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Not to be confused with Åland, a group of islands in the northern Baltic Sea, associated with Finland.

Öland is Sweden's second largest island, only Gotland is larger and of more importance. It lies in the Baltic Sea just off the coast of Småland, connected to the mainland by a bridge from Kalmar.

Cities

Other destinations

  • Böda Sand is Sweden's biggest camping site with 1,350 camp sites and 125 cabins. It lies close to a beautiful beach, and its size makes it an attraction in itself. There was even a reality show filmed here.

Understand

Öland is rather sparsely populated, with most of the land consisting of farm land or in the north woods.

Talk

While English is widely known by most Swedes, the level of English spoken in the country side (including Öland) is noticeably lower than, for example, the level of English spoken in Stockholm.

Observe that most tourist information signs will be in Swedish, English, German and in rare cases Dutch and/or French.

Get in

By plane or train

The nearest airport and railway is in Kalmar, see that page.

By car or bus

You get in by car or bus (Kalmar Länstrafik) from Kalmar over the Ölandsbron bridge.

By ferry

In summertime, there's a ferry from Kalmar to Färjestaden and back, on which you can bring your bike. It runs from mid-April to mid-August, from around seven in the morning until six in the evening during weekdays. Check Ressel Rederi for current schedule. It costs SEK50 for adults and takes about half an hour.

Get around

Public transport is limited. There is no railway on Öland. and the bus routes and bus departures are relatively few, even though the situation gets a lot better during the tourist season from the beginning of June to the middle of August. Taking the bus, however, remains the most convenient way to get around on the island, since they cover most of the island and can get you within biking distance of interesting sights and beautiful beaches. Bringing a bike would be great and convenient, as passengers are allowed to bring bikes on the buses. It's also the best way to experience the unique landscape of Öland. There are very nice biking trails along the long coast of Öland.

See KLT for bus connections from Kalmar and inside Öland.

See

Eketorp fortress at Alvaret (the Southern Agricultural Landscape)
  • Borgholm Castle (Borgholms slott). (or rather its ruin, as it burnt down in the 19th Century). It is not open all year round, but you can always admire it from a distance.
  • The southern agricultural landscape (Alvaret) of Öland is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a unique landscape with rare species and evidence of human settlements from prehistoric times. This place is often listed as one of the must-sees in Sweden by Swedish, as well as international, travel magazines.
  • The villas in Borgholm have a lot of character, and it is rather entertaining to walk around and look at them.
  • Solliden is the Royal summer residence with its beautiful garden.
  • Vida Museum showing the works of among others Bertil and Ulrika Wallien and Ulf Trotzig
  • Eketorp an old fortification stemming from the middle ages with activities for children
  • Böda Sand a beautiful sandy beach on the very north of the island. To get there you walk through a mesmerizing forest called the Trolls' forest (Trollskogen).
  • The rock formations, called raukar, on the beautiful Byerum beach. These formations have been created by natural erosion over thousands of years. If you're interested in seeing more of these 'raukar' they are in fact even more plentiful on Sweden's largest island, Gotland.
  • The Northern tip of the island, with its lighthouse (Långe Erik), natural preserve and Neptune's fields (Neptuni ängar)
  • The Southern tip of the island, with its lighthouse (Långe Jan) and bird sanctuary/centre (Ottenby Fågelstation).
  • The landscape south of Mörbylånga, which is now also a UNESCO World Heritage.
  • The only lake on Öland, Hornsjön

Itineraries

Do

  • Spend a day at one of Öland's many beaches
  • Bike along the Öland trail (Ölandsleden), or the shorter Sweden trail (the part that runs on Öland, that is)
  • Spend a day or two in the beautiful town of Borgholm with its charming villas and cosy cafés. Close to the town are also the Borgholm castle and the Solliden (royal residence), which are both well worth a visit. The massive castle situated on a hill with a stunning view of the town of Borgholm and the sea and Solliden with its beautiful architecture as well as its gardens.
  • Buy pottery and other ceramics from the many skilled potters. (Paradisverkstan is one of the big, located between Färjestaden and the Öland bridge. Resmo krukmakeri is also worth a trip in itself)
  • Hike on southern Öland, where there is a total of 110 km of marked trails, some which go through Stora Alvaret. Mörbylånga kommun has maps and information on the hikes (in Swedish).

Eat

Kroppkaka is a Småland/Öland speciality. Smoked fish is another one. Berries are usually abundant throughout the summer and early autumn. Mushrooms are plentiful in autumn.

Drink

The island doesn't have much to offer in the nightlife department but if you head into the larger towns, e.g. Borgholm (in particular), Färjestaden and Mörbylånga you will see a few nice restaurants and bars. The Strand Hotel in Borgholm has a great nightclub in the summer.

Stay safe

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This region travel guide to Öland is an outline and may need more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow!