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Semester i Småland

15 May 2021 / 17 Comments

What to do in Gränna - 9 tips for the candy cane town at Lake Vättern

What can you do in Gränna? Many would probably answer "eat candy canes" and that is true, but there is also more to experience. For example, you can learn about Andrée's polar expedition, hike in beautiful nature or take the boat to Visingsö.

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Gränna

Gränna is a wonderfully charming little town, founded by Per Brahe almost 400 years ago. Today, the town attracts tourists with its charming environment, sugar-sweet pastries and beautiful nature.

Göra i Gränna

Gränna is located on the eastern shore of Lake Vättern, almost four kilometres north of Jönköping. The town belongs to Jönköping municipality and the province of Småland.

What can you do in Gränna?

So what can you do in Gränna? Above all, you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings, but there are also a lot of activities and excursions to do. Here are our top tips.

1. Stroll through charming neighbourhoods

Gränna is an extremely charming little town with historic houses in picturesque colours. As a tourist, you often end up first on Brahegatan, where you can walk up and down while trying to get your fill of the cute houses.

What makes it even more charming is that many of the houses are geared towards tourism. There are restaurants, cafés, ice-cream parlours, gift shops and, not least, polka-dot cookers.

Göra i Gränna - charmiga gränder

In the centre you can also check out Gränna Church, which is very nice. Gränna's very first church was built in the 12th century, but was destroyed in a fire in 1889. The church you see today was inaugurated in 1895.

Göra i Gränna - kyrkan

2. Eating candy canes and checking out candy cane production

Gränna is perhaps best known for its candy canes. The story of the candy canes began with Amalia Eriksson, who was born in Jönköping in 1824. When she was only ten years old, most of her family died of cholera, and she began a hard life as a maid. She followed her employer to Gränna where she found love in the tailor Anders Eriksson. The couple had a daughter, but soon afterwards Anders died of diphtheria.

How would Amalia now support herself and her daughter? In those days, it was difficult for women to get a licence to start a business, but upon presentation of 'special social reasons', Amalia's application to start a sugar bakery was accepted. Polka dots made Amalia rich, and today they are a huge tourist magnet.

There is no 'candy cane factory'. In fact, making candy canes is a craft, so there are lots of small cooking centres. We peeked into Johan's candy cane factory when the "cooking in progress" sign was up. Then we could see how the candy was cooked and packaged behind a glass disc. At some of the boiling houses, you can also book an activity where you can try to be a candy cane baker yourself.

The candy canes are sold in nice gift boxes, in various shops such as Polkaprinsen, Polkagrisbagar'n and Franssons polkagrisar & konfektyr. For ourselves, we chose instead to buy each soft ice cream with candy cane sprinkles, at Tomtar & Troll. A really good choice!

Göra i Gränna - polkagrisglass

3. Visit the Grenna Museum - with the Polar Centre and the Andrée Expedition.

One thing you won't want to miss in Gränna is a visit to the Grenna Museum. It tells the story of Salomon August Andrée, a son of Gränna, and the dramatic polar expedition he undertook with Nils Strinberg and Knut Frænkel in a hot air balloon. On 11 July 1897, the hydrogen balloon 'Örnen' took off from Svalbard to fly to the North Pole.

The journey did not go as planned and the three explorers were forced to make an emergency landing on the ice, 90 miles from the North Pole. Only 33 years later were their remains and camp found on the inhospitable White Island. From their diary entries and photos, much is known about their harrowing final days.

Göra i Gränna Grenna museum

The reception in Stockholm, when the ship HMS Svensksund brought the men home, was magnificent and nearly 100 000 people followed the coffins to the funeral. At the museum you can now see all the men's belongings, as well as an interesting film that brings the story to life.

When you leave the museum again, check out the house where Andrée was born in 1857, at Brahegatan 37. The house now serves as a residential building, so you can only look at it from the outside.

Göra i Gränna - Andrées hus

4. Hanging out in the harbour

The harbour in Gränna and the area around the harbour is very nice, not least during the summer months. Here you will find several restaurants, cafés and ice cream parlours.

Göra i Gränna - hamnen

In the area there are also plenty of different activities such as Gränna adventure miniature golf, skate park and boule. There is also a caravan park and a campsite.

Göra i Gränna - äventyrsminigolf

5. Sunbathing and swimming

One thing you can do in Gränna, if it's sunny and warm, is enjoy the sun and swimming. We checked out Gränna Badlagun, which is right next to the harbour and the campsite. The beach looked really nice, and the water temperature should be a bit warmer here too. Restaurants, toilets and ice cream parlours are right next door.

Further bathing areas are located to the south along the seafront. You can also swim in Lake Bunn (Bunnströms badplats) and Lake Ören (Örserumsbadet). There are also a number of bathing areas on Visingsö, such as Rökinge Brygga, Näs and Sandudden. At Kumlabybadet there are also temperate outdoor pools.

Göra i Gränna - strand

6. Take the ferry to Visingsö

From Gränna harbour there is a ferry to Visingsö. The ferry runs regularly and takes about 25 minutes. You can travel across on foot, by bike or by vehicle, but during the summer months you may want to make a reservation if you want to bring your car or campervan.

Visingsö offers beautiful scenery, peaceful countryside and lots of historical sights such as Visingsborg Castle ruins, Näs Castle ruins, Brahe Church, Kumlaby Church and a number of ancient monuments. Here you can also check out the charming nostalgia museum, take a 'remmalag' (horse and cart) ride or visit the island's fine alpacas. There are also several restaurants and cafés on the island.

Visingsö

7. Make an excursion to Västanå nature reserve and Röttle village.

Västanå nature reserve is located just south of Gränna and offers a varied landscape with lush deciduous forest. Below the slopes towards Lake Vättern are the so-called "grids", which form a narrow strip of land. If you want, you can follow the excellent Röttlestigen trail.

Göra i Gränna - Röttlestigen

The area also includes the Jerusalem Mill and the Rasmus Mill, both belonging to the Grenna Museum Foundation. The Jerusalem Mill dates back to the early Middle Ages, making it one of the oldest non-religious buildings in Sweden.

Rasmus Mill was built in 1662 as a drill mill and was converted into a mill around 1700. The mill was renovated in the 1970s and the three water wheels are once again used to grind grain. During the summer months, guided tours are sometimes organised here.

The nature around Röttle village is fabulous and almost magically beautiful. The water rushes forward in the "roaring rapids" in a steady stream and offers a constant wonderful background sound. If you want, you can walk down to Röttle pier, where you have a nice view of Lake Vättern.

8. Play golf (or have lunch) at Gränna Golf Club.

We cycled to Gränna golf club on the way to "Ölands brygga", as we had been advised that it would be extremely beautiful there. When we passed the golf club, we took the opportunity to take a photo of Västanå Castle, which is just next door. The castle was built in 1590 and has been run as Sweden's first castle hotel since 1948.

Göra i Gränna - Västanå slott

Unfortunately, we never found Öland's pier, despite a long and winding bike ride. The place called "Ölands brygga" on Google Maps did not seem to correspond to reality, and instead we tried to rely on (extremely few and confusing) signs and the occasional people we met on the road. There were no kilometre markers anywhere and we were getting further and further away from the location indicated on Google. Were we right? How much further was there to go? Would the batteries in our electric bikes be enough?

The adventure ended with us turning around and cycling back to the golf club. At the golf restaurant, we each ordered our lunch of the day, and it tasted great. very good in the sun.

9. Explore the ruins of Brahehus Castle.

Brahehus castle ruin is located just north of Gränna and is clearly visible from the E4 motorway as you pass by. If you want a closer look, you can stop at the Brahehus rest area and walk up to the ruin.

Göra i Gränna - Brahehus
Old photo from Brahehus, on the way down to Germany

Per Brahe the Younger had the building constructed between 1638 and 1651. The house would have been a widow's residence for his first wife Kristina Katarina Stenbock, but she died before it was completed. The gazebo was later used as a guesthouse and Per Brahe probably did not use it much himself. Brahe died in 1680 and in 1708 Brahehus was destroyed in a fierce fire. But the view is still just as magnificent!

Göra i Gränna - Brahehus
View from Brahehus over Lake Vättern

More to see and do in Gränna for nature lovers

There is of course even more to see and do in Gränna than our suggestions. Here are some more tips for nature lovers.

  • Grännaberget is a recreational area just above the city. There is also an open-air museum with old buildings and the Oscarshöjd viewpoint.
  • John Bauer members is a trail between Huskvarna and Gränna, which is said to be very beautiful. The trail is named after the famous Jönköping artist John Bauer.
  • Tegnér Tower is a 27 metre high tower with 144 steps. In fine weather, it offers views of four landscapes: Småland, Östergötland, Västergötöland and Närke.
  • Magic boat trips takes tourists on the canal between lakes Bunn and Ören. The boat trips are organised in the summer and take two hours and 45 minutes.

More to see and do in Gränna for culture, food and history lovers

Here are some more tips on things to do in Gränna for those who like culture, food and history.

  • Björkenäs Moped and Motorbike Museum is a seasonal museum outside Gränna with a large collection of old mopeds and motorcycles.
  • Golden Otter is a hotel with a restaurant in a historic environment, just outside Gränna.
  • Hallska Farm is a courtyard with shops and a café in the centre of the city.
  • Upgrading natural houses offers coffee and a greenhouse environment, just north of Gränna.
Göra i Gränna - Gyllene Uttern
Hotel Gyllene Uttern

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

There are of course plenty of hotels in Gränna, such as Grenna Hotell and Hotell Amalias Hus. We ourselves are currently travelling by motorhome, and we have stood on the the car park in the harbour. Here you have access to the services you need. Many people also stand in the car park just outside the site.

Ställplats i hamnen
At the car park in Gränna harbour

We have also spent a few nights at Bauergården in Bunn, about 13 kilometres southwest of Gränna. Here you have access to all the services you need. The location is nice by Lake Bunn, and there is a restaurant and sauna. Here are some more options for those travelling with a motorhome or caravan:

  • Gränna camping is located by the harbour, and there are also cottages here.
  • Getingaryds camping & cottages is located just north of Gränna.
  • Visingsö car park is located in Ekskogen just next to the ferry terminal on Visingsö.
Bauergården in Bunn

More to see and do near Gränna

Not far from Gränna is Huskvarna with Husqvarna museum, Smedbyn and Utsikten. It is also not far from Jönköping where you can see the beautiful Sofia Church, stroll in the city park or visit the interesting The Match Museum. If you are travelling north instead, you can visit Alvastra monastery ruins and Rökstenen in Rök, and fine Vadstena.

All our top tips for holidays in Småland

More tips for things to do in Gränna?

We have really enjoyed our days in Gränna and can highly recommend a visit here. Have you been to Gränna? How was your experience? Do you have any more good tips?

Facts about Gränna

  • Municipality: Jönköping municipality
  • County: Jönköping County
  • Landscape: Småland
  • Population: Around 2700 (2020)

History of Gränna

  • 12th century: The town's first church was founded.
  • 1652: 'Brahe-Gränna' was founded by Count Per Brahe the younger.
  • 1824: Amalia Eriksson, who later gave rise to the candy canes, was born in Jönköping.
  • 1854: Salomon August Andrée, who later led the Andrée expedition to the North Pole, was born in Gränna.
  • 1895: Gränna's new church was completed.
  • 1971: The town of Gränna became part of the municipality of Jönköping.

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15 May 2021 6:00
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11 Comments

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  1. Role o Carina says:

    Surely it is nice places you radar up, we have been to them all a few times!
    There are many nice bathing places in Småland we like, also free camping 🙂.

    Take care.....

    15 May 2021 - 12:08

    Reply

  2. Daniela | Discovering The Planet says:

    Gränna is really cosy. And what wonderful pictures you took ♡

    15 May 2021 - 14:38

    Reply

  3. Matts Torebring says:

    Most of the times we have been in this fantastic idyll, we have parked overnight and slept at the wonderful Golden Otter's extremely nice rest area. One night we were only four motorhomes there. Three had a break-in at half past seven in the morning but not us.
    All the best on your journey.
    Ps, it would be nice to see you when you are so close, but we have to respect the FHM.

    15 May 2021 - 17:03

    Reply

    • Comment by post author

      Helena says:

      Oh how unpleasant with the burglaries, but I'm glad you survived! Surely it would be fun to see you! We will certainly drive past these areas more times, so we will have to make up for it in the future!

      15 May 2021 - 18:42

      Reply

  4. BP says:

    Walking around Gränna's charming cobblestone streets and having a coffee/ lunch is really fun. I really like this cute little town.
    I am also very fond of Gyllene Uttern. It also served absolutely superb lunches and you got the wonderful view on the purchase.

    15 May 2021 - 17:40

    Reply

  5. Monica says:

    If you read my comment about Old Linköping, it is clear that it was my "family town". I have never lived there myself, but as a child I lived in Skåne and the trips to Linköping were many. Then the E4 went through Gränna - actually on the cobblestone streets in low traffic! It was a long-awaited stop on the road because we children always got a long-awaited candy cane. And then we had lunch at Gyllene Uttern - wonderful views and then it was a "fine restaurant" with waiters and white tablecloths! Lovely childhood memories.

    But like you, I've also been there as an adult and been fascinated by André, staying at the nice campsite, strolling the streets, eating at the Golden Otter and standing there with a camper van. And eaten candy cane of course! Wonderful that the city is alive - we never thought so when the E4 was moved!

    16 May 2021 - 11:33

    Reply

  6. Deciree Granberg says:

    It is so nice in Gränna. We usually stop there when we drive by.

    12 May 2023 - 12:04

    Reply

  7. Lena in Wales and a bit everywhere says:

    Gränna is so nice!
    It's been a long time since I was there, but I'd love to come back.
    Ideally, I want to see the André Museum. and maybe a candy cane will slip in as well.
    Have a nice weekend!

    27 May 2023 - 9:10

    Reply

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