This calm town in southern Sweden has a glass and furniture design museum, Bruno Mathsson Center, and sits along Lake Vidöstern's shore in Småland region.
Värnamo lies next to the Lagan River in southern Sweden, with thick woodlands and five large lakes nearby. Walk through Apladalen’s open-air museum to see 18th-century farmsteads and meet sheep or chickens, spend an afternoon at the Gummifabriken cultural space inside a former rubber factory, or hike across Store Mosse National Park’s raised bogs. The town has strong ties to Scandinavian design, including the Vandalorum art museum and workshops where Bruno Mathsson created his famous curved furniture. Trails here are easy to access, and you can swim at Osudden beach in summer or watch a football match at Finnvedsvallen stadium.
Store Mosse National Park and Nearby Lakes
Drive 15 minutes north to reach Store Mosse National Park, covering 100 square kilometers of marshes, pine woods, and wetlands where cranes nest. Walk on wooden paths over peat bogs or try the 12-kilometer Sjöängen trail, which takes you past lakes and observation towers. The Naturum center has exhibits on wolves, moose, and rare insects. Back in Värnamo, Lake Vidöstern’s northern end has Osudden, a sandy beach with gentle slopes into the water. Rent a kayak from the dock to paddle the Lagan River, which flows through smaller lakes like Hindsen, or bike the 28-kilometer Lake Loop past fields and wooded areas.
Museums, History, and Local Culture
Apladalen park in town centers on a collection of 1700s buildings, including a blacksmith’s forge and a farmhouse with original tools. Families often visit the petting zoo to feed rabbits and goats, and a bronze statue depicts Per and Kersi, characters from a regional folk tale. The Gummifabriken complex now holds a library, a cinema screening indie films, and cafes—try the cinnamon buns at Madame Brasserie. Just outside town, Vandalorum’s steel-and-glass building displays modern Scandinavian furniture and hosts temporary exhibits, such as ceramic art or light installations.
Furniture Design and Workshops
Bruno Mathsson’s former home and studio, open for tours, reveals how he crafted his signature bentwood chairs and adjustable desks. Nearby, the Källemo workshop still produces sleek oak tables sold in Stockholm and Copenhagen. Vandalorum museum rotates exhibits yearly, like last summer’s display of woven textiles from local artists. If visiting in September, join Småland Design Days to watch carpenters shape wooden bowls or try weaving at free workshops.
Seasonal Activities and Sports
From June to August, swim at Hjortsjöbadet’s grassy lakeshore or camp at High Chaparral, a Western-themed park with horseback riding and log cabins. Collect chanterelles in oak groves during September, or ski on prepared tracks near Store Mosse once snow covers the ground. Fish for pike in Lake Vidöstern with a permit bought at the tourist office. Download the free Naturkartan app to find updated trail maps, including wheelchair-friendly paths added after the park’s accessibility upgrades in 2023.
Getting to Värnamo and Visitor Tips
Trains from Halmstad and Nässjö stop at Värnamo station, and buses run hourly from Jönköping. Växjö Airport is a 50-minute drive, with rental cars available. Pick up maps at the InfoPoint near the town square—ask staff about lesser-known spots like the Kulltorp stone circle, a Bronze Age site. Entry to Apladalen, Store Mosse’s trails, and Vandalorum’s outdoor sculpture garden costs nothing. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 70°F, but carry a light jacket; rain occurs even on warm days.
