Holiday apartment on Öland: Nature, World Heritage and coasts

At the southern tip of Öland, Naturum Ottenby focuses on birds, the sea and the impressive landscape. From Easter until the weekend of All Saints’ Day, exhibitions and extensive activities take place there. Ottenby is a well-known destination for birdwatchers: Numerous resting and breeding species can be seen, and rarities are also frequently spotted.

Nature and trails

The Ottenby Nature Reserve is one of the largest reserves in Kalmar County and covers 995 hectares. There are four marked hiking trails in the reserve. Långe Jan lighthouse is 42 metres high, making it Sweden’s tallest lighthouse. It was built in the 1780s.

The Ottenby rev Nature Reserve is entirely marine and accessible only by boat. It features dense kelp forests, mussel beds and lush seagrass meadows. Mittlandet has a different character: The landscape can be visited all year round, and many of its destinations, nature reserves, cultural environments and hiking trails are easy to reach. The 53.3-kilometre-long Mittlandsleden hiking trail runs through Mittlandet.

Coast and sea

Stenkusten offers a barren coast, rauks, limestone formations and open sea. Opportunities there include hiking, cycling, photography and picnicking. Near Byrum, Öland’s finest rauk area stretches along a 600-metre-long section of beach, with around one hundred rauks. The largest formations in the southern part are just under four metres high.

Along Stenkusten, Sandvik, Löttorp and Byxelkrok offer restaurants, ice-cream parlours and cosy cafés. Thus, in addition to its striking rock formations, the coastal landscape also includes places offering food and drink. Mörbylångaleden is one of the twelve Signature Trails of the Swedish Tourist Association and runs through the barren and beautiful World Heritage Site.

World Heritage and history

The World Heritage area of southern Öland includes villages, agricultural land, coastal areas and alvar landscapes, as well as numerous prehistoric archaeological sites. The agricultural landscape of southern Öland was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. The World Heritage area offers open churches, hikes, concerts, exhibitions, family activities and guided tours.

The history of Borgholm Castle dates back 800 years. Today, the ruins of a magnificent Baroque palace stand there; it was built by Karl X Gustav in the mid-17th century. Reconstructed remains of an Iron Age manor are also among the historical landmarks; the reconstruction was completed in 1999. In summer, guided tours are offered around the former gamekeeper’s residence from the 1860s. The adjacent museum has a fossil exhibition that is open during the height of summer.

Culture and experiences

Glass has been produced in Glasriket since 1742. Visitors are always welcome to enter the hot glassworks and furnaces and watch glass being made from molten material. At some glassworks in Glasriket, visitors can blow glass themselves under the guidance of a master. Glasriket extends across the municipalities of Emmaboda and Nybro in Kalmar County, as well as municipalities in another county.

At Astrid Lindgren’s World in Vimmerby, visitors can meet Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Lönneberga and Karlsson-on-the-Roof, as well as visit settings such as Cherry Valley, Rose Valley, Matt’s Castle and Bullerbyn. Astrid Lindgren’s World offers a theatre experience for people of all ages, with around 30 performances every day based on stories by Astrid Lindgren; many of them include singing, music and dancing.

Öland’s Harvest Festival is one of Sweden’s largest harvest festivals. It brings together local producers, art, light installations and activities across the entire island.

More destinations

More destination pages: Kalmar, Västernorrland, Örebro, Halland, Stockholm, Östergötland, Gotland.

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Swedish islands: archipelagos, Gotland and Öland for your holiday.