This coastal Swedish town is home to Sweden's largest nuclear power plant and has a busy ferry terminal connecting to Gotland. The local shipyard dates back to 1863.
Oskarshamn sits on Swedenâs southeastern coast, known for its working port, boat connections to nearby islands, and maritime traditions. Visit LĂ„nga Soffan, a 72-meter wooden bench facing the harbor, explore the Döderhultarn Museumâs collection of 19th-century wooden sculptures, or take a ferry to BlĂ„ Jungfrun islandâs rocky trails. The townâs shipyards, active since 1863, sit near neighborhoods with wooden houses from the same era, such as BesvĂ€ret. Summer brings music events like Latitud 57, and ferries leave regularly for Gotland and Ăland. Oskarshamn combines industrial history with calm coastal surroundings, serving both as a departure point and a place to experience Swedenâs southeastern shoreline.
Harbor and LĂ„nga Soffan
Begin at Oskarshamnâs port, where ferries leave for Gotland, Ăland, and BlĂ„ Jungfrun. Restaurants along the water serve seafood dishes with views of cargo ships and sailboats. LĂ„nga Soffan, constructed in 1867, lines the portâs southern sideâgrab a seat here to watch cranes unload goods or fishermen mend nets. In July, the Latitud 57 festival fills the area with live music, from rock to folk, with stages set near the docks. Each August, speedboats race just offshore during the Oskarshamn Offshore Race, drawing crowds to the breakwater.
Museums and Local History
The Döderhultarn Museum displays over 200 wooden carvings by Axel Petersson Döderhultarn, capturing scenes of rural 19th-century Sweden like village dances and shipbuilders at work. Next door, the maritime museum details Oskarshamnâs shipbuilding past through model boats, navigation tools, and maps of Baltic trade networks. For a quieter historical stop, head to Fredriksbergs HerrgĂ„rd, an 18th-century manor house 2 kilometers west of the center. The building now houses a restaurant serving Swedish classics, and its small museum displays items from SmĂ„landâs aristocratic past, including porcelain and furniture.
BlÄ Jungfrun Island
Ferries from Oskarshamn reach BlĂ„ Jungfrun in 90 minutes. This granite island, a national park since 1926, has trails winding through stunted pines and past boulders left by glaciers. Look for stone circles and labyrinths thought to be over 1,000 years old, possibly used in ancient rituals. Bring your own food and water, as there are no shops or shelters. Boats run daily from June to August, and guides sometimes join trips to share stories about the islandâs rare plants and Viking-era legends.
Parks and Sports
Oskarshamn Golf Club, 5 kilometers north in Skorpetorp, has an 18-hole course surrounded by pine trees and small lakes. A 9-hole course is available for quicker games. Hike parts of Ostkustleden, a 160-kilometer trail that crosses forests and rocky beaches near town. Families can try Strike and Kartcenter, which has go-kart tracks and bowling lanes. From June to August, Lilla torget square holds Sommartorget, a weekly market with local crafts, fresh berries, and occasional puppet shows.
Getting There and Staying Over
Reach Oskarshamn by bus from Kalmar (1 hour) or VĂ€xjö (1.5 hours). Seasonal ferries go to Visby on Gotland (4 hours) and Byxelkrok on Ăland (2 hours). Kalmar and VĂ€xjö airports, both about an hour away by car, connect to Stockholm. Choose between harbor-side hotels, cottages near the coast, or campgrounds with beach access. For a quieter stay, book a room in Stensjö by, a 19th-century farming village 15 kilometers west, where some houses offer bed-and-breakfast lodging. The OKG nuclear power plant, visible from parts of town, highlights the areaâs role in Swedenâs energy production but isnât open for visits.
