrimage to Trondheim and there was a cult of St Olav, that is, in relation to St Olav.
13th century: Valdemar Birgersson built the Bjälbo Palace.

14th to 16th century

1346: King Magnus Eriksson donated the Bjälbo Palace to St Birgitta, who founded Vadstena Abbey.
1400: Vadstena was granted town privileges and became Sweden's largest pilgrimage centre.
1550: Gistav Vasa confiscated the monastery's property and closed the monastery.
1595: The nuns were forced to leave the convent.

17th to 18th century

1637: The monastery began to be used as a home for disabled soldiers. The residents earned extra money from lace making, which led to Vadstena's lace rukte.
1753: The monastery premises began to be used as a prison, and the castle was used as a storehouse.

19th to 20th century

1829: The monastery began to be used by Vadstena Hospital.
1848-1853: The harbour was expanded after the construction of the Göta Canal and the increase in population.
1874: The Wadstena Fogelsta railway was opened.
1945: Vadstena Folk High School was established in the former monastery.
1954: The Birgitta Foundation was given the right to dispose of the monastery area except for the monastery church.

Facts about the Sancta Birgitta Monastery Museum

Opening hours: Summer 2020 (1 June - 16 Aug), daily 11:00 - 17:00.
Prices: Adults 80 kr, children/youth 4o kr and children 0-7 years free. The cultural heritage card gives half the price of admission.
Guidance: There are daily themed tours. See the museum's website for times.
Read more: You can find more information at Monastery Museum website.

Finding Vadstena

Car: If you are coming from Jönköping, take the E4 motorway north and turn off towards Vadstena in Ödeshög. If you come from Motala, drive south on road 50 and turn off towards Vadstena at Trafikplats Södra Freberga.

All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

READ MORE: Things to do in Östergötland - sights and experiences

Helena

19 July 2020 6:00

Sweden

city guide Sweden, history, Motorhome holidays Sweden, Östergötland, attraction

Helena

Administrator

27 Comments

Add yours →

Ruth in Virginia says:

Besides all the interesting things you write about, I must say,
that I don't think I've ever seen so many photos with completely
incredible cloud formations. Look at the sky behind the castle!
The clouds shoot straight up like a firework. Super!

19 July 2020 - 6:56

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Agree with you that the clouds are nice! 🙂 (Then I have noticed that cloud formations are enhanced if you take photos with a wide angle. One of the photos, where the castle is straight from the front in a large picture, is taken with a wide angle, because we were standing in a courtyard and otherwise did not get the whole castle in the picture otherwise).
  
  19 July 2020 - 10:33
  
  Reply
Frizz says:

I have visited and would have liked to stay to see more of the history, but with a 1.5 year old in tow and the child's impatient father, I will have to wait...

19 July 2020 - 7:29

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  1.5 year olds have some other interests, so I understand that 😉 But Vadstena is still there for possible more visits in the future 🙂.
  
  19 July 2020 - 10:34
  
  Reply
Matts Torebring says:

We were there with the small car yesterday afternoon, but we didn't see you. Vadstena has been one of our weekend favourites in autumn, winter and spring. During the month of July we have not even thought of going there with a motorhome. Yesterday we were happy that the motorhome was at home in the garage. We have never seen Vadstena so crowded before. I almost felt sorry for everyone who stood on the "Boat parking next to the snusktoan".

We have probably been to all places except Ladugård 206, which we have not seen. We have had dinner at Klosterhotellet a few times, even slept over there and had breakfast in the King's Hall since the 13th century. It was powerful. Maybe you missed the fantastic Omberg, when you were so close.

19 July 2020 - 9:19

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  What fun that you were also there recently! Would have been fun to see 🙂 It was probably the day before yesterday we were there (is often about a day behind with the blog posts, can also be more sometimes). Sleeping over in the King's Hall sounds really cool! 🙂
  
  19 July 2020 - 21:11
  
  Reply
Goatfish says:

I have visited Vadstena on two occasions - together with my youngest daughter - and also stayed at the monastery hotel for two nights on both occasions.
The first time in the summer of 2015 and now in December when there was Christmas signage. Have been everywhere you describe. Absolutely fantastic historical places and buildings. Really like Vadstena. Nature, town, buildings, church, castle, everything. A gem.

19 July 2020 - 9:25

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Sounds cosy to stay at the monastery hotel! And interesting with the Christmas signage, I can imagine that it is nice in Vadstena at that time too!
  
  19 July 2020 - 21:12
  
  Reply
Travel Friday says:

Vadstena is a real little gem, so heavenly beautiful! For food, I can really recommend Restaurang Hörnet (SO good!) and coffee at Gamla Konditoriet. Have a continued wonderful trip!

19 July 2020 - 10:32

Reply
- Maria /Magnolia Magis says:
  
  Vadstena is so nice to just be! We used to go here at least once a year. Partly slept over in the motorhome by the water and partly as our annual Vättern round... by car! You can get around in a day and stop in Karlsborg, Askersund, Vadstena, Gränna, Bankeryd (grandchildren) and Hjo. By the way, there is a folk high school for opera in Vadstena. My brother went there. Will it be Askersund next then? Coffee at Klockargården or Vägkyrkans balcony? Hope you get nice weather! ?
  
  19 July 2020 - 10:40
  
  Reply
  - Comment by post author
    
    Helena says:
    
    Maria/Magnolia Magis, yes we read about the opera school when we walked around the castle. What fun that your brother went there! And thanks for more tips, there are sooo many nice places in the hooks it feels like 😉.
    
    19 July 2020 - 21:15
    
    Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Travel Friday, indeed, we liked Vadstena a lot! Thanks for more tips! 🙂
  
  19 July 2020 - 21:13
  
  Reply
bmlarstravellingblog says:

Of course, we have visited beautiful Vadstena a number of times. My funniest memory from there is when we courted a colleague with a medieval guild quite a few years ago. After dinner in "burlap" clothes, we went on a guided night walk!
In September, my "girl group" has booked two nights at Klosterhotellet to experience Vadstena!

19 July 2020 - 13:04

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Medieval guild sounds super fun! 🙂 And what fun to go there with the girl gang in September, you will surely get super nice!
  
  19 July 2020 - 21:16
  
  Reply
Felle Fernholm says:

You forgot to mention the Lions Flea Market with incredibly cheap products and all the profits from the sales go to charity.
The flea market is located behind Slottsgården

19 July 2020 - 17:47

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, we missed that. But thanks so much for the tips!
  
  19 July 2020 - 21:16
  
  Reply
Monika Fransson says:

Many thanks for your nice pictures and text along the Göta Canal.

19 July 2020 - 18:40

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad it is appreciated! Thank you for writing Monika! 🙂
  
  19 July 2020 - 21:17
  
  Reply
BP says:

Also reacted to the cloud formations, so cool. Gerd has blogged from Vadstena a few times so I recognised a bit there. What magnificent buildings, and what luck you had that the weather was canoeing.

19 July 2020 - 20:55

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  These are really impressive buildings! And between them little cute houses 🙂 It's easy to like Vadstena!
  
  19 July 2020 - 21:17
  
  Reply
Role o Carina says:

Well reported and so nice pictures you captured with the camera too!
We have been there a few times over the years, not in July?

Take care.....

19 July 2020 - 21:40

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you liked the post! And yes, in July there are of course many tourists ...?
  
  20 July 2020 - 6:55
  
  Reply
Lotta says:

hello
Have read some of what you have written before. We were at Borghamn beach and thought we saw that you were inside and turned around?

Hope you have nice days ahead.... we went on to little Öjaby camping near Växjö (the first campsite where we got afternoon ice cream at the motorhome) ?
Have a nice summer!

19 July 2020 - 22:05

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Hi Lotta! Yes, we were there and spinning? Glad you saw us! We bought smoked whitefish and checked the site, but we always come too late ? Continued to Alvastra instead. Hope you have a continued nice trip!
  
  20 July 2020 - 6:58
  
  Reply
Lena - good for the soul says:

But oh how interesting. Have of course heard about Vadstena and St Birgitta, but never been there.

We chose between Östergötland and Värmland for this year's holiday trip. The choice fell on Värmland. So we have all that cosy stuff that you show, in front of us another time.

Hug Lena

20 July 2020 - 5:51

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Värmland is of course also nice! And then you have all this beauty left??
  
  20 July 2020 - 6:59
  
  Reply
Sessane says:

Perfect! Thank you so much for this super presentation of Vadstena. We have been advised by good friends to go there but I have never understood the point of it. Now, after reading this blog post, I understand why you are going there. Take it next long weekend we can be free!

Thanks for a great blog!
/Sessan

29 July 2020 - 22:05

Reply

What to do in Vadstena - 10 tips for a historic town

Vadstena

What can you do in Vadstena?

1. learn about St Birgitta

2. Discover the Vadstena monastery area

3. Stroll in the ruin park

4. Visit the Sancta Birgitta Monastery Museum

5. Admire Vadstena Abbey Church

6. Coffee at the Monastery Café

6. Take a tour of Vadstena Castle

7. Enjoy the seafront

8. Walk in cosy neighbourhoods

9. Shopping at Ladugård 206

10. Eat Vättern crayfish

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

More to see and do in Vadstena

More to see in the neighbourhood

More tips for things to do in Vadstena?

Facts about Vadstena

Facts about Vadstena Castle

History of Vadstena

14th to 16th century

17th to 18th century

19th to 20th century

Facts about the Sancta Birgitta Monastery Museum

Finding Vadstena

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27 Comments

Ruth in Virginia says:

Helena says:

Frizz says:

Helena says:

Matts Torebring says:

Helena says:

Goatfish says:

Helena says:

Travel Friday says:

Maria /Magnolia Magis says:

Helena says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

Felle Fernholm says:

Helena says:

Monika Fransson says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Role o Carina says:

Helena says:

Lotta says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

Helena says:

Sessane says:

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