This coastal town in southern Sweden has a 17th-century naval history, a well-preserved old market square, and is known for making akvavit and vegetable oils.
Karlshamn spreads along Sweden's Baltic coast in Blekinge County, where rocky shores meet archipelago waters. You can catch salmon in the Mörrumsån river, watch European bison roam through ancient farmland at Eriksberg, or spend an afternoon among the hands-on experiments at Kreativum Science Center. In summer, daily boats take you to Tärnö island, where you'll find granite cliffs and marked hiking paths.
Getting to Karlshamn
Karlshamn lies 508km south of Stockholm. Trains run regularly between Karlshamn and major Swedish cities. You can drive here via the E22 highway, while national road 29 connects the port to Småland province. Cyclists can use dedicated bike paths to reach nearby towns like Mörrum, Svängsta, and Asarum.
Natural Areas and Hiking
At Sternö-Boön nature reserve, you can follow coastal paths that curve around granite formations and past old quarries. The reserve includes accessibility-adapted hiking trails, stone barbecue areas, and wooden jetties for swimming. Head 10km north to Långasjönäs nature reserve's Nytorpet area, where you'll find marked trails from 2.5 to 10 kilometers. You can rent canoes and rowing boats to explore the lake. The Laxaleden trail stretches 30 kilometers along the Mörrum river, taking you past 1700s mill ruins and traditional fishing spots.
Wildlife and Parks
At Eriksbergs Wildlife Park, you can watch European bison, red deer, moose, and wild boar roam across an old farmstead. Walk along designated paths or climb elevated platforms for clear views of the animals in their natural habitat. The park opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00 during peak season (June-August).
Maritime Activities
The Stilleryd port handles cargo traffic and runs daily ferries to Klaipėda, Lithuania. From June through August, passenger boats depart regularly to the archipelago islands. Take a trip to Tärnö, the largest island in Karlshamn's archipelago, to explore its granite cliffs, pebble beaches, and old pastures on marked walking trails.
Cultural Life and Events
The converted locomotive workshop "Lokstallarna" now serves as a venue for Teatersmedjan's theater shows and local band concerts. The Östersjöfestivalen brings more than 50 musical acts to the town during the third week of July. You can hear the Karlshamn Chamber Choir perform classical music throughout the year, while the 40-musician Karlshamns musikkår band plays weekly concerts in the city center during summer.
