Holiday apartment in Kalmar: Culture, Nature and Historic Trails

Kalmar leads from Swedish history to paths along the water and through wetlands. At Kalmar Cathedral, Kalmar Castle and the preserved city wall, the past becomes visible; at the same time, hiking and cycling routes run through the city and its wider surroundings. Culture, coastal landscapes, natural areas and tangible historical traces are found side by side as different facets of the same destination.

Culture and History

At Kalmar konstmuseum, Swedish and international artists come together. The museum presents contemporary art alongside works from its own collection. The venue also includes Konstlabbet, which offers open creative activities for children aged 4 to 12 who are interested in art. An exhibition about the Regalskeppet Kronan provides an introduction to marine archaeology: on display are finds from 40 years of excavations as well as two hoards of gold coins.

Kalmar's architectural history is also present in several places. Kalmar Castle offers guided tours and is open all year round, although opening hours vary over the course of the year. Kalmar Cathedral was completed in 1703 and is a very well-preserved monument from Sweden's era as a great power. Large parts of the city wall built around Kvarnholmen in the 17th century have survived to this day. Gamla kyrkogården is Kalmar's oldest surviving cemetery and was established in the first half of the 13th century.

The Iron Age burial grounds in Kalmar can be explored on foot, by bicycle or while jogging. Information boards about the Iron Age archaeological sites can be found at Tjuvbackarna, Brukshagen and at the eastern burial ground in Djurängshagen. In summer, historical walking tours are also offered, departing from the Kalmar Tourist Center. Another route is the Parkpromenaden route: it takes approximately one and a half hours and leads, among other places, through Stadsparken, to Krusenstiernska gården and to Lycksalighetens ö.

Paths Through the City and Landscape

Kalmarsundsleden is an easily walkable hiking and cycling route with a total length of more than 120 kilometres. It runs from the municipal boundary north of Slakmöre in Kalmar Municipality to Bröms in the south of Torsås Municipality and passes through the city of Kalmar. Along the route, there are wind shelters and places where fires can be lit at several points.

Linnéslingan adds a nature and culture loop between Linnaeus University and Stensö udde. It passes through varied landscapes. Hälsoslingan consists of walking loops of different lengths through nature, coastal environments and green spaces near the hospital in Kalmar. In the wider regional surroundings, the 30-kilometre pilgrimage route Östra Sigfridsleden runs from the coastal landscape of Södermöre to the wooded areas west of Kalmar.

Also in the wider regional surroundings is Ljungbyåns vandringsled, approximately 15 kilometres from Kalmar. The trail is 8.5 kilometres long each way; shorter circular routes are also available. The different lengths and route formats each represent separate trail options and are not combined into a single route.

Nature and Waterscapes

The Kalmar Dämme wetland offers walks, opportunities for birdwatching and a wetland landscape. At the same time, Kalmar Dämme provides habitats for numerous plant and animal species. The Hagbynäs wetland is part of Skärgårdsparken and supports water quality, birdlife and biodiversity.

In the wider regional surroundings, the Smedby wetland offers opportunities for recreation, nature experiences and learning about the importance of wetlands. Within Kalmar, Stensö is a peninsula in the south of the city. In the north, the island of Horsö and the Värsnäs peninsula together form a nature reserve.

Getting There and Further Local Pages

Kalmar can be reached by bus, train or aeroplane. For further orientation in the region, the local pages for Ekenäs, Ljungbyholm, Påryd, Vassmolösa, Alby, Åstad, Karlevi, Runsbäck, Kalmar, Hagby, Broakulla, Rockneby, Trekanten, Halltorp, Föra and Storafro are also available.

When comparing offers for a holiday apartment in Kalmar, you can check the exact location, accommodation type, occupancy, included services, price components, and booking and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages.

To the overarching travel overview: Kalmar.