Things to do in Lidköping and around Läckö
There's plenty to do in Lidköping beyond just visiting our castle. Spend the night at the hotel in Victoriahuset, at the campsite or in the guest harbour, or take a tour around the surrounding area. The sights in Lidköping extend over the whole area, whether it is on Kållandsö, Kinnekulle or in the city centre.
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Sights in Lidköping
What is there to do in Lidköping?
Lidköping is one of those places that quickly feels like home. Perfectly situated on the shores of Lake Vänern, the town offers both small-town tranquillity and beautiful scenery, while there is always something new to see and do. It's easy to sit down at a café by the square, take a stroll along the waterfront or just wander around charming old houses. But what really stands out, and what many people talk about, is Kållandsö.
Kållandsö is perfect for excursions. Here, open fields are mixed with quiet forests and views of the lake that seem almost endless. In the centre of the island is Läckö Castle, which looks like something straight out of a storybook. During the summer months, Läckö comes alive with concerts, guided tours and a cosy castle restaurant, where you can sit outside and enjoy both food and views without the slightest trace of homesickness.
Get the most out of Kållandsö
Läckö Castle, one of Sweden's most famous and impressive castle complexes, is located in the centre of Kållandsö. According to the locals, Kållandsö is something completely different from the Kålland peninsula that you travel on before crossing the bridge to the island. It is a real summer paradise with rich history and architecture. Here there are opportunities for hiking, fishing, swimming and other archipelago experiences in a fabulous and scenic environment.
- Hiking on Kållandsö island: Go on scenic trails such as the Biosphere Trail or Traneberg with lakeside paths.
- Cycling on Kållandsö: Hire a bike and pedal your way through the small roads between Läckö Golf Course and Sunnerby.
The island also offers charming accommodation, small farm shops, artists' studios and several cosy eateries with locally produced ingredients. The landscape offers several nature reserves, with the Vänern horizon as a constant painting in the eye, whether you are standing on a cliff or pedalling along a country road by bike.
Fishing at Spiken fishing village
Next door to Läckö Castle is the fishing village of Spiken. Here you will find eateries, shops and lots of boats. In summer, the fishing village is filled with tourists and fishermen working in the harbour. Take a three-kilometre walk along the shores of Lake Vänern and discover one of Europe's largest inland fishing harbours, just a short trip from Läckö. Of course, you can also get there by car, bike or take your boat to Spiken's guest harbour.
Swimming and camping at Läckö Strand
One of the absolute highlights of summer in Lidköping is, of course, enjoying a refreshing dip in the lake. A few kilometres from Läckö Castle and Victoria House you'll find Läckö Strand, where there's a café and a shop. You can also spend the night at the campsite or stay in one of their cottages, perfect if you want to extend your stay on Kållandsö. At breakfast in Victoriahuset you can taste marmalades produced on Läckö Strand.
Hire a kayak or canoe on Läckö
A popular summer excursion to do in Lidköping is to go out and discover the beautiful archipelago on the western side of Kållandsö. Here you'll find Naven Outdoor Experience, which takes you out on canoeing trips. They offer courses and tours all year round, and in the summer you can also hire kayaks and canoes from them at the campsite here on Läckö.
Things to do on Kinnekulle
From Lidköping or during a boat trip on Lake Vänern, you can see the plateau mountain Kinnekulle in the distance. Here, many very popular tourist destinations are gathered on one hill. Spend a full day on Kinnekulle by visiting the small villages and discovering the local sights of Lidköping on charming pedestrian streets. When the sky is clear, you can look out over Läckö Castle and Lake Vänern from the hill's viewing tower.
Discover Husaby Church
On Kinnekulle, a source of many attractions in Lidköping, there are several beautiful medieval churches that you can visit, not least Husaby Church, which is Sweden's first bishop's church. North-east of the church is St Sigfrid's spring, where it is believed that Olof Skötkonung was baptised. There are also the ruins of the castle built by the Bishop of Skara in 1480.
Enjoy the Munkängarna nature reserve
The name Munkängarna probably comes from when the area belonged to Vadstena Abbey, but there is no longer any meadow here. Instead, the nature reserve is filled with deciduous trees that keep the area pitch black even on the brightest of summer evenings. This is worth a visit all year round if you want to enjoy beautiful scenery, especially in early summer when the wood anemone is in bloom. Remember, however, that it is forbidden to pick wild garlic in Munkängarna.
Visit the Big Quarry - Little Grand Canyon
Locally, Stora Stenbrottet has been dubbed the 'Little Grand Canyon'. This mighty quarry - one of many popular attractions in Lidköping - is 40 metres deep, with the lower layers of limestone stretching back 400 million years. The changing colours of the stone layers and the beautiful setting have made the quarry one of the most popular places to visit on Kinnekulle.
Explore Falkängens Hantverksby
Another popular activity to do in Lidköping is to visit the town's many flea markets and small shops. The craft village is open during the summer season. There are ten different craft shops in the old mill environment. There you will have the opportunity to meet the craftsmen themselves, who are happy to show what they have to offer and demonstrate their crafts on several occasions during the season. Falkängens Hantverksby consists of eight houses, all from the turn of the century and which were once workers' homes for employees at the cement factory.
Hike along the Kinnekulle trail
Over its 48 kilometres, the Kinnekulle Trail offers a varied landscape with deciduous forests, pastures, large spruce forests and cliffs for swimming and coffee breaks. The trail winds its way up the 300 metre high plateau mountain Kinnekulle. Stop at the lookout tower and gaze out over Lake Vänern and Läckö Castle, or discover the Martorpsfallet waterfall that rushes over the limestone formations.
Things to do in Lidköping town centre
This small town 25 km from Läckö is worth a visit, with all the cafés and shops. There is always something nice, cosy or exciting to do in Lidköping. In the centre, on Nya Stadens Torg, stands the Town Hall, which is said to have originally been Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie's hunting lodge that was moved to Lidköping over the ice, after a fire in 1960 the building was rebuilt and completed in 1961. Every Wednesday and Saturday there is also market trading that you can visit in the square around the Town Hall.
Stadsträdgården - Lidköping's leafy meeting place
Stadsträdgården, in the heart of Lidköping, is a park where you can leave the noise of the city centre behind. Stroll among the beautiful plantings, enjoy the flowers during the summer months and let the children play freely in the playground. During the summer, concerts and cultural events are often organised in the park. The city garden is also a great place for a picnic or a quiet moment with a book, and is an attraction that provides a nice contrast to the city's historic surroundings.
Fik and shops on Limtorget
One of the most charming things to do in Lidköping town centre is to take a walk through Limtorget. This is the oldest part of Lidköping, the only part that escaped the fire of 1849, and there are cafés and old houses to wander around in the square. The name probably comes from the time when limestone was sold here, which is also called glue. On Wednesday evenings during the summer, traditional musical entertainment is organised inside the Hantverksgården.
Rörstrand Museum and porcelain factories
On Rörstrand Museum you will learn about the history of one of Europe's oldest porcelain factories - the crown jewel of Swedish porcelain - Rörstrand. Artifacts and tableware that are considered classic today made Rörstrand part of our Swedish cultural heritage. Rörstrand renewed our household porcelain with unconventional design and groundbreaking innovation. In addition to the museum, you will find the Iittala outlet, cafés, restaurants and today's porcelain manufacturers in the Rörstrand area.
Vänermuseet - Learn more about Lake Vänern
One of the most obvious attractions in Lidköping is of course Lake Vänern. On the Lake Vänern Museum you can learn more about the area, and the people who have shaped it. In the basic exhibitions, you can learn about how our attitude to Lake Vänern and how its waters have changed over time. In the popular "In the Deep" exhibition, you can dive into aquariums that showcase all the fish species that swim around in Lake Vänern.
Hiking on Hinden's reef
Walking out onto Hinden's reef is a truly unique experience. The further you walk out on the narrow headland, the narrower it becomes until it finally dips below the surface of the water. But it then comes up again on the Dalsland side, where it is called Hjortens udde. The walk to the outermost tip of Hinden's reef is about 5 kilometres long, and of course you also have to walk back the same way. In total, the whole walk takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Discover Kata Farm and Varnhem Abbey Church
About an hour from Läckö you'll find Kata Gård - one of the most fascinating sights in Lidköping. There are the ruins of the first known Christian church with the oldest preserved rooms in Sweden. The name Kata comes from the Viking woman who is believed to have ruled the farm at the end of the Viking Age. Next to Kata farm is Varnhem's monastery church, along with the monastery ruins. It is here that Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie is buried together with Maria Eufrosyne.
Lidköping's main attraction
Visit us at Läckö Castle
While you're looking for things to do in Lidköping and on Kållandsö, you should take the opportunity to visit Läckö Castle. However, remember to plan your visit and check our opening hours and parking facilities, as there are many people who visit us all year round. If there are many people in your party who want to go on a guided tour, you may need to pre-book tickets. Please let us know if you have any other concerns about your visit.
See & Do
Explore more activities
At Läckö Castle we offer a variety of activities both indoors and outdoors. If you want to explore the castle and its history, you can attend exhibitions, performances and guided tours of the castle's interior. If you prefer to explore our surroundings, you can go canoeing, boating or challenge your party on the golf course. We will do our best to customise a day at the castle to suit you and your party.
Canoe / Kayak
Canoeing or kayaking in Lake Vänern is a unique nature experience that you will never forget. There are calm waters and sheltered bays, but also more challenging paddles in the open sea. Whether you want to go out on your own or in a group, there are countless opportunities to experience Lake Vänern up close.
Boat trips
Experience a unique and scenic boat trip on Lake Vänern with an experienced guide. On our tour you get to explore Djurö National Park up close and view the mainland from a lake perspective. Bring a packed lunch or morning coffee, sit back and enjoy a full day trip full of idyllic nature experiences.
Guided tours
Immerse yourself in the history of the castle, hike in the nature reserve or enjoy a paddle trip through Lake Vänern. We offer educational guided tours of the castle, the nature centre and other scenic areas around Kållandsö. Enjoy an inspiring day at the castle with your family, friends, colleagues or class.
Exhibitions
Läckö Castle is not only a majestic fortress from the age of great power, but also a vibrant cultural centre with a rich tradition of exhibitions. For decades, our halls, castle rooms and exteriors have been transformed into galleries, theatres and themed rooms where history, art and culture are woven together in a captivating mix. Explore our diverse range of exhibitions and join us on a journey back in time.
Concerts
In our castle area you will have the opportunity to experience unforgettable evenings with music and entertainment on a professional level. Sessions in Lidköping offers music and entertainment by bands and artists throughout the summer. Take the concert bus from Stadshotellet and experience the scenic surroundings of the castle area.
Opera
The grand courtyard has fantastic acoustics, and the summer opera at Läckö Castle is well known and loved far beyond the borders of Västra Götaland - and even the whole of Sweden. Come rain or shine, audiences have flocked to the fairytale castle on Kållandsö to enjoy everything from Mozart to Benjamin Britten.