Småland with a caravan: lakes, elk and Astrid Lindgren's World

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This trip is planned for 25 Jul – 03 Aug 2027.

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Day 1 · Sun 25/07 3 hr

From Hannover heading north to Fehmarn

Travel day with ferry preparation

The first day is deliberately kept short, so you arrive at the sea with time for a swim.

In the evening, check the ferry booking for the next morning and make sure to state the oversized length for your rig.

Start

Hannover

This is where your journey begins. You load up the caravan and head off towards the Baltic Sea.

child-friendly
294 km · 3 hr
Campsite

Campingplatz Wulfener Hals

A spacious campsite with its own beach right on the Baltic Sea, ideal for your first swim after the drive. There are playgrounds and shallow water for the kids to splash about in before the ferry awaits the next morning.

38–55 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 2 · Mon 26/07 5:54 hr

By ferry to Sweden and on to Småland

Crossing and arrival

The longest driving day of the trip, but unavoidable for the crossing. Plan in plenty of breaks.

From now on, the stages stay short, just as planned.

Long stage — plan in breaks.

29 km · 25 min
1
Ferry

Fährhafen Puttgarden

From Puttgarden, the Scandlines ferry takes you to Rødby in Denmark in around 45 minutes. The kids can watch the Belt from the deck, then it's on across Zealand and the Öresund Bridge into Sweden.

child-friendly
View on map
345 km · 5:30 hr · 110–170 €
Campsite

Camping Vallsnäs

A peacefully situated campsite right on the lake with a bathing jetty and sandy beach, a great first stop in the heart of Småland. Perfect for settling in after the long drive, taking a swim, and soaking up that classic Swedish lakeside magic.

32–45 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 3 · Tue 27/07 1:24 hr

The Kingdom of Crystal at Kosta and swimming in the lake

Glass art and relaxation

Glassblowing in the morning, the afternoon free for swimming and unwinding.

112 km · 1:24 hr
2
Sight

Kosta Boda Glasbruk

In the heart of Sweden's Kingdom of Crystal, you can watch glassblowers at work over their shoulders and see how glowing molten glass becomes vases and figurines. Watching the furnaces is fascinating for kids, and the shop is full of colourful glass figures.

0–10 € / person child-friendly
Website
1 km · 1 min
Campsite

Kosta Camping

A family-friendly campsite by a forest lake with a bathing spot and play area, just a few minutes from the Glasbruk. After your tour of the glassworks, you can spend a relaxed afternoon by the water.

30–42 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 4 · Wed 28/07 1:06 hr

Canoeing and beavers on Lake Åsnen

Water, a beaver trail and trolls

The caravan stays at the resort; the canoe trip and beaver trail are done without the trailer.

In the evening, keep a quiet lookout along the shore for beavers.

· 5 min
3
Activity

Canoe hire at Getnö Gård on Lake Åsnen

At Lake Åsnen with its national park, you can hire canoes and paddle across still bays where beavers are out and about in the evening. The marked beaver trail and the mysterious Poltergeist Forest nearby turn the outing into a little adventure for the kids.

30–60 € / day child-friendly
Website
71 km · 1 hr
Campsite

Getnö Gård Åsnen Resort Camping

A campsite close to nature right on Lake Åsnen, with its own bathing spot, jetty and views over the island landscape. From here you set off into canoe territory and, with a bit of luck, spot beavers along the shore at dusk.

32–48 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 5 · Thu 29/07 2:42 hr

Elk park near Markaryd

Elk up close

The trip to the elk park is deliberately done without the trailer, so there's no manoeuvring involved.

If you'd rather drive less, you can combine the elk park with the Öland day; we recommend the quieter extra day here instead.

103 km · 1:20 hr
4
Activity

Smålandet Elk Park (Grönåsens Älgpark) near Markaryd

On a circular trail through the forest enclosure, you get very close to the elk and learn a lot about the kings of the forest. For the kids there are information boards, a wild boar enclosure and a souvenir shop full of elk motifs.

10–15 € / person child-friendly
Website
103 km · 1:20 hr
Campsite

Camping Getnö Gård Åsnen Resort

Back at Lake Åsnen, you spend another night at the same spot and use the afternoon for swimming. This saves you the hassle of unhitching the caravan and gives you time by the lake.

32–48 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 6 · Fri 30/07 3:12 hr

Kalmar Castle and on to Öland

Castles and island air

A slightly longer day with two destinations, but calm days on Öland follow.

Castle visit in the morning, onward drive to the beach campsite in the afternoon.

129 km · 1:20 hr
5
Sight

Kalmar Slott

The splendidly preserved Renaissance castle stands right on the water and invites you to explore towers, dungeons and the castle chapel. For kids there are dress-up chests and exciting stories about kings and knights.

12–18 € / person child-friendly
Website
92 km · 1:50 hr
Campsite

Böda Sand Camping

A large campsite on a mile-long sandy beach in the north of Öland, ideal for swimming in the shallow Baltic waters. From here you can easily reach Eketorp and Trollskogen, with the finest beaches right on your doorstep.

35–52 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 7 · Sat 31/07 4:18 hr

Öland: Eketorp and Trollskogen

Iron Age fort and troll forest

Trollskogen is very close by, while Eketorp in the south means a bit more driving with the tow vehicle.

Alternatively, skip Eketorp and enjoy a full beach day instead, entirely at the children's pace.

Long stage — plan in breaks.

16 km · 20 min
6
Nature

Trollskogen Nature Reserve

At the northern tip of Öland winds a gnarled, moss-covered pine forest that seems made for troll tales. On the easy circular trail you'll discover twisted trees, a shipwreck on the beach, and plenty to marvel at for the kids.

0 € / person child-friendly
Website
135 km · 2 hr
7
Sight

Eketorp Borg

The reconstructed ring fort from the Iron and Viking Ages brings history to life, with craft demonstrations and animals in the enclosure. Kids can dress up in costumes and try out life from times gone by.

12–16 € / person child-friendly
Website
Another night: Böda Sand Camping
Day 8 · Sun 01/08 2:24 hr

To the biggest attraction: Astrid Lindgrens Värld

Pippi, Bullerbü and more

A bit more driving today, so the park can be enjoyed in full the next day.

Park the caravan at the campsite and head to the park with the tow vehicle or on foot.

1 km · 1 min
8
Activity

Astrid Lindgrens Värld Vimmerby

The large theme park brings Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Lönneberga and the children of Bullerbü to life, with interactive theatre scenes and houses you can walk through. A highlight of the trip, where your children can spend a whole day.

40–55 € / person child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

107 km · 2:20 hr
Campsite

Vimmerby Camping

A campsite with a swimming lake and pool just a few minutes from Astrid Lindgrens Värld, so you can travel back and forth easily on foot or by car. After an eventful day at the park, you can unwind by the water.

34–50 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 9 · Mon 02/08 3:12 hr

Store Mosse and Lake Vättern at Gränna

Wetland landscape and a great lake

Store Mosse lies on the way towards Lake Vättern, so the stage remains manageable despite having two destinations.

In the evening, swim in Lake Vättern and gather your strength for the journey home.

153 km · 2 hr
9
Nature

Store Mosse National Park

Southern Sweden's largest bog south of Lake Vänern offers boardwalks across vast wetlands and a Naturum with an exhibition. On the easy paths you'll spot birds and a quiet, expansive landscape, ideal for a family walk.

0 € / person child-friendly
Website
110 km · 1:10 hr
10
Town

Gränna on Lake Vättern

The pretty little town on the eastern shore of the mighty Lake Vättern is famous for its red-and-white polkagris sugar sticks, and you can watch them being made in the workshops. From the shore you have a sweeping view over Sweden's second-largest lake and can swim close to the water's edge.

0–8 € / person child-friendly
Website
1 km · 1 min
Campsite

Grännastrandens Camping

A campsite right on the shore of Lake Vättern with a bathing beach and views of the island of Visingsö. After the bog walk, you can swim in the lake here and enjoy your last evening in Sweden.

34–48 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 10 · Tue 03/08 10:42 hr

Journey home to Hannover

Return to the start

A long day of travel back, but after weeks of relaxation beforehand. Plan in generous breaks.

If you'd like to split up the drive, you can add an overnight stop at the Baltic Sea and extend Day 10.

Long stage — plan in breaks.

525 km · 6:44 hr · 60–75 €
11
Ferry

Rødby Ferry Port

Across the Öresund Bridge and through Denmark you reach Rødby, from where the ferry departs back to Puttgarden. The short crossing offers one last look at the sea before the motorway drive home.

child-friendly
View on map
275 km · 4 hr · 110–170 €
12
Stop

Hannover

You return to your starting point after the round trip. This brings the journey through Småland to a close, with plenty of memories of lakes, elk and Astrid Lindgren's World.

child-friendly
Website

This trip is planned for 25 Jul – 03 Aug 2027.

Copy it and move it to your own dates.

Free account, no credit card. Copying, moving and adjusting are included.