Öland in 3 Days, the Perfect Route
A route for your first visit to Öland, three days of castles, beaches, a World Heritage landscape and lighthouses, planned from north to south.
By oeland.de editorial team · Travel editors · Last updated: June 2026
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Three days are enough to see the best of Öland. This route splits the island sensibly between north and south, best done by car, with cycling stretches along the way if you have time.
Day 1 - Borgholm & the North
Start in Borgholm: spend the morning at the imposing castle ruin and the neighbouring Solliden Palace with its gardens. After a stroll through town, head north along the west coast to the limestone sea stacks (raukar) of Byrums Raukar. Round off the afternoon on the long beach at Böda Sand.
Day 2 - Northern Tip & Windmills
The morning belongs to the northern tip: the enchanted forest of Trollskogen and the Långe Erik lighthouse, plus the fishing village of Byxelkrok with its smokehouse. On the way back through the eastern side of the island, stop at the Lerkaka windmills and the open-air museum Himmelsberga.
Day 3 - World Heritage & the Southern Tip
The third day heads south: across the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of Stora Alvaret to the Iron Age ring fort Eketorp and the Gettlinge burial ground. Right at the southern tip, the Långe Jan lighthouse and the Ottenby bird reserve cap off the trip. If you fancy a swim, finish the day at Grönhögen.
Tip
Allow plenty of time for the long stretches between north and south - Öland is 137 km long. With a full week, you can take the days at a more relaxed pace and add cycling routes, beach days and visits to a loppis (flea market) along the way.