This small town in Småland is the birthplace of author Astrid Lindgren. Its wooden buildings from the 1700s line cobblestone streets, and the Astrid Lindgren's World theme park draws families year-round.
Vimmerby, a small town in southeastern Sweden, brings the stories of children's author Astrid Lindgren to life. Walk through the streets where she grew up, sit in her childhood kitchen at Näs farm, or watch actors perform scenes from Pippi Longstocking at the themed adventure park. Beyond the author's legacy, you'll find centuries-old wooden houses along medieval street patterns and farms that became famous movie locations.
Exploring Astrid Lindgren's World
Live performances happen throughout this 180,000-square-meter park, where actors play characters from Lindgren's books. Your children can run through Villa Villekulla, climbing its crooked stairs and exploring Pippi's home. In Mattis's fortress, kids climb wooden towers and cross rope bridges. The park opens 10:00-17:00 daily from May to August, with weekend openings in September and during autumn school breaks.
Visiting Näs - Lindgren's Childhood Home
Walk 10 minutes from the town center to reach Näs farm, where Astrid Lindgren spent her childhood. The guided tours take you through the red wooden farmhouse where she lived with her siblings. You'll see her bedroom, the kitchen where her family gathered, and the garden where she played. The museum complex includes rooms dedicated to her writing process, original manuscripts, and temporary exhibitions. Open daily 10:00-17:00 in summer, Wednesday through Sunday 11:00-16:00 in other seasons.
Film Locations Around Vimmerby
Drive 25 kilometers to Katthult farm, where directors filmed the Emil in Lönneberga movies. The red wooden main building with its white trim and tall flagpole has become a popular photo spot. In Sevedstorp, three traditional farms stand close together, creating the setting for the Children of Noisy Village films. Lindgren's father grew up in the "Middle Farm," which influenced her stories about countryside life.
Medieval Town Center
Walk along Storgatan, the main street that follows its original medieval layout. The wooden buildings along the street date from the 1800s, painted in traditional Swedish red and yellow colors. In Stora Torget (main square), you'll find a bronze statue of Astrid Lindgren sitting at her typewriter - the chair next to her stays warm year-round through built-in heating. Inside the white neoclassical Vimmerby Church (1854-1855), look for the stone baptismal font from the 1200s and the ornately carved 1700s pulpit.
Getting to Vimmerby
Take the Krösatåg train service connecting to Linköping, Kalmar, and Hultsfred. If you're driving, follow Roads 23 and 40, which intersect in town. From Linköping City Airport, 99 kilometers north, you can take a bus or rent a car. Kalmar Länstrafik runs regular bus services between Vimmerby and nearby towns.
