Once a strategically important fortified city, Kalmar lies on the edge of the Baltic Sea in Sweden’s south-east. It is famed for its Renaissance-style castle and cobblestone streets, which are home to an ornate cathedral and beautifully preserved buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Things to do in Kalmar
Watching over the city since the 17th century is the Kalmar Cathedral, which was designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder in a Classical Baroque style. Admire its elegant facade before stepping inside to explore its whitewashed interior and see the 17th-century pulpit crafted by Baltzar Hoppenstedt.
Surrounded by water on the site of a medieval harbour is Kalmar Castle, which has played an important role in Swedish history since the 12th century. It was here that the union between Denmark, Norway and Sweden (known as the Kalmar Union) was formed in 1397. The castle was reconstructed following the 17th-century Kalmar War, with each of its rooms detailing a different event or theme in the city’s past. A highlight is the Grey Hall, which is laid with the Easter meal that was eaten here in 1586.
Stretching for more than six kilometres across the Kalmar Strait is the Öland Bridge, which connects to the island town of Färjestaden. Supported by more than 150 pillars, it is one of the longest bridges in Europe and officially opened in 1972. Öland is home to a sprawling limestone plain known as the Great Alvar, which provides important habitat for rare orchids.
Getting around Kalmar
Kalmar Öland Airport is a 10-minute drive from Kalmar’s city centre and has flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect from towns and cities throughout Sweden to the Kalmar railway station and buses travel within the city itself. Central Kalmar is compact enough to explore on foot.