The harbour sits at the very tip of the fjord where Askersund meets Lake Vättern. In summer the quay fills with pleasure boats, and the waterfront cafes put out tables under the trees. The view down the lake is impressive — Vättern stretches over 130 kilometres to the south, and on clear days the far shore is invisible.
This is the natural starting point for any exploration of the local archipelago. Kayak and small-boat hire is available seasonally from the harbour, and the islands — around fifty in total — make for excellent half-day or full-day paddling. The clearest water in the lake (Vättern is one of Sweden's cleanest) means you can see the bottom at considerable depth.