Eketorp Fortress

Eketorp Fortress is the only fully excavated and partially reconstructed ring fort on Öland. Set on the bare limestone plain in the south of the island, it brings Iron Age and medieval life to life in summer as a working open-air museum, with rebuilt houses, heritage farm animals and guided tours.

A fort through three eras

Archaeologists uncovered three successive fortifications on this site. The oldest dates from the Migration Period (from around AD 400), the youngest reaches into the Middle Ages. The circular stone wall, dwellings and workshops were reconstructed on-site based on the excavation findings - unlike the ruins at Gettlinge or the open ruin backdrop of Borgholm Castle, here you can actually walk through rebuilt interiors.

What to expect

In summer, Eketorp becomes a living museum. Heritage Swedish farm breeds - pigs, sheep and chickens, roam the grounds. The programme includes guided tours on the fort's history (in Swedish and English), bread baking, a textile workshop, archery and a rune hunt for children. In high season there's a daily guided tour at 13:00, plus further tours in the afternoon.

• Included in admission: all activities and demonstrations within the fort.
• For families: the hands-on programme is geared towards children, a good half-day out, which pairs well with the tips in our family guide.
• Note: exact days and times for individual craft and combat demonstrations aren't officially listed in detail, check on site or with the operator shortly before your visit.

Visiting & practical info

• Getting there: Eketorp Fortress, Eketorp, 386 64 Degerhamn, in the south of the island. In practice, the only realistic way to get there is by car; the operator does not list a public bus connection. More in our getting to Öland guide.
• Parking: free parking right at the fort, including accessible spaces. The operator places emphasis on accessibility.
• On site: the entrance building has a café along with a shop and exhibition.
• Duration: allow 2 to 3 hours for the walk-round, guided tour and hands-on programme.
• Best time: full operation runs from 20 June to 16 August, when the fort is open daily. Outside these weeks the programme is reduced.

Is it worth the visit?

As one of southern Öland's best-known attractions, Eketorp is a highlight for families and history lovers alike, not least because you can actually step inside the buildings, not just look at them. If you visit outside the season, you'll find the grounds freely accessible, but without the animals, café or guided tours. The visit pairs well with the wide plain of the Stora Alvaret and the Ottenby bird reserve at the island's southern tip.