What not to miss in Växjö

PM & Vänner is well-known both inside and outside Växjö. The hotel offers 74 unique rooms and suites that are designed with inspiration from the surrounding Småland nature, a rooftop pool, fine dining restaurant, bakery, bar, and flower room. In other words, everything you need for an extraordinary hotel experience. 

If you want to stay centrally in Växjö, head to the Elite Stadshotellet, near the central station and Stortorget. With its 163 rooms, the hotel is the largest in the city and is connected to both a gym and two restaurants. Many celebrities have stayed here over the years, which says a lot about the standard.

Have you always dreamt of staying in a real castle? If you find yourself near Växjö, you can – just a short distance outside the city stands Teleborg Castle, an award-winning hotel with a history dating back to the turn of the last century. Stay in one of 30 rooms with shared showers and toilets in the corridor. Breakfast is enjoyed in the beautiful Knight's Hall, and there's also a castle restaurant for those who wish to have lunch or dinner.

Home Hotel Cardinal is well placed to allow you to enjoy most of what Växjö has to offer in terms of sights, shopping, and dining right around the corner. The hotel is centrally located, making it an especially good starting point for anyone who wants to discover a lot in a short amount of time. There's also a gym and relaxation area, as well as meeting rooms, and guests are served breakfast, snacks, and dinner.

If you want to really treat yourself, don't miss PM & Vänner Matsal, which is a prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant, the only one in Växjö. The restaurant serves a tasting menu in a modern Småland style, meticulously composed according to a philosophy based on the cornerstones of forest, meadow and lake. Combine it with a wine package for a truly deluxe experience.

At Monkey's Umami, they serve burgers in a variety of variations, with umami flavour as the common denominator. Other flavourings are sourced from around the world, while the ingredients are more local. According to the restaurant itself, their burgers are “undoubtedly the hippest south of the North Pole.” All kinds of groups come here to socialise in a pleasant atmosphere and explore umami in all its possible forms, one bite at a time.

Take the lift up to the 19th floor and gaze out over the rooftops of Växjö. Skai is the city's highest restaurant and offers therefore most probably its most magnificent view. Food-wise, the focus is on social dining in the form of sharing plates that can either be ordered from the à la carte menu or explored through tasting menus. Flavours are sourced from around the world and mixed into new, exciting combinations. 

Housed in an old 18th-century building, Kafé de luxe does its utmost to make life a little more enjoyable than it already is. The establishment is based on hearty cooking, baking, drinking culture, live music, and all kinds of cultural happenings. Whenever possible, they use local and organic ingredients when creating new, often slightly unexpected dishes. If you check the calendar, you might be able to time your meal with a concert, stand-up, or some other fun event.

Feel the echoes of the past at Broqvist Konditori, which has its roots dating back to 1876, making it Sweden's oldest pastry shop. And not only that – they also baked the very first Napoleon pastry here, a true classic created as a tribute to the French emperor. As well as pastries, they also serve breakfast and simple lunch dishes.

Bönan & Mustaschen is quite possibly Växjö's cosiest café, decorated with a large dose of personality. Surrounded by colourful fairy lights and charming artworks, you can enjoy fine coffee from micro-roasteries, organic tea, artisan chocolate, and freshly baked pastries. Why not take the opportunity to attend a coffee tasting to really immerse yourself in the noble bean beverage.

This delightful café combines the classic with the creative in the form of beautiful pastries, cakes and other tasty treats. The selection is influenced by both the season and the bakers' inspiration. Expect a friendly welcome and a warm, relaxed atmosphere, which has contributed to the café being one of the most popular in Växjö.

Bread & Sovel is housed in stylish, whitewashed premises where guests have full visibility of the bakery. The concept is a clear love letter to bread, which they describe as the primordial mother and foundation of gastronomy. Let the smell of freshly baked goods whet your appetite even more, and dig into fresh sourdough bread, pastries, cakes, and lighter lunch dishes.

For the beer enthusiast in Växjö, a visit to Chapter House is practically a must. The gastropub boasts one of the largest selections of beer in the city, with a particular focus on craft beers from producers around the world. If you venture further into the venue, you'll find the gin bar, where bartenders mix up exciting gin cocktails. With a bit of luck, you might catch one of the regular drinks tastings or guest appearances. 

At Bullet Bar, it's all about rock music, beer, and sausages – some of the best things in life, in other words. The welcoming atmosphere, enlivened by live bands and DJs, has made the bar a true favourite hangout among Växjö locals. If you prefer something other than beer, they also serve 'hard drinks' and non-alcoholic options.

Inside the classic sports bar O'Learys, you'll find Shot'Em Down, Växjö's very first dedicated shot bar. With a focus on the complete experience, they've created a unique menu where each shot has its own story and show. Make a quick pit stop on your way to a party, or spend the whole evening – perhaps with a non-alcoholic drink as a change. If you prefer beer, a glass of wine or a fruity cocktail, you can instead head to the restaurant's more traditional bar area. 

With over 100,000 visitors each year, Växjö Cathedral is one of the city's most popular attractions. The medieval church, with its tall spires visible from afar, has proudly stood in Linné Park since the 12th century. As well as admiring the grand structure, visitors can enjoy refreshments in the café, and during the summer months, concerts are held in the park. 

The Linnaeus Garden is a beautiful little oasis where you can enjoy the verdant flora during the warmer months. The garden is designed by Ulf Nordfjell, one of Sweden's foremost landscape architects, and has been awarded a gold medal at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in London. Take a garden walk, visit Carl von Linnaeus' home, and enjoy refreshments at the outdoor café.

From June to August, you can explore Lake Helga aboard the steamship Thor, Sweden's oldest wood-fired steamer built in 1887. Enjoy a storytelling tour, a Lake Helga tour, or a lock tour where you'll see the lake from new perspectives while also hearing fascinating stories and information. Tours depart from the ruins of Kronoberg Castle.

Teleborg Castle resembles a fairytale castle, surrounded by a lush castle park. The castle was completed just in time for the turn of the last century and now functions as a hotel, restaurant, and conference and event venue. You can come here to check out the beautiful building, stroll around the garden, and eat something in the restaurant.

If you're looking for a really fun evening in Växjö, Knock 'em Down is a safe bet. The activity centre offers a variety of activities for both adults and children. How about rodeo, billiards, darts, and laser games? Time flies by easily here, and if you're feeling hungry, simply head to the restaurant where burgers and other American favourites are served.

Would you like to take the opportunity to learn more about Småland? Then visit the Småland Museum, which, with its over 150 years of history, is Sweden's oldest county museum. The museum displays both temporary and permanent exhibitions, illustrating Kronoberg's cultural history in the past, present, and future. In the same building, you will also find Utvandrarnas Hus, whose exhibitions tell the story of emigration to North America during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Anyone drawn to adrenaline-filled activities should set aside some time for a trip to Sweden Zipline, Europe's longest zipline course located about 40 minutes outside of Växjö. High up in the air, you can enjoy nature and experience the Småland forests from a completely new perspective. There are also plenty of fun things to do on the ground, including canoeing, ghost mines, a five-event competition, and nature walks.

Actic isn't just a haunt for fitness enthusiasts, the facility next to Lake Växjö also attracts keen swimmers. In addition to workout spaces, there's a swimming complex featuring both swimming pools and a family-friendly adventure pool. Zoom down the water slide, splash around in the children's pool, and explore the waterfalls. After all that play, a little extra relaxation in the sauna is just the ticket.