Hjo, is a well-preserved idyllic small town with a
living centre where the visitor can see fine
wooden houses, and a street pattern from the
middle ages. Situated beside lake Vättern, and
with the harbour right in the centre, Hjo has been 
an important port since the middle ages. Then
it was monks who rowed across the lake Vättern
on their way from Hjo to the monasteries in Varnhem,
Skara and Nidaros (modern day Trondheim, Norway).

Today, the old steamer S/S Trafik is moored here
for visitors to look at and to enjoy tours on in the
summer months. Here there is also a lively marina,
with guest moorings, restaurants, a gym and heated
swimming pool along with a fish smoking house.

When in Hjo it is a tradition to eat whitefish, or to
buy some to take home. Whitefish is the edible
souvenir from Hjo, and every year the Whitefish
is celebrated with its own Day, the first weekend
in August.

The town park in Hjo was laid out in 1878 together
with the Hjo Water Cure Centre, and comprises
a 10 hectare park adjoining the harbour. Here you
can see fine turn-of-the century houses and feel
the atmosphere from times past, when ladies in
long dresses and parasols, and men with waxed
moustaches visited Hjo for its water cure. Today,
you can also stay in the town park at either the
hotel or the youth hostel, visit the town museum,
play golf, tennis or boule, go to a restaurant and
visit the Butterfly exhibition and Vättern acquarium.