Perched at the southern end of Lake Vättern, Jönköping is a lively city and county seat in southern Sweden. It’s home to several informative museums that explore the region’s artistic and industrial past and sits on the doorstep of Visingsö Island’s bird-filled marsh.
Things to do in Jönköping
In the heart of Jönköping is the Sofia Church, a striking 19th-century building topped by a soaring spire. It’s a short stroll from the Slottskyrkogården, a historic cemetery that dates back to the 17th century. Among its graves is the final resting place of Swedish writer Viktor Rydberg’s mother. On the other side of Jönköping is the Vätterstranden, a golden beach where you can swim and sunbathe in the summer months.
If you’re interested in Småland’s cultural and artistic heritage, head to the Jönköping County Museum to browse its archaeological treasures and ethnographic artefacts. Delve into the fairytale world of locally-born painter and illustrator John Bauer, then browse the Paulis and Gannevik collections with early 20th century works by some of Sweden’s most famous artists.
Another museum not to miss is the Matchstick Museum, which celebrates Jönköping as the birthplace of the humble matchstick. It occupies a beautifully preserved red and white building that dates back to 1848 and showcases how matches were once crafted by hand. Step inside a reconstructed worker's apartment to see the living conditions of the local craftsmen and admire the diversity of matchboxes with their creative labels.
Getting around Jönköping
Jönköping is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Gothenburg and Göteborg Landvetter Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Trains connect to the Jönköping Resecentrum railway station and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Jönköping can easily be explored on foot.