Best attractions and places to see around Vimmerby, a town in Sweden's Småland region, is known as the birthplace of author Astrid Lindgren. The area features a combination of literary-themed attractions, historical sites, and natural landscapes. Visitors can explore locations that inspired Lindgren's stories and engage with the region's natural environment. The municipality offers various outdoor activities, including hiking and exploring lakes.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
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Essentially, Runkesten is just one of countless large boulders that were transported southward from the mountainous regions by the 2- to 3-kilometer-thick glaciers of the Ice Age and can be found throughout Sweden. Several coincidences make Runkesten a rare rocking stone. Namely, when the ice melted around 10,000 years ago, it came to rest on a straight rock, perfectly balanced on a downward-pointing point. The contact surface is so small that the 260-ton stone can be moved several centimeters using pure muscle power.
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"The world's most lovable rascal is turning 60! It could be so quiet and peaceful in Lönneberga if it weren't for Michel... For all of you who actually don't know who Michel is (or have forgotten): Michel is five years old and lives with his mom, dad, little sister Ida, maid Lina, and farmhand Alfred on the Katthult farm in Sweden. He gets up to more mischief than there are days in a year. Whether he's helping Lina with her toothache, inviting the elderly from the poorhouse to a Christmas feast, or making deals at the Backhorva auction: Michel has only the very best intentions - unfortunately, it still always turns into mischief. But somehow, you can never be mad at him, even after 60 years." (Source: Publisher's information on "Michel from Lönneberga")
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"The most lovable rascal in the world is turning 60! It could be so quiet and peaceful in Lönneberga if it weren't for Michel... For all of you who don't actually know who Michel is (or have forgotten): Michel is five years old and lives with his mom, dad, little sister Ida, maid Lina and farmhand Alfred on the Katthult farm in Sweden and gets up to more mischief than there are days in the year. Whether he's helping Lina with her toothache, inviting the old people from the poorhouse to a Christmas feast or doing business at the auction at Backhorva: Michel only has the very best intentions - unfortunately, mischief always comes of it. But somehow you can never be angry with him, even after 60 years." (Text source: Publisher's information on "Michel from Lönneberga")
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An idyllic and natural little lake in the middle of the national park. There are many water lilies on it.
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The Katthult farm - film set for the Emil i Lönneberga films. All buildings can be visited except the main house, which is privately inhabited. A visit invites you to immerse yourself in your own childhood memories and dream of rural Småland of bygone times.
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Vimmerby is exceptionally family-friendly, largely due to its strong connection to Astrid Lindgren. Must-visit attractions include Katthult Farm (Emil of Lönneberga Filming Location), the actual filming location for the 'Emil from Lönneberga' movies, and Astrid Lindgren's World, a theme park that brings her stories to life. Virum Moose Park also offers an exciting experience for all ages to see moose and fallow deer up close.
Beyond Astrid Lindgren's World, you can delve deeper into her legacy at Astrid Lindgren's Näs, her childhood home, which features exhibitions about her life and work. For fans of 'Emil in Lönneberga', a visit to Katthult Farm is essential, as it was the actual filming location. You can also explore the picturesque area of Sevedstorp, known as Bullerbyn, which inspired 'The Children of the Noisy Village'.
Vimmerby offers diverse natural beauty. You can explore Norra Kvill National Park, a primeval forest with ancient trees and moss-covered boulders, perfect for hiking. The park also features Stora Idgölen Lake, known for its idyllic ambiance. Don't miss Kvilleken, one of Europe's oldest and largest oak trees. The region also boasts numerous lakes for swimming, canoeing, and fishing.
Yes, Vimmerby is a great area for hiking. Norra Kvill National Park offers nature trails of varying lengths, including routes around its two lakes. For more options, you can explore the many trails listed in the Running Trails around Vimmerby guide, which includes easy loops like the 'Little Idgölen – Idhöjden Viewpoint loop from Norra Kvill National Park'.
Beyond the Astrid Lindgren-related sites, Vimmerby offers several historical points of interest. The Vimmerby Town Hall, built in 1824-1825, is an architectural monument. You can also visit Stadsmuseet Näktergalen, a local history museum housed in an 18th-century building with preserved original paintings. Vimmerby Church, built in neoclassical style, features a granite baptismal font from around 1200.
Absolutely. Besides the ancient forests of Norra Kvill National Park, you can visit Runkesten — Balancing Rock, a massive boulder that appears to wobble. Kvilleken, a majestic oak tree over 1,000 years old, is another remarkable natural monument.
Vimmerby is excellent for cycling, with numerous scenic routes on quiet country roads and gravel paths. You can find various options in the Cycling around Vimmerby guide, including routes that take you past film sets like the 'Katthult Farm – Bullerbyn Film Set loop'. There are also gravel biking routes for more adventurous riders, such as the 'Astrid Lindgren Trail' found in the Gravel biking around Vimmerby guide.
The best time to visit Vimmerby is generally during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn (May to September). This period offers pleasant weather for exploring outdoor attractions like Norra Kvill National Park, enjoying the lakes, and visiting Astrid Lindgren's World, which typically has extended opening hours and performances during summer.
Yes, for motorcycle enthusiasts, the MX World Collection is a must-visit, showcasing an impressive array of motocross bikes and detailing their history. For those interested in film, Filmbyn Småland allows you to step into the world of Astrid Lindgren's cinematic adaptations, experiencing filming environments and seeing original costumes.
Visitors frequently praise the authentic and well-preserved settings, especially at places like Katthult Farm, which evokes childhood memories for many. The natural beauty of areas like Norra Kvill National Park is appreciated for its rustic charm, silence, and idyllic ambiance, with many highlighting the moss-covered boulders and ancient trees.
For a guaranteed wildlife encounter, visit Virum Moose Park, where you can go on a safari tour to see and even feed moose and fallow deer in their natural environment. The forests of Norra Kvill National Park also offer opportunities for bird-watching and spotting other local fauna.


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