This Vimmerby 2 day itinerary combines Astrid Lindgren’s childhood home, storybook attractions, historic streets, local food and scenic Småland countryside. It is designed for first time visitors who want a relaxed weekend in Vimmerby, with practical suggestions for getting around, where to eat and how to adapt the plan to the season.
How to plan your Vimmerby 2 day itinerary
Vimmerby is a small town in the Swedish province of Småland, best known as the birthplace of author Astrid Lindgren. Her books, including Pippi Longstocking, The Children of Noisy Village and Emil of Lönneberga, are closely connected with the landscapes around town. Many visitors come for Astrid Lindgren’s World, but Vimmerby offers more than a theme park. The town centre is easy to explore on foot, while several film locations and rural attractions are a short drive away.
The ideal time for this Vimmerby itinerary is from late spring to early autumn. Astrid Lindgren’s World normally operates its main season during the warmer months, although opening dates and schedules change each year. Outside the main season, you can still visit Astrid Lindgren’s Näs, explore the town and see nearby locations, but some attractions, restaurants and museums may have limited opening hours.
- Best for: Families, literature lovers, Swedish culture enthusiasts and visitors travelling through Småland.
- Recommended transport: Walking in central Vimmerby, with a car or bicycle useful for countryside locations.
- Suggested base: Stay in or near the town centre so you can walk to restaurants, shops and Astrid Lindgren’s Näs.
- Booking advice: Reserve accommodation and check attraction opening times in advance for July and popular school holiday periods.
Day 1: Discover Astrid Lindgren’s Vimmerby
Morning: Start at Astrid Lindgren’s Näs
Begin your Vimmerby 2 day itinerary at Astrid Lindgren’s Näs, the cultural centre built around the author’s childhood home. Astrid Lindgren was born in Vimmerby in 1907 and spent her early years at the Näs farm. The site gives useful context for her writing and shows how the people, landscapes and traditions of Småland influenced her stories.
Allow at least two hours for the indoor exhibitions and outdoor grounds. The permanent exhibition explores Lindgren’s life, career and literary world, while the gardens provide a pleasant place to slow down. The exact programme can include temporary exhibitions, talks and seasonal activities, so check the official schedule before arriving.
Although children may know Lindgren primarily through colourful characters, Näs is not only a children’s attraction. Adults will appreciate the historical material, original photographs and insight into the social changes that shaped her life. Families should leave time for children to explore the outdoor areas rather than trying to rush through every display.
Lunch in or near the town centre
After visiting Näs, walk or drive into central Vimmerby for lunch. The centre is compact, with cafés and restaurants clustered around the main square and nearby streets. Look for a daily lunch special, often called dagens lunch, which usually offers good value and may include a salad, bread and coffee.
Swedish staples worth trying include open sandwiches, meatballs, salmon, seasonal soups and cinnamon buns. If you are travelling with children, a café lunch is often the easiest option, particularly during the busy summer season. Ask your accommodation or the local tourist office about current restaurant openings, since smaller businesses may close outside the high season.
Afternoon: Explore Vimmerby town centre
Spend the afternoon exploring central Vimmerby at an unhurried pace. The town has a pleasant small scale, and most of the main sights can be reached on foot. Stroll along Storgatan, the principal shopping street, and continue towards the square to see traditional wooden buildings and local shops.
Vimmerby Church is one of the town’s most prominent landmarks. Parts of the church date back several centuries, and its position reflects Vimmerby’s long history as a regional market town. Check whether it is open before entering, as opening hours can vary. Nearby streets offer a mixture of older wooden houses and more modern buildings, creating a useful impression of how the town has developed over time.
For a more focused history stop, visit the local museum if it is open during your stay. Exhibitions may cover regional life, crafts and Vimmerby’s development. The selection and opening arrangements can change, so treat it as an optional addition rather than the centrepiece of the day.
Late afternoon: See more of Astrid Lindgren’s childhood surroundings
Return to Astrid Lindgren’s Näs if you want more time in the gardens, or take a gentle walk through the surrounding area. The countryside around Vimmerby is characterised by forests, fields, red cottages and small lakes. These landscapes help explain why rural settings appear so vividly in many of Lindgren’s stories.
If you are travelling by car, you can use the late afternoon for a short drive to Sevedstorp, the village associated with Bullerbyn, known in English as Noisy Village. The setting inspired Lindgren’s stories about children growing up in a small rural community. It is a working village rather than a conventional theme park, so be respectful of residents and private property. Take photographs only where permitted and keep the visit brief.
Evening: A relaxed dinner in Vimmerby
Keep your first evening simple after a full day of sightseeing. Choose a restaurant in the centre or eat at your accommodation if you have self catering facilities. Swedish menus often make good use of local produce, including potatoes, berries, mushrooms, game and fish.
A walk after dinner is worthwhile in summer, when the light lasts late into the evening. The streets are generally quiet compared with larger Swedish cities, and the compact centre is easy to navigate. Families may prefer an early night before the second day, especially if Astrid Lindgren’s World is included in the plan.
Day 2: Astrid Lindgren’s World and the Småland countryside
Morning: Spend the day at Astrid Lindgren’s World
For most visitors, the highlight of a weekend in Vimmerby is Astrid Lindgren’s World, a storybook park located close to the town centre. The park brings settings and characters from Lindgren’s books to life through theatrical performances, recreated environments and play areas. Depending on the season, you may encounter Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Lönneberga, Karlsson-on-the-Roof, Ronja the Robber’s Daughter and the children of Noisy Village.
Arrive close to opening time so you can check the day’s performance schedule and plan around the shows you most want to see. Performances are often the main reason to visit, and some are presented in Swedish. Even when you do not understand every word, the visual storytelling, music and physical comedy make many scenes accessible to international visitors.
- Download or check the current park map and show schedule before entering.
- Wear comfortable shoes because the grounds are large and include uneven paths.
- Bring rain jackets and an extra layer, since performances may take place outdoors.
- Plan a proper lunch break instead of trying to see every attraction continuously.
- Use the quieter play areas for a pause between scheduled performances.
- Check ticket rules, opening dates and accessibility information before your trip.
The park is especially well suited to families with younger children, but adults who grew up with Astrid Lindgren’s books often enjoy the detailed sets and live performances too. Rather than treating it as a checklist, choose a few shows and allow time for spontaneous discoveries. A full day is reasonable during the main season, while a shorter visit may be enough if the programme is limited.
Lunch and fika inside the park
There are usually several places to eat within Astrid Lindgren’s World, ranging from quick meals to cafés. Prices can be higher than in the town centre, so some visitors prefer to eat breakfast beforehand and use the park cafés for snacks or a lighter meal. A Swedish fika break with coffee, juice and a pastry is a natural way to rest between performances.
If you have dietary requirements, check the current food options in advance. Menus and opening arrangements can change from one season to the next. Families may also find it useful to carry a water bottle and a few snacks, particularly on hot days.
Late afternoon: Choose a countryside excursion
After Astrid Lindgren’s World, decide whether to continue exploring or return to town for a slower evening. If you have a car and still have energy, the countryside offers several possible additions to your Vimmerby itinerary.
Katthult and Emil of Lönneberga locations
Katthult is associated with the film locations for Emil of Lönneberga. The farm buildings and surrounding landscape are among the most recognisable places connected with the stories. It is located outside Vimmerby, so check directions, access arrangements and opening times before setting out. The site may be particularly busy during summer, and some areas may be privately managed.
Sevedstorp and Noisy Village
If you did not visit Sevedstorp on day one, it can be combined with a drive through the surrounding countryside. The village is a good choice for visitors interested in the setting of The Children of Noisy Village. Allow time for the drive and remember that this is an ordinary inhabited place, not a full scale attraction.
Kvilleken
Nature lovers can consider a trip to Kvilleken, one of Sweden’s oldest and largest oak trees. The tree stands in the countryside outside Vimmerby and makes a worthwhile stop for travellers who want a break from literary attractions. A car is the most practical option, and you should allow additional time for the journey. Combine it with a picnic or another rural stop if the weather is good.
Evening: Finish your weekend in Vimmerby
Return to Vimmerby for dinner and a final walk through the centre. If you have already eaten at the park, choose a café or a lighter meal. Summer evenings are a good opportunity to sit outside, while the quieter months are better suited to a cosy restaurant meal.
If you are travelling onward the next morning, use the evening to prepare for your departure. Vimmerby works well as part of a wider Småland trip, with connections and driving routes towards places such as Linköping, Kalmar, Västervik and the Kingdom of Crystal. Check local transport timetables carefully, particularly on Sundays and outside the summer season.
Practical tips for a weekend in Vimmerby
Getting to Vimmerby
Vimmerby can be reached by train and bus from other parts of Sweden, although travel times and connections vary. A car gives you much greater flexibility for visiting Katthult, Sevedstorp, Kvilleken and other countryside locations. If you arrive without a car, focus on the town centre, Astrid Lindgren’s Näs and Astrid Lindgren’s World, then ask the tourist office about local taxi, bus or bicycle options.
Distances within central Vimmerby are short, making walking the easiest way to get around. Cycling can be a good choice in the warmer months, but confirm rental availability before relying on it. Rural roads may have limited shoulders, so take care if cycling between villages.
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from hotels and guesthouses in town to campsites, cabins and rural stays outside Vimmerby. Staying centrally is most convenient for a short trip because you can walk to restaurants and reach Astrid Lindgren’s Näs without needing a car. A countryside cabin may be better for families who want more space, a kitchen and direct access to nature.
Book early for July, weekends during school holidays and dates when special events are taking place at Astrid Lindgren’s World. When comparing accommodation, check whether breakfast, parking and bed linen are included. Rural properties may have different check in arrangements from hotels, so read the arrival instructions carefully.
What to pack
- Comfortable walking shoes for the theme park and town streets.
- Rainwear and warm layers, even in summer.
- Sun protection and a reusable water bottle on warm days.
- A small day bag for snacks, tickets and extra clothing.
- Cash or a payment card, depending on the business and location.
How to adjust this Vimmerby itinerary
Families with small children may want to spend a full day at Astrid Lindgren’s World and skip the longer countryside drive. Couples and adults travelling without children can spend more time at Näs, visit local museums and add Kvilleken or a lakeside walk. In bad weather, prioritise the indoor exhibitions at Näs, cafés and any open museums, then visit the outdoor attractions when conditions improve.
In the low season, reverse the order if Astrid Lindgren’s Näs has more suitable opening hours on your first or second day. Always confirm current schedules directly with each attraction, since seasonal programmes, ticket prices and performances can change. With a little planning, this Vimmerby 2 day itinerary offers a balanced introduction to Astrid Lindgren’s world and the landscapes of Småland without making the weekend feel rushed.