Being outdoors, unwinding and taking a breath are the programme.

Sport fishing

Pike, perch and zander right outside the door: fully equipped aluminium boats with outboards and fish finders, fishing permits directly from us — and, on request, an experienced guide who shows you the drop-offs no map will reveal.

• All details: Sport fishing →

Canoes, kayaks & SUPs

Three-seater canoes, single and double kayaks and SUP boards with full equipment — for evening paddles and day tours on Björkern and Åsunden. Never sat in a canoe before? We show you the basics before you head out onto the water.

• All details: Canoes, kayaks & SUPs →

Winter season

When the lakes freeze over, Björkfors simply changes tools: kilometres of natural ice rinks, groomed cross-country trails from the doorstep, ice fishing for perch and pike with our equipment and snowshoe tours through the winter forest. All fixed prices are listed in the price list.

• Equipment & prices: Price list →

Wildlife safari & guided tours

At dusk we head into the forests of Östergötland with our guide — to moose, beavers and, with a bit of luck, a white-tailed eagle above the water. In autumn we combine the tours with mushroom foraging for anyone who wants to taste the forest too. We arrange dates with you personally.

• Request a tour: Contact →

Hiking, swimming & BBQ in Björkfors

The immediate surroundings of Björkfors offer Swedish nature in its purest form. Explore deep forests on deserted hiking trails, cool off at the quiet swimming spots after a day's fishing, or round off the evening at one of the idyllic barbecue sites right by the water. Combine it all with our kayaks — which, by the way, we also deliver to nearby lakes!

Björkfors Arthouse

A creative meeting place for art lovers in the heart of the village. The Arthouse features a lovely art gallery (Artbutik) and regularly hosts ceramics courses in a relaxed atmosphere.

• Info & contact: bjorkforsarthouse.se

Valö Café & Festplats

A beautiful summer café on a small island in lake Björkern, reached via a little wooden footbridge. Alongside honest, light dishes (such as the Valö burger or the classic Räkmacka) there are fresh pastries and a glorious view over the lake. A fantastic spot for the late-afternoon sun.

• Info: Valö on Kindaturism.se

Idhult Nature Reserve

A breathtaking nature reserve close by. From the idyllic village on the ridge you have a fantastic view over the strongly undulating Swedish highlands with ancient cultural landscapes and rare plants. An insider tip for long, quiet hikes.

• Info: Länsstyrelsen Östergötland — Idhult

Basunda Gårdsbutik

A family-run farm right on lake Björkern. The modern farm shop sells high-quality, locally produced meat (beef and excellent venison from their own enclosure). Perfect for stocking up in top quality for the evening barbecue at the holiday house.

• Info & online shop: basunda.se

BP Nostalgimack & Café Pärlan

A genuine journey back to 1955. This lovingly restored BP petrol station is now a pure nostalgia museum. Right next door, Café Pärlan serves small snacks, ice cream and coffee for a stopover.

• Info: nostalgimacken.se

Lilla Hycklinge Café & Gårdsbutik

This recently opened, utterly charming café with a farm shop sits in the neighbouring village of Hycklinge. Expect premium Swedish delicacies, excellent shrimp sandwiches and coffee in a wonderfully relaxed rural atmosphere. The café is also fully licensed.

• Info: lillahycklinge.com

Astrid Lindgrens Värld & Näs

The place where Swedish cultural history was written. Even for adults, the vast open-air park with its fantastic sets is a fascinating journey back to your own childhood. At the neighbouring estate of Astrid Lindgrens Näs, the author's childhood home, you will also find thoughtful exhibitions about her life and beautifully landscaped gardens.

• Tickets & info: astridlindgrensvarld.se

Katthult & Filmbyn Småland

Experience a piece of Swedish film history. Visit the real Katthult farm in Gibberyd, where the Emil of Lönneberga films were shot, or head to Filmbyn Småland in Mariannelund to immerse yourself in the original film sets.

• Katthult: katthult.se
• Filmbyn: filmbyn.se

Norra Kvill National Park

A real highlight for nature photographers and wildlife fans! One of the few genuine old-growth forests in southern Sweden — not a single tree has been felled here in 150 years. Expect an almost mystical, rugged natural landscape with huge moss-covered boulders and pines up to 350 years old.

• Info: Sveriges Nationalparker — Norra Kvill

Gränsö Slott & Spa

If the weather won't cooperate or your muscles are tired from fishing: Gränsö castle offers a high-class spa with eight different heated pools, an Icelandic spring and a sauna landscape right on the Baltic coast. Day-spa packages should definitely be booked in advance!

• Day-spa booking: granso.se/spa

Östergötland archipelago

Just a drive away on the east coast, the island sea begins. The archipelagos of St. Anna and Gryt comprise over 8,000 often completely uninhabited, barren rocky islands. A rugged, beautiful natural paradise that shows the dramatic side of Sweden.

KISA MTB Park (Tolvmannabacken)

For the adrenaline junkies in the group: this mountain bike park offers lift-served downhill and flow trails (from blue to double black). The machine-built runs cross massive granite slabs and wind through dense conifer forests.

• Trail map & info: kisamtbpark.com

Gamla Linköping

An impressive, living open-air museum in the middle of Linköping. More than 100 historic wooden buildings from the region have been assembled here to faithfully recreate a Swedish small town as it was 100 years ago. Entry to the historic grounds is free!

• Info: gamlalinkoping.se

Trollegater Nature Reserve

One of the largest bedrock cave systems in Sweden. Equipped with hard-wearing clothes and your own torches, you can venture deep in the forest into long rock crevices and mystical caves on your own. A micro-adventure off the beaten track.

• Info: Länsstyrelsen — Trollegater

Gamleby Trollpark

A mystical short hike up Garpedansberget near Gamleby. The steep path leads through a forest full of handmade, life-sized troll sculptures and rewards you at the top with a magnificent view over the Baltic bay.

• Info: gamleby.se/trollskogen

Gränna, the polkagris town

The picturesque town of Gränna on the shore of vast lake Vättern is world-famous for its handmade candy canes (Polkagrisar). You can watch them being boiled and pulled in the small shops. From here, a short ferry crossing to the historic island of Visingsö is also well worth it.

Minigolf at Hornåbergs Camping

Looking for a relaxed group activity after dinner? In the neighbouring village of Horn, the idyllic Hornåbergs campsite sits right by the river and runs a very well-kept minigolf course. Drop-in is always possible!

• Info: campingen.no/en (Hornåbergs)