Kalmar

The town of Kalmar on Sweden’s east coast is probably one of the country’s oldest settlements. An 8,500-year-old house was excavated not far from the town on the Baltic Sea. In 1397, the Kalmar Union between Denmark, Norway and Sweden/Finland was sealed at the town’s castle; it lasted until 1523. The town’s development and present-day character have been shaped by its location on the Kalmar Strait, a narrow stretch of water between the mainland and the island of Öland. It was not until 1972 that a bridge replaced the ferry service to the island. At six kilometres long and high enough to allow ships to pass beneath it, the bridge was Europe’s longest when completed.

With its connection to the island of Öland, Kalmar—the capital of one of Småland’s three provinces—occupies a prominent position between two popular holiday destinations on Sweden’s Baltic coast: Öland itself and Småland’s “Kingdom of Crystal”, located inland from the coast. The historic province of Småland, with its wide-open spaces and “Swedish mix” of forests, rocks and water, is also a paradise, especially for German tourists, who can enjoy all the benefits of a Swedish holiday near the Baltic Sea here.

Kalmar itself has several appealing sights, almost all rooted in the town’s eventful history. Alongside the castle, whose present appearance is typical of the Vasa castles built during the reign of King Gustav Vasa in the 16th century, several museums and historic buildings draw numerous visitors to the town. The Kalmar County Museum mainly exhibits artefacts recovered from the royal flagship Kronan, which sank off Öland in 1676 and was rediscovered in 1980. The early 18th-century town hall stands close to the cathedral, built in the 17th century to designs by Nikodemus Tessin, the architect of Stockholm Palace.

The Stensö area south of the town centre is a popular destination for day-trippers and tourists, with swimming facilities, a campsite, restaurants and holiday homes. You can even swim right in the town centre, and an indoor leisure pool is available for bad-weather days. Water sports enthusiasts can make use of yacht berths, a diving centre and several canoe rental locations. Kalmar on Sweden’s Baltic coast is ready to meet every holiday need, with hotels, campsites, holiday homes and a wide range of leisure activities.