Gränna/Visingsö

Sunset at Brahehus.

Gränna and Visingsö – the idyllic town and the island gem!

On the south-eastern shore of Lake Vättern, the town of Gränna is a typical Swedish idyllic community, with beautiful old wooden houses, well-kept gardens, bauer forests, and cobbled streets. From the harbour, ferries depart frequently for Visingsö Island – the gem of Lake Vättern!

Both Gränna and Visingsö offer beautiful views, castles, cobblestones, charming wooden houses, castle ruins, trails, and oak forests. And not least, a fascinating history. Wherever you set foot, you find yourself amidst history. You can come here to enjoy the tranquillity, nature, and atmosphere, but you can also choose from a wide selection of culture, activities, and adventures.

Nature experiences

Beyond the peppermint candy shops and the cobblestone streets are bauer forests and magical trails. Scenic sites worthy of exploration. The gorgeous nature is rich in unique plant and animal species, several of which are rare or even endangered. There are plenty of hiking trails and charming country roads for cycling, both in Gränna and on Visingsö Island. The area between Huskvarna and Gränna, which happens to be the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Östra Vätterbranterna, is a paradise for cyclists, with its quiet country roads and winding gravel paths. The variety of routes makes it easy to find one that suits your level and ambition. If you prefer to put your hiking boots on and enjoy nature on foot, there are several trails to choose from. Hike near the idyllic summer village of Röttle, along the magical John Bauer Trail, or Klevens nature trail.

View from Kleven north of Gränna.

On Visingsö, you can opt for a somewhat different mode of transport and book the popular horse-drawn carriage known as “remmalag”. For more than 100 years, they have transported visitors around the beautiful island. The ride is at a leisurely pace, giving you plenty of time to enjoy both scents and nature.

Start your day early with a walk along Lake Vättern, or maybe out on one of Gränna’s many lakes. Enjoy the crystal-clear water and the tranquillity. Take a guided boat tour on the beautiful lakes of Bunn and Ören, or rent a canoe or kayak and glide quietly across the glassy water.

2021 Highlights

Every year, Gränna and Visingsö Island offer many wonderful events, everything from markets and art tours to concerts and jousting. 2020 was a strange year indeed, and 2021 is likely to be different as well, not least in terms of all the events, several of which have been postponed. Organisers are doing their best to come up with alternate solutions. For up-to-date information on all events, please visit Jkpg.com Scan the QR code to access the page:

What would you like to experience? Jkpg.com

TOURIST

CENTER

Tourist information tel 0771-211 300

info@destinationjonkoping.se jkpg.com

In Gränna, peppermint candy sticks are made all year round.

The Tegnér Tower.

By the waterfalls in Röttle village.

Exciting history

Whether you are on Visingsö or in Gränna, you will find plenty of remnants from past periods of glory. In Gränna, you can visit the Grenna Museum, which highlights the polar history with, for example, the exhibit on S A Andrée’s famous polar expedition. If you want a taste of what S A Andrée must have felt on his route to the North Pole, you can book a hot air balloon tour and discover Gränna from a whole new perspective.

Several castle ruins and towers in the county bear witness to former periods of great power. In Näs, on Visingsö’s southern tip, lies the ruin of Sweden's first royal castle from the 12th century. The Visingsborg Castle Ruin, located in Visingsö Harbour, is another relic from the count era of the 16th and 17th centuries. Yet another popular remnant from the same period is Brahehus, beautifully situated at the top of northern Gränna with amazing views of the town and the water. Röttle Village, just south of Gränna, is Count Per Brahe’s industrial village from the 17th century. During summer, you can visit the Rasmus Mill and s ee how they used to grind flour back in the day.

Local delicacies

The peppermint candy production started in Gränna in the 1850’s by the poor widow Amalia Erikson. Peppermint candy sticks have been made here ever since, and every year, new, exciting flavours and shapes of this highly popular souvenir are introduced. Today, there are numerous shops in Gränna where you can watch the production process. In some, you can even try making your own candy sticks. But Gränna and Visingsö are so much more than just sweet peppermint candies. Several local delicacies in the form of home-made must, tea, and chocolate are just some of the things that can be found here.

The harbour in Gränna.

The tourist ambassadors

Wildernest Småland

Name: Tobias Hochdorfer Age: 38 Lives: Örserum Family: Partner Maria Rothen, Linnea 1, Ronja 13, and the cat Milla. Works: We both work at Husqvarna, but I am currently on parental leave. Excursion tips in the immediate area: Björkenäs Nature Reserve, 10 minutes by car from Örserum, is lovely, with views of Lake Ören, great swimming, and a wind shelter. You can easily cross the entire Visingsö Island by bicycle.

The ruin of Visingsborg Castle.

Wildernest is a mix of German, Swedish, and English, and is meant to bring the mind to the wild, to the adventurous, as well as to the feeling of home. So says Tobias Hochdorfer, who has been running the guiding company Wildernest Småland together with his partner Marie since 2019. Both of them like being out in nature, finding everyday adventures. – With my German background, I know that Germans love Sweden and especially the Province of Småland. In Germany, you’re not allowed to tent on private land or make a fire. We don’t have “allemansrätten” (the right to public access). Our first idea was to take international tourists with us, but then came the pandemic, Tobias, who has lived in Sweden for eight years, says. Today, Wildernest offers a “Hike and Taste” experience on Grännaberget Mountain, in collaboration with Hanna’s Kök in Gränna. If you check out their website, you’ll find that you can also book an “after dark hike” with a headlamp to light up your way through the forest. The hike ends at Smålandsgården Farm in Örserum, with cooking over open fire and tree camping by the Smålandsleden Trail. – It's not just about going out hiking. We work with the cosiness factor; getting out in nature, feeling at home while also treating yourself to some luxury. Ideally, with some kind of surprise! We also strive to be as local as possible. We work, for example, with Jims Kök, and we offer Erik's kombucha, which is made in Örserum. Then we have the stop during our hike, where Erik’s dad owns the land along the Holavedsleden Trail, Tobias explains. The concept of outdoor pleasures suddenly takes on additional dimensions, as Wildernest Småland guides you to beautiful places in forests and fields and offers a 5-course menu with local flavours!

Long live the 50s!

About ten years ago, a major retro wave swept across Sweden. Even if, in part, it was only trend and fashion, there is still great interest in 1950s environments. Preserved cafés, interesting museums, and shops rich in content. There are great opportunities for retro tourism in our area.

– The fact that the love for the 50s lives on may be due to the merging of various trends in our time.

The result is a colourful mix of nostalgic items, folk home history, vintage cars, rockabilly music, polka dot dresses, and unique designer objects.

That's Peter Mannerfelt's, publisher of the book series “Reseguiden till 50-talet” (“The Traveler’s Guide to the 50s”), theory. Peter also runs the newly opened RetroGalleri at Hallska Gården in Gränna. – It has been so long that the myth of the 50s has probably grown to be greater than the reality of the actual time. Even among younger people, the 50s is considered to be the best time ever.

Are you looking for retro, vintage, and nostalgia near Highway E4? Then you may want to visit one of these three well-preserved 50s cafés: Lanemo in Linköping, Centralkonditoriet in Väderstad, and Fiket in Gränna. Right by the Mjölby exit, the shop Glinder specialises in newly made rockabilly clothes. – Several museums are also worth the trip, including Motormuseet in Motala and Kornettgården, about 25 kilometres east of Motala. They have an incredible collection of artefacts from the entire 20th century. A nice moped museum is located a few kilometres east of Gränna.

On the Västergötland side, an association, in collaboration with the municipalities, provides recommended driving routes for the retro tourist. Learn more at www.retrovagen.se

We also recommend a visit to Lanthandeln in Brandstorp south of Hjo. This country store has a great selection of foods as well as a lovely retro café. Continue your trip to the charming town of Hjo, where you can walk around and enjoy the old, well-preserved neighbourhoods. In the classic military town of Karlsborg, you can stay at the lakefront hostel just outside the fortress and really feel the vibe of the past barracks. A colourful feature of Swedish summers is the car meets – awesome vintage cars lined up, side by side. Weekly car meets are held in several towns along Lake Vättern.

For example, in Huskvarna Folkets Park, in Motala by the museum, and in Askersund Harbour. Sometimes, the cars venture out on a joint, slow drive through town. Long live car cruising!

If you are an automotive enthusiast, you may also want to swing by the museum in Tidaholm, where you can learn more about the town’s past production of lorries and buses. Several of them remained in traffic until the 60s. Last but not least, the annual car and motor fair at Elmia in Jönköping boasts a well-stocked showroom of vintage cars. ■

Welcome to Getingaryds Camping & Cabins

Playground Miniature golf | Fishing Boats | Bikes

9 km north of Gränna along the tourist road between Gränna and Ödeshög.

Phone +46 390-210 15, +46 70-723 31 72 www.getingarydscamping.se info@getingarydscamping.se WELCOME!

ELECTRICAL GOODS ARMATURES APPLIANCES HARDWARE PHONE ACCESSORIES CAMPING ACCESSORIES

OPENING HOURS WEEKDAYS 10 - 18 SATURDAYS 10 - 14

ELEKTROPAR.SE

Welcome up to us at Kaffestugan på Grännaberget!

Open May-August · 0390-101 09 · www.grannaberget.se We make our candy sticks just as Amalia did – by hand and with love. Our shop has something for everyone. Welcome in!

Brahegatan 45, Gränna · +46 (0)390-650220 · webshop: www.polkaprinsen.se

EAT WELL IN GRÄNNA!

WE OFFER YOU: Fresh barbeque • Fresh saladbar Manual delicatessen • Our own delicious shrimp sandwich Welcome!

OPEN EVERY DAY 6-23

Art around Lake Vättern

An art experience can feel like a gift or like a punch in the face. Either way, art usually evokes emotions. Around Vättern recommends a bicycle ride on Visingsö, the island of art, as well as the wonderful Art in Light by the River Tidan in Tidaholm.

Art tour by bike on Visingsö Island

The weekend of 6–8 August, artists and artisans on the island invite you to their studios and galleries. Cycling around the island at this time of year is pure pleasure. You can stop and enjoy coffee or food at several places during your art tour, or why not bring your own picnic basket? Photography, painting, fine carpentry, jewellery art, ceramics, wood sculptures, and embroidery are some of the things you can experience on your way. If you enjoy seeing the big in the small, you may appreciate, for example, Marianne Irmelid’s nature-inspired art of mixed media, watercolours, and gouache. Maud Löfberg lives in the middle of the island, but during the art tour, she displays her sculptures at Norra Skolan in Säby. – We’re a small group that organises Visingsö Art Tour. We're on our eighth year now. This year, you can visit 21 different places and 33 different exhibitors. Some of them are new for the year. Marianne Irmelid, for example, has invited her grandchildren as guest exhibitors. In other words, we have exhibitors of all ages, Maud Löfberg says enthusiastically.

Lars Wetterbrandt paints watercolours, and you can find him in Säby as well. He paints mostly landscapes, island landscapes as well as urban ones. Be sure not to miss the spectacular Tempelgården, where Per Olof “Olle” Krantz (1906–1999) has filled the place with paintings and sculptures. Take a break and enjoy organic coffee and snacks in a unique and special setting.

Art in Light during Art Night in Tidaholm

Every year, the area around Turbinhusön Island in Tidaholm is transformed into an enchanting place of illuminated art and water. Johanna Andersson, Cultural Coordinator in Tidaholm , plays a key role in putting the Art Night in Tidaholm together. – You can visit the artists in their studios. We have exhibitors in all these lovely cottages and houses. Art in Light is what we call the event that takes place along the river. You take the art tour outdoors, experiencing artworks and installations along the River Tidan, with the water, vegetation, and art being lit up. It's beautiful, and it attracts people of all ages, Johanna Andersson says enthusiastically and with clear sense longing in her voice.

The Art Night takes place in the areas around Falköping-Tidaholm on the weekend of 24–26 September. It's a cultural festival with hundreds of exhibitors, cosy eateries, and exciting events. Don't miss the collection displayed in the library's beautiful hall from the turn of the century, where all the artists and artisans are represented. ■

”Butterfly” by Marianne Irmelid.

Art tours around Vättern:

Södra Vätterbygden Art Tour Hjo Art Tour Konstnatten (Art Night) Tidaholm Norra Vättern Art Tour Konst i kvarteret (Art in the Neighbourhood) Askersund Vadstena Art Tour Art around Mount Omberg Visingsö Art Tour

Art galleries around Vättern:

Österängens Konsthall Huskvarna/Jönköping Habo Konsthall Tidaholms Konsthall Konstlitografiska Muséet, Tidaholm Hjo Konsthall Konsthall Sjöängen, Askersund (autumn, winter, spring) Konsthall Hamnmagasinet, Askersund (summer) Motala Konsthall Visingsö Konsthall

Always! 30-70% Discount!

U N D E R W E A R | S W I M W E A R | D R E S S I N G G O W N E S N I G H T W E A R | W O M E N ' S C L O T H I N G | C H I L D R E N ' S C L O T H I N G

Summer openings: Weekdays 10-18. Sat 10-18. Sun 10-16. Regular openings: Weekdays 10-18 | Sat 10-14 | Brahegatan 41, Gränna

We are the local experts

With local knowledge like no other, you can easily say that we know everything there is to know about Gränna and Visingsö. Tell us what your dream home is, and we will help you find it. Visit us at our office at Gränna high street or on svenskfast.se/granna

Can you take up golf at 60?

Text: Bodil Antonsson

Sure you can. It's never too late to take up golf. Unless you aim for the majors, of course, in which case you should probably start earlier rather than later.

You set your own bar for how you want your game to develop and how much time you want to spend. For me, taking up golf was the best and most fun decision I've made in a long time!

Preventive healthcare

Golf is a great sport, as fun as it is difficult. In other words, a lot of fun! The margins are tiny, but when they're on your side, the reward is huge. Golf is great for your health as well. In numerous ways. No matter where you set your bar, you have everything to gain! For me, it's all about the overall picture – from the physical and mental to what I eat and drink. A holistic approach where all the components fulfil key functions. Golf is kind of an all-in-one package. Lots of exercise, wonderful nature experiences, training of balance and focus, mental exercise, mindfulness. I also like the challenge of trying to constantly improve, to surpass myself. To make that perfect swing. The social rewards are great as well. You meet tonnes of nice people, although it's perfectly fine to practice on your own if you want. I like going out on the pay and play course by myself in the evening. Sometimes, I stay until the sun goes down.

Finding or making time

As self-employed, my workdays have always been both many and long. So, I need a form of exercise that allows me to shift my focus. Something that clears my head and is challenging and fun. Golf ticks all the boxes!

So, in the late summer of 2019, although my free time was limited, I decided to simply make the time. That now was the time to take up golf. After a bit of online research, my choice fell on Ombergs Golfresort. A beautiful facility only 20 minutes from my house. Said and done, one day in August, I mustered up the courage and called their Pro, Terry Burgoyne. – Can you learn to play golf even if you're “old”? I asked. – Of course, he said, it's never too late! And just like that, I had booked a private green card course for the autumn.

From novice to nerd

I figured I would like it, that day when I went to Omberg for my first lesson. But I would have never predicted that I would be so enamoured with it. I’ve actually become a real golf nerd! I’ve practiced a lot and taken tonnes of lessons. You kind of have to if you want to make progress. Never once have I grown tired of it. You can practice outside the golf course as well. I practice putts and swings (without a ball) at home. My Persian rug is perfect as both tee and green…

Golfing around Lake Vättern

There are several nice golf courses around Lake Vättern! Well-kept and beautiful. I’ve mostly played at magical Omberg and Gränna GK. Both nice in different ways. At Omberg Golfresort, you can also practice and take lessons in the winter in their studio if you want to develop your game. At the time of writing this, I'm sitting and looking out at a snowy landscape, longing for the coming season. But until then, I divide my free time between preparing with some strength training, lessons with Terry at Omberg, and putting on my Persian rug... ■

Welcome to Gränna Golf Club!

We offer you a nice, well-kept and technically interesting forest/parkcourse, laid out in the vicinites of Västanå Castle dating from the 17th century. Book your start-time in the Sweetspot app or via our homepage!

0390-100 30 · www.grannagk.se

GRÄNNA RÖKERI

SMOKED FISH

CHAR · SALMON · WHITEFISH BRANDY MARINATED SALMON SMOKED SHRIMPS · SPICED SALMON · BAGUETTES / LAKE VÄTTERN MÉLANGE · FISH AND SHRIMP PLATE · TAKEAWAY SAUCES ETC ...

Photo: roomofkarma.se

GRÄNNA HARBOUR +46 708 14 01 18 grannarokeri.se

Welcome by boat!

Welcome to our churches

GRÄNNA VISINGSÖ

Brahegatan 24, Gränna Tel +46 390-561 30

GRÄNNA KYRKA

Brahegatan, Gränna. KUMLABY KYRKA

Visingsö. BRAHEKYRKAN

Wisingsborg, Visingsö. Information and opening hours: www.svenskakyrkan.se/grannavisingso

Always open for campers!