Kalmar Travel Guide

Kalmar Castle is a Renaissance fortress on Sweden's southeast coast. It began as a 12th-century defensive tower and was rebuilt into a stately royal palace in the 16th century by kings Erik XIV and Johan III. It witnessed the rise and fall of the Kalmar Union and Sweden's path to power; its moat, bastions and royal apartments still convey the majesty and refinement of Nordic kingship.

Kalmar Cathedral was completed in the 1660s to designs by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, a prime example of Swedish Baroque church architecture. Its red-brick twin towers and solemn nave continue the town's tradition as an ecclesiastical and royal centre, and it remains Kalmar's spiritual heart and a favoured place for weddings.

Kalmar Konstmuseum is an art museum in Kalmar, a coastal city in south-eastern Sweden, located near Slottsvagen by Kalmar Castle, close to the old town and the harbour. Kalmar is a historic seaport that played an important role in medieval Nordic politics, with the castle and old town as its main landmarks. The museum focuses on modern and contemporary art, including works by local and Swedish artists, in bright galleries with a relaxed pace. It is a good stop alongside a visit to the castle and a walk through the old town, letting you spend an hour or two with the contemporary art of south-eastern Sweden. Outside are the harbour and parks, ideal for a seaside stroll after your visit.

The Öland Bridge runs about 6 km and opened in 1972, linking Kalmar on the Swedish mainland with the island of Öland in the Baltic — one of Europe's longest bridges at the time. More than a transport link, its straight span across the sea turns into a golden ribbon at sunset, a classic spot for drivers and cyclists.