City break in Kalmar. Active leisure ideas for Kalmar - attractions, recreation and nightlife

In Kalmar, tourists should definitely visit the main symbol of the city – an ancient castle that once protected Kalmar from invaders. Nowadays, this is a large museum with a very interesting collection of artifacts. Walls of the castle are an excellent viewing point perfect for admiring the nearby areas and a striking sea panorama. The castle is built on a hill, so it offers a truly mesmerizing view. Moreover, there is a large park, which was founded in the 19th century, not far from the castle. It is a wonderful place to spot not only century-old trees but also exotic plants. In the evening, various performances, concerts, and parties take place in the park.

Kalmar has its own football team - Kalmar FF. To give the football club a home arena, Guldfågeln Arena was built in the city in 2011. It is a modern sports complex that can accommodate up to 12 thousand visitors. Currently, this is one of the newest stadiums in the city. From time to time, it hosts not only games with the local football team but also bigger events, such as events of the European level. Local people like sports competitions, so if you want to visit some game, it is better to buy tickets in advance.

If an idea of walking among long stalls and looking at interesting items sounds appealing, don’t forget to visit Marche Couvert. This is a popular market that attracts farmers from all nearby regions. They offer locally produced goods at the market, such as dairy products and vegetables. However, visitors will also find many other interesting items, including souvenirs and memorable goods. The market is open in the Old Town, so a visit to Marche Couvert is also a wonderful opportunity to explore the nearby old buildings. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Salvestaden is a unique complex that is located not far from Kalmar. This is a small copy of a medieval town – the one that actually was located on the same site until the 17th century but then was, unfortunately, destroyed. Besides an exciting excursion that covers the history of this place, Salvestaden’s visitors can participate in unique master-classes: they can learn how to make bread and basic household items or try to master the art of archery; visitors can learn how to draw paintings in medieval style, put on traditional outfits of that time, and even participate in a feast or a knight tournament.

If you are looking for a place to swim, Kalmar’s beaches are the best place to visit. There are beaches on several islands, but they almost don’t have differences. These are sandy and rocky beaches with transparent water and clean bottom. That being said, don’t expect to find a well-developed infrastructure because local people prefer to visit swimming pools and manmade lakes. Curious travelers may also find it interesting to explore the beaches of Öland Island. For this purpose, you will need to cross Klamar Strait by using the Öland Bridge. Beaches of Öland are mostly sandy, flat, and have clean water. There are also several recreational centers in the area.

During your stay on Öland Island, don’t forget to visit the ruins of Borgholm Castle. Many years ago, it was a glorious complex. Nowadays, only ruins of the castle remind of its past. Nevertheless, do not neglect to visit this landmark because the castle is built on a hill and offers a breathtaking view of the island, strait, and the Öland Bridge. One more landmark of the island, Solliden Palace, is located nearby. This palace is a summer residence of the royal Swedish family. Solliden Palace is particularly renowned for its magnificent park. It is an incredibly charming and peaceful place that is perfect for an unhurried walk. Moreover, maybe you will get a glimpse of nobles who also admire the shadowy parkways.

Neighborhoods of Öland and Kalmar have always attracted archeologists because there were settlements of prehistoric people in this part of the country. Stora Alvaret is one of these sites. This landmark is protected by UNESCO. It is a barren limestone terrace with fabulous ornaments formed by nature. The area is famous for its unique flora and fauna, as well as the abundance of endemics. More than that, two ancient cemeteries were discovered at the site. Note that there are special rules for visitors of Stora Alvaret to protect the natural and historic landmarks of the region.