Linköping is a large and significant city with a rich history, largely due to its convenient location. At the same time, it retains a cozy, small-town atmosphere. This is largely due to its low-rise buildings: there are almost no high-rise buildings in Linköping, thanks to the nearby air force airfield.
However, there’s never a dull moment here. The city is home to a university, thanks to which Linköping is brimming with youthful energy—students enliven its streets both day and night. The city’s current motto is “Linköping – Where Ideas Become Reality.”
Linköping Attractions and Entertainment
Only two medieval buildings remain in Linköping: the cathedral and the castle. The cathedral is considered one of the best-preserved in Sweden. It is adorned with pointed Gothic towers, intricate stone sculptures, and glass figurines. Built in the 12th century, the building has been expanded and renovated many times. In the 19th century, the cathedral received a 107-meter-tall tower, and its overall length is 110 meters. Interestingly, according to legend, it was in Linköping that the first Christian bishopric was founded, while Uppsala remained pagan.
The castle, built in the 13th century, long served as the residence of bishops until the Lutheran Reformation changed its purpose in the 16th century. Today, it houses the Östergötland Sheriff’s Office and a museum.
Linköping Town Hall was built in 1864 for a church school. Above its entrance, a Latin inscription still remains: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all learning.” It is located on a hill from which the main street, Storgatan, descends to Stortorget Square and further to Stångebro Bridge over the Stångon River. This street is part of the historic route that connected Norrköping with Stockholm.
West of the city center lies the unique open-air museum Gamla Linköping, as well as the Vala Fritidsområd neighborhood. These neighborhoods contain numerous 19th-century wooden houses, relocated from the city center to save them from demolition. In this picturesque corner, you can soak up the atmosphere of the past, observing the daily life of the residents of old Linköping. Traditional sweets, including local candies and chocolates, are also sold here, often at discounted prices.
