Ljungby is a town in southern Sweden that lies by the river Lagan. It is in the historical region Finnveden, one of the "small countries" which make up today's Småland. After a fire destroyed much of the town centre in 1953, the centre was rebuilt with buildings and a piazza in the modern International Style.
Understand
Ljungby was first mentioned in 1301 as "iuxta Liongby", but it did not grew into a town until the mid-1800s. It is the second largest city in Kronoberg County, after Växjö. As of 2017 the town has about 16 000 inhabitants, with a total of 28 400 in the municipality.
Tourist office
- 1 Ljungby Tourist Center (Ljungby Turistbyrå), Stora torget 6, ☏ +46 372-78 92 20, turistbyran@ljungby.se. M-Tu 10:00—13:00 and 14:00—16:30; W closed; Th 10:00—13:00 and 14:00—18:00; F 12:00—16:30.
Get in
By car
Several car routes intersect at Ljungby. The E4 highway connects to Helsingborg and Stockholm in the south, continuing north to Tornio. Route 25 connects to Halmstad in west and Växjö, continuing to Kalmar, in east. An alternative to the E4 is the scenic route Riksettan that pass through Ljungby.
By bus
- 1 Ljungby bus terminal. Operated by Länstrafiken Kronoberg and Flixbus
By bicycle
- Banvallsleden. A 250-km long-distance cycling route that pass through central Ljungby and connects with Halmstad in the west and Karlshamn in the southeast.
- Sverigeleden (29). This route connects Gothenburg with Blädinge and pass through Lagan about 10 km north of Ljungby. Lagan and Ljungby are connected with a bicycle path that takes you straight from Sverigeleden to central Ljungby.
By train
- 2 Alvesta Station is in Alvesta, about 40 minutes east of Ljungby, and can be reached by bus or car. There are direct trains from Copenhagen and Kastrup airport in Denmark. Furthermore, there are trains from Malmö, Gothenburg and Stockholm.
- 3 Halmstad Central Station is in Halmstad, about an hour west of Ljungby and can be reached by bus or car. There are good connections with both Malmö/Copenhagen in the south and Göteborg/Oslo/Stockholm in the northern direction.
By plane
- 4 Växjö Småland Airport (VXO IATA) (outside Växjö, about 40 minutes by car). Airport buses connect the airport with Växjö. Operated by SAS, Fly Smaland and Ryanair and has flights from Stockholm, Kalmar, Visby, Weeze, Berlin and Kaunas in Lithuania.
- 5 Feringe airfield (ICAO: ESMG). Private airfield 15 km outside Ljungby, without regular passenger traffic.
The nearest major international airports are Copenhagen Airport, Malmö Airport, Göteborg Airport and Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
Get around
Ljungby is a small town, so your feet will be sufficient for the centre of town, the rest of the city can be reached by bicycle. If you want to travel outside Ljungby you might want to consider a car. The rural area around Ljungby is sparsely populated and may thus lack regular public transport and dedicated cycle paths in some places.
Local buses are operated by Länstrafiken Kronoberg and connect Ljungby with the neighbouring towns Växjö, Halmstad, Värnamo, Markaryd, and Älmhult; including several smaller towns and villages on the way. Tickets can be bought directly on the bus (for a small extra fee), via Länstrafiken Kronoberg's mobile-app, or from Willy:s supermarket near the bus station.
Bus tickets are only valid for a short time (around an hour or so depending on distance). And expect an extra fee if you pay with cash instead of card on the bus. Some buses are "direct buses" that go directly to their destination without stops on the way. These buses usually start with an 8 ("845" instead of "145"); you can ask the driver if you are unsure.
- Ljungby Taxi Service, ☏ +46 372-107 00. 24 hr. Taxi service.
- Länstrafiken Kronoberg, ☏ +46 771-76 70 76, kundcenter@lanstrafikenkron.se. The local bus company that handles public transport in Kronoberg County, including Ljungby. Their customer service can answer any question, in English, about their service.
See
- 1 The Museum of Legends (Sagomuseet), ☏ +46 372-148 55, kontakt@sagobygden.se. High season: M closed; Tu-Su 12:00-16:00; low season: Th 12:00-16:00. A museum for oral narration, fairy tales, and folklore. Adult 60 kr; youth 3-18 30 kr; children younger than 3 years free.
- 2 The Ljungberg Museum (Ljungbergmuseet), Strandgatan 5 (hidden behind turn of the century houses, the museum can be hard to find; follow Kungsgatan towards Gängesvägen and a street sign will point you toward a small alley; follow the alley for 50 meters and you will arrive), ☏ +46 372 620 36, info@ljungbergmuseet.se. Tu-F 12:00-17:00; Sa Su 12:00-16:00. Kronoberg County's museum of visual art with a permanent exhibitions is dedicated to works of Sven Ljungberg and Ann Margret Dahlquist-Ljungberg. Adult 100 kr, student 50 kr, under 18 years old free, group (10 persons) 60 kr per person.
- 3 Minivärlden, Helsingborgsvägen 9, info@tagcentralen.se. Summer: M-Sa 10:00-15:00; low season: varying opening hours, see website. Model railway museum Children 0-4 years free; children 5-11 years 20 kr; children 12-100 years 100 kr.
- 4 The Burial Museum (Begravningsmuseet), Donationsgatan 2 (behind the Annelund Church at Ljungby cemetery), ☏ +46 372-671 00. Varying opening hours, see website. Museum that showcase customs and traditions around death and burial during the 19th and 20th century. 20 kr.
- 5 Elinge Elk Park (Elinge Älgpark), Jakobsgård 7, Hamneda (from Ljungby: drive Riksettan south from Ljungby about 8 km, make a right turn into the hamlet Bäck, follow the signs for another 4 km; from the E4: leave at Exit 78, drive 100 m east to the village Hamneda; follow the signs for another 2.5 km), ☏ +46 70-370 08 22, info@elingealgpark.com. Daily 09:00-16:00. Moose park at a family-run farm. Children 0-3 free; children 4-12 80 kr; Adult 13 and older 100 kr.
Do
- Ljungby Storytelling Festival (Ljungby berättarfestival), ☏ +46 372-148 55, kontakt@ljungbyberattarfestival.se. Yearly storytelling festival, just before midsummer, with performances, courses, seminars, walking tours and excursions. 30 kr.
- Around Lake Bolmen (Bolmen runt) (follow Banvallsleden 13 km west until you reach Angelstad, there it will interweave with Bolmen Runt). A 127-km-long route around Sweden's 10th largest lake, Bolmen. It is up to you whether you want to walk or bicycle. If you want, you can shave off 10 kilometers and take the ferry and shortcut via Bolmen island.
- 1 Målaskog nature reserve (Målaskogsberg) (drive 17 km east towards Vislanda; turn left at the "Målaskog" sign, drive another 500 m; parking is on the left). M—Su 00:00—24:00. A 38-hectare deciduous nature reserve. Free.
Buy
Most stores in Ljungby are concentrated around "Stora Torg", the central square, and nearby streets.There is a retail park at the south-western outskirt of town by the E4.
- 1 Systembolaget, Eskilsgatan 7, 341 43 (on a small pedestrian street, Eskilsgatan, about 50 m north-east from the central square). M–Th 10:00–18:00; F 10:00–19:00; Sa 10:00–14:00; Su closed. The only retail store allowed to sell alcoholic beverages that contain more than 3.5% alcohol by volume.
Eat
There are many places to eat at in Ljungby, and with a good variation. For the one in a hurry there is Burger King and an abundance of pizzerias, but also sushi and Asian restaurants in central Ljungby. Along the E4 you can find McDonald's, Max, Sibylla, and Old Mike's. You can also take a coffee at any of the small cafés and konditoreis; like Espresso House, Lilla Hembageriet, or Café Vildrosen.
- 1 Gästgivaregården, Gamla Torg (at 'Gamla Torg', the old market square; follow 'Stationsgatan' 500 mwest from the central square), ☏ +46 732-127 50, christian@gastgivaregarden.org. M-F 11:30-14:00; W-F from 18:00; Sa 11:30-14:30. Table d'hôte restaurant and former inn from the 1820s, but with roots from the 1600s. Lunch: 109 kr.
- 2 Rosegarden (by 'Stora Torg', the central square), ☏ +46 372-27 66 88. Lunch buffet: M-F 11:30-14:30. Grand buffet: M-Th 17:30-21:00, F Sa 17:00-22:00, Su 17:00-20:00. Weekend buffet: Sa 12:00-15:00, Su 13:00-15:00. Pan-Asian buffet style cuisine. Lunch buffet: 100 kr. Grand buffet: 229-259 kr. Weekend buffet: 139 kr.
- 3 Restaurang Charlie, Hantverkaregatan 13, 34136 (in central Ljungby; from 'Storgatan' and 'Järnvägsparken' follow 'Bergagatan' 280 m), ☏ +46 372-123 23, erik@charlie.se. M 17:00-21:00; Tu-Th 17:00-22:00; F Sa 17:00-22:30; Su 17:00-21:00. Restaurant that serve à la carte and pizzas. Main course: 144-268 kr. Pizza: 108-144 kr.
- 4 Espresso House, Föreningsgatan 3, 341 30 (by 'Stora Torg', the central square.). M-F 08:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-18:00. Northern Europe's largest coffeehouse chain, of Swedish origin.
- 5 Willy:s Supermarket, Stationsgatan 2, 341 60, ☏ +46 372-253 60. M—Sa 08:00—21:00; Su 09:00—21:00. Swedish low- to mid-range supermarket chain. Does also sell bus tickets for Länstrafiken Kronoberg.
- 6 ICA Maxi Supermarket, Drottninggatan 34, 34136, ☏ +46 372-858 50. Daily 07:00—22:00. Swedish mid- to high-range hypermarket chain.
Drink
- 1 Harrys, Stora Torget 1, 341 30 (by 'Stora Torg', the central square.), ☏ +46 372-135 60, ljungby@harrys.se. M-Th 17:00—23:00, F 16:00—02:00, Sa 12:00—02:00.
- 2 Tre Torn - Bryggeriet, Storgatan 13, 341 30 (Located 100 meters west from 'Stora Torg', the central square). M closed; Tu W 17:00—22:00; Th 17:00—23:00; F Sa 17:00—01:00; Su closed.
- 3 Chaplin Pub (neighbour with Restaurang Charlie; from 'Storgatan' and 'Järnvägsparken' follow 'Bergagatan' 280 m), ☏ +46 372-123 23. F Sa 22:00—02:00.
Sleep
- 1 Hotel Terraza, Stora Torget 1, ☏ +46372-135 60, info@terraza.com. 980-2730 kr.
- 2 Hotell Garvaren, Stationsgatan 2, Garvaren, 341 60, ☏ +46 372 480 84, hotell@garvaren.se. 880-1720 kr.
- 3 Hotell Linnea, Märta Ljungbergsvägen 12, ☏ +46 372-13020, info@hotell-linnea.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. 790-990 kr.
- 4 Best Western Hotel Ljungby, Ringvägen 1, ☏ +46 372-825 00, reception@hotelljungby.se. 745-1595 kr.
Stay safe
Stay healthy
- 3 Ljungby Hospital (Lasarettet Ljungby), Kyrkogatan 2 (neighbour with Ljungby Church along Märta Ljungbergsvägen; from 'Stora Torg', the central square, follow Storgatan west until you reach Ljungby Church; turn right and walk 30 m; the hospital is now on your left side), ☏ +46 372-58 50 00. Hospital with emergency care. The emergency care entrance is at the back of the main entrance wing.
- 4 Clinics Kungshögen and Sländan, Kungshögsgatan 25 (in Ljungby Hospital, on the far side of the hospital from the main entrance; you can use the main entrance and follow the corridor all the way to the opposite side of the complex; or you can walk around the hospital from the outside — from the outside the hospital looks like two separate buildings), ☏ +46 372-58 55 80 (Kungshögen), +46 372-58 57 30 (Sländan).
- 2 Apoteket Hjärtat, Kyrkogatan 2, 341 82 (Located inside Ljungby Hospital, just by the main entrance.), ☏ +46 771-405 405. M-F 08:00–18:00; Sa Su closed. Pharmacy
- 3 Apoteket, Eskilsgatan 5, 34130 (by 'Stora Torg', the central square), ☏ +46 771-450 450. M–F 08:00–19:00; Sa 09:00–14:00; Su closed. Pharmacy
Connect
Ljungby's area code is 0372. Ljungby postal number is 341 00, with 00 being replaced with more specific postal numbers for areas within the town. You can go to Visit Ljungby to get a list of places in and around Ljungby that offers free wifi.
- 5 Ljungby Tourist Center (Ljungby Turistbyrå), Stora torget 6, ☏ +46 372-78 92 20, turistbyran@ljungby.se. M-Tu 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:30; W closed; Th 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00; F 12:00-16:30. Offers free wifi
- 6 Ljungby Library (Ljungby Bibliotek), Södra Järnvägsgatan 8 341 83 Ljungby, ☏ +46 372-78 92 00, biblioteket@ljungby.se. M 10:00–20:00, Tu–F 10:00–19:00, Sa 10:00–14:00. Public library that offers computers and printers, but no wi-fi.
Cope
- 7 Ljungby Library (Ljungby Bibliotek), Södra Järnvägsgatan 8 341 83, ☏ +46 372-78 92 00, biblioteket@ljungby.se. M 10:00–20:00, Tu–F 10:00–19:00, Sa 10:00–14:00. Public library that offers daily newspapers in several languages, copying machines, computers, and printers; but no wi-fi.
- 8 Public toilet (on Stationsgatan 100 m from 'Stora Torg', the central square). 24 hr.
Go next
- Växjö, the largest city and seat of Kronoberg county.
- Halmstad, an old city by the western coast.
- Kalmar, an old city by the eastern coast.
- High Chaparral, a Wild West theme park outside Värnamo 40 km to the north.
- Huseby Christmas Market, a mid-November Christmas market in Huseby outside Växjö 40 km to the east.
Routes through Ljungby |
Helsingborg ← Åstorp ← | S N | → Värnamo → Stockholm |
Halmstad ← | W E | → Växjö → Kalmar |
Örkelljunga ← Markaryd ← | S N | → Värnamo → Jönköping |