Att göra på Visingsö - 12 tips till Vätterns största ö

What can you do on Visingsö? First of all, you can relax and enjoy the peaceful and rural atmosphere. For those who want to do more, there are a number of historical sights and fun activities. Here are our top tips.

Visingsö

According to legend, Visingsö was created by the giant Vist when he threw a rope into the lake for his wife, who had been at a party in Västergötland and was travelling back to Småland. In reality, we know that people have lived here for a very long time. Even today, people still live on the island, which is also a popular holiday destination.

Visingsö is located in the southern part of Lake Vättern, in Jönköping County, not far from Gränna.

Getting to Visingsö

Visingsö can be reached by ferry from Gränna, a journey that takes about 25 minutes. The ferry runs regularly, all year round, and you buy a ticket in the harbour or online in advance. You can bring a car or camper van, but during the high season you may need to book in advance to get a space.

Getting across on foot or by bike is significantly cheaper, and since we were visiting the island for the day, we chose to leave the motorhome at the parking lot in Gränna harbour and take the electric bikes with us. We then paid SEK 60 round trip per person. If you want to stay longer, there are both parking spaces and hotels on the island.

What can you do on Visingsö?

What can you do on Visingsö? It turned out to be quite a lot! We were here early in the season and some things were closed, but despite that we had a wonderful and interesting full day. Here are our best tips.

1. Enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside

The main thing to do on Visingsö is to enjoy the tranquillity. As soon as you step off the ferry on the island, you feel the relaxed atmosphere. Beautiful nature, farms, animals and charming houses in a rural environment - no stress!

A nice house that once served as a savings bank. Today there were a few small shops here.

2. Cycling around the island

The island is ideal for exploring by bike. You can either take your bike on the ferry (same price as crossing on foot) or rent a bike at the ferry terminal.

3. Fascinated by Visingsborg Castle ruins

Right next to the ferry harbour you will find the ruins of Visingsborg Castle, which is perhaps the island's most important attraction. This was once a powerful estate belonging to Per Brahe the Younger. During the castle's heyday, it was home to a large number of farms and mansions, and towards the end of the castle's existence it served as a prison. But what happened next?

Late in the evening of 22 December 1718, while most of the non-commissioned officers were asleep, the foreman Johan Rasch decided to light a pipe. Exactly how the fire spread is not known, but even though the soldiers tried to extinguish it, it could not be stopped. Nor did they receive any help from the prisoners, if their complaints in later interrogations are to be believed.

Göra på Visingsö - Visingsborgs slottsruin

Today Visingsborg Castle is nothing more than a ruin, but it is an impressive and interesting one. Nearby, you can also see the 18th-century Kungsladugårdarna, also known as 'Ryssladorna'.

4. Admire the Brahe Church and its ceiling

The Brahe Church dates back to the Middle Ages, and was rebuilt in the 17th century as the castle church of Visingsborg. The church looks pretty much as it did 400 years ago, making it a unique and interesting baroque church. Unfortunately, the church was closed when we were here, but if it is open you can check out all the decorations and the painted ceiling.

5. Get nostalgic in the Nostalgia Museum

If you like nostalgic stuff, you should definitely stop by the Nostalgia Museum. When we arrived, the door was open, and for a fee of 20 SEK (in a box or by cheque) you could look around the small museum.

Inside the museum you'll find lots of nostalgic items, from motor vehicles and kitchenware to clothes and medicines. Right next door is a charming little BP petrol station that has been restored to its original condition, as it looked before 1958.

6. Enjoying the view from Kumlaby church

Another interesting church is Kumlaby Church, which was built in the 12th century. The church is largely preserved from this time, but in the 17th century it was decided to cut off the top of the church to install a balcony for astronomical studies. Well, why not? Unfortunately, the church was closed when we were here, but when it is open, you can climb the tower and enjoy the view of Visingsö and Vättern.

7. See art in the Temple courtyard

Tempelgården is a private temple-like building where you can see the work of Visingsö artist Olle Krantz, stroll among the statues in the park or sit down for a coffee. The temple was built in connection with the World Congress of Theosophists more than a hundred years ago, on the initiative of Mrs Tingley. The farm was unfortunately not open when we were here, but will probably open for the high season.

8. Familiarise yourself with alpacas

Do you like animals? We stopped spontaneously when we saw a group of alpacas and the curiosity was mutual. We wanted to look at alpacas, and the alpacas were just as interested in looking at us.

The alpaca is a camel and the ones we saw were incredibly cute and friendly.

At "Visingsö Alpaca" you can experience alpaca safaris or alpaca trekking. The farm also has a small farm shop where you can buy things like alpaca yarn and alpaca socks.

9. Discovering the ruins of Näs Castle

Näs Castle was built in the 12th century and was one of Sweden's first royal castles. The castle had a strategic location at the southern tip of Visingsö and there are stories about the treasury that was placed here.

The castle was burned down during a battle for royal power in 1318. The history is interesting, but if you go here, be aware that only a relatively small part of the castle remains.

10. Walking or cycling in the oak forest

In the 1830s, an enormous oak forest was planted on Visingsö to secure the Swedish Navy's future need for shipbuilding timber. Long-term planning was undertaken and the intention was to harvest the forest in the early 2000s.

But, in the 21st century, the defence forces are no longer interested in timber for building warships, so the forest remains untouched. This means that today you can walk or cycle through a large, beautiful deciduous forest.

There is also a silver fir in the forest, which has been marked with signs because it is so impressive. If you look closely, you can see Peter at the foot of the tree. Despite the wide-angle perspective, we didn't get the whole tree in the picture ...

11. Learning about ancient history

Visingsö has a very long history as a human settlement, and there are plenty of ancient remains from both the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. You can see the Northern Burial Ground and the Southern Burial Ground, with lots of burial mounds.

There are also other ancient monuments, such as the rock coffin pictured below. It was built around 4000 years ago and was a tomb for several people.

12. Visiting the Russian cemetery

Another special place on Visingsö is the so-called "Rysskyrkogården". During the years 1715-1718 around 2000 prisoners of war were held on the island. Most were Russians from Charles XII's campaign, and around 200 of them died and were buried here in the forest.

More to do on Visingsö

There is of course more to see and do on Visingsö. Here are some more suggestions and tips.

Farm shops there are plenty of them. One example is Persgården with its café and organic muesli.
Horse riding can be done at the Roempke stables, in the north of the island.
Visingsö Museum is a small museum, with only a single room.
Wisingsborg garden is a garden with herbs, flowers and fruit trees. In summer there is also a café.
Kayaking can be done via OutdoorDays.
Restaurants and cafés are located in various places, including the ferry terminal.

More to do on Visingsö with children

Here are some more tips for things to see and do on Visingsö, which are particularly suitable for children.

Kumlabybadet is an outdoor swimming pool with two temperate pools.
Visingsö Playground is a playground for younger children with things like a bouncy castle, adventure golf and electric cars.
Remmalagen is a classic way to get around Visingsö by horse and cart. You sit with your back to the centre and have a view to the sides.
Visingsö Toy Museum is located in Säby and is open in the summer.
Visingsö train starts from the remmalaget and goes towards Näs. The tour takes one hour and 15 minutes and you are guided along the way.

Where can you live or stay with your campervan?

On Visingsö you can choose between hotels, guesthouses, hostels and cottages. There is also a caravan park for motorhomes. The caravan park can be booked in advance, and if it's high season it's a good idea to book a place on the ferry as well.

More to do near Visingsö

It is also nice to visit Gränna, where you can eat candy canes or visit the Grenna museum about the Andree expedition. It is also nice to visit Husqvarna museum or Jönköping with match factory.

More tips for things to do on Visingsö?

Have you been to Visingsö? How was your experience? Do you have any other tips on what to see and do on Visingsö?

Facts about Visingsö

Municipality: Jönköping
County: Jönköping County
Landscape: Småland
Location: Lake Vättern
Area: About 25 square kilometres
Length: 14 kilometres
Width: 3 kilometres (at its widest)
Population: More than 700 (2018)
Largest town: Tunnerstad
Read more: You can find more information at jkpg.com

History of Visingsö

Early history: Both Stone Age and Bronze Age graves have been found on the island.
The 12th and 13th centuries: Visingsö was the centre of Swedish royal power. Näs Castle was built as a residence for Magnus Ladulås and others.
17th century: The mighty Braheätten were based in the castle of Visingsborg.
1819: Major Johan Aron af Borneman was commissioned to inventory Sweden's oak trees in order to secure the supply of timber for the Swedish navy.
1828-1830: Borneman's report led the Riksdag to decide that the Crown should establish an oak plantation of several hundred hectares on Visingsö.

READ MORE: Castle ruins in Sweden - 21 cool castle ruins
READ MORE: Holidays in Sweden - your guide to Sweden's best destinations
READ MORE: Things to do in Småland - tips, sights and experiences

7 Comments

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Matts Torebring says:

We have done like you, brought bikes and cycled around the island several times. Even the motorhome has been there a few times. I met the priest on the steps of Brahe Church on a spring day like this a few years ago. "It's almost unfair that you have such a good time out here," I said. 'Have you never been here in July? the priest asked me. That's when it's wonderful on Visingsö.
Have fun!

13 May 2021 - 18:33

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Great that you also took the bikes here! We talked a bit about the season. Admittedly, it was a shame that restaurants and such were closed (they opened a few days later), but on the other hand, it is very relaxed to travel in the low season, no queue for ferries, etc.
  
  13 May 2021 - 20:11
  
BP says:

The motorhome Ellen rolled around on Visingsö last year if I remember correctly, a very charming island that has "character". The alpacas are really cute. Their "hairstyles" are lovely:-)

13 May 2021 - 19:40

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, that's right! A fantastic island! And yes, the alpacas are wonderful ðŸ™'
  
  13 May 2021 - 20:12
  
bmlarsreseblogg says:

We cycled around Visingsö a few years ago but did not manage to get up to the northern parts. Now that we have become with electric bikes, a return visit is tempting because there is certainly a lot to see and do on the beautiful island.

13 May 2021 - 20:15

Hasse says:

We pedalled around on our standard bikes. You got a nice feeling in your body, calm and relaxing. Easy cycling, even in a headwind to the south 🤗.
We stayed a few nights at the site and had a view of the harbour and the rope layer.

14 May 2021 - 8:04

Lena - gott för själen says:

I have never been to Visingsö, but it looks like something I would like. Looks cosy and nice.

Hug Lena

18 May 2021 - 5:41

What to do on Visingsö - 12 tips for Vättern's largest island

Visingsö

Getting to Visingsö

What can you do on Visingsö?

1. Enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside

2. Cycling around the island

3. Fascinated by Visingsborg Castle ruins

4. Admire the Brahe Church and its ceiling

5. Get nostalgic in the Nostalgia Museum

6. Enjoying the view from Kumlaby church

7. See art in the Temple courtyard

8. Familiarise yourself with alpacas

9. Discovering the ruins of Näs Castle

10. Walking or cycling in the oak forest

11. Learning about ancient history

12. Visiting the Russian cemetery

More to do on Visingsö

More to do on Visingsö with children

Where can you live or stay with your campervan?

More to do near Visingsö

More tips for things to do on Visingsö?

Facts about Visingsö

History of Visingsö

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7 Comments

Matts Torebring says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

bmlarsreseblogg says:

Hasse says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

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