Att göra i Linköping - 13 sevärdheter och upplevelser

What to see and do in Linköping? Linköping is a pleasant city that offers everything from medieval history to wonderful and exciting excursions. Here are our top tips on what to see and do in Linköping!

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Linköping

Linköping is located in a historically interesting area, and there are exciting places to visit both in the city centre and in the surrounding area. We have visited Linköping several times with our motorhome, most recently in the autumn but also in connection with following the Göta Canal summer 2020. We've seen and done a lot in this lovely city, but we haven't had time to summarise our experiences before. Here is our report!

Linköping is located in Östergötland, just south of the Stångån river's outlet into Lake Roxen.

What can you do in Linköping?

So what can you see and do in Linköping? There is a lot to discover, we can say. We have collected our best tips here in a list.

1. Experience Stora torget and the centre of Linköping

When visiting Linköping, you won't want to miss checking out the central parts of the city, including Stora torget, sometimes called Filbytertorget. Here stands the 'Folkungabrunnen' fountain by Carl Milles, with a statue of Folke Filbyter, who according to legend was the ancestor of the medieval Bjälboätten.

The square includes the old town hall, the Jonn O. Nilsson palace, Filbytergallerian and Stora Hotellet. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés and shops all around.

2. Admire Linköping Cathedral

Linköpings Domkyrka is Sweden's best-preserved medieval cathedral, rising mightily in the centre of the city with its 107-metre-high steeple. A small church stood here as early as the 12th century, but the one you see today was built in the 1230s, when Bishop Bengt of the Folkunga dynasty was granted permission to expand. In the 14th century, the city was hit by the Black Death and construction paused, but in the early 16th century the cathedral was finally completed.

Inside, the church is light and airy. There are both medieval furnishings, such as the 14th century crucifix, and much more recent decorations and artworks.

3. Visit Linköping Castle and Cathedral Museum.

Linköpings Slott, which was originally built as a bishop's residence, is located opposite the cathedral, in Linköping's historic neighbourhood. Parts of the castle date back to the 12th century, which means that this is Sweden's oldest secular building still in use. Today, the governor's representative apartment and private residence are located here. The wings contain offices and the Linköping Castle and Cathedral Museum.

Göra i Linköping - slott- och domkyrkomuseum

In the museum you can learn about the history of the castle and cathedral. It includes the hidden 13th-century bishop's tower and the treasury, which contains the cathedral's silverware and textiles, some of which were made by the Birgitta sisters in Vadstena in the 15th and 16th centuries.

4. Walk in the Garden Society's park

One thing you don't want to miss doing in Linköping is walking in the beautiful park of Trädgårdsföreningen. This is a really lovely and green oasis, located in the centre of the city. Here you can stroll around, enjoy the peace and quiet or have a picnic, but there are also many different activities.

The park includes a playground, boules court, beach volleyball court and several restaurants and cafés. The Skådebanan, located in a 19th century house in the park, organises cultural and art exhibitions.

Göra i Linköping - Trädgårdsföreningens park

The Golden Love Pavilion (which you can see in the top picture of the article) was created by artist Joanne Posluszny Hoffsten, who was inspired by the gazebo built by John III for his wife Catherine Jagellonica. The park also houses the Nature Centre, which organises lectures, excursions, courses and exhibitions on nature, gardening, archaeology and the environment.

5. See military aeroplanes at the Air Force Museum

The Air Force Museum in Linköping is a technical and cultural history museum that tells the 100-year history of Swedish military aviation. One of the most interesting aircraft in the museum is a DC-3 with a very special history. This downed reconnaissance plane was recovered after 50 years on the seabed and the exhibition tells the story of the political game and the long search by relatives for the truth about what really happened.

The car park outside the museum is marked as a motorhome site (without service) in the CamperContact app, and we have spent a total of three nights here. Each time we have tried to visit the museum, but either it has been closed or the day's tours have been filled due to corona restrictions. However, this is a museum that we think can be exciting to visit, and we will try again!

6.Get nostalgic at the open-air museum Gamla Linköping.

Gamla Linköping is a charming open-air museum that shows Linköping from the past, with city blocks, houses, shops and farms. There is a wide range of museum environments that tell the story of how people lived and worked in the old days. There are many cosy restaurants and cafés in the area, which sell ice cream and waffles, for example. There are also many small shops selling crafts and gifts and one of Cloetta's three Swedish shops.

READ MORE: Old Linköping - a charming open-air museum

7. Discover Valla Gård and Lill-Valla with your children.

At Friluftsmuseet Gamla Linköping you will also find Valla Gård, which shows the history of the countryside, including the railway and railway station. There is also the Lill-Valla playground, which is Linköping's largest playground, as well as miniature golf and various farm animals that children can meet and pet.

8. Meet ghosts at Ekenäs Castle

Ekenäs Castle is a beautiful 17th century castle where no less than seven ghosts have their home. Here you can meet Nisse in the dungeon, the Henchman, the Snufkin, the White Lady, Countess Maria Klingspor, the Weeping Lady and Little Hedda. During the summer months, guided tours of the castle and knightly games are organised. In autumn, you can also come here to experience a spooky ghost walk.

READ MORE: Ekenäs Castle in Linköping - ghost castle with 7 ghosts

9. Fascinated by locking at the Berg locks

Bergs locks are located about a mile north-west of Linköping and there is a lock staircase with seven interconnected locks and two double locks. Altogether there are eleven locks that, bit by bit, transport boats up from, or down to, Lake Roxen.

The lock staircase has a height difference of 18.9 metres and the two double locks have a height difference of 4.9 and 5.5 metres respectively. Standing here and watching the boats lock is an exciting pleasure.

If you wish, you can also choose to take a trip on a passenger boat such as the Wasa Lejon. There are also cafés, restaurants, a miniature golf course and bicycle hire at the locks.

READ MORE: Bergs locks - Göta Canal's mighty lock staircase

10. Visit Vreta Abbey and monastery church

Vreta Abbey, located just next to the Berg locks, is one of Sweden's oldest monasteries. The monastery was founded as a Benedictine nunnery in the early 12th century and remained active until the 1580s. Today, a partly reconstructed ruin of the monastery, a monastery church, a monastery house and many different buildings remain in the church village of Vreta Monastery.

READ MORE: Vreta Abbey - and Stjärnorps Castle ruins

11. Shop for sweets at Cloetta in Ljungsbro.

In Ljungsbro, about 15 kilometres northwest of Linköping, you will find the Cloetta factory, as well as one of their shops. The factory in Ljungsbro was built in 1901 by the three Cloetta brothers and Ljungsbro emerged as a 'chocolate town'.

Today the factory has a modern production facility and produces Kexchoklad, Ahlgrens bilar, Center, Plopp, Polly, Juleskum, Sportlunch, Guldnougat, Bridge and Mums-Mums.

12. Check out the aqueduct in Ljungsbro along the Göta Canal.

When you are in Ljungsbro, you can also check out the aqueduct here, which was built in 1970. The Göta Canal passes over the motorway, and it is fascinating to watch the boats passing on a bridge above the cars.

Göra i Linköping - akvedukten i Ljungsbro

13. Relax at Sandvik's campsite

Sandvik Camping is a family campsite located on the northern shore of Lake Roxen. You can come here with a motorhome, caravan or tent and there are also a few cottages for rent. At the campsite you can enjoy the peace and quiet and swim at the beach.

READ MORE: Sandvik campsite - and meeting with motorhome friends

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

There are of course many different hotels and other accommodation options in Linköping. If you are travelling with a motorhome, you can, in addition to Sandvik's campsite, stay at one of the following places:

Borggårdsgatan is a car park where you can stand in summer. There are no services.
Nykvarnsgatan is a car park where you can park in the summer. There are no services.
Old Linköping car park is a site for four motorhomes. There is a toilet, but no other services.
Café Tannerfors locks Quickstop serves as a car park in summer. There are toilets and rubbish bins, but no other services.
Parking at the Air Force Museum, with a good location for visiting the museum. There is a rubbish bin, but no other services.
Berg's locks car park, with access to a service centre with toilets and showers as well as rubbish collection, latrine emptying and fresh water supply.
Glyttinge camping is a campsite close to the city centre. Here you can also empty the latrine for a fee (Berggårdsvägen 6).

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

From Linköping it is not too far to Norrköping, nor to charming Söderköping. If you drive west instead, you can visit Borensberg, Motala or the beautiful and historically interesting Vadstena.

READ MORE: Things to do in Norrköping - 16 sights and experiences
READ MORE: Söderköping - 9 tips for things to see and do
READ MORE: Borensberg on the Göta Canal - locks and delicacies
READ MORE: Motala - capital of the Göta Canal
READ MORE: Vadstena - castles, monasteries and history on the shores of Lake Vättern

Even more to see and do in Linköping?

Have you visited Linköping? Tell us about your experiences! Maybe you have even more tips on things to see and do in Linköping?

Facts about Linköping

Landscape: Östergötland
County: County of Östergötland
District: Linköping Cathedral District, Sankt Lars, Berga, Johannelunds, Kärna, Landeryd, Ryd, Skäggetorp, Slaka.
Residents: More than 165 000 (2021)
The name: The name was first mentioned in the 'Florence List' in 1103 as 'Liunga kaupinga', a compound of 'Ljung' and 'trading centre'.
Motto: Where ideas become reality.
Read more: You can find more information at the municipality's website.

History of Linköping

Older history: There are archaeological remains from the Bronze Age, Early Iron Age and Viking Age.
12th century: Since this time, Linköping has been the ecclesiastical centre of Östergötland, Småland and Gotland. At the latest, Vreta Abbey was founded, and at this time a first Romanesque church was founded.
1153: The first Swedish Church Council was held in Linköping.

13th to 14th century

1230s: Construction of the current cathedral began.
1232: A cathedral school can be dated back to this time.
1251: Valdemar Birgersson, son of Birger Jarl, was crowned king in Linköping Cathedral.
1286: Birger Jarl's youngest son became a bishop. His brother, King Magnus Ladulås, is considered the founder of the city.

15th century to 16th century

1470s: Biskopsgården was expanded with a ring wall and a large house, reminiscent of the Glimmingehus.
1598: The Battle of Stångebro was fought between Duke Charles (later Charles XI) and his nephew Sigismund. Duke Charles was victorious and the battle marked the beginning of the Polish-Swedish War of 1599-1629.

17th to 18th century

1600: 14 supporters of Sigismund were imprisoned and, after a trial, five of them were executed in the Linköping bloodbath.
1627: Gymnasium Lincopense (now Katedralskolan) was founded, which was Sweden's third upper secondary school.
1700: The city was hit by a devastating fire, which destroyed almost all the buildings. The castle and cathedral survived.

19th century to present

1937: Svenska Aeroplan AB (Saab) was founded and shortly afterwards started manufacturing aeroplanes in the city.
The Second World War: Linköping experienced strong growth due to Saab's production of fighter aircraft.
1975: Linköping University was founded.

All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

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

9 Comments

Add yours →

4000mil says:

I have actually lived in Linköping for 3 years. But then the focus was on student life, so I haven't even been to the Linköping Museum! Let alone the aviation museum or Cloetta.

15 January 2022 - 10:31

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I understand what you mean! Often you get a little home blind. When you are a student, you often have some other interests and other focus than looking for sights 😉.
  
  15 January 2022 - 10:53
  
Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

It was very interesting.
Have been in Linköping a few times in connection with work, but did not have time to see more than parts of the central part. There seems to be much more than I knew.
Have a nice weekend!

15 January 2022 - 15:02

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  There is a lot to see and discover, especially in the neighbourhood. Enjoy your weekend!
  
  16 January 2022 - 13:01
  
BP says:

I have visited the Air Force Museum a long time ago. It is definitely worth a visit.
Then I liked the bee hotels in one of the pictures. Looked like paintings in box frames. Delicious:-)

15 January 2022 - 17:12

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I also like the bee hotels there, so nice! 🙂
  
  18 January 2022 - 7:32
  
Maria / emjis says:

Linköping is nice! My little brother lives here 😁 I know that his favourite café is Babettes on Stora Badstugatan 4. I think it's closed on Sundays....
Slottskafét at Nya slottet Bjärka Säby is another summer favourite, as is ice cream at Bosses Glassbar on Platensgatan 3!

16 January 2022 - 10:45

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Then you have a good reason to visit the city sometimes! 🙂 Thanks for more great tips!
  
  18 January 2022 - 7:32
  
Mia's Mix says:

Nice post about cosy Linköping! The first picture of the gazebo, I have so many nice pictures from there of the daughter and her husband (then boyfriend) when she graduated there. They were in Larskyrkan and then in the park. She lived in the centre of town by the square, the same building as McDonalds. So there were a few visits there. Mostly in town, but recognise some of what you show. Now they live 800 metres away from us, so now it will not be possible to go there. I like Linköping, the old part, the calm even though it is a relatively large city, many green areas.
Happy New Year!

19 January 2022 - 17:15

What to do in Linköping - 13 sights and experiences

Linköping

What can you do in Linköping?

1. Experience Stora torget and the centre of Linköping

2. Admire Linköping Cathedral

3. Visit Linköping Castle and Cathedral Museum.

4. Walk in the Garden Society's park

5. See military aeroplanes at the Air Force Museum

6.Get nostalgic at the open-air museum Gamla Linköping.

7. Discover Valla Gård and Lill-Valla with your children.

8. Meet ghosts at Ekenäs Castle

9. Fascinated by locking at the Berg locks

10. Visit Vreta Abbey and monastery church

11. Shop for sweets at Cloetta in Ljungsbro.

12. Check out the aqueduct in Ljungsbro along the Göta Canal.

13. Relax at Sandvik's campsite

More to do in Linköping for those who like food and shopping

More to do in Linköping for those who like culture and history

More things to do in Linköping for nature lovers

More to do in Linköping with children

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Even more to see and do in Linköping?

Facts about Linköping

History of Linköping

13th to 14th century

15th century to 16th century

17th to 18th century

19th century to present

You might also like:

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9 Comments

4000mil says:

Helena says:

Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Maria / emjis says:

Helena says:

Mia's Mix says:

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