What can you see and do in Östergötland? Östergötland has 50 000 known ancient monuments, the Göta Canal and cities like Linköping, Norrköping and Söderköping. You'll also find Vreta Abbey, Berg's mighty lock staircase, Vadstena's huge cool castle, picturesque Borensborg and Motala. Don't forget the Alvastra monastery ruin and the smoke stone smoke with the world's longest rune inscription. Join us!
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Things to do in Östergötland
Östergötland is a region in south-eastern Sweden. North of Östergötland are the counties foolishness and Södermanland, to the west is Västergötland, in the south we have Småland and to the east is the Baltic Sea. Part of Lake Vättern is included in Östergötland and is Europe's 6th largest lake.
1. Norrköping
Perhaps the most characteristic feature of Norrköping is its industrial landscape, with its historic buildings and rushing water. Here are some tips.
- Carl Johan Park
- Cactus plantations
- St Hedwig's Church
- The industrial landscape
- Labour Museum and City Museum
- Visualisation centre C
- St Matthew's Church
- The neighbourhood of Knäppingsborg
- Johannisborg castle ruins
- Rock carvings at Himmelstalund
- Löfdal Castle
- Kolmården
Find here: Norrköping is located in the centre of Bråviken on both sides of the Motala stream, which flows through the city. From Norrköping it is just over four kilometres to Linköping and just over 16 kilometres to Stockholm.
2. Ekenäs Castle in Linköping - ghost castle with 7 ghosts
Ekenäs Castle has a long and exciting history. There was a village here as early as the 13th century, and a residence was built in the area in the 15th century. In the 16th century, a stone house, known as a castle, was built on the site where the castle stands today. It was home to the Stureätten family, among others, before the castle became the property of the Banér family. In the 17th century, Peder Banér built the castle we see today.
Find here: Ekenäs Castle in Örtomta parish, Linköping municipality, located 24 kilometres southeast of Linköping.
3. Stegeborg - castle ruin, harbour and parking space
Stegeborg is about 2 kilometres from Söderköping, and here you will find, among other things, a castle ruin from the 13th century. There is also a marina, a harbour restaurant, a garden hotel, a caravan park and an airfield for those who prefer to arrive in their own aircraft.
4. Mem - the Baltic Sea gateway to the Göta Canal
Mem is a small town by the deep bay of Slätbaken, just outside Söderköping. The small town serves as the Baltic Sea gateway to the Göta Canal and it was also here that the canal was once inaugurated. For us, this is the place where we start our motorhome journey to follow the Göta Canal.
5. Söderköping - 9 tips for things to see and do
Söderköping is an idyllic and picturesque little town on the Göta Canal. Söderköping dates back to the 13th century, when a king and two queens were crowned here. Ice cream is big here and savour from The centre of excellence, the Ice Cream Parlour or Göta Ice Cream, walk to the charming old Drothem quarter, see the mighty St. Laurentii Church or climb Ramunderberget and see Söderköping from above. Join us!
6. Vreta Abbey - and Stjärntorp Castle ruins
Vreta Abbey in Östergötland is one of Sweden's oldest monasteries. Today there is a ruined monastery and a beautiful church from the 12th century. Not far from here is the ruins of Stjärnp Castle. Both places have a lot of history, and of course the stories are intertwined.
7. Bergs locks - Göta Canal's mighty lock staircase
The Berg locks in the Göta Canal include a total of 11 locks, and it's really fascinating to watch the boats make their way up and down the steep lock stairs. The Berg locks also have a café, restaurants, mini-golf and a caravan park.
8. Borensberg on the Göta Canal - Locking and delicacies
Borensberg is a cosy little town on the Göta Canal, where you can see one of the canal's two hand-operated locks. Here you can also cycle, shop for delicacies in farm shops and ... crowd a lot of motorhomes.
9. Motala - capital of the Göta Canal
Motala likes to call itself the capital of the Göta Canal, and that description is not entirely wrong. Here you can see the Göta Canal's second largest lock staircase Borenshult with a 15 metre height difference, cruise with the passenger ship Kung Sverker on the Göta Canal, experience the industrial museum and have a waffle at the nearby café Mallboden. Learn about the history of Baltzar von Platen, stroll in the harbour, visit the motor museum and swim in Varamobaden, the largest inland swimming pool in the Nordic region with several kilometres of fine sandy beach. Join us!
10. Linköping
What to see and do in Linköping? Linköping is a pleasant city that offers everything from medieval history to wonderful and exciting excursions. Stora torget, sometimes called Filbytertorget, Gustav Vasa's castle and St Birgitta. The cathedral is very powerful, as are Linköping Castle and the Cathedral Museum. Head to the Garden Society Park or the Linköping Aviation Museum, and another highlight is the Open Air Museum in Old Linköping. Don't forget the ghosts at Ekenäs Castle, Berg's locks, Vreta Abbey, the aqueduct in Ljungsbro and indulge in chocolate at the Cloetta factory.
HITTA HIT: Linköping is located in Östergötland, just south of the Stångån river's outlet into Lake Roxen.
11. Vadstena - castle, monastery and history on the banks of Lake Vättern
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. Here you will find St Birgitta, the monastery museum, and her coffin, Vadstena Castle, which Gustav Vasa once started building in the 16th century. Here you will also find beautiful beach walks, idyllic neighbourhoods, and if you go a little outside you will find Ladugård 206, Vadstena crayfish in the summer, the Pilgrimage Centre, the White Guide Restaurant Corner and Adolfsnäs commercial garden. There is more!
12. Alvastra monastery ruin - and the smoking stone in smoke
Alvastra Abbey Ruin is the ruin of the monastery where St Birgitta once received her most famous revelations. Just ten minutes away you'll find the Rökstenen - the stone with the longest runic inscription in the world. A lot of history in a small area!
13. Old Linköping - a charming open-air museum
Friluftsmuseet Gamla Linköping offers fantastic charming environments, and it is nice to just stroll around and take photos or get nostalgic. When the cafés and museum environments are open, it is also a lively environment with guided tours and activities for both children and adults.
14. Finspång castle - castle garden and mill environments
Finspång Castle is beautifully situated on an island and is surrounded by the castle garden, orangery and gazebo. The castle offers a fantastic environment with an English garden, but also an interesting history of use.
15. Göta Canal by motorhome - big guide with tips
The Göta Canal by motorhome, how does it work and what is there to see along the way? Last summer we went on a canal trip with our motorhome and we would have liked to have a guide adapted for motorhome travellers, so we have now written one. Of course, you can use it even if you're travelling by car and caravan.
What to do in Östergötland - facts
- Part of the country: Götaland
- County: County of Östergötland
- Pin: Linköping Diocese
- City of residence: Linköping
- Biggest lake: Vättern, Roxen
- Highest point: Stenabohöjden - 328 metres above sea level.
- Surface: 9 979 km 2
- Population: 463 500 (2019)
- Duchess: Princess Estelle
- Landscape singing: So grant stands östergyllen, Östgötasången
- Landscape flower: Cornflower
- Landscape animals: Humpbacked swan
- Landscape fish: Pike
- Landscape insect: Leather beetle
- Landscape moss: Water star
- Landscape stone: Cabbage marmalade
- Landscape constellation: The Swan
- Landscape star: Deneb
- Landscape mushrooms: cantle
- Landscape apples: Golden Hook's Astrakhan
- Element: Phosphorus
- Landscape: Queen Omma
- Landscape weapons: Blue background with a deer in gold with a red collar and red armoury
- 5 good nature reserves: Omberg Ecopark, Naturum Tåkern, Trollegater Nature Reserve, Arkösund Archipelago, Tinnero Oak Landscape.
- Cultural reserve: Island in Linköping municipality in Östergötland landscape with farm environment and agricultural landscape. The village's farms are located on a headland next to Stensjön and consist of small timber cottages, which were first mentioned in 1736.
- Smedstorp's double farm in Ydre municipality in the province of Östergötland with a farm environment and agricultural landscape. Smedstorp's double farm has retained its character since the 18th century, both in terms of buildings and landscape. The farm's small, timber-grey buildings provide a vivid picture of how the farmer's life looked during the time of self-sufficiency in Sweden.
- Largest centres: Linköping, Norrköping, Motala, Mjölby and Finspång.
- Largest watercourse: Black River
- Landscape law: Raggmunk with lingonberries, Östgötsk green pea soup with nettle bread or Salmon dolphins with pea vinaigrette. More about Swedish food here.
- Main sights: Cloetta Fazer in Ljungsbro, Göta Canal, Air Force Museum, Friluftsmuseet gamla Linköping, Motala motormuseum, Åbackarna at Motala ström, Kolmården Zoo, Vadstena Castle, Bergs locks and Vreta Abbey.
- Famous people: Balzar von Platen, musicians Plura Jonsson, Lars Winnerbäck, equestrian Malin Baryard, DJ and musician Claes af Geigerstam, downhill skier Pernilla Wiberg.
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