oeland.de
An old windmill in Öland's wide open landscape
Travel guide

Öland

Sweden's sunniest island stretches long and narrow through the Baltic Sea, linked to the mainland by the six-kilometre Öland Bridge (Ölandsbron). Ruined Borgholm Castle, hundreds of old windmills and the bare limestone steppe of Stora Alvaret, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, define the south. In spring and autumn, thousands of migratory birds stop here to rest.

Highlights

Polished limestone and fine sand on the east coast, a nature reserve with fine beach sand.

Böda Sand

About 20km of fine sand on Öland's north-east coast, backed by tall dunes and pine forest. Shallow water in the nature reserve, plus Sweden's largest campsite.

Imposing 11th-century castle ruin with characteristic stone walls and towers, surrounded by meadows and visitor information.

Borgholm Castle

The mighty ruin above Borgholm is considered Scandinavia's most impressive castle ruin and Öland's best-known landmark, with concerts, exhibitions and sweeping views.

Impressive limestone formations and raukar, the distinctive rock formations of the Öland coast near Byrum.

Byrums Raukar

Around 120 sea-sculpted limestone stacks on Öland's north-west coast, the island's only and best-developed raukar field, a nature reserve since 1935.

Medieval ring fort at Eketorp with its characteristic stone wall and traditional thatched clay huts.

Eketorp Fortress

Eketorp Fortress in southern Öland is a partially reconstructed Iron Age and medieval ring fort, now an open-air museum with heritage farm animals, crafts and guided tours.

The Långe Jan lighthouse with its black-and-white paintwork and red keeper's cottage on Öland's southern tip.

Långe Jan

At 42 metres, Sweden's tallest lighthouse stands on Öland's southern tip. 197 steps lead to a platform overlooking the Baltic and the Ottenby bird reserve.

A stand of birches on the Stora Alvaret plain, a UNESCO World Heritage site with characteristic alvar vegetation and open limestone woodland.

Stora Alvaret

The treeless limestone steppe in southern Öland, around 260 km² and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Over 35 orchid species, rare endemics and one of the island's best birding areas.

Discover Öland

Attractions

Castle ruin, royal garden, ring fort, lighthouses and windmills - Öland's major attractions at a glance, with prices in SEK, opening seasons and tips for combining visits.

Places

The five main places on Öland, from Borgholm to Byxelkrok, what sets each apart, which one works best as a base, and how to get around the long island.

Beaches

Öland's beaches from Böda Sand to Grönhögen, fine sand, shallow water and surf spots, plus notes on the swimming season, parking fees and Baltic algae blooms.

Getting There

All the ways to reach Öland at a glance, the toll-free Öland Bridge from Kalmar, summer ferries to Byxelkrok and Färjestaden, flights to Kalmar Öland Airport, plus trains, buses and driving in from continental Europe.

Where to Stay

Holiday home, camping or hotel, the three types of accommodation on Öland compared, with 2026 SEK prices, season dates and tips on which end of the long island to stay at.

Activities

Cycling the Ölandsleden, hiking across the Stora Alvaret, watching the bird migration at Ottenby and family days out from the wildlife park to Eketorp fortress, the island's activities at a glance, with prices in SEK.

Weather & Seasons

High summer for beaches and castles, May and June for the orchid bloom, late September for the Skördefest, when Öland is worth a visit, with climate, seasonal prices and opening hours for the attractions.

Travel Tips

Practical travel tips for Öland, best time to visit, getting there via the Öland Bridge, where to stay, paying in SEK, and the top sights, from Borgholm Castle to Stora Alvaret.

Trip Planning

How to plan your Öland trip: highlights from north to south, what's free, what costs admission, and how much time to allow.