Vimmerby Travel Guide

City City in Kalmar, Sweden with cultural events

Children’s stories and red-painted cottages draw families to Vimmerby, hometown of Astrid Lindgren; visitors flock to Astrid Lindgren’s World, guided walks through birch forests, and summer fairs in the market square.

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Costs
Around $80-130 per day
Mid-range Swedish prices; busy tourist weekends cost more.
Safety
Very safe, family-oriented
Very safe and family-friendly with low crime.
Best Time
May-August (theme-park season)
Theme park and summer events run mainly in late spring and summer.
Time
Weather
Population
8,037
Infrastructure & Convenience
Small-town transport with regional buses and walkable centre; tourist facilities concentrated around attractions.
Popularity
Popular with families and fans of Astrid Lindgren, especially in summer.
Known For
Astrid Lindgren's World theme park, Pippi Longstocking connections, quaint wooden town centre, summer festivals, traditional Swedish architecture, family tourism, nearby forests and lakes
Vimmerby is the childhood home of Astrid Lindgren and hosts the Astrid Lindgren's World theme park.

Why Visit Vimmerby? #

Vimmerby attracts visitors largely because it is Astrid Lindgren’s hometown and the setting for family-focused attractions such as Astrid Lindgren’s World and themed museums. Colorful small-town streets, traditional Småland red cottages and seasonal storytelling events give families a strong sense of place without long transfers. It’s ideal for travelers seeking literary heritage, child-friendly entertainment and a taste of rural Swedish culture.

Top Things to Do in Vimmerby

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Astrid Lindgren's World - Interactive theme park bringing the author's children's stories to life with live performances.
  • Vimmerby Old Town - Charming streets, wooden buildings, and local shops celebrating Vimmerby's cultural heritage.
  • Vimmerby Museum - Small museum covering local history and connections to Astrid Lindgren's life and work.
Hidden Gems
  • Näs Nature Reserve - Wooded area near the town with walking trails tied to Astrid Lindgren's childhood landscape.
  • Local artisan shops - Boutiques selling handmade toys, textiles and regional crafts in Vimmerby's quieter lanes.
  • River Stångån walks - Pleasant riverside paths for strolling, picnicking and enjoying pastoral Småland scenery.
Day Trips
  • Astrid Lindgren's Näs (birthplace) - Visit the writer's childhood home and surrounding grounds where she grew up.
  • Kosta Glasbruk and Glass Kingdom - Drive to Småland's glassworks region to see glassblowing demonstrations and shops.

Best Time to Visit Vimmerby #

Vimmerby is best in summer for family-friendly attractions and long daylight, while late spring and early autumn offer quieter, comfortable touring. Winters are cold and snowy, limiting outdoor activities.

Winter
December - February · -10 to -1°C (14 to 30°F)
Cold, snowy winters-fairytale countryside vistas and fewer tourists, but bundled-up sightseeing and occasional road disruptions are necessary.
Spring & Autumn
March - May, September - November · 0 to 14°C (32 to 57°F)
Fresh, variable weather great for forest walks and Astrid Lindgren-themed attractions; expect cool mornings and pleasant afternoons.
Summer
June - August · 12 to 23°C (54 to 73°F)
Mild, light-filled summers perfect for theme parks, lake swimming and countryside cycling-bring a light jacket for evenings.

Best Time to Visit Vimmerby #

Climate

Vimmerby's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (597 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
MayJulyJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
-23°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-5°
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.1h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-6°
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

32 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
11.6h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1° 10°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
14.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
17°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
16.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
17.6h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 75 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 22°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
17.0h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 21°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
15.0h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
12.6h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.8h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

34 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4°
97%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.4h daylight

How to Get to Vimmerby

Vimmerby is reached most conveniently by regional train or bus from nearby hubs like Linköping and Kalmar; there are no regular commercial flights into the town itself. The town is compact and easy to navigate on foot.

By Air

Linköping City / Norrköping / Stockholm Arlanda (ARN): Vimmerby does not have a commercial airport. The nearest commercial airports include Linköping (approx. 1.5-2 hours by road) and Stockholm Arlanda (3-4 hours by road). From these airports you can continue by regional train or bus to Vimmerby.

Kisa / Local airfields: There are small local airfields in the region used for general aviation but not for scheduled commercial services; these are of limited use for most visitors.

By Train & Bus

Train: Vimmerby has a rail station (Vimmerby station) served by regional trains (e.g., Krösatågen) connecting to Linköping and Kalmar; travel times to Linköping are around 1-1.5 hours depending on service.

Bus: Regional buses connect Vimmerby with nearby towns and with larger hubs such as Linköping and Kalmar; buses are useful for reaching destinations not directly served by rail and for local transfers.

How to Get Around Vimmerby #

Vimmerby’s compact centre is easy to explore on foot; many visitors walk between attractions and shops. Regional buses connect Vimmerby with neighbouring towns and larger regional transport hubs, though schedules can be sparse outside peak season. A car is handy for exploring the surrounding Småland countryside. Local taxi services are available but limited; plan journeys in advance during evenings and weekends.

Where to Stay in Vimmerby #

Budget
Town Centre - SEK 400-800/night
Vimmerby (Astrid Lindgren country) has affordable guesthouses and family-run B&Bs. Summer fills quickly due to theme-park visitors.
Mid-Range
Centre / Near attractions - SEK 800-1,400/night
Several comfortable mid-range hotels and inns are in town, convenient for the Astrid Lindgren attractions and local restaurants.
Luxury
Regional countryside - SEK 1,400+ /night
Vimmerby itself has limited luxury hotels; upscale countryside cottages and boutique resorts are available elsewhere in Småland.

Where to Eat in Vimmerby #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Vimmerby's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Regional
Pizza
Burger
Thai
Asian
Tapas
Italian
Sandwich
Coffee Shop

Nightlife in Vimmerby #

Nightlife in Vimmerby is low-key and family-friendly: cafés, pubs and seasonal events geared toward visitors and families. Evenings are especially busy during summer and school holiday periods when attractions are open. There is little in the way of late-night clubbing; most nightlife is neighbourly and relaxed.

Shopping in Vimmerby #

Shopping in Vimmerby is modest and tourist-oriented: small boutiques, gift shops and stores catering to families visiting the Astrid Lindgren attractions. You’ll find children’s souvenirs, books and local crafts alongside everyday shops and supermarkets. For department stores or major brands, plan a trip to larger regional centres.

Nearby Cities #