kalmar sweden tourism

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Kalmar – a historical city by the sea and a gateway to Öland

Nestled in Småland county, the city of Kalmar is celebrated for its historic architecture, seaside charm and close proximity to the island of Öland.

• In 1640, the decision was taken to move the city centre of Kalmar, from what is now known as the old town, to the island of Kvarnholmen.
• Owing to its well-preserved historic architecture, Kalmar has twice been crowned winner of Europe’s foremost architectural award – Europa Nostra .
• Kalmar is home to Europe’s biggest dinosaur exhibition – housing some 200 dinosaur skeletons.

Kalmar is a historically significant city located on the southeast coast of Sweden in the idyllic county of Småland . Situated by the Baltic Sea with direct access to the beautiful island of Öland , through the Öland Bridge , this coastal gem is a destination in its own right, with plenty to see and do across culture and outdoor activities.

The medieval centre of Kalmar tells the story of the city’s past as one of Sweden’s most significant centres of power. Located a little north of what was the Swedish/Danish border during the Middle Ages – when the counties of Skåne and Blekinge were Danish territories – the city’s historic prominence is underscored by the imposing Kalmar Castle .

Kalmar Castle, Småland

Beautiful Kalmar Castle in Småland at sunset.

Photo : Jörgen Tannerstedt

Historical city of Kalmar

Photo : Alexander Hall

Kalmar Cathedral

Kalmar Country Museum

Photo : Marcus Funke;

A world of Dinosaurs in Kalmar

Photo : Albin Rylander

The Öland Bridge

Photo : Magnus Bremefors

Discover the fascinating history and architecture of Kalmar

To get a flavour of Kalmar – and quickly grasp why it’s held in such high regard among architecture aficionados – simply set off on a city stroll. The cobblestone streets of the Old Town are lined with well-preserved buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. This area is also home to the city’s crowning glory, Kalmar Castle, which started its days as a fortified tower in the 12th century before it was fashioned into a magnificent renaissance castle by King Gustav Vasa some four centuries later. Take it all in by joining a guided tour or catch an exhibition – and when it’s time to refuel, enjoy a delicious ‘fika’ at the Castle restaurant.

Kvarnholmen is one of Kalmar’s main islands, on which “the new” city was established in the mid-17th century, when it was shifted from what is now known as the Old Town. This unique neighbourhood – with its old city wall – is studded with historical buildings. Among the many highlights, keep an eye out for the 17th century buildings Castenska Gården and Kalmar Cathedral, designed in classical Baroque style by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder.

Head to Kalmar County Museum to delve deeper into the fascinating history of Kalmar and its surroundings. Highlights include parts of the centuries-old shipwreck Regalskeppet Kronan, which sank during battle in the 17th century – as you enter the museum, a couple of the mighty ship’s canons stand to attention to welcome you.

Kalmar guest harbour

Aerial view of Kalmar guest harbour in the city centre, next to the train station and close to Kalmar Castle.

Photo : Linus Sandvide

Kayaking in Kalmar

Photo : Olivia Idh

Stensö peninsula, Kalmar

Photo : Adam Humlesol

Kalmarsundsbadet

Kalmar – a paradise for hikers, bikers and water activity fans

Kalmar’s varied nature – incorporating lush, open landscapes and coastal charm – is made for outdoor adventures on land and water. Kalmarsundsleden trail is perfect for hikers and bikers and stretches across some 200 kilometres of country roads and coastline. In general, you’ll find Kalmar’s country roads and excellent cycle path network ideal for bike touring. In summer, you can even take your bike on the ferry over to Öland.

Since Kalmar extends into the Baltic Sea across a number of islands and peninsulas – including Stensö with its beaches – there’s ample opportunity for canoeing excursions. Moreover, the city centre is surrounded by canals, allowing you to take in many cultural highlights – including Kalmar Castle itself – by the waterside. Kayaks and SUPs can be rented at the centrally located Kalmar kajak – a company that also offers guided paddling tours and courses. You’re never far from a beach in Kalmar and can even go for a swim right in the city centre.

Krusenstiernska gården in Kalmar

The café in the historic garden of Krusenstiernska gården.

Photo : Johannes Norlander

Kalmar Old Town

The taste of Kalmar – and the best dining spots

Kalmar’s food heritage is strongly rooted in sustainable cuisine. Ingredients are typically sourced locally and across the county of Småland, which is studded with small-scale farms and food makers. Sample a variety of local delicacies by paying a visit to one of Kalmar’s top restaurants, Postgatan . This fine dining spot focuses on innovative takes of classic dishes.

Enjoy Swedish homemade classics such as cinnamon buns and cookies in the historic garden setting of Krusenstiernska gården – centrally located in the Old Town. Kvarnholmen’s Larmtorget square is brimming with outdoor cafés and restaurants such as the popular Krögers pub and Kalmar kött & bar . The square comes alive during the warmer months – the ideal spot to take in Kalmar’s centuries-old charm with good food and a lively ambience.

Calmar Stadshotell

Calmar Stadshotell, located at the square Stortoget in the heart of Kalmar. The hotel has a rich history, going back 200 years.

Photo : Calmar Stadshotell

Kalmar International Sand Sculpture Festival

Kalmar konstmuseum

Kalmar Camping

Photo : Kalmar Camping

Camping by the sea in Småland

PRACTICAL INFORMATION BEFORE YOUR TRIP TO KALMAR

Kalmar is easily accessible by car or train – operated by SJ – from the rest of Sweden and beyond.

If flying, you’ll arrive at Kalmar Öland Airport . Other convenient airports – from which you can catch a train – are Malmö Airport, Göteborg Landvetter Airport, Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Copenhagen Airport.

If travelling from the island of Öland, you’ll reach Kalmar via the Öland Bridge , and in summer you can catch a ferry with your bike. Boaters will find a guest jetty in Kalmar harbour in the city centre.

Kalmar – with its excellent pedestrian and cycling paths – is easy to get around. The well-established bus network will take you in and around the city, while trains run from the central stations to destinations a little further out.

If travelling around in your own campervan, you’ll find various motorhome pitches, including Ölandskajen and Elevatorkajen.

Kalmar offers everything from family-friendly B&Bs and beachside campsites to classic hotels.

Calmar Stadshotell is a centrally located, modern yet historic hotel whose former guests include world-famous botanist Carl Linnaeus.

Kalmar is ideal for camping – its top campsites First Camp Stensö , Kalmar Camping and Vita Sands Camping are all wonderfully located by the sea.

With its stunning natural scenery and beaches, the beautiful peninsula of Stensö is well worth a visit.

Kalmar konstmuseum – located within Stadsparken city park – is a contemporary art gallery, housed in a building that has won awards for its stunning modern architecture.

Kalmar is home to various musical and sports events and often also to the Kalmar International Sand Sculpture Festival during summer.

Kalmar Castle is an ideal destination with children, offering plenty of fun activities for kids to take part in.

Visit Skälby 4H Gård farm and park for a fun, educational day out. There’s also a great playground the kids will love.

Located 10 kilometres west of Kalmar, A world of Dinosaurs is a major attraction and features full-size dinosaur skeletons and roaring animatronic models.

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Kalmar county

– A part of Småland by the sea

The region of Kalmar, the east part of Småland invites you to explore adventures both on and along the ocean. Visit the town of one of the world’s best loved children authors, enjoy the archipelago, historic monuments, culture, design, the island Öland, nature and much more

Kalmar – the historic city by the sea

Kalmar is a city full of contrasts. It is a meeting place for long ago and here and now, for repose and vitality. Historic structures, cobblestone streets and lovely parks give the city charm and character. At the same time there is a broad range of restaurants, pubs, shops and galleries. There are multinational companies, a modern university and an airport just a ten-minute drive from the city centre. Art, culture, design, food, entertainment and shopping. Stay in Kalmar and you will get maximum experience in minimum expanse.

Coastal city

Wherever you happen to be in Kalmar, you will feel close to the sea. In how many cities can you go swimming at the end of Main Street? Or find a guest harbour in the very centre of town? Kalmar is surrounded by water. The city centre itself, Kvarnholmen, is even situated on its own island.

A taste of Kalmar

Sports, music, theater and exhibitions - whatever interests you may have, there are plenty of activities to choose from in Kalmar.

In Kalmar there are lots of sights and experiences within walking distance. A real castle, an exhibition about a war ship that sunk in the 1600’s and a spectacular art museum - just to mention a few. Wherever you are you can feel the closeness to the sea and the presence of history.

Astrid Lindgren’s Vimmerby

In the charming town of Vimmerby in northern Småland, there is a really playful destination. Astrid Lindgren, one of the world’s best loved children’s authors, was born here in the small town of Vimmerby. Astrid has touched people the world over with her books, and it was right here, in the small town of Vimmerby, that she laid the foundation for her fantastic authorship.

There is much to see and do in the Astrid Lindgren’s footsteps. How about experiencing the stories for real? Visiting the place where it all started, the childhood home Näs? Or seeing the houses and farmes that have become world famous through the films? Yes, it’s all here together with so much more.

Vimmerby town centre

Vimmerby is the town in which Astrid Lindgren grew up. It is also where she is buried. Much remains as it was when Astrid Lindgren lived here, yet it’s so different. Enjoy a walk in the town centre and experience the settings that inspired the stories, Kalle Blomkvist’s alleys, that Emil’s market, the house with Pippi Longstockings sweet shop and much more you are sure to be familiar with.

Attractions

Of course you can not miss to visit Astrid Lindgren’s World or the new Filmbyn Småland in Mariannelund. It is also possible to see real Bullerbyn, Katthult and get even more inspired by the literary sorroundings of Astrid Lindgren

Västervik – the archipelago city in Småland

Savour the delights of the Swedish coast when it is at its most beautiful. Västervik is located in the north east corner of Småland. With the characteristic Småland landscape in its large inland areas, a picturesque old timber town and a large expansive archipelago made up of 5,000 islands, rocks and skerries, Västervik represents the best of everything that Sweden has to offer.

In the town you will find old timber neighbourhoods interspersed with winding coastal walks that lead to the jewel in the crown, Björn Ulvaeus’s (Yes, ABBA Björn) Slottsholmen with a restaurant, apartment suites and floating hotel.

Near by, the archipelago boats are moored ready to take you on an enchanting journey through the inner archipelago of islands, natural coves and wildlife. The archipelago boats run all summer, but another boat service is available throughout the year.

The main destinations are the islands of Hasselö, Idö and Rågö. Hasselö is the largest island and has a guest harbour, large beach, café, restaurant and bike hire. Idö is in the southern part of the archipelago and has an adorable restaurant perched on high offering sweeping views of the fairway. Rågö is in the northern archipelago and has a fantastic restaurant with excellent personal service.

Glasriket - The Kingdom of Crystal

In the Kingdom of Crystal (Glasriket) handblown glass has been made since 1742. Together with the glass-blowers, designers continuously stretch the possibilities of glass, and many glassblowing techniques have been developed through experimentation in the Småland blowing rooms. As a visitor you will encounter today both everyday glass and art glass of world-class quality, and you are welcome to step up to the glass furnaces to see it being created!

Every year visitors come here to a small area in Kronoberg and Kalmar counties in Småland that includes the municipalities of Emmaboda, Lessebo, Nybro and Uppvidinge. Many return time after time. It is easy to understand why. To watch red-hot molten glass being transformed into delicate crystal or sturdy bowls is a spectacle that one never tires of. But beyond the heat of the blowing rooms, there is also much to expe-rience. Here you will find cultural history, an abundance of nature activities as well as a large range of shopping and other activities. Why not fish in some of the many lakes, ride a bicycle trolley on one of the old railway tracks or take a course to teach yourself the basics of glassblowing?

13 Glassworks are open for visits

At the Glassworks you can see glassblowing and extrodinary glass art exhibitions, you can shop hand made glass to real good prices and at some glassworks you even get the chance to try glassblowing yourself.

Öland – the Swedes own little paradise

Could an island in the Baltic Sea be the destination you are looking for? If you are one of those who want to enjoy life, experience nature and culture, have an active holiday or just relax and recovering at the beach. Öland is your perfect match.

A bridge connects the long, beautiful island of Öland to mainland and many people think that the six-kilometer long journey between mainland and island, with sparkling water in the north and south, provides peace of mind. Let your shoulders sink down, fill your lungs with the special air and feel warm welcome to the island of the sun and the winds.

If you prefer some peaceful moments, rent a cabin by the sea and enjoy the sunset, take a walk in a small village and count the windmills, head towards the horizon and take a refreshing swim in the sea, experience the world heritage by foot or enjoy great local food at a gourmet restaurant or in the nearest harbor.

Or do you long for adventure and excitement? Catch the wind by bike or with a kite go for a guided horse riding tour along the coastline with stunning backdrops. Or do you just want to be free and without require¬ments? Well, Öland is the place to be. There is always endless of opportunities for spontaneous experiences on the island. Whatever you choose to do on the island, we can promise you memories for life.

Other regions in Småland

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Historic walled city

Sitting along the Baltic Sea, Kalmar is a fortified city in Sweden’s southeast. Once an important military and trade outpost in the country, Kalmar lost strategic importance in the 17th century as borders we moved further to the south.

Kalmar’s charming architecture, including that of the Kalmar cathedral and Kalmar castle, are big draws for visitors to the city.

Kalmar in Castle in Sweden

Kalmar Castle in Sweden

View attractions close by Kalmar

Stora alvaret, kalmar castle, tours including kalmar.

You could experience Kalmar through any one of these tours below.

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• 1.1 Tourist office
• 2.1 By train
• 2.3 By plane
• 2.4 By ship
• 3.1 By taxi
• 9.1 Coffeeshops

Kalmar is a city in the Småland province in southeastern Sweden , with 38,000 inhabitants. It is the seat of the municipality, Kalmar kommun which has 67,000 citizens, and the county Kalmar län with some 233,000 inhabitants.

Understand [ edit ]

Kalmar is one of the oldest Swedish cities, dating back to the year 1027, and the foundation of the Kalmar Union, which ruled all the Nordic Countries during the 14th and 15th centuries.

In Kalmar, the Öland Bridge connects Öland to mainland Sweden.

Tourist office [ edit ]

• 56.659742 16.361073 1 Kalmar Turism , Ölandskajen 9 , ☏ +46 480-41 77 00 , [email protected] . Oct–Apr M–F 10:00–17:00. May & Sep M–F 09:00–17.00, Sa 10.00–15.00,.Jun–Aug M–F 09:00–20.00, Sa & Su 10:00–16.00 . ( updated Sep 2017 )

Get in [ edit ]

By train [ edit ]

There are direct trains from Copenhagen , via Copenhagen Airport and Malmö as well as trains from Gothenburg . From Stockholm , a change of trains in Alvesta is required. 56.661521 16.360136 1 Kalmar centralstation is just a few blocks from the central square.

By bus [ edit ]

• FlixBus . Service from Stockholm.  
• Silverlinjen . Service from Stockholm.  

By plane [ edit ]

Flying to Stockholm (Skavsta) is another option, and driving down the E22. 56.677547 16.287705 2 Kalmar airport have connections from Stockholm Arlanda Airport .

By ship [ edit ]

Kalmar has a beautiful harbour with good facilities for the visitor. Occasionally cruise ships call at Kalmar.

Get around [ edit ]

You can walk to all interesting locations. The city centre is relatively small, with two main squares. On one you find the cathedral (Domkyrkan) and the other is called Larmtorget. From the second one, you can walk to the Baronen shopping centre. You can also rent canoes at the low cost hotel Svanen, and you can paddle your way around the centre, which is an island.

By taxi [ edit ]

• TaxiKurir Kalmar , ☏ +46 480 42 41 00 . Smart phone app offers address based routing and calculates price according to them. ( updated Aug 2020 )

See [ edit ]

• 56.660841 16.355995 1 Kalmar Art museum ( Kalmar konstmuseum ), Stadsparken , ☏ +46 480-42 62 82 . Opened 2008 in a new, highly controversial building. ( updated Oct 2023 )
• 56.664543 16.365386 3 Kalmar Cathedral ( Kalmar domkyrka ), Stortorget , ☏ +46 480-123 00 . Dating back to 1660  
• 56.66412 16.370961 4 Kalmar County Museum ( Kalmar läns museum ), Skeppsbrogatan 51 , ☏ +46 480-45 13 00 .  

Do [ edit ]

Kalmar is an interesting town in many ways. The town was established in 12th century and the old city wall is still well preserved. The Kalmar Castle dates back to the year 1160 A.D and the tower of the castle was continuously expanded in the 13th century. Beside the castle, there is a very peaceful city park.

This town is connected to the island of Öland by a bridge, which used to be Europe's longest (6 km). Kalmar is about 45 minutes away (by car) from the Glass Kingdom (Glasriket) where the famous works of Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Nybro, Pukeberg, Målerås are located. Kalmar has a football team, Kalmar FF , that won the Swedish cup in 2007. They play in the highest division, the Allsvenskan. You can watch them play at Kalmar Arena. Newly constructed and opened in 2010.

Learn [ edit ]

• 56.66591 16.348655 2 Linnéuniversitetet ( Högskolan i Kalmar ), Nygatan 18B , ☏ +46 77-228 80 00 . Kalmar one of the two main campuses of Linnéuniversitetet, the other one being located in Växjö . The Kalmar campus is known for its courses in seafaring, teaching and economics (Baltic School of Economics).  

Buy [ edit ]

The past couple of years many shopping malls and establishments have opened in Kalmar. The main shopping areas are

• 56.660745 16.365234 1 Baronen , Skeppsbrogatan 12 ( Close to the harbour ), ☏ +46 70-297 92 93 . Many smaller shops and a movie theatre  
• 56.685811 16.319625 2 Hansa City ( By the E22 ). IKEA, CityGross and other large stores.  
• 56.670457 16.337485 3 Giraffen . ICA Maxi, Onoff, CoopForum and many other stores.  
• the city centre has many small shops

In the museum Länsmuséet you can buy many Christmas articles, some made after designs by Jenny Nyström, a famous Swedish artist born in Kalmar.

Eat [ edit ]

• 56.662587 16.360682 1 Kalmar Kött & Bar , Larmtorget 2 , ☏ +46 480-288 30 . Voted by many as the best in town  
• 56.663768 16.365053 2 Kama Sushi , Västra Sjögatan 13 , ☏ +46 480-548 78 .  
• 56.662254 16.362088 3 Restaurang Larmgatan 10 , Larmgatan 10 , ☏ +46 480-865 25 . Combination of Asian and European cuisine.  
• 56.664144 16.361118 4 Thai Silk Palace , Fiskaregatan 8 , ☏ +46 480-281 26 .  
• 56.66451 16.350634 5 Thai Taste , Esplanaden 6 , ☏ +46 480-42 19 40 . Thai food take away.  

Drink [ edit ]

Coffeeshops [ edit ].

• 56.660479 16.348398 1 Krusentiernska gården , Stora Dammgatan 9 , ☏ +46 480-41 15 52 . A wonderful coffeeshop in a beautiful garden setting.  
• 56.663818 16.362478 2 Kullzénska caféet , Kaggensgatan 26 , ☏ +46 480-288 82 . Wonderful small coffeeshop in an old building in the centre.  

Sleep [ edit ]

Hotell Kalmar [dead link] has info on all hotels in Kalmar.

• 56.677587 16.357712 1 [dead link] Brofästet Hotell & Konferens , Gröndalsvägen 19 , ☏ +46 480-42 70 00 .  
• 56.664241 16.366743 2 Calmar Stadshotell , Storgatan 14 . Stortorget 14 - classy and centrally located  
• 56.6612 16.36636 3 Clarion Collection Hotel Packhuset , Skeppsbrogatan 26, Kalmar, SE, 392 31 ( attached to Baronen shopping centre; railway station < 500 m; castle 1 km ), ☏ +46 480 570 00 . Good-quality hotel on the waterfront. Rooms are not large, but efficiently designed; some have sea view. Includes wireless internet, breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner.  
• 56.662432 16.360636 4 Frimurarehotellet , Larmtorget 2 , ☏ +46 480-152 30 .  
• 56.672525 16.367694 5 Hotell Svanen , Rappegatan 1 , ☏ +46 480-255 60 .  
• 56.601158 16.163479 6 Vassmolösa Gästgiveri , Karlskronavägen 53, 388 91 VASSMOLÖSA , ☏ +46 48032280 . 450-700 SEK .  
• 56.663761 16.367317 7 Hotel Witt , Södra Långgatan 42 , ☏ +46 480-152 50 .  

Connect [ edit ]

• Turistbyrån has Internet for 20 SEK. This is for a total of 24 hours usage to be used within 3 months and is wireless, so you need your own phone/laptop or iPad. Very cheap and fast, though only useful if you are visiting the wharf as it does not reach much more than within a 1 km radius.

Go next [ edit ]

Kalmar is a good starting point to experience the Swedish east coast. Swebusexpress runs between Kalmar and Karlskrona regularly and the cost of this bus trip is low. It is also possible to travel to another elegant and relaxing summer resort in the east cost, Västervik . The local bus goes to Borgholm in Öland island and it takes approximately one hour.

If you want to experience the inland of Småland nearby cities include Vimmerby , the home town of Astrid Lindgren and the epicentre of Astrid Lindgren tourism , and Eksjö , a well preserved historical wooden town.

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Kalmar, a popular summer holiday spot

The coastal city of Kalmar is situated in the southeast of Småland. With a population of 41,000, it is the third largest city in Småland after Jönköping and Växjö. Kalmar is a very popular holiday spot during the summer.

At the beginning of the 13th century, Kalmar was an established city already. At the time, the border to Denmark ran south of the city. Up until 1658, Kalmar Castle, which was originally built to protect against pirates, served an important role in the defence of the border to Denmark. Today, the castle is somewhat symbolic of the city and one of the most important sights in Sweden.

Popular holiday destination with a vast range of tourism offers

If you come to Kalmar in summer, you will encounter a lively yet relaxed city. The variety of offers for visitors is vast: swimming, sandy beaches, shopping, galleries, events, concerts, parks and lots of small shops, restaurants, pubs and cafés. Try the almond crescents at Holmgrens Konditori (Kaggensgatan 5) for example. They’ve been around since 1885, selling pastries that we haven’t seen anywhere else in Sweden.

Kalmar City Festival and free music concerts

The City Festival at the beginning of August attracts around 100,000 visitors each year. Unlike other cities in Sweden, Kalmar celebrates a real city festival that focuses on music, shows, food and drink. For more information on the Kalmar City Festival and the current programme visit www.kalmarstadsfest.se .

Moreover, there are free music concerts of well-known Swedish pop artists in the summer (mid June to mid August) that take place on the “Larmtorget”, a central square in Kalmar.

The centre of Kalmar has cobblestoned pedestrian zones. Here you find small shops, street-side cafés and markets ( www.kalmarcity.com ).

The shopping centres “Giraffen” (30 shops) and “Hansa City” (25 shops including IKEA) are located outside of the town centre.

Sweden’s second largest island and smallest historical province (“landskap”), Öland is located on the other side of the Kalmarsund. With the completion of a bridge in 1972, Öland has been made readily accessible from the mainland ( Småland ).

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On the bridge to Öland

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Kalmar, Sweden. Travel, Accommodation and Safety Tips.

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• September 16, 2023

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Kalmar, Sweden – The Perfect Blend of History and Beauty

Welcome to Kalmar, Sweden’s charming coastal city that effortlessly combines rich history with breathtaking natural beauty. Located in the southeastern part of the country, Kalmar boasts a unique blend of medieval architecture, idyllic landscapes, and a vibrant cultural scene. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, nature lover, or food aficionado, Kalmar has something to offer everyone.

City Information

Kalmar is situated on the southeast coast of Sweden, in the province of Småland. It is located about 400 kilometers south of Stockholm.

Kalmar experiences a cool temperate climate with mild summers and chilly winters. The best time to visit is during the summer months of June to August, when temperatures range between 15°C and 25°C.

Transportation

Kalmar has excellent transportation links. The city is served by Kalmar Airport, which offers domestic and international flights. Travellers can also reach Kalmar by train or bus from other major Swedish cities. Once in Kalmar, visitors can conveniently explore the city by foot or rent a bike.

Best Locations to Stay in Kalmar

Kalmar city center.

Staying in the city center puts you in the heart of the action, with easy access to Kalmar Castle, shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

For a taste of medieval charm, Gamla Stan (Old Town) is the perfect choice. Cozy narrow streets, colorful buildings, and historic sites await you in this enchanting neighborhood.

If you prefer a more peaceful and natural setting, consider staying in Stensö. This area offers beautiful beaches, nature reserves, and scenic walking trails.

Kvarnholmen

Kvarnholmen, located on its own island, is a popular neighborhood known for its modern architecture, waterfront promenades, and a wide range of dining options.

Best Places to See in Kalmar

Kalmar castle.

No visit to Kalmar would be complete without exploring the city’s iconic castle. Dating back to the 12th century, Kalmar Castle is a well-preserved fortress offering stunning views of the city and the Baltic Sea.

Kalmar Cathedral

Take a moment to admire the elegant Kalmar Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic-style church that is over 800 years old. Don’t miss the opportunity to climb the tower for panoramic views.

Kalmar Art Museum

Art enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse collection at the Kalmar Art Museum, showcasing both contemporary and classical works by local and international artists.

The Royal Palace

Located on the Kvarnholmen island, The Royal Palace is a must-visit. Experience the grandeur as you stroll through the palace grounds and soak in the breathtaking waterfront views.

Food lovers will delight in Kalmar’s culinary scene. Make sure to try these local delicacies:

• Småländsk ostkaka – A traditional cheesecake made from curd cheese, served with lingonberries and cream.
• Kalmar Rye Bread – A dark, dense bread with a slightly sweet taste, often enjoyed with butter or cheese.
• Gravljusetsås – A flavorful sauce made from dill, mustard, sugar, and vinegar, commonly served with cured salmon.
• Kolakakor – Delicious caramel cookies with a soft and chewy texture, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.

Estimated Daily Costs for Travellers

When planning your trip to Kalmar, it’s essential to budget accordingly. Here are some estimated daily costs:

• Accommodation: Budget options starting from $60 per night, mid-range around $100 per night
• Transportation: Public transportation is affordable, with single tickets costing around $3. Renting a bike costs approximately $20 per day.
• Meals: Expect to spend $15-$30 for an average meal at a restaurant. Street food and casual eateries offer more affordable options.
• Attractions: Entrance fees for museums and historical sites range from $5-$15.

Safety Tips for Travellers

• Kalmar is generally a safe city, but it is always wise to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep your belongings secure and be cautious of pickpockets in crowded areas.
• Observe traffic rules and be mindful of cyclists when crossing the streets.
• In case of emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. what is the best time to visit kalmar.

The best time to visit Kalmar is during the summer months of June to August when the weather is mild and pleasant, and many outdoor activities are available.

2. Is English widely spoken in Kalmar?

Yes, English is widely spoken in Kalmar, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. Locals are generally friendly and helpful to visitors.

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Kalmar Slott

Top choice in Småland

Fairy-tale turrets, a drawbridge, a foul dungeon and secret passages…Kalmar Slott has everything that a proper castle should. This dominant Renaissance stronghold was once the most important building in the land and is appropriately fortified outside and sumptuously furnished inside. You're free to wander around the castle as you please, but the engaging and fun hour-long guided tours (at least one a day, at 11.30am) included in your admission fee really help you appreciate the significance of this magnificent relic.

Of the many highlights to be discovered, King Erik’s chamber is a real scene-stealer – Erik’s rivalry with his brother Johan was so great that he installed a secret passage in the loo! There’s also a superb suspended ceiling in the Golden Hall ; mesmerising wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling marquetry in the Chequered Hall ; an elaborate bed , stolen as war booty then carefully vandalised so that no Danish ghosts could haunt it; and a delightful chapel , one of Sweden’s most wanted for weddings. Visiting exhibitions add to the whole experience.

Kungsgatan 1

Get In Touch

0480-45 14 90

https://www.kalmarslott.se

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Home to a spectacular pulpit, the baroque Domkyrkan was designed by Tessin, King Karl X Gustav’s favourite architect.

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Top 7 Things to do in Kalmar (Sweden)

Kalmar is a port town located in the southern part of Sweden. There are several islands connected through bridges and are occupied by the territory of Kalmar. The large numbers of tourists are visiting Kalmar yearly getting more frequent.

Built partly on two small islands; it lies on Kalmar Sound, which separates mainland Sweden from the island of Öland. The bridge’s length is around 6,700 Meters. Kalmar is known for the city of Baltic Sea, in southeast Sweden .

Kalmar is also well known for the Kalmar castle with its Renaissance-style, ornate turrets and drawbridge. There are so many cobbled streets and are finely preserved in the 17 th and 18th-century buildings.

Table of Contents

Experiences and top things to do in Kalmar

A Day trip From Gothenburg to Kalmar

If you are traveling by train , it needs four hours journey approx to reach out Kalmar from Gothenburg. The tourists need to wake up early in the morning around 5 AM to get the train at 6:00 AM.

By reaching out on time, you will have enough time to explore the beautiful Kalmar sightseeing, seaside city and many more attractions over there.

  Where to stay: Best hotels in Kalmar ,  Sweden  

A place to see in Kalmar: Kalmar Slott

Kalmar Slott or Kalmar castle is known as the most famous landmark, as per the feedback by the locals guide this place is one the famous among the things to see in Kalmar.

This castle was built in the 12th Century. Earlier it was known as the defensive tower, after adding more towers, later on, it becomes Kalmar castle what we know this today.

Kalmar Slott has so many things like a proper castle such as fairytale turrets, a drawbridge, a foul dungeon, and secret passages.

The old city center

Kalmar is known as the very cozy old city center. It is situated nearby to the castle featured with much colorful Swedish architecture. Some houses over there are hundreds of years old.

You can experience the awesome cobbled streets walking along with some inviting traces. However, the food and drinks are not much cheaper but are available at some good prices.

Therefore, it is still well more than what you expect to pay in many European countries .

Kalmar Lans Museum

The famous highlight of Kalmar Lans Museum in an old steam mill by the harbor was situated at the 17th-century flagship Kronam.

The fact says that the ship exploded and sank before the battle in 1676, and almost 800 men were lost their lives in this.

In 1980, it was rediscovered and there are over 30,000 beautifully preserved things that have been excavated, especially a spectacular gold hoard, some musical instruments, and clothing, etc.

Kalmar Konstmuseum

The striking Kalmar Konstmuseum is situated nearby the park or Kalmar slot.

However, it does not have any permanent collection. The striking galleries sometimes host a few visiting exhibitions for a specific given time.

It has a stylish new building with many small gallery spaces, where we can see beautiful contemporary work. You can see the shows on clothes, and interesting exhibits with some awesome sketches by the famous Swedish artists.

  Where to stay: Best hotels in Kalmar, Sweden  

Krusenstiernska Garden, a must not miss things to do in Kalmar!

Krussentiernska Garden is a middle-class home in the old town situated in the 19th century. It is only 200 meters far from the castle and one of the top Tourist attractions in Kalmar.

The house is a museum , which is open for groups that can explore its furnishing intact. This garden is also good for picnics and strolls. The high fence is the first noticeable thing in the Krussentiernska Garden that every visitor can see. Some similar fences were surrounded by the other large gardens in the area by the turn of the century.

The overall design is very ancient and traditional that represents the middle age art and the sheltered garden. The tours of the house held at noon from May to September between 1 to 2 PM. In addition, the entry of this beautiful garden and cafe is free, anytime.

Food in Kalmar – Restaurang Källaren Kronan

After transforming the high-caliber experience from the six cellars the meal served under a comfortable vaulted roof. You can find the 1660s menu along with the main course as root vegetables and salmon poached in wine with crayfish.

In addition, the menu is filled with the Swedish classic together with meatballs and gravlax.

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Evan Kristine a.k.a Pretty Wild World is a professional travel blogger with over 10 years of experience in content creation. Originally from the Philippines, she's been living in Finland for 15+ years working as a chef and entrepreneur in Tampere, Finland.

She's an expert in Finland travel and explores the country often sharing her insights and tips in this blog and social medias. She also splits her free time either going for weekend getaways in Europe or galavanting to different European destinations on her holidays. All her useful Europe travel guides are also in this blog!

Evan Kristine is also the food blogger behind at The Kitchen Abroad and on her free time, she enjoys decorating her 75m2 apartment and shares her experience over at Solía Avenue .

A true master of her own life and despite her busy schedule juggling life as a chef, blogger, and entrepreneur, she still finds time to read 50+ books a year and indulge in several hobbies like hiking, working out, yoga, and painting.

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• Uncovering Kalmar: not just a beautiful castle

It’s high season in Sweden now, but still one of the best times to explore the country on your own, from island to island and town to town. I wished I had more time to explore and drive, but let’s face it, I enjoy traveling by train just as much (just can’t stop everywhere I like.)

Kalmar is a small town surrounded by the waters of the Baltic sea, which makes it a perfect spot for sailing and, apparently for swimming and bird watching too. So, on our route through Smaland we set to Kalmar to see the stunning medieval castle (history buffs, you’ll enjoy it here) and find out what else the city has to offer. Which was a really good idea, certified by the Swedes, who have chosen this place as the best place for Summer (three years in a row).

We started our visit through the city from the Cathedral (which seems to be a perfect spot right in the middle of the old city). They say that the Cathedral of Kalmar still looks like it used to be when it was built in 1703. It’s one of the best preserved northern Europe Baroque churches. Highlight “northern Europe”, as you shouldn’t expect something like Santiago de Compostela, but an interesting meeting point and some very interesting details inside and outside.

The cathedral is surrounded by some of the major buildings in the city, like the town hall, and at the central street Storgatan, which crosses the town connecting the western door of Västerport and the shopping streets with the beach of Kattrumpan. Leaving the cathedral on our back and Storgatan to our left and right, we found the old wall that used to protect Kalmar (Outside there is the new harbour and a small shopping center, but that’s not what we came here for ;) ).

There are many interesting buildings all around town, but the ones that caught our eye were the small seafarers’ houses around Södra Vallgatan and Östra Vallgatan. One floor and not wide, the door almost hidden. They have some very interesting things, like a ceramics cat on the window (used to tell the lover when the husband was home) or some mirrors to see what the neighbours were doing without being noticed….

Just a few steps from them, by the coast, is the Klapphuset, the public washing house where women used to wash their carpets and other fabrics (yes, in the Baltic sea). An interesting building (and the only of their kind that is left) and with a beautiful surroundings.

Back to the Cathedral area, through the most commercial and foodie side of Kalmar down town, we crossed the Västerport, the old west door to Kalmar and the wooden bridge of Ravelin, which was rebuilt in 1997. An interesting view towards the castle and the beautiful Kalmar park.

The castle, one of the most photogenic castles in the nordic countries, dates back to the XII century (although the building is from the XVI century, when it was rebuilt with a nordic renaissance style.) If you only come here for the pictures (or look forward to one of those beautiful night shots), they have marked the best spots for photography lovers so you can take a perfect shot of the castle.

But, don’t get me wrong, you should add a visit to the castle. Lots of interesting things happened here, from the signature of the Kalmar Union to the secret lives of the swedish kings, their servants and their lovers. Did you know there are two ghosts here too?

Plus, what they say is the most beautiful wedding spot in all Sweden: Kalmar Slottskyrka, the castle chapel. The XVI century chapel has an interesting nordic design where men and women used to seat apart from each other, and even prisoners had the right to attend the ceremonies here.

It was getting late when we finished our guided tour through the castle so we headed for dinner right here in the Castle (not just another museum restaurant), at the Thomas and Charlotta hall. I’ve told you about this wonderful dinner before : zero kilometre food with traditional swedish recipes with a modern twist. A perfect spot to end up a wonderful day exploring.

Where to sleep in Kalmar

For this trip we stayed at the Kalmar Stadshotell , right accross Kalmar Cathedral (yes, that couldn’t be better located to explore Kalmar on foot). It is a comfortable and modern hotel with a nice bar (just in case you don’t feel like walking 2 minutes to the restaurants and shops at the pedestrianized street).

Things to do near Kalmar:

Just about one hour away from Kalmar, we visited Glasriket, the land of crystal (Sweden is a must-go place for crystal artists and designers). Glasriket is the region of Smaland where crystal factories are located: There are about 13 factories and workshops, with brands like Kosta Boda and Orrefors.

We visited two of them: Målerås Glassworks and Glass Factory. Both worth a visit, although with different approaches to glass working. The first, with an amazing collection of glass sculptures, allows you to try to blow your own glass piece (try if you dare, it’s not easy). The second one, the home of artists from all around the world, where you can witness how they create their new pieces and also visit a museum with some of the most important and interesting pieces of glass created in Sweden. They both are also a great place to shop for crystal, with lower prices than the shops in Stockholm ;)

Also in the area, visit Vimmerby to connect to your inner child and meet Pippi Longbottoms. Or head to Vastervik to sail the islands of the Archipelago.

Disclosure : The trip was organized by Sweden Tourism together with Smaland, Kalmar and Vastervik Tourism offices and , along with a series of activities, accommodation and dining providers mentioned in our articles. As always, all posts are written according to my experience and opinion.

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European cities hope jet-setting Taylor Swift fans will splash the cash for Eras tour

The superstar arrives in Europe next month – and Swifties, tourist boards and venues are already preparing

T im Brown, 44, and his wife, Marcella, 34, may not consider themselves bona fide “Swifties”, but when it was announced last June that Taylor Swift would be visiting their corner of the globe this summer they could not resist joining the scramble for a pair of tickets.

A post-pandemic appetite for live music events has fuelled huge worldwide interest in the American singer-songwriter’s Eras tour, which surpassed in $1bn sales in November to become the highest-grossing series of concerts in history.

The pop culture event of the summer will arrive in Europe next month, kicking off in Paris on 9 May and wrapping up in London on 20 August with 49 dates in between in Sweden, Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Poland, Austria, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The unique nature of the tour’s ticketing system, which was tweaked after a number of hitches last year, means there will be a mass movement of travelling fans who will not only be Swiftie in affiliation but swift-like in their willingness to travel across the continent.

In expectation of intense demand, Ticketmaster introduced a pre-registration system that rewarded some early applicants with access codes to the ticket sale proper, via staggered windows for each city.

Notionally designed to prioritise genuine fans over “scalpers” – people who buy and resell tickets for a quick profit – the pre-sales system also meant many fans registered for tickets in multiple destinations across Europe to increase their chances.

Tim and Marcella, who live in Norwich, registered not just for the nearest concerts – in London and Liverpool – but also in Amsterdam and Lisbon. The pair got lucky with a pair of €91 tickets in the Portuguese capital and have turned the trip into a weekend break. “I used to live in Lisbon so I thought why not kill two birds with one stone,” Tim said. “We booked ourselves flights and four nights’ accommodation the same day.” They are far from alone.

Katie Soo, the chief business officer of DICE, a rival ticketing company, said: “The excitement and uncertainty inherent in the ticket-purchasing process might have inadvertently incentivised fans to apply for tickets in multiple cities, thereby increasing the likelihood of travelling across Europe to attend the concerts.”

Hotel prices

Several European cities have already reported a sharp rise in demand for hotel and short-term rental accommodation over the summer, when the Swift hurricane will arrive. In Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff, rooms at the Travelodge chain around Swift’s June dates have been sold out since August 2023, a month after tickets for the shows went on sale.

In Paris, where fans anticipate Swift to debut an updated version of the Eras show with songs from the new Tortured Poets Department album, 80% of hotels and apartments listed on Booking.com are already full up. In Warsaw on 2 August, only 9% of hotels listed on the same site are still available.

Not all of the 18 cities covered by the Eras tour are obvious tourism destinations. From 17-19 July, Swift will play three concerts at the 65,000-capacity home ground of the football club Schalke 04 in Gelsenkirchen in Ruhr valley, western Germany. The city’s less-than-familiar name prompted one US chatshow host to quip that “the place might not even exist”.

Yet even in Germany’s rust belt the influx of Swift fans is temporarily transforming the hotel market: any two-bedroom apartments that remain available are going for €800-2,000 a night, with cheaper accommodation available only in surrounding cities that are just as off the usual tourist track as Gelsenkirchen, such as Essen, Bochum or Herne.

Cities with stricter rules on allowing Airbnb-style holiday lets and a more limited stock of short-term rental apartments are reporting a particularly marked increase in rates during Swift’s visit, with about 30% year-on-year spikes in rental rates in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Milan, according to AirDNA, a data analytics company specialising in the short-term rentals market.

Of all the tour’s European stops, Vienna is experiencing the most notable impact on its rental market, with booking rates for the nights of Swift’s concerts recorded in February 44% higher than at the same point the previous year. By the end of March the number of nights booked in the Austrian capital for the length of Swift’s stay in the second week of August had risen by 430% compared with the same period in 2023.

When Luke Tilden’s wife, Tatjana, suggested last summer that the couple buy their 13- and 15-year-old daughters, Lena and Maya, tickets to a Taylor Swift gig for Christmas, the 53-year-old Briton initially waved it off. “There’s no chance in hell we’d get a ticket without paying through our noses, I thought,” said Tilden, who works as an interpreter at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

But after pre-registering for tickets in London, Paris and Munich, the Tildens got unexpectedly lucky for four tickets in southern Germany and have turned the concert visit into a mini-holiday: “We’ll visit the in-laws in Bavaria, enjoy the countryside, do a bit of hiking.”

The hope in cities across Europe is that this will be replicated on a massive scale, with fans’ excitement translating into generous spending sprees on food, shopping and leisure. In Stockholm, for example, where authorities are expecting 159,000 visitors to arrive from 135 countries in mid-May, the chamber of commerce has forecast a spending boost of €50m. “We hope the whole town will buzz from the Eras tour,” said Tomas Andersson, a spokesperson for the Swedish capital’s tourism board.

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Whether fans will necessarily act like ordinary tourists, however, is up for debate. “Pop-culture tourists do not necessarily care about traditional buildings and authentic restaurants,” said Maria Lexhagen, a professor at the European Tourism Research Institute, Mid Sweden University.

“Joining up with other fan communities is stronger motivation, as is the idea that they might get closer to the stars themselves. Many of them will map out where Swift is spending her time in the city – they will seek out seemingly marginal but meaningful places like back alleys or coffee shops.” Venues may be hoping for a repeat of Sydney in February, when Swift swept into an unassuming Italian restaurant in the suburbs and sent its name into global media headlines.

In Stockholm the tourism board said it was expecting bookshops and secondhand clothes stores, rather than museums and royal palaces, to attract most of the arriving visitors. Some venues are being proactive: one restaurant within walking distance of the multipurpose Friends Arena in the Solna municipality is putting on a “Taylor Swift brunch experience” with a karaoke stage; the waterfront nightclub Debaser is hosting a pre-concert party on 16 May, an all-ages all-day party with a Swift-themed quiz on 19 May and an afterparty the day after.

Environment

As the Swift circus rolls across the continent, the transport infrastructure of urban centres will also be put to the test. Around the tour’s three-night stop in Dublin at the end of June, Irish Rail has announced additional late-night services to Cork and Limerick to meet an expected increase in demand. Extra tram and bus services are likely to be announced nearer the time.

Unlike rail operators, most airlines do not have capacity to charter additional flights. Due to yield management – airlines adjusting prices based on expected demand – a scramble for airborne journeys into cities that host the Eras tour is more likely to result in more expensive tickets rather than additional flights.

Officials at Lisbon airport said no additional flights had been chartered around Swift’s concerts on 24 and 25 May but that demand would probably be reflected in slightly higher load factors. A spokesperson for Amsterdam Schiphol said general aviation slots could be requested at short notice but nothing out of the ordinary had been logged so far.

Calculating the environmental impact of the tour with any certainty was difficult, experts said. “We can expect that some Swift fans will travel a long way to see one, if not several, shows across Europe”, said Stefan Gössling, a professor of tourism at Linnaeus University in Kalmar, Sweden. “But measuring the environmental impact of these trips is extremely difficult – it would involve a lot of guesswork.”

This did not mean the carbon footprint was negligible. “Every flight taken by a person adds to demand and hence influences supply considerations,” Gössling said. “The greater the demand, the more aircrafts are in service.”

The pop star’s carbon footprint is easier to estimate. Swift owns two jets by the French manufacturer Dassault, whose journeys are trackable. During the 2023 leg of the Eras tour, Swift’s planes spent 166 hours crisscrossing the US in about 75 individual journeys, though it is possible they were used by people other than the singer.

According to data available through the open-access aviation tracker ADS-B exchange, Swift’s jets caused carbon emissions of about 2,830 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent over the course of the US Eras tour – about 1,700 times the annual contribution of an average person.

A spokesperson for Swift told US media last year that in advance of the tour’s start in March 2023, the pop star bought more than double the carbon credits needed to offset all tour travel. Carbon offset credits are tradable certificates that allow purchasers to compensate for emissions by investing in environmental projects that claim to reduce carbon emissions, though recent studies have questioned the efficacy of these schemes.

Additional reporting by Ajit Niranjan

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