Kalmar
©
Kalmar

Kalmar

Baltic coast city in southeastern Sweden, dominated by its Renaissance castle and medieval centre.

Kalmar is a handsome castle town on Sweden's southeast coast, facing the Baltic island of Öland across a narrow strait. The six-kilometre Öland Bridge — the longest in Scandinavia — connects the two, and most visitors to Kalmar cross over to take advantage of Öland's sun, sandy beaches, and Viking-era sites.

The city's great monument is Kalmar Castle, one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Scandinavia, built on a small island in the harbour. It was here that the Union of Kalmar was signed in 1397, uniting Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under a single crown. The castle's interior is worth exploring — the king's and queen's chambers are beautifully restored.

The surrounding region of Småland is famous for glassmaking. The Glass District, centred on the route between Kalmar and Växjö, is home to internationally known brands including Orrefors and Kosta Boda. Many of the glassworks offer demonstrations and the chance to try glassblowing. Småland was also the birthplace of Astrid Lindgren, creator of Pippi Longstocking.

Guide

Day Trips

Kalmar's location makes it an excellent base for the wider region.

Öland — cross the bridge (6 km) and you are on one of Sweden's most distinctive islands: flat, windswept, covered in limestone grasslands that bloom in summer, with UNESCO-listed agricultural landscape, Viking grave fields, medieval ruins, and long sandy beaches. The southern tip at Ottenby is one of the best birdwatching spots in northern Europe. Allow a full day and ideally a car.

Glasriket (Kingdom of Crystal) — the Glass District lies roughly between Kalmar and Växjö, about 30–80 km northwest. The glassworks here include internationally known names like Kosta Boda and Orrefors, and most offer factory tours, museum collections, and the chance to try glassblowing yourself. A day driving the Glass Road (Glasriksvägen) with stops at two or three glassworks is a popular excursion from Kalmar.

Borgholm, Öland — the largest town on Öland, about 20 km north of the bridge, has a dramatic ruined castle and a lively summer atmosphere. The royal family uses Solliden Palace here as a summer residence.

Guide

Getting There

By train: Kalmar is on the Kust till kust line with direct trains to Gothenburg (around 3.5 hours) and connections to Stockholm via Linköping. The journey from Stockholm takes about 3.5–4 hours by express train.

By air: Kalmar Öland Airport (IATA: KLR) handles flights to Stockholm Arlanda with Amapola/BRA. The airport is about 8 km north of the centre; a taxi or bus takes around 20 minutes.

By bus: Regional and national coach services connect Kalmar to Malmö, Stockholm, and surrounding towns. The journey to Malmö is around 3 hours; to Stockholm around 4–5 hours.

By car: Kalmar sits on the E22 motorway that runs along Sweden's southeast coast from Malmö toward Norrköping. The drive from Malmö takes about 2.5 hours; from Stockholm about 3.5 hours.

Guide

Things to Do

Kalmar's historic core sits on Kvarnholmen, a small peninsula where the castle, cathedral, and Baroque town square are all within easy walking distance of each other. The Glass District and the island of Öland are both within 30–60 minutes, making Kalmar a useful base for the wider region.