The most beautiful places in Småland
On the Emån river – quiet inland Småland with a surprisingly big story.
All to yourself
Högsby is the Småland that's easy to overlook – and that's exactly why I love it.
Deep in the forested inland of Kalmar län, where the Emån river winds in calm loops, lies the small municipality of Högsby. Sparsely populated, quiet, surrounded by forest and water – here in the evening I really hear nothing but the river and the birds. And yet there's more to this quiet little spot than you'd think: a museum about the great Greta Garbo, whose family came from here, a river for paddling, and lakes where you can find a little spot all to yourself.
Anyone who comes to Högsby does not need a long list. A walk along the river, a fika on the porch, a swim in the lake when the evening is warm – that is all it takes. It is exactly this simplicity that makes the place so precious to me. Every time, I learn here again that life does not have to be loud to feel rich.
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Small municipality in inland Småland.
Forested, sparsely populated inland Småland.
One of the largest rivers in southern Sweden – perfect for paddling.
The film legend's only museum in the world.
Tip: Museums, boat rentals and lakeside kiosks are mainly open in summer – it's best to quickly check the exact times on the official websites.
Gösjöns Camping near Berga: The campsite Gösjöns Camping lies near Berga in Högsby Municipality. Location on Google Maps
Little discoveries
In the middle of this little town, the world's only Greta Garbo museum honors the film diva, whose family came from the area. Studio photos, props, film history – for a movie lover like me, an unexpected treasure.
The Emån is a dream for canoeing – calm, winding, lined with forest. There's a boat rental between Högsby and Fågelfors. No sound but the paddle in the water – for me, that's pure relaxation.
On the many-branched lake Allgunnen, it's easy to find a quiet bay all to yourself. And at the Aboda Klint nature reserve, you look out over the forest from the cliff – with a hidden swimming spot and a jetty down by the water.
In the little village of Fågelfors, the Nostalgia museum tells of old toys and the entertainment of bygone days. A playful, warm-hearted place where my inner child lights up instantly.
All around Högsby, nothing but forests, meadows and water. Thanks to Allemansrätten, I'm allowed to hike anywhere, pick berries and watch the day slow down – nature that belongs to no one and to everyone.
Högsby teaches me that quiet doesn't mean empty. A river, a forest, a small museum full of stories – and suddenly the very small feels very big. Here I come back to myself.
Impressions
A few moments I captured around Högsby and the Emån – the river, the church and that gentle calm in the village that you feel so beautifully in inland Småland.
Why I keep coming back
Högsby is my place for the really quiet days. A canoe on the Emån, an afternoon at the Garbo museum, a lake all to myself – and all around, nothing but forest and silence. A little spot that wants nothing from you and gives me so much precisely because of that.
♥ ♥ ♥
The journey continues
Discover the other stops on my journey through the land I long for – place by place, with heart.
