This long Swedish island has white beaches, ancient stone circles, and a medieval castle. Local restaurants serve fresh seafood dishes like smoked herring and lobster soup.
Öland, Sweden's second-largest island, stretches 137 kilometers along the country's southeastern coast. The 6-kilometer Öland Bridge connects it to mainland Sweden. You can walk among weathered limestone formations on the Stora Alvaret plain, explore the 17th-century stone walls of Borgholm Castle, or visit the gardens of Solliden Palace where the Swedish royal family spends their summers. Across the island, hundreds of wooden windmills from the 1800s still stand among the fields and stone walls.
Getting to Öland
You can reach Öland by crossing the Öland Bridge from Kalmar, a journey of about 6 kilometers. If you're traveling by public transport, take a train or flight to Kalmar, then catch a bus across the bridge. The bridge opened in 1972 and remains the main connection between the island and mainland Sweden.
Landscapes of Stora Alvaret
Stora Alvaret, a 260-square-kilometer limestone plain in southern Öland, has earned UNESCO World Heritage status. The thin soil and exposed bedrock support plants that grow nowhere else in Sweden, such as the Öland sun-rose and purple milk-vetch. You can follow walking trails across the plain to see these plants and examine centuries-old stone walls built by farmers.
Exploring Borgholm
Borgholm is the main commercial center in northern Öland. You'll find Borgholm Castle on a hill above the town - a 17th-century fortress that burned down in 1806 and stands today as a stone shell. From May to September, you can visit the adjacent Solliden Palace gardens, where carefully maintained flowerbeds and sculptures surround the Swedish royal family's summer home.
Beaches and Coastal Areas
The northern coastline includes Böda Sand, a long stretch of sandy beach with clear water for swimming. The western shore along Kalmar Sound typically maintains warmer water temperatures throughout summer. At Mörbylånga's Haga Park, steady winds attract windsurfers and kitesurfers from spring through fall.
Local Food Experiences
Restaurants across the island serve kroppkaka, potato dumplings with a filling of pork and onions, accompanied by lingonberries. You can buy aged meats, local cheeses, and vegetables in season at farm shops throughout Öland. The fishing village of Kårehamn has several restaurants serving cod, perch, and pike caught in the surrounding Baltic waters.
Cycling and Hiking Routes
The flat landscape makes cycling an easy way to explore Öland. The Öland Trail (Ölandsleden) extends almost the full length of the island. You can rent bikes in most towns and follow marked paths that take you past agricultural fields, stone walls, and 19th-century windmills. Many routes connect the east and west coasts, letting you cross the island in under an hour.
