Gränna

Gränna, archaic spelling Grenna, is a town in northern Småland, at the eastern shore of lake Vättern, Sweden's second largest lake. Gränna is known for the peppermint rock candy, referred to as “polkagris” in Swedish. 

In the 17th century Gränna and the island Visingsö was ruled by the count Per Brahe the Younger. Several of the monuments and castles made during this era is still preserved. One of the castles is Braheborg located at the top of the Gränna mountain, next to the road E4. It is nowadays used as a tourist attraction.

This peppermint rock was created in 1859 by the single mother Amalia Eriksson. For a long time she was the only one making the sweets, but in order to meet rising demand, more peppermint rock makers appeared in the little town. Today there are a dozen bakeries in Gränna where people can see how the sweets are prepared.

• Gränna Tourism website

Gränna is at the E4, just north of Jönköping. Free parking is available at the central square, just follow the main road into the town. The western part is limited to 4 hours, the eastern part to 24 hours. It easily fills late morning to afternoon during the main tourism season. Ample non-free parking is available near the harbour including spaces for motorhomes.

• Grenna Museum, Brahegata 38-40. A museum best known for the remnants of the Andrée Expedition, a failed attempt in 1897 to reach the North Pole with a hot air balloon. (updated Aug 2016)

A couple of cafes and restaurants can be found at the harbour. Two noteworthy places at the central square, both with outdoor seating at the rear side: Fiket is a cafe which offers sweet delights throughout the day and some non-sweet options for lunch. Amalia's is a restaurant with a large terrace.

• ^{[formerly dead link]} Hotell Ribbagården, Ribbagårdsgränd 11, ☏ +46 390 10820, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. A cosy hotel in the middle of Gränna. (updated Dec 2016)
• Smålandsgården, Gamla Brunnsvägen 8, Örserum (11 km east of Gränna along road 133), ☏ +46 390 650195, [email protected]. If Gränna feels too noisy for you then this is the place to go. Located in a large plot at the northern shore of lake Ören this hotel has its own boat landing and beach. Rooms are in an old building with no frills (there is WiFi but no TV) and an interesting kind of elevator. The restaurant provides the usual breakfast buffet; during the summer season the only offer in the evening is a barbecue buffet (your choice of meat or fish determines the price, the buffet is for potatoes, dips, vegetables and salad). (updated Sep 2021)

Ferries to Visingsö, the largest island in Vättern, embark from Gränna.

Helsingborg ← Jönköping ←

SW  NE

→ Mjölby → Linköping → Stockholm