Holiday Home Smaaland

Experience the Beauty of Smaaland

Smaaland is a region of beautiful contrasts. From coastal towns to forests and lakes, this quiet region in Southern Sweden is a must-see destination.

Smaaland translates literally to “small land,” but the experiences you can enjoy are anything but. It is a great place for a family vacation! 

Start your holiday in Vaxjo, one of the bigger cities in the region. Visit the Swedish Glass Museum to learn about the fascinating art of glassblowing. You can even see glassblowers in action! Then take a trip to Kronobergs Slottsruin, castle ruins located on an island in Lake Helgasjon. The castle was originally built in 1444, and tours are available in the summer. 

If you visit Smaaland during the Christmas season, you will find the largest Christmas fair in all of Scandanavia at Huseby Bruk, 20 kilometers south of Vaxjo. With about 170 exhibitors making traditional crafts and tasty delicacies, this is the Swedish Christmas of your dreams. Children of all ages will love the outdoor lighting display. Hundreds of flickering candles and thousands of twinkling lights ensure that the beautiful historical estate looks its best. 

Northeast of Vaxjo, you will find Store Mosse National Park, the largest marsh area in Southern Sweden. The park includes a visitor center with a big panoramic window for bird watching. The park is open all year round, so depending on the season, you can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing or hiking and swimming in a big lake. 

Then visit Sweden’s newest national park, Asnen. The park is 75% water, and it is filled with unique birds, insects, and lichen. There are marked walking trails and bridges throughout the park as well as picnic areas and fire pits.

Another fascinating nature reserve is Biparadiset, the bee paradise. If you visit in the summer, make sure you visit the beautiful meadows, filled with bluebells, trefoils, heather, blue bonnets, woundwort, and more. Bees pollinate the beautiful flowering meadows as well as trees and bushes like apple, maple, and hawthorn. 

After a restful night at your holiday home in Smaaland, take a detour to the town of Almhult. International furniture company Ikea was founded in Almhult, and in 2016, the Ikea Museum opened to showcase the history of the world’s favorite ready-to-assemble furniture. The museum is located in the original Ikea store location. Exhibits include many of Ikea’s famous designs and products. 

In Vimmerby, enjoy a fun day at Astrid Lindgren theme park. Daily shows include a fun Pippi Longstocking revue as well as other Swedish fairytale stories. Thematic areas include playhouses, playgrounds, an obstacle course, and a café. 

During the summer, visit the coastal town of Vastervik. Granso nature reserve offers horseback riding, cycling, and hiking trails as well as a chance to take a dip in the Baltic Sea.