Checklist: 15 things to do in Hjo this summer
Planning a visit to Hjo? Here is a checklist to help you discover swimming spots, nature, favourite ice cream places, local flavours and the award-winning wooden town – all within easy reach by Lake Vättern. Tick off your favourites, fill your days with experiences and enjoy a summer in a place where it is easy and enjoyable to live and spend time.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SWIM IN LAKE VÄTTERN?
☐ Enjoy a sauna in Hjo harbour
Combine a swim in Lake Vättern with a sauna at the Badhytten Sauna. The view over the harbour and the horizon makes the experience extra special – especially during bright summer evenings.
☐ Visit Guldkroksbadet beach
Hjo’s largest beach is located just north of the town centre. Here you will find:
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A shallow sandy beach
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Piers and a diving tower
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Large grassy areas for picnics
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Nearby kiosks and facilities
Perfect for families and long summer days by the water.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISCOVER HJO’S HISTORY?
☐ Join a guided walk through Hjo’s colours
A guided tour through the wooden town’s pastel colours, decorative woodwork and fascinating stories. Learn how colour and architecture shape the town’s unique atmosphere.
☐ Take the electrical cabinet art walk in Hjo City Park
Decorated electrical cabinets with historical motifs guide you through the town’s spa-town history. Scan QR codes and read the stories directly on your phone – free of charge and at your own pace.
☐ Stroll through the award-winning wooden town
Well-preserved wooden houses, cobbled streets and small shops create an atmosphere that is hard to find anywhere else.
READ MORE ABOUT THE WOODEN TOWN
ARE YOU TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN?
☐ Do a playground round
In Hjo, playgrounds are located close to one another.
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City Park – swings, climbing structures and green areas
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The harbour – a pirate ship in the southern part
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The large pier – an old locomotive to explore
Play, pause for ice cream, and continue playing.
☐ Get creative at the Culture Quarter
The library, exhibitions and creative activities for children of different ages offer a calm moment between swimming and adventures.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ACTIVE IN NATURE?
☐ Hike in the Hjo River Valley Nature Reserve
This nature reserve is sometimes called Hjo’s “jungle”. Here you will find:
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Flowing water
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Lush forest paths
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Rich vegetation
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Cooling shade on warm days
☐ Go mountain biking at Högaliden
Marked MTB trails in varied terrain for both beginners and experienced cyclists. Forest, hills and nature close to the town centre.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TASTE HJO?
☐ Enjoy ice cream by the Hjo River and in the harbour
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Gula Paviljongen – homemade ice cream and freshly baked waffle cones
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Moster Elins Glass – more than 40 flavours in the old harbour guard house
☐ Have a coffee break at the town’s cafés and bakeries
Freshly baked pastries, local ingredients and welcoming places where it is easy to sit down and relax.
☐ Dine at restaurants in the town centre – the square, the park and the harbour
Summer dishes and classic favourites – often with a local touch.
ALL OUR RESTAURANTS
☐ Visit farm shops and local producers
Discover flavours from the countryside around Hjo:
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Almnäs Farm – award-winning cheeses such as Wrångebäck
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Hjo Brewery – locally produced beer and apple cider
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Grevbäck Gris – locally produced pork with a focus on quality
☐ Buy fish and delicacies at Hamnboden
Smoked whitefish, salmon and flavours from Lake Vättern – perfect for dinner.
Here, the flavours are genuine – and local.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO ON AN EXCURSION?
☐ Travel with the steamship S/S Trafik
One of the world’s oldest registered passenger ships. During summer it sails on Lake Vättern, including trips to the island of Visingsö.
☐ Visit the Bison Farm in Gate
Join a safari tour and see European bison up close – a unique nature experience just outside Hjo.
PACKING LIST FOR YOUR SUMMER VISIT TO HJO
What might be useful to bring? Here is a simple packing list for Hjo:
☐ Swimwear and towel
☐ Sun protection and cap
☐ Comfortable walking shoes
☐ Cycling helmet (if you bring a bicycle)
☐ Water bottle
☐ Picnic blanket
☐ Small backpack for day trips
☐ Camera or phone with a fully charged battery
☐ An extra jumper for cooler evenings by Lake Vättern
FAQ – BEFORE YOUR VISIT TO HJO
Is everything within walking distance?
Yes. Most attractions and experiences are within walking or cycling distance in and around the town centre.
Is Hjo suitable for a weekend visit?
Yes. The town is compact and easy to explore during a weekend, but offers enough experiences for a longer stay.
Are there activities if the weather is bad?
Yes. For example the Culture Quarter, cafés, farm shops and some guided tours.