Svenska Östergötlandsvägen - FREEDOMtravel Themed roads

Svenska Östergötlandsvägen is a themed road that takes you through Östergötland, to experience the beautiful Swedish west coast. Travel on your own and at your own pace - by car, motorhome, caravan or motorbike.

Swedish Östergötlandsvägen

The Swedish Östergötland Road is a FREEDOMtravel Theme Road that runs from Kolmården Zoo to the Gryt archipelago. You can follow it from any direction you like, or pick your favourite part (your favourite spots) in the middle. This is an idea to make it easier for you to go on a little adventure. Happy travelling!

Svenska Östergötlandsvägen in co-operation with

Brief facts about the Swedish Östergötland road

• Length: 442 kilometres
• Start: Kolmården Zoo
• Stop: Gryt archipelago

1. Kolmården Zoo

Kolmården Zoo, located just outside Norrköping, is the largest zoo in the Nordic region. It houses many different animal species from around the world, including endangered animals that are part of conservation programmes. The zoo is particularly popular with families with children and offers not only animals but also rides and 'Teddy's World'.

2. Norrköping on Svenska Östergötlandsvägen

The most characteristic feature of Norrköping is perhaps the beautiful industrial landscape, with its historic buildings and rushing water. There are also several interesting museums here. In Norrköping you can also take the opportunity to see the rock carvings at Himmelstalund or perhaps visit Löfstad Castle.

3. Finspång Castle

Finspång Castle is beautifully situated on an island and is surrounded by the castle garden, orangery and gazebo. Today the castle is owned by the company Siemens, but it also tells of an interesting history of use. The castle gardens are lovely to stroll through and several museums are open in the summer.

Tip: Stjärnorps castle ruins

Stjärnorps Castle was built in 1655-1662, in the parish of Vreta Kloster, by Count and Field Marshal Robert Douglas. The castle was destroyed by fire in 1789 and is now a ruin. The ruin can be viewed from a distance, and you can also walk the "Ravinstigen" down to Stjärnorpsravinen.

4. Berg's locks

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.

5. Vreta Monastery

Vreta Abbey was founded as a Benedictine nunnery in the early 12th century. The monastery was active until the 1580s, when the last nuns died. Today, a partly reconstructed ruin of the monastery, the monastery church, a monastery house and many different buildings remain in the church village of Vreta Monastery.

6. Cloetta's shop in Ljungsbro (Sweden)

In Ljungsbro, a five-minute drive from the Bergs locks, is the Cloetta factory and shop. Here you can shop for nostalgic sweets that you remember from your childhood. Nearby you can also check out the aqueduct in Ljungsbro.

7. Borensberg

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 cosy farm shops or perhaps discover the cosy hostel and café Glasbruket.

8. Motala on the Swedish Östergötland road

Motala likes to call itself the capital of the Göta Canal, and here you can also see the Göta Canal's second largest lock staircase. It is nice to cycle along the canal or hang out in the charming little guest harbour. Also visit the Motala Motor Museum and the beautiful beach at Varamobaden.

9. Vadstena

Vadstena is a small town beautifully situated on the banks of Lake Vättern, and offers plenty of history. The Vadstena monastery area takes you back to the time of St Birgitta. It is also very exciting and interesting to visit Vadstena Castle.

10. Alvastra Monastery

Alvastra Monastery Ruins is the ruins of the monastery where St Birgitta once received her most famous revelations. Today, only ruins of the church and monastery buildings remain, but it is fascinating to stroll around the old walls and think about the times that have passed.

11. the Smoke Stone

Just over ten minutes by car from Alvastra Abbey ruins is the Rökstenen, perhaps Sweden's most famous rune stone. The stone has an inscription of 760 characters, making it the longest runic inscription in the world. 

12. Air Force Museum Linköping

Flygvapenmuseum Linköping is a technical and cultural history museum that tells the 100-year history of Swedish military aviation. One of the most interesting aircraft at the museum is a DC-3 that was shot down and recovered from the seabed - and has an exciting story to tell.

13. Linköping on the Swedish Östergötland road

Linköping is a pleasant city that offers everything from medieval history to wonderful and exciting excursions. Discover the cathedral, the castle and cathedral museum and the beautiful garden association's park. The most interesting attraction is perhaps the open air museum. Old Linköping.

14. Ekenäs Castle

Just outside Linköping you will find the beautiful Ekenäs Castle. This 17th century castle offers both a wonderful environment and exciting history. Here you can get acquainted with no less than seven ghosts. Guided tours are also organised in the summer.

15. Söderköping

Söderköping is an incredibly picturesque little town on the Göta Canal. Here you can see the locks in the middle of town, stroll through the cosy Drothemskvarteren or climb Ramunderberget. In the summer, it is also extremely popular to eat ice cream at the ice cream parlour Smultronstället.

16th Mem

The small town of Mem serves as the Baltic Sea gateway to the Göta Canal, and it was here that the canal was once opened. Here you can now see Mem's lock, and you can also visit the Kanalmagasinet, where there is a café and pub.

17. Stegeborg on Svenska Östergötlandsvägen

In Stegeborg you will find a castle ruin from the 13th century, which has a lot of interesting history to tell. Stegeborg also offers a charming environment with a nice marina, a harbour pub and an ice cream parlour.

18. St Anna Archipelago

The Sankt Anna archipelago is a famously beautiful stretch of coastline between Aspöja in the north and Södra Finnö in the south. The area is known for its natural beauty, with many nature reserves and thousands of islands and bays.

19. Valdemarsvik

Valdemarsvik is beautifully situated by a deep bay, where there is a charming and cosy guest harbour, which welcomes both boats and caravans. There are several nature areas nearby, such as the Gryt archipelago and the Sankt Anna archipelago.

20. Gryt archipelago

The Gryt archipelago is a beautiful coastal area with islands such as Harstena, Ämtö, Häradskär and Fångö. During the summer, the waters are used by the Skärgårdslinjen boats.

TIPS: Göta Canal

The historical Göta Canal runs from Mem to Motala, and then continues into Västergötland. The canal is 190.5 kilometres long and has a total of 58 locks along the way. You can follow the entire canal by boat, or follow the land route by car, motorhome or bicycle.

TIPS: Kinda channel

The Kinda Canal runs from Brokind lock in Brokind, and then northwards towards Linköping and Lake Roxen. The entire canal is 80 kilometres long and has a total of 15 locks.

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