Vadstena

Vadstena is situated on the eastern shores of Lake Vättern in a rich farmland district.
The town's history is closely connected to the convent, founded by Saint Bridget of Sweden in 1384. It was the first, and also the largest, convent of the Bridgettine Order. The convent was established in the 13th century royal palace by lake Vättern. Since 1999, Bridget has been one of Europe's six patron saints.
After the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, the convent was closed and the abbey church later became the Vadstena parish church, which it still is today.
In the 16th century, a hospital was founded next to the convent to care for the poor pilgrims who couldn't afford to stay at inns and guest houses in town. The hospital lived on through the centuries specialised on psychiatric help. Several old buildings in the hospital area are still standing today.

By plane

• Skavsta Airport - Used by Ryanair. Lies some 140 km north-east of Vadstena. A shuttle bus (90 min) overland link between Linköping and Skavsta airport.
• Linköping Airport - 40 km East from Vadstena. Flights almost only to Stockholm, Amsterdam, Riga and Copenhagen. There are no shuttles between the airport and Linköping central station and you need to take a taxi from the airport.
• Norrköping Airport - Flights almost only to Helsinki, Visby, München and Copenhagen. Lies 90 km north-east of Vadstena.

By train

Train stations are in Motala, Mjölby or Linköping, from where you take the bus to Vadstena.

By bus

• Swebus Express

  phone: +46-771-218218
  Vadstena is on one line of the wide network of Swebus Express services.
• The local bus company is called Östgötatrafiken. They also run the buses and trains in the rest of Östergötland and is the cheapest way to get to Vadstena.

It's not possible to pay cash for a ticket on the bus. You can get ticket in Quickomats and some stores. It's also possible to buy an SMS-ticket, information how to do that can be found at . The ticket is valid for a limited time so you can use the same ticket for more than 1 trip.
You can also buy a bus card. It is a magnetic strip card and you can load money in it. The advantage is that each trip fare is cheaper than the normal fare. You'll find more info about tickets and fares at

By car

• 245 km south of Stockholm.
• 90 km south of Norrköping.
• 450 km north of Malmö/Copenhagen.
• 15 km south of Motala.

Vadstena is a small town and the easiest way to see the sights is by foot.

Taxi

Taxis are on the expensive side. The meter is used to control the cost but always make sure that this is set when commencing a journey.

Bike

• Vadstena Abbey Church

  address: Myntbacken 2
  One of the largest medieval churches in Scandinavia. It holds a large collection of medieval wooden sculptures. Next to the altar is Saint Bridget of Sweden's reliquary.

• Vadstena CastleFrom the 16th century, it was built as a fortress to protect the rich Mälaren Valley from the southern enemy. Rebuilt into a Renaissance palace by the royal Vasa family and since then very well-preserved. Guided tours are offered all year. Museum with furnishings from 16-18th centuries.

• Vadstena Rådhus

  address: Rådhustorget 5
  The oldest city hall in Sweden, built in the early 15th century.

Museums

• Vadstena Hospital Museum

  address: Jungfrustigen 2
  A museum that covers the town's hospital tradition. The 16th-century Mårten Skinnares House is next to the museum and open during guided tours of the museum.

• Saint Bridgets Convent Museum

  phone: +46 143-100 31
  address: Gräsgården, Klosterområdet
  In the old royal palace which was rebuilt into the Bridgettine convent.

• Vadstena City Museum

  phone: +46 10-476 87 31
  address: Rådhustorget 9
  In a building from the 16th century. Tells the story of the town.

• Gottfrid Larsson Gården

  phone: +46 10-476 87 31
  address: Skänningegatan 9
  A house museum dedicated to the local sculptor "Gottfrid Larsson". The house also contains "Spettsmuseum" (Bobbin Lace Museum).

• Leksaksmuseum

  phone: +46 143-292 75
  address: Slottsgården, Hamngatan 3
  In a building from the 16th century. Tells the story of the town.

• Visit the Abbey. Don't miss the concertos.
• Walk around the city.
• Attend the Nostalgic evenings at the Toy Museum, once a week during summers.
• The city sightseeing train Hjulius with guided tour of the town.

• Bobbin laces, traditionally woven in Vadstena since the 17th century.

Coffee

Alcohol

Systembolaget

• Systembolaget

  phone: +46 143-100 36
  address: Hovsgatan 4
  Systembolaget is the state-owned monopoly liquor store. This is where you go if you want to buy a bottle of wine or spirits or beer stronger than approx. 3% alcohol which you can find in supermarkets.

Budget

Mid-range

• Väversunda Church, Herrestad Church and Örberga Church, dated to the early 12th century
• Lake Tåkern, a known birdwatching site. Naturum visitor center.
• Mountain Omberg, 20 km south of Vadstena. Ski at Ombergsliden in the winter.
• Borghamn, little town 15 km south of Vadstena where you can buy fish and enjoy the harbor, and beautiful walk up to Omberg.
• The ruins of Alvastra Abbey, 20 km south of Vadstena.
• Rökstenen, runestone 20 km south of Vadstena, visitor center
• Vadstena Motorcycle and Tractor Museum, just outside Vadstena
• Motala, town 15 km north of Vadstena.