The bird paradise Tåkern, Alvastra monastery ruins and Omberg around
The area around Vadstena is full of interesting ruins, churches and architecture. Take the opportunity to experience all these destinations during your stay with us!
Please note. We have a hiking package that includes a lunch bag (you can borrow a backpack). Of course, you get access to our hiking and cycling maps if you booked another package, you can easily fix a lunch bag yourself.
The bird paradise Tåkern is a given stop, here is the fine Naturum and several opportunities to get close to nature. Outside the nature center there are hiking trails, bird towers, barbecue areas, fairy tale trail and nature playground. Here you can enjoy your picnic at various rest areas and. It costs nothing to take part in Naturum's exhibitions and facilities.
Alvastra monastery ruins
Alvastra Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery located in Alvastra at the foot of Mount Omberg in Västra Tollstad parish in Ödeshög municipality. It was founded in 1143 by monks from the French monastery of Clairvaux and was, together with Nydala monastery, the first Cistercian monastery in the Nordic countries. Alvastra in turn founded the monasteries of Varnhem, Julita and Gudsberga, and Alvastra's abbot also acted as father abbot for the nunneries of Askeby, Vreta and Riseberga. Monastic life lasted without known interruptions until the monastery was dissolved around 1530 in connection with the Reformation. Today, only the ruins of the church and the other monastic buildings remain.
Omberg
Omberg is hardly bigger than a small hill, we are usually told when the name comes up. It is enough to come a few hundred meters from any direction to understand that Omberg is SO much more than a good height on the East Gothic plain (schlättah). Omberg is the country's most species-rich forest landscape and the beautiful beech forest on the slope down to Lake Vättern, the giant oaks and the colorful meadows are just some of them.
The area around and on Omberg has long been inhabited, as evidenced by several ancient ruins. In the Middle Ages, Omberg was one of the country's largest animal farms and the king had his own hunting ground.
Around Omberg there are many attractions; Marberget, Västra väggar, Stocklycke harbor and meadows, Älvarums udde, the giant oaks, Hjässan, Hjässanborgen, Sweden's tallest tree... and much, much more. Read more here about all the attractions
