Holiday apartment in Västervik – archipelago and maritime culture

Västervik lies along a long coastline where the Västervik archipelago stretches across around 5,000 islands, islets and skerries. The combination of the Baltic Sea, island world and historic townscape is reflected in many different ways. At Naturum Västervik, an exhibition provides information about life in the shallow coastal zone of the Baltic Sea. Further exhibitions focus on different landscape environments: Naturum provides knowledge about forests, mountains, watercourses, lakes, islands and the sea.

For hiking, cycling, paddling and climbing, Västervik Outdoor provides maps and information. In the wider area around Västervik, the 12-kilometre-long Gränsöleden trail also runs through a nature reserve on the Gränsö peninsula outside the town centre. Archipelago boats run from Västervik and Loftahammar to the islands of Hasselö, Idö and Rågö.

Culture and history

Västervik’s maritime past is present in several places. The permanent Sjöfartshallen exhibition presents the town’s maritime history. The exhibition “Boatman – det maritima arvet” displays Tjustökor boats built using UNESCO-classified clinker construction techniques. Shipbuilding was also significant in Västervik: in the second half of the 16th century and during the 17th century, it was extensive and at times larger than at several of the country’s major shipyards.

Another historical chapter begins in 1433. When Västervik was moved from Gamleby to its present location, the town grew up around the ruins of Stegeholms Slottsruin as protection against attacking Danes. Every summer, during calendar week 28, VisFestivalen takes place in the ruins of Stegeholms slott. The Visvägen trail leads through the local music history: marked with signs on the ground, the walking route runs from Fiskaretorget to the ruins of Stegeholms slott.

The religious buildings also tell of different eras. S:ta Gertruds kyrka is a medieval church in Västervik on Hälleberget. The choir and sacristy were built in the 1430s, the nave around 1450 and the tower around 1670. S:t Petri kyrka in Västervik was consecrated in 1905 and built in the Neo-Gothic style. Törnsfalls kyrka is a landmark and, together with S:ta Gertruds kyrka in Västervik, the only surviving medieval church in Tjust.

Båtsmansstugorna were built in the 18th century to house the boatmen of Tjusts båtsmanskompani. Today, the historic houses offer a café and a walk along the buildings and their cobbled paths. At Aspagården near S:ta Gertruds kyrka, the artists’ group Ateljé Aspagården works. Visitors are welcome when the flag is hanging from the gable of the house.

Hiking, cycling and water

Several routes lead to Västervik in different lengths and forms. The fourth stage of the Tjustleden includes an approximately 8-kilometre connecting route to Västervik via Marsbäcken. Those taking the northern connecting route of the Tjustleden to Västervik travel around 20 kilometres in total.

On two wheels, the choice ranges from the approximately 60-kilometre Ankarsrum–Västervik mountain-bike route to the 560-kilometre Kustlinjen cycling route. The mountain-bike trail follows a mixture of minor roads, gravel roads and forest paths to Västervik. Västervik is the starting or finishing point of Kustlinjen, which runs between Västervik, Stockholm and Öregrund.

On the water, the Gamlebyviken runt kayak route can be started in Västervik or Gamleby. The complete circuit of Gamlebyviken is 41 kilometres long. There is also a named site underwater: the wreck of the just over 17-metre-long tugboat Ymer lies on the seabed beside Västervik’s guest harbour and serves as a dive site for courses.

Västervik has granite climbing areas with routes for different levels of experience. Guided tours and courses can also be booked through Västervik’s climbing club. The Dillerium climbing area, also known as VO Klätterområde, consists of boulders and walls in open woodland.

Townscape and views

Västerviks Museum offers guided town walks through the older districts and can organise walks for private groups throughout the year. Group size is limited to 25 people. Unos torn is an elevated viewpoint: an 18-metre-high observation tower on Kulbacken overlooking Västervik and Gamlebyviken. The viewing platform is 34 metres above sea level.

At the ruins of Stegeholms slott, a staircase and a viewpoint have been created above the northern wall to make the cultural monument more accessible and give visitors an opportunity to enjoy the view.

This keeps the information important for your planning clearly separated for each offer.

The following places are also available as options: Blankaholm, Edsbruk, Hjorted, Överum, Gunnebo, Totebo and Blackstad.

For the overarching travel overview: Kalmar.

More destinations in Västervik

More places for travel planning:

Ankarsrum.