What to do in Eksjö - 11 tips for the wooden city in Småland

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated October 2026 | What to do in Eksjö? This Småland town, which is often called "the unique wooden town", offers charming environments, cozy cafes and lots of history. We have now collected our best tips for experiences and attractions in Eksjö.

Eksjö - the unique wooden town

In 1568, the whole of Eksjö burned down and had to be rebuilt. Many of the houses that were built at that time are still preserved today, and when you stroll through the old town district you will see lots of picturesque wooden houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. Eksjö is one of the few wooden towns that was founded on its current location and, in parts of the town, has not burned down to a large extent since its construction. In fact, practically the entire Old Town is K-marked, Phew!

The old town of Eksjö has received a Europa Nostra award for "good building and cultural heritage conservation" and is part of the "Three Wooden Cities". We did a "Wooden city classics" - that is, visiting all three - and started in Eksjö.

1. Stroll among the wooden houses in the Old Town

The first thing to do in Eksjö is of course to stroll among the fine wooden houses in the city centre. There are lots of beautiful and charming houses, as well as many lovely courtyards.

2. join a city walk

A good way to experience Eksjö, if you want to know a bit more about the history, is to join a guided city walk. Tours are mainly organised in the summer, but also sometimes on weekends. Ask at the tourist office! If a guided tour is not available, you can also go on your own with the help of a brochure or the app "Telling Eksjö".

3. Visit Eksjö Museum

In the centre of the town is the Eksjö Museum. There are three permanent exhibitions: one on the history of the town, one on military history and one on the cartoonist Albert Engström, who comes from Hult near Eksjö and who later acquired a house in Eksjö. studio in Roslagen. There are also two halls for temporary art exhibitions.

At the museum you will also find the city's tourist office, where you can get information, book guided tours and ask for a sticker for Eksjö - in case you want to do the "Wooden City Classic".

Just outside the museum you can check out the statue 'Sitting Girl' by Fred Åberg.

4. Take a guided tour of the Aschan estate

One of the more interesting things to do in Eksjö is to take a guided tour of the Aschan farm, which has been owned by the Aschan family since the 1830s. What is unique about this farm is that the entire interior has been preserved, from furniture to kitchen items.

Leo Felix Aschan was a tanner and started a successful tannery. The third and final Aschan generation consisted of five siblings. When the youngest of the siblings, Hedda, died at the age of 101 in 1984, there were no heirs. The Aschan estate was bequeathed to a foundation and most of it has remained untouched since then.

During the summer months, tours are given daily. At other times of the year, guided group tours can be booked. Enquire at the tourist office!

5. Check out Fornminnesgården

Fornminnesgården is a well-preserved farm from the 17th century, which also serves as a local history museum. There are collections of tools and crafts and a small museum of bicycles and motors.

6. Coffee at Eksjö konditori or Lennarts konditori.

The wooden town of Eksjö really invites you to have coffee in cosy patisseries. We settled down at Eksjö konditori, where we each had a really good ice cream.

Another classic and popular option is Lennart's patisserie.

7. Walk along the Eksjöån river

Eksjöån is a nice little river, and the surrounding environment makes it nice to walk here. From Vildparken to Vattenledningsparken there are nine signs that tell the history of the place in text and pictures.

8. Hiking at Skurugata or Skrôle Hie

Around Eksjö there are several fine natural areas, and one of the most popular is Skurugata - an 800-metre-long fault line often described as southern Sweden's most peculiar natural phenomenon. There is also the famous Skuruhatt viewpoint.

We chose instead to go to "Skrôle Hie" in the nature reserve Stuverydsbäcken. Although we only spent a few hours here, we got a really nice nature experience.

In the nature reserve there is a steep ravine through which a stream flows. The scenery is both dramatic and exciting, while also making the hike a bit challenging. Thanks to all the dead tree trunks, there is also plenty of life in the form of mosses, lichens, fungi and insects.

9. See the reality of Katthult

Do you like Astrid Lindgren's fairy tales? (Or for that matter: Who doesn't?) Then you are in the right neighbourhood! There are many places around Eksjö that are connected to Astrid Lindgren, and one of them is Katthult, which is actually in the village of Gibberyd outside Rumskulla.

The Emil in Lönneberga films were once filmed here, and you can recognise everything from the flagpole to the house where Alfred lived. The farm is privately owned, but tourists are welcome to look around the buildings.

10. Enjoy yourself at Filmbyn Småland.

For a more interactive experience with Astrid Lindgren's characters, take a trip to Småland film village, in Mariannelund. Here you will find exhibitions and original costumes, but also lots of opportunities for creativity and play.

Although the place is very welcoming for playful children, it was fun for us adults too. What a feeling it is to step into Pippi's kitchen or the robber's castle, or to digitally smash the soup bowl on your head and go up the flagpole...? A visit here is highly recommended!

11. Take a trip to Vimmerby.

Another excursion from Eksjö, if you like Astrid Lindgren, is Vimmerby. As well as some charming wooden town streets here, you will also find the theme park "Astrid Lindgren's World" and the author's house "Astrid Lindgren's Näs". The house can be visited during guided tours, and next door is a museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions.

More things to do in Eksjö for culture and history lovers

There is of course even more to see and do in Eksjö, in addition to our suggestions. Here are some more tips for those who like culture and history.

• The Börje Grinding Museum is a different mouse with a couple of thousand ties (Bredagård Sanden 1).
• Bruzaholm Utility Museum tells about a mill from 1660 that is still in operation (Bruksvägen, Bruzaholm).
• Eksjö Fire Museum has a collection of everything from old fire extinguishers to emergency vehicles (Östra Bakgatan).
• Krusa farm is an open cultural farm in the centre of Eksjö's unique old wooden buildings, dating back to the 17th century.
• The equestrian statue by Alf Olsson was made to commemorate the closure of the Småland Hussar Regiment in 1927 (Stora Torget).

More to do in Eksjö with children and teenagers

Travelling with children or teenagers? Here are some more ideas on what to do in Eksjö and the surrounding area with your family.

• Cattus family walk is a guided family walk available in the 'Three Wooden Cities' app.
• Mariannelund's caramel factory demonstrates the artisanal production of caramels (Parkgatan 14, Mariannelund).
• Mellby bathing area offers lawns, a jetty and a playground.
• Skullaryd Moose Park is a safari park where you can meet moose and deer. (Skullaryd 1)

Things to do in Eksjö - on film

Here you can also get some inspiration for things to see and do in Eksjö via a small film that Peter has put together.

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

There are of course plenty of hotels and other accommodation options in Eksjö. In the centre of the town, for example Eksjö city hotel or the charming Hotel Vaxblekaregården.

If you are travelling by motorhome, there are Motorhome park Eksjö City a short walk from the city centre, with bookable pitches and access to electricity. In addition, the Eksjö Camping both scenic and close to the city.

In the areas around Eksjö there are also more campsites and pitches. When we visited Filmbyn Småland, we stayed one night at the Spillhammar campsite, which is nicely situated on a lake.