Visiting Kosta in Glasriket - a gem in Småland

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What is it like to visit Kosta in Glasriket? We have once again visited this gem in Småland, which offers glass, art glass, shopping, food and drink, but also wonderful animal and nature experiences. Here are our top tips.

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Kosta in the Glass Kingdom

Kosta is a town in Kronoberg County in Småland. It is home to Kosta Glassworks, which has a history stretching back to 1742. The glassworks is still very much active and is run today, under the name Destination K0sta, as more than a glassworks.

Today, Kosta is a place you visit for glass, art and shopping, but also for food and nature experiences. Kosta can be said to be the heart, and the largest player, in the larger area of Småland called the Kingdom of Glass. We have just been here, on the first motorhome tour of the year, in co-operation with Glasriket.

Kosta is just under 50 kilometres east of Växjö in Småland.

Visiting Kosta Glassworks

Kosta Glassworks is where it all happens. During the day, the furnaces are hot, and several different teams work in parallel to complete glass and art glass that has been ordered or is to be exhibited.

Seeing the work is fascinating. As a tourist, you can take a look inside the glassworks or book a guided tour, where a knowledgeable guide will take you around the glassworks and tell you about the work that is going on at the same time. We went on one such tour this year, which was very interesting!

It is also possible to try it out yourself. You can book yourself into a glassblowing taster session, which we did a few years ago. A special experience, which ends with you getting to take your own product home.

Kosta Art Gallery

Right next to Kosta Glassworks is Kosta Art Gallery. You won't want to miss this art gallery when you're in Kosta. Here you can see the most fascinating glass art, from the greatest artists and masters.

The exhibitions here vary, changing two or three times a year. At the moment there is an exhibition called Palace Garden, which has previously been displayed in the Royal Palace Park in Solliden Castle Park.

Kosta Art Hotel

Whether you're staying at the hotel or not, it's worth checking out Kosta Art Hotel. There is a lot of glass art in the lobby and you can also take the opportunity to have a drink in the famous Glass bars. A really cool environment meets here!

Kosta Delicatessen

Kosta offers not only glass and art glass, but also food and drink. Right next to Kosta Glassworks is Kosta Delikatess, which is an inviting delicatessen with things like pasta, oils, cheeses, spices and game meat from Kosta Safari Park. Well worth a visit!

Kosta Ginbar

Did you know that you can find one of Sweden's (or Scandinavia's) biggest gin bars in Kosta? We talked to the people who run it, and they didn't dare say for sure that they are the biggest, but without a doubt they are one of the biggest. There are more than 400 different types of gin to choose from.

Kosta also produces beer, and you can choose from a number of local varieties. Among other things, they have a collaboration with Leif GW Persson, which has resulted in beers with his name, both with and without alcohol.

If you wish, you can order a beer tasting tray.

Hyttsill

Another thing we have to mention, although we didn't book in for it this time, is the concept herring. Hyttsill is an old tradition in the Glasriket region, and involves using the glass ovens to cook food such as salted herring in cream, as well as lard, salt pork and potatoes after work. 

Today, similar dishes are offered as in the past, along with entertainment in the form of glassblowing and troubadours, and sometimes even great well-known artists. Hyttsill is offered at Kosta, but also at other glassworks around the Kingdom of Crystal.

Kosta Outlet

Kosta Outlet is a shopping area that offers lots of shopping. Here you can find glassware and glass art, such as drinking glasses, bowls, vases, ornaments and Christmas decorations.

You can also buy a lot of other things, such as clothes, shoes, leisure equipment and furnishings. We didn't buy any glass, but we did buy a few other things for the motorhome, such as a whisk and an oven dish.

Visiting Kosta Lodge

Not far from Kosta Glassworks you will find Kosta Lodge. Here you can stay somewhat simpler than at the hotel, but closer to nature. Accommodation is available in the main building, annexes and cottages.

Kosta Lodge has heated swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas and hot tubs. There is also an à la carte restaurant and, during the summer, an ice cream parlour, miniature golf and a RentalCenter, where you can rent things like bikes, canoes and fishing equipment.

There is also a year-round open caravan site, and this has now been extended to provide more pitches than before. The site costs SEK 280/day and there are all the services you need. A nice place to stay overnight!

Visiting Kosta Safaripark

Want even more nature? Then take the opportunity to experience Kosta Safari Park. Here you can see wild Nordic animals of six species: moose, red deer, fallow deer, bison, wild boar and mouflon sheep.

The park is open all year round and you book your ticket online. You then drive in with your own car, using your digital ticket, and make your way around on your own. You can drive as many laps as you like on the day you've booked your ticket, so there's a good chance you'll see all the animals you want.

During the high season there are staff on site, and the souvenir shop is also open. You can also choose to travel around in the little Hälge train, instead of in your own car.

Around the safari park is a mountain bike trail, which is challenging (that is, quite tough!), but scenic and fun for those who want a bit of adventure.

At Kosta Safaripark there is also a relatively new caravan park. We liked this site, which is open all year round and offers all the services you need for 200 SEK/day. Just in front of the pitches you look into the park, through a grate, and from here we saw both wild boar and bison. Cosy!

Tree houses in Kosta safari park

Those who want an even more exclusive nature experience can choose to stay in one of the tree houses in Kosta Safari Park. Three different houses, mostly built of glass, are located on raised terraces in the centre of the park.

We got to see the biggest one, which sleeps four in total. So incredibly delicious! From inside the house you have a view straight up to the sky, but also out to the park, where the moose, deer and bison roam ...

It is possible to barbecue and cook some simple meals, or you can order food to be served at the accommodation. You also have access to a powder room. Simple in a way, and extremely exclusive at the same time. Staying a night here must be a special experience!

Visiting Kosta - more to experience around the Glasriket

Kosta is by far the largest visitor destination in Glasriket, but there are also many smaller glassworks and glasshouses around the area. The Glass Kingdom also offers museums, art galleries, cosy cafés and various wonderful nature experiences, such as moose safari, hiking and sauna rafting. Here you can read more about what you can see and experience in Glasriket:

So, what is it like to visit Kosta in Glasriket?

This was our second visit to Kosta, and we must say that this is a fantastic destination. There are several different accommodation options, whether you are travelling by motorhome or not, and lots to see and experience. We can highly recommend a visit here!

Have you also visited Kosta and Glasriket? If so, how was your visit? Please tell us!

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