Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
driving time between Växjö and Kosta is 45 minutes; it's another 45 minutes
between Kosta and Kalmar.
Looking at a map, you'll notice the glassworks are scattered around the
center oftheregion.While itwouldtake thebetter partofadaytolooparound
and visit them all, distances are relatively short and roads are good. Still, it's
smart to be selective. Ona tight schedule, I'dvisit Kosta and Transjö, possibly
Bergdala or Åfors, and maybe the Lessebo paper mill, skipping the rest.
If you're visiting Glass Country en route from Växjö to Kalmar, consider
this driving plan: Head southeast from Växjö on highway 25, following signs
for
Kalmar
.IfyouwanttovisitBergdala,turnoffafterHovmantorp;toskipit,
head straight to Lessebo (and its paper mill). In Lessebo, turn north for Kosta
and tour the big Kosta Boda glassworks there. Then, if you'd like to visit the
Moose Park, detour slightly east (it's just on the outskirts of Kosta, toward
Orrefors). From here you can also detour much farther to the Mats Jonasson
glassworks, to the northeast in Målerås. Otherwise, from Kosta, head south on
highway 28, watching for signs to
Transjö
for the best of the smaller, artsy
glassworks. The same road 28 takes you to Eriksmåla, where the Åfors work-
shop is also worth a visit if you're not glassed out. In Eriksmåla you can pick
up highway 25 and make a beeline east to Kalmar.
These attractions are tied together by the driving tour described above. Don't
forget the two non-glass sights (the historic paper mill and Moose Park), de-
scribed after the glassworks.
Glassworks (Glasbruks)
These are listed in the order you'll reach them, from Växjö to Kalmar. Many
glassworks charge admission to watch the hot shop at work, but most aren't
set up to actually collect this fee at the door—so curious tourists can simply
poke around and might not even have to pay (the entrance fee is waived if
you have the 95-kr Glasriket Pass). Also note that many workshops take a
lunch break sometime between 10:00 and 11:00, and stop working entirely
after about 15:00 or 15:30.
