Before you go

Your trip to Kalmar.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Kalmar – Kalmar Destination Kalmar and Öland Capital

How to get there

Aeroporto de Kalmar Öland (KLR) 5 km
Estação de Kalmar (Kalmar centralstation) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. Kalmar Airport, 5 km from the centre, has flights from Stockholm of about 1 hour. By train, Copenhagen is about 4 hours and Stockholm about 4h30–5 hours, usually with a change at Alvesta. The station is in the centre.

How many days

One day for the castle, the cathedral, Kvarnholmen and the Kronan museum. With Öland, allow two or three days.

When to go

From May to September the days are usually long and mild, and the castle is open every day. In July and August you can swim at the city beaches. In winter, the castle and the museum remain open with reduced hours, and it gets dark early.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

For Kalmar, no: the city is best explored on foot. For Öland, a car is very helpful because the island has few buses. There are car rentals in the city and at the airport.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Kalmar

Morning
Castle
Start with Kalmar Castle, taking the guided tour of the Renaissance halls.
Afternoon
Kronan
Have lunch in Kvarnholmen and visit the Kalmar läns museum, with the finds from the ship Kronan.
Late afternoon
Cathedral and Kvarnholmen
See the baroque cathedral and walk through Kvarnholmen’s streets to the bastion and the harbour.
Evening
Port
Dine near the port, with a view of the Öland bridge.

2 days in Kalmar

Day 1

Morning
Castle
Kalmar Castle and park.
Afternoon
Museum and cathedral
Kronan museum and cathedral.
Late afternoon
Kvarnholmen
Walk through the old town and the port.
Evening
Kalmar
Dinner in the town centre.

Day 2

Morning
Öland: mills
Cross the bridge to Öland and stop at the Lerkaka mills.
Afternoon
Borgholm
Ruins of Borgholm Castle and the Solliden gardens, in season.
Late afternoon
West coast
Return along the west coast with the sun low over the sound.
Evening
Borgholm or Kalmar
Stay in Borgholm or return to Kalmar.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

What to see in Kalmar in one day?

The castle, the baroque cathedral, Kvarnholmen’s centre and the Kronan ship museum, all within walking distance.

Does Kalmar have a beach?

Yes, Kalmarsundsbadet beach and others near the castle, with water typically between 17 and 20 °C in July and August.

How to get from Kalmar to Öland?

Across the Öland bridge by car or bus, about 15 minutes to Färjestaden. In summer there is often bicycle transport on the bridge.

Is Kalmar near the Reino do Cristal?

Yes. The glassworks of Småland, known as Glasriket, are about 40–60 km to the west, between Kalmar and Växjö.

Back to Kalmar