5 musts in Linköping

The associations with Linköping are many – aviation, two canals, a bloody history, an awesome university, and successful hockey and football teams. Regardless of how long your visit lasts or if you have been a resident of Linköping for a long time, there are some gems here you just can’t miss. Let yourself be inspired by the top 5 things to see and do in Linköping!

Bergs Slussar, Göta Kanal – Linköping’s own oasis

A stone’s throw from Linköping’s center, you’ll find the city’s own little oasis, Bergs slussar by the Göta Canal. Enjoy boat-loving travelers, wonderful summer days, and flavorful dining experiences in the bustling harbor life that thrives in the area during summer. Imagine the luxury of being able to combine city life with the peaceful harbor idyll, with just a bike ride in between!

At Bergs slussar, there’s everything from cultural-historical experiences, green nature, tasteful restaurant life, to the bustling boat life. The heart of Bergs slussar, which according to many is the soul of the entire Göta canal, is Carl Johan’s lock staircase. The staircase impresses with its seven interconnected locks, which together form the canal’s longest lock staircase. It’s an exhilarating experience to see the boats being lifted or lowered the 18.8 meters between Roxen and Berg’s guest harbor.

Linköping Cathedral – Sweden’s best-preserved medieval cathedral

As you approach Linköping, you will see a church tower reaching towards the sky. A church tower that guides you to the heart of the city. It is the high tower of Linköping Cathedral you have aimed for. Once you arrive, you will probably feel small compared to the impressive 107-meter-high tower!

Linköping Cathedral is Sweden’s best-preserved medieval cathedral and there’s much to discover here; the Gothic blind arcades with their strange stone figures, Golgata – the glass sculpture from Orrefors, Mary spreading her mantle of flowers over us from one of the windows. When you are inside the church, you may be breathless by its beauty. This is truly a must for all history explorers!

Stora torget – A vibrant city life

Stora Torget in Linköping offers hustle and bustle day and night. During the summer, the city is bustling with outdoor cafes where on warm pleasant evenings it is difficult to find a seat, as everyone wants to be there to meet friends and acquaintances and feel the atmosphere.

Stora Torget is located in the middle of the shopping district and is surrounded by restaurants and eateries of all kinds. The square is also a lively event venue – inaugurations of Winter City Lights, Linköping Town Festival, and Musikhjälpen, among others, have been held here. And many come! Keep an eye on our event calendar for all the happenings at this location.

Air Force Museum – The Development of the Swedish Defense

The Air Force Museum is the ultimate place for those fascinated by unique, historical aircraft! Here you will learn more about the development of Swedish defense aviation and see unique collections of items. You also have the opportunity to operate the JAS 39 Gripen simulator and try being a fighter pilot for a while. There are also ongoing activities for the whole family, ranging from experiment shows in the flight lab to guided tours of the museum premises. In the Cold War exhibition, you can, for instance, experience typical Swedish homes from the early 1950s to the late 1980s.

The Air Force Museum in Linköping has also been placed on “the 10 best museums in Sweden” by TripAdvisor. Visitors have spoken themselves – there is something magical about this museum.

Gamla Linköping – Linköping 100 years ago

Visiting the open-air museum Gamla Linköping is like traveling back in time about a hundred years. The urban districts breathe the turn of the 20th century, with everything from various historical environments, exhibitions, and shops in charming wooden houses to summer events and concerts in the historic setting of the Folkpark Theater. Together with the Vallaskogen Nature Reserve and the rural environment of Valla Farm, which are easily accessible on foot or by the puff-puff train in summer, the museum offers something for everyone, young and old alike.

Gamla Linköping is one of Östergötland’s largest tourist attractions and one of Sweden’s most visited museums, and there’s a reason why! Gamla Linköping is open (and just as charming) year-round, also without an entrance fee.

If you think you recognize some of the environments here, you might actually have been here before! Have you ever watched the movie “Rasmus på luffen” during your childhood? The cityscapes seen in the movie are actually from Gamla Linköping! Cool, right?