Öland Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Island

Facts and practical information

Öland, located in the Kalmar region of Sweden, is a picturesque island that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and outdoor activities. With its stunning coastline, charming villages, and rich history, Öland is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a truly authentic Swedish experience.

One of the main highlights of Öland is its diverse and unspoiled natural landscape. The island boasts a stunning coastline, with long sandy beaches, towering cliffs, and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can spend their days sunbathing, swimming, or even trying their hand at various water sports like kayaking or windsurfing. For nature enthusiasts, Öland is a paradise with its numerous nature reserves and bird sanctuaries, where rare species of birds can be spotted.

In addition to its natural beauty, Öland is also known for its rich cultural heritage. The island is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Royal Palace of Borgholm, which dates back to the 17th century. History buffs can explore the ruins of ancient fortresses and medieval castles scattered throughout the island, such as Eketorp Fortress and Gråborg Castle. The local museums, such as the Öland Museum and the Långe Jan Lighthouse Museum, provide fascinating insights into the island's history and culture.

For those seeking outdoor adventures, Öland offers a wide range of activities. The island is a haven for cyclists, with numerous bike paths winding through its picturesque landscapes. Hiking enthusiasts can explore the Stora Alvaret, a vast limestone plain with unique flora and fauna. Golfers will also find their paradise in Öland, as the island boasts several top-notch golf courses with breathtaking views.

When it comes to gastronomy, Öland offers a delightful culinary experience. Visitors can indulge in traditional Swedish cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh seafood, locally sourced ingredients, and traditional recipes. The island is dotted with charming restaurants, cafes, and farm shops, where visitors can savor delicious dishes while enjoying the peaceful and idyllic surroundings.

Alternative names: Area: 520.08 mi²Elevation: 92 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 56°44'14"N, 16°40'0"E

Location

KalmarSweden

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Öland Top Attractions

Öland Attractions - What to See and Explore

Öland offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Eketorp, Långe Jan, Saint Birgitta's chapel, Ismantorp Fortress. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Reconstructed 4th-century fortress
Eketorp
Eketorp is an Iron Age hillfort, located on southeastern Öland, Sweden, and extensively reconstructed and enlarged in the Middle Ages.
Lighthouse • Vernacular architecture
Långe Jan
Långe Jan is a Swedish lighthouse located at the south cape of Öland in the Baltic Sea, Sweden's second largest island. It is one of Sweden's most famous lighthouses along with Kullen, Vinga and Landsort, and also the tallest lighthouse in Sweden.
Ruins
Saint Birgitta's chapel
Saint Birgitta's chapel is located on the east coast of the island of Öland, Sweden, some four kilometers from the village of Bredsättra in Bredsättra socken, Borgholm Municipality, in a marshy area called Kapelludden.

Archaeological site
Ismantorp Fortress
Ismantorp Fortress is the ruins of a ringfort located on Öland Island in Sweden.
17th-century Baroque castle ruins
Borgholm Castle
Borgholm Castle in Borgholm, Sweden, is today only a ruin of the fortress that was first built in the second half of the 13th century and rebuilt many times in later centuries. It is linked to Halltorp estate, to the south. The castle was destroyed in a fire on 14 October 1806.
Church • Romanesque architecture
Gärdslösa Church
Gärdslösa Church is a Lutheran church on the Swedish island Öland, in the Baltic Sea. It belongs to the Diocese of Växjö.
Nature • Natural attraction • Protected area
Neptune's fields
Neptune's fields is a nature reserve in the north of the island of Öland, Sweden. Located in Borgholm Municipality along the Kalmar Strait, north of the village of Byxelkrok, it consists of a long stretch of cobble beach covered with Echium vulgare which blossoms in June and July, coloring the entire area blue.
Nature • Natural attraction • Protected area
Halltorps hage
Halltorps hage is a nature reserve on the island of Öland in Borgholm Municipality, Kalmar County, Sweden. The nature reserve serves to protect an area with varied deciduous forest. At the heart of the reserve is a pasture dominated by several large oaks. Other trees found in the reserve include ash, linden, maple and hornbeam.
Church
Alböke Church
Alböke Church is a Lutheran church on the Swedish island Öland, in the Baltic Sea. It belongs to the Diocese of Växjö.
Archaeological site
Sandby borg
Sandby borg is an Iron Age ringfort, one of at least 15 on the island of Öland, Sweden. It sits about 2 kilometers southeast of Södra Sandby village in Sandby parish in southeastern Öland. It is close to the village of Gårdby.
Lighthouse • Vernacular architecture
Högby Lighthouse
Högby Lighthouse is a Swedish lightstation. The lighthouse is built of iron and painted white. The design by architect Johan Höjer is unique to Sweden. The tower was exhibited at the Stockholm Exposition in 1897 before being located in Högby on a narrow peninsula.
Runestone dating to the 10th century
Karlevi Runestone
The Karlevi Runestone, designated as Öl 1 by Rundata, is commonly dated to the late 10th century and located near the Kalmarsund straight in Karlevi on the island of Öland, Sweden.
Church • Romanesque architecture
Egby kyrka
Egby Church is a Lutheran church on the Swedish island Öland, in the Baltic Sea. It belongs to the Diocese of Växjö.
Lighthouse • Vernacular architecture
Kapelludden lighthouse
The lighthouse at Kapelludden, on the east coast of the Swedish island of Öland, was built and lit in 1871. It is located in a wetland near the ruin of a 13th-century chapel, in Bredsättra socken, Borgholm Municipality.
Park
Horns Kungsgård
Horns Kungsgård is a nature preserve in the northern part of Öland, Sweden. It was founded as a model farm by Gustav Vasa in the 1550s. It was incorporated in 1971 and expanded in 2001, and became one of the protected areas of the Natura 2000 network.
56°28'0"N • 16°32'60"E
Stora Alvaret
The agricultural landscape of southern Öland is an area of more than 56,000 hectares located on the island of Öland, Sweden. It includes Stora alvaret, a limestone plateau of around half that surface. Stora alvaret is a dagger-shaped area almost 40 km long and about 10 km at its widest north end.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Hornsjön
Hornsjön, also known as Hornsviken, is the largest lake on the island of Öland, Sweden. Located in Högby socken near Löttorp, it has a surface area of around two square kilometres and a maximum depth of four metres.
Church
Föra Church
Föra Church is a Lutheran church on the Swedish island of Öland, in the Baltic Sea. It belongs to the Diocese of Växjö. Dating from the Middle Ages, it was heavily reconstructed during the 19th century.
Church
Bredsättra Church
Bredsättra Church is a Lutheran church in Bredsättra socken on the Swedish island Öland, in the Baltic Sea. It belongs to the Diocese of Växjö.

Day trips

Öland – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Öland, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Kalmar Castle (Kalmar), Kalmar Cathedral (Kalmar), Kosta Glasbruk (Kosta).

13 milesSW
Renaissance castle with history museum
Kalmar Castle, Kalmar
Kalmar Castle, a majestic fortress in the city of Kalmar, Sweden, stands as a testament to the nation's rich medieval history. This well-preserved castle, with origins dating back to the 12th century, has played a pivotal role in the Scandinavian defense and political...
12 milesSW
Sacred and religious sites, Church, Baroque architecture
Kalmar Cathedral, Kalmar
Kalmar Cathedral is in the city of Kalmar in Småland in southeast Sweden.
49 milesW
Museum
Kosta Glasbruk, Kosta
Kosta Glasbruk, later known as Kosta Boda, is a Swedish glassmaking company founded by two foreign officers in Charles XII's army, Anders Koskull and Georg Bogislaus Staël von Holstein, in 1742.
46 milesN
Lighthouse
Långe Erik
Perched on the northernmost tip of Öland, Sweden's second-largest island, stands Långe Erik – a lighthouse that has been a guiding beacon for seafarers since the 19th century. This stoic structure, whose name translates to "Tall Erik" in English, towers above the...
8.9 miN
Royal palace with lavish gardens
Solliden Palace, Borgholm
Solliden Palace -- commonly known as just Solliden -- is the summer residence of the Swedish Royal Family and the personal private property of King Carl XVI Gustaf. The palace is situated near the Borgholm Castle ruin on the island of Öland in southern Sweden along its Baltic coast.

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Best Time To Visit Öland

Learn when is the best time to travel to Öland weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

JFMAMJJASOND

July and August are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in June.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January, February and March.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in February, March, April and May. Most of it rains in September and November.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Öland?

The top attractions to visit in Öland are:

What is the best time to visit Öland?

July and August are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in June. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January, February and March.