September 24, 2025, 6:01 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Throughout Europe, there are many regions and areas that are particularly well-suited for a camping vacation. Åsnen in Sweden is one such place. That’s why the region was nominated as the best for camping at this year’s TRAVELBOOK Award. Find out why it’s so beautiful there and what you can experience.
Overview
Where is Åsnen?
Åsnen is not just a region where you can camp well. It is an area in Sweden located in the historical province of Småland. It is situated in the far south of the country and includes Småland’s third-largest lake, Åsnen, as well as Åsnen National Park, a unique archipelago with more than 1,000 islands and several nature reserves.
Seventy-five percent of the national park’s area consists of water. Several of the islands there are home to particularly rare animals such as sea eagles or ospreys, and with a bit of luck, you might even catch a glimpse of a moose or lynx.
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What to Experience in Åsnen
As mentioned earlier, most of the national park consists of water. Therefore, it’s a great place to explore the archipelagos by kayak or canoe. However, the official Åsnen tourist information site recommends always having a map of the area, as the lake is said to frequently change its character.
While you’re on the water, a dip in Åsnen is also a good idea, especially on warm summer days. Don’t be put off by the color of the water. It’s not clear but, rather, has a brownish hue. Some lakes in southern Sweden have been called cognac lakes since the 1930s because of their color. However, the waters are not polluted. The brownish water of Lake Åsnen is due to organic material with a high content of humic substances, which are neither toxic nor contaminating.
Åsnen is also great to explore by bike. The landscape is flat, making it particularly suitable for cycling. Many paths run directly along the lake, offering a beautiful view of the water. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one locally.
If you want to explore nature on foot, you can leave your bike at numerous rest areas and take a short hike from there. There are several hiking trails that make the national park accessible on foot. Additionally, there are many rest areas right by the water with fire pits. Fires can be lit at designated fire pits unless a special ban is in place.
Children won’t miss out in the region either. Behind the Trollberget national park entrance, there’s an easy hiking trail suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There, you’ll find the rock crevice of Trollberget. According to the official Åsnen tourist information site, a legend says that the troll celebrated Christmas there. Children can play and let their imaginations run wild.
A special highlight is the Karolinereichen. They grow unusually straight and are said to have originally come from Poland. In the 18th century, soldiers are said to have put a few acorns in their pockets in Poland and brought them back to their homeland in southern Sweden. Today, about 100 perfectly straight oaks stand in Bjurkärr in Åsnen National Park.
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Åsnen is the Perfect Choice for Campers
Nature lovers and camping enthusiasts will find Åsnen to be the perfect spot. You can stay overnight in the middle of nature and spend your days hiking, biking, or on the water. There are accommodations right on the shore of Åsnen at Trollberget within the national park. Otherwise, there are several campsites located directly around the national park that are still in the heart of nature. One recommended site is the Naturparadis Getnö campsite right by the water, where you can also rent cabins.
There are also many tent sites, some of which are sheltered from the wind and even equipped with toilets and showers. You can often rent boats or bicycles, and there are barbecue areas and trash cans available.
Methodology for the TRAVELBOOK AWARD
We say it every year: All nominated regions, countries, and others for the TRAVELBOOK Award are already winners, even if they didn’t take the overall victory. This is also true for Åsnen in Sweden. Every country had already made it to the shortlist beforehand, meaning it was selected from a large number of contenders in a category.
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team asked the community on Facebook and Instagram for help and consulted experts from the travel industry to create the shortlist. TRAVELBOOK readers then cast nearly 150,000 votes to choose their trend travel destinations for 2026.