A thriving university town in southern Sweden, Linköping combines a scenic setting with plenty of urban trappings, making it a popular stop-off for visitors.
Actors perform at the Gamla Linköping Open Air Museum (Photo: GamlaLinköping.se
When it comes to Swedish destinations, Linköping might not scream “bucket list,” but its got surprises up its sleeve. Medieval streets lead to cutting-edge tech hubs, and quiet countryside hides ancient Viking relics. If you’re visiting this corner of Sweden and would like to check out an off-the-beaten-track spot, you’d do a lot worse than consider Linköping. We’ve picked out 7 of the most unique activities and attractions to enjoy while you’re in town.
Step back in time at an open-air museum
It’s fair to say that Gamla Linköping isn’t your typical museum. Rather than glass cases and “do not touch” signs, its exhibits are instead displayed entirely in the open air. A living, breathing slice of old Sweden, the outdoor museum features cobbled streets, wooden houses, and traditional cafés, with horse-drawn carriages, blacksmiths and even the occasional friendly goat lurking round every corner. Visitors can step inside a general store from the early 1900s, watch craftsmen at work, or just take in the atmosphere of a time long gone. It all amounts to a magical and evocative experience comparable to immersive theatre.
Tunnbindaregatan 8 / Tues-Sun 11am-4pm
Discover Sweden’s rich aviation heritage
For a more traditional museum experience, just a short drive from Linköping city centre is the Swedish Air Force Museum – a must-visit for aviation enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. From early biplanes to Cold War-era jets, the museum invites you to get up close to the machines that once ruled the skies. Among the highlights is a fully restored Swedish DC-3 that was shot down in the 1950s, complete with fascinating informational displays on its gripping backstory. There are also flight simulators that allow you to discover what it’s like to fly a fighter jet.
Carl Cederströms gata 2 / Tues-Weds & Fri-Sun 10am-5pm Thurs 10am-7pm Closed Mon
Aircrafts on display at the Swedish Air Force Museum (Photo: bungo77 via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Explore a picturesque waterway
A charming waterway connecting Linköping to the town of Söderköping, the Kinda Kanal makes for a great excursion. Built in the early 19th-century as a means of improving transportation and trade, the canal stretches through serene landscapes, drawing visitors who come to enjoy boat trips, cycling and walking. The canal is also a popular spot for keen anglers and for those wanting to simply kick back and relax by the calm waters, watching the world – and boats – go by.
Marvel at a 12th-century cathedral
More than a mere place of worship, Linköping Cathedral is a veritable architectural masterpiece that’s been watching over the city for more than eight long centuries. Towering and majestic in equal measure, it’s widely considered one of Sweden’s best-preserved medieval cathedrals, with intricate stained glass, soaring arches and a quiet, almost otherworldly atmosphere inside. Notable artefacts to discover include a huge medieval altarpiece and the tomb of a 12th-century bishop.
S:t Persgatan / Mon-Sun 9am-6pm
A view through the trees of Linköping Cathedral (Photo: John Blyberg via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Unearth the ghostly legends of a historic castle
About half an hour’s drive from central Linköping, Ekenäs Castle could quite easily have been lifted straight out of a Nordic fairy tale. Not just pleasing on the eye, this 17th-century fortress has also seen its fair share of drama, from noble feuds to tales of the supernatural. Step inside, and you’ll find grand halls, antique furniture and lashings of historical intrigue. There are regular guided tours that bring the place to life with tales of past residents – some of whom, apparently, never left.
Ekenäs slott / Weds-Sun 10am-4pm
Escape to a scenic nature reserve
An ideal antidote to the hustle and bustle of the town, Tinnerö Eklandskap attracts large numbers of nature lovers each year. The vast oak woodland and open meadowland is crisscrossed with walking and cycling trails that invite visitors to stretch their legs and soak up their surroundings, while looking out for an array of wildlife including grazing Highland cattle and even the odd eagle soaring overhead. History is woven into the landscape here too, with ancient burial mounds and traces of settlements dating back to the Iron Age.
The vast expanse of Tinnerö Eklandskap nature reserve (Photo: Guillaume Baviere via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Catch some live theatre
Linköping has a lively cultural scene and at its beating heart is Teaterns Hus, which stages a busy programme of local theatre performances throughout the year. As well as its live shows, this vibrant cultural hub close to the city centre also plays host to a wide range of theatre-themed courses and workshops, all designed to encourage and promote the performing arts both locally and beyond.
Snickaregatan 2A / Thurs-Sun 12pm Closed Mon-Weds