Discovering the real Småland

Driving through Småland, sometimes following the main road and sometimes choosing the one less travelled is a great way to experience this part of Sweden. Take your time, make stops and take a closer look at whatever catches your attention. The things associated with Småland are often also considered traditionally and typically Swedish. That’s why Småland is called — Sweden for real.

Once here you will soon understand that Småland used to be farmers’ country. And not the easily cultivated kind. Still in the early 20th century, farmers here spent their lifetimes clearing the fields of stones and rocks, getting sore backs, harsh winters and poor harvests in return. The hand-built stone walls around Småland are monuments of the uneven battles fought between farmers and their land. Imagine the stubbornness required to build them, one stone at a time.
Someone has calculated that the stone walls of Småland contain the amount of stones required for building 75 Great Pyramids of Cheops. Along with the red cottages with their white trim, the stone walls form a symbol of Sweden. Travelling through Småland, this is a view you will see many times.

NATURAL PLAYGROUND

The stone walls may be a reminder of hard work, but spending time in Småland is just as much about playfulness and fun. As a visitor, you are invited to enjoy all the different kinds of nature Småland has to offer. All over the countryside you will find places to run through the meadows, play hide and seek in the forests or go fishing in a quiet lake — Småland is a huge playground for visitors of all sizes.

COUNTRYSIDE BEAUTY

The typical landscape of inland Småland offers dense forests of pine and spruce, sometimes opening up for one of the many lakes of the region. The forests are vast, and although Swedes have a great interest in the outdoors, the wild is all over and never crowded. This makes it a perfect home for both large and small animals, and a lovely place to spend some time during your stay.
Our region stretches all the way from lake Vättern in the inland to the east coast, where the landscape is quite different, replacing the fairy tale forests with beautiful archipelago and open sea. Along the coast there are cities and countryside villages providing a different, and just as thrilling experience. Together, the different personalities of Småland offer a visitor a good mix of some of the best things about Sweden.

An excellent way to experience Småland for real is to rent your own red cottage in the countryside for a week or two. It is quite common that people welcome tourists to rent their private houses, especially in the summer, and you can book safely through an agency.

HOME OF ASTRID LINDGREN

One of the reasons why the Småland scenery strikes a chord in so many is no doubt the stories of Astrid Lindgren, read and loved by Swedes but also across the world. Some of her most well-known children’s books are set in Småland, the area where the author herself grew up. For a lot of people those settings have become synonymous with the image of Småland and Sweden in the past. Ask pretty much anyone you meet in Sweden and they will be able to describe the settings of some of Astrid Lindgren’s stories.

Astrid Lindgren’s Näs, in Vimmerby (which is also the town where you find Astrid Lindgren’s World, the theme park) is the place where the author was born in 1907. It is now a culture center where you can learn more about the author and experience the location that inspired many of her stories. Astrid Lindgren’s childhood house has been restored to look the same as when she grew up here. In addition to her home you can also visit the new gardens of Näs as well as the exhibition “The whole world’s Astrid Lindgren”. There is also a restaurant that serves food and Swedish “fika” to visitors. One of Småland’s newest family attractions, opened in 2017, is Filmbyn (Film Village) in Mariannelund.

Here you can step into reconstructed scenes from some of Astrid Lindgren’s classical films, like Emil in Lönneberga, the Bullerby children and Pippi Longstocking or visit the interactive film exhibition. And while in this area, take the opportunity to visit the real filming locations nearby. Both the tiny village Bullerby and Emil’s Katthult is open for visitors in the summer. You can walk around among the pretty buildings or sit down for a coffee.

FIKA LIKE A SWEDE

If there is one Swedish custom you should give in to when visiting Sweden, it’s the tradition of “fika”. Take a break from whatever you are doing, sit down with a hot drink and a little something (preferably sweet) to eat.

At home, on a picnic or at a cafe doesn’t really matter. You will see that Swedes do it as often as they can.Fika goes well with road trips and along the roads of Småland you will find charming places to stop for a cup. Don’t hesitate to leave the main roads, you will be able to find both pretty surroundings and the best fika Småland has to offer in places well off the beaten track.

Often the roads in themselves, leading through stunning scenery, make the detour well worth the extra distance.

WHEN IN SMÅLAND — OSTKAKA

Of all the different fika you will find in Småland, the local specialty you can’t afford to miss is the ostkaka (ost=cheese, kaka=cake). This traditional dessert is made from milk, flour, cheese rennet, bitter almond, eggs, cream and sugar. Not particularly sweet in itself, but enjoyed with jam and whipped cream it has served as the final act on Småland’s family gatherings and celebrations for a long time.