Things to see and do Götaland

This small fishing village is a lively marina in the summer, with restaurants and cafes along the pebble beach. In the evening, it is delicious to dine on the terrace of one of the restaurants, watching the sailboats on a sea that turns pink with the setting sun. You may also see the ferry passing in the distance towards the island of Gotland. 3 km north, along the coast, in the nature reserve of Neptuni Åkrar, the meadows are strewn with viperine, a small rare blue flower, a treat for the eyes!

Ruins of the Chapel of Saint Birgita.It is an excellent place for bird watching.

Sandvik. Fishing port and stone industry center, famous especially for its eight-story wooden windmill.

Föra.Village located 2 km east of road 136. Its church is curiously flanked by a ^12th century fortified tower.

Jordhamn. 3 km along the coast is the only stone-polishing mill in Öland.

Vi Alvar. Just before the village of Källa, on road 136, there is a burial ground with a prehistoric circular monument and sacrificial stones.

Byrums Sandvik. 8 km northwest of Högby, on the west coast, high white stone formations, similar to the raukar on the island of Gotland, and sandy and rocky beaches make this place a favorite place for swimming and walking. Ferry to the islet Blå Jungrun (literally, the blue mermaid) which is a national park in itself.

Byxelkrok. This small fishing village is a very lively marina in summer. Three kilometers north along the coast in the Neptuni Åkrar nature reserve, the meadows are littered with viperine, a small rare blue flower.

Karlevistenen.2 km from the pier, to the north, stands the oldest rune stone in Öland, dating from the ^10th century.

At the northern tip of the crab claw shapedisland, there is the beautiful lighthouse Långe Erik on the Grandkullaviken bay on one side and a walking trail, the Trollskogen, on the other.

Just before the village of Källa, located on Route 136, you can see a funeral field with a prehistoric circular monument and sacrificatoires stones.

The only mill to polish the stone of Öland is 3 km along the coast.

9 km north, direction Äleklinta and Bruddesta, cliffs with brown tones, red rust, ochre and beige, overlooking beautiful pebble beaches.

At the northern exit of Borgholm, imposing limestone cliffs and prehistoric remains.

The area of the old shipyard is part of the Karlskrona World Heritage Site. It was built in 1680 and is located in the southernmost part of the town. In 1960, ropes and cables were still being manufactured here. Today you can see Sweden's first submarine, the Hajen (Shark), built in 1905. Along Gröna Gången (the green path), yellow wooden houses that were officers' quarters in the 18th century are still inhabited

It can be reached on foot in a few minutes (towards the south). Built in 1685, it is probably the work of the architect Erik Dahlberg. The church is built entirely of wood and painted red. The wood for the church was transported from Riga, now the capital of Latvia, but in the 1680s the city belonged to Sweden and was the largest city in the kingdom. The Rosenbaum statue shows an old man wearing a hat and holding out his hand.

Built in the Middle Ages, Troll-Ljungby was restored in the th and th centuries and in the middle of the th century. In the courtyard are exposed to the horn and pipe of Ljungby. These objects play a crucial role in the mythology of the castle. History dates back to the th century. A household was ordered to go to see what the elves were preparing for the Christmas party. The elves gave him a pipe and a horn, and he was forced to smoke and drink their health. But a young girl, held hostage by the elves, shouted to leave. The young employee managed to escape with the two gifts. To revenge, the elves held a curse: the castle had to burn three times and change ownership. The castle was indeed burned three times, and the noble Ulfstrand gave way to another noble family, Troll-Wachtmeister.

Built in 1499 and has not undergone any reshuffle since then, Glimmingehus is a veritable medieval castle open to the public. Small openings crossing the walls of 2,50 m thick still point to cannons. In 1676, during the war between Denmark and Sweden, the King of Sweden gave the order to demolish the castle, fearing that he fell into the hands of the Danes. But, while the men were there, the Danish fleet landed in the port of Ystad and the Swedes had to escape. Glimmingehus, who later changed ownership, is now owned by the Swedish state. Not to miss in August, the medieval festival gathering knights and minstrels at the time around a game.

This castle, built in 1640 in the Christian II style, King of Denmark, has been the subject of many covetous. Unfortunately, the interior cannot be visited, but the fortifications surrounding a canal crossed by many bridges are remarkable.

This Renaissance castle, built in 1530 by a noble named Sparre, serves as a museum and restaurant. The huge red brick building is reflected in the lake beneath it. During the Danish period, the castle was a very appreciated residence of Danish nobles. Its most famous owner was the Swedish Rutger Macklean (1742-1816), which was changing peasant life by imposing land regrouping (villages break-up, redistribution of land), thus making Skåne the richest region in the Swedish Kingdom. The four floors of the castle reconstruct the lives of nobles at various times: exhibitions of tapestries, clothing, arms, textiles, toys and coins. The castle park is wild and cultivated with its lake, beech wood and green lawns. The restaurant, traditional regional cuisine, offers a typical but very expensive menu.

Opened in 1974 in a superb building, the Malmö Konsthall is one of the largest centers for contemporary art in Europe. It regularly exhibits the city's young art scene, but also retrospectives of renowned modern artists such as Munch or Van Gogh. Don't miss the nice bookstore, which offers a selection of new and used art books. Most of them are in Swedish, but if you look around you will find some in English, and even in French!

Eccentric and eco-friendly! Augustenborg, a small district of Malmö, has turned into «Ecoparc», the main attraction of which is the creation of an aerial botanical garden! Understand that the garden was built on the roofs of some buildings in the neighbourhood. You can even learn to make your own green roof! A good example of ecology in urban areas, but reserved for those who love this kind of ecological concept…

This museum of Nordic design is run by the Swedish Design Association (Svensk Form). A carriage gate of a Norman-style house on Lilla Torg square leads to a small paved courtyard dating from the ^16th century, Hedmanska Gården. On three levels, in rooms with white walls, wooden floors and beamed ceilings, one can admire temporary exhibitions that showcase the best of contemporary Swedish design, and question its relationship to current societal issues. The store and the café are also a pleasure for the eyes!

Built, in 1559, belonged to only two families: The Thott for 300 years and today at Troll. Does it not look like a fairy tale? It is said that every night the ghost of the places agite its chains…

To the south-east of the square, Alamedan Street leads to the Royal Bridge. It is bordered by wooden houses, which escaped the destruction caused by the great fire of 1790, after which 3 000 inhabitants were homeless. The fire took place on the Admiralty Street (Amiralitetsgatan) because of the insouciance of a servant who was busy his laundry. The wind blowing strong that day was busy spreading the disaster. The Royal Bridge was once the main place of access to Karlskrona. On the right, we see the shipyard surrounded by fortifications.

It is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Northern Europe. It is very large and offers a striking view of the ochre-coloured buildings that surround it; in the centre stands the statue of Charles XI, the founder of the city. If you walk along Ronnebygatan (the main street), you will see the round forms of the Holy Trinity Church, whose plan was designed by Tessin the Younger based on a Roman church model. This church also attests to the presence, until the middle of the 19th century, of a Germanic community.

South of Kivik, the curious King's Tomb is a stone mound 75 m in circumference with rock paintings depicting horses, carts and humans. The site was a quarry until 1748, when two farmers discovered a 3.25-metre tomb built with ten slabs of stone. The grave, which dates to the Bronze Age, is estimated to be about 3,000 years old. After the excavation, the tomb was restored, but no one knows if it looks like its original state. A very mysterious place.

10 km southwest of Simrishamn, Glimmingehus is a medieval castle made of large gray stones with narrow dormer windows. Its roof is cut in the shape of a staircase. On certain summer evenings, sheltered by 2.5 meter thick walls, one can attend historical shows and concerts in a medieval atmosphere. The place has the reputation of being frequented by ghosts... If you cannot go there, it is always possible to visit the place in 3D, an advantage of which the creators are not little proud!

In the heart of the city, in a residential area, is a bare park without charm, except it is home to a fortified Viking fort! In fact, only one quarter of the strong circular was reconstituted, just behind buildings, but its entrance and fence made of logs is no less impressive. At the entrance, a sign tells the story of this site, which was abandoned by the year. There is also an open shop in summer.

This site on the seashore presents a reconstructed Viking village, with houses, farms and crafts. To better understand the life of the "men of the North". A small exhibition inside informs visitors about the history of this mythical people. Cabins can be rented on site. The restaurant offers many hearty dishes, so you can eat with pleasure and in the Viking spirit! The museum is also the starting point for many excursions in the Falsterbo peninsula, so rent a bike and go on an adventure!

This former convent of the 1760 th century was remodelled by a very long aisle of plane trees, in, in a rococo castle where the ochre and pale pink of the crépi blend harmoniously. The garden, with terraces and fountains, was designed according to the maps of the gardens of the Versailles castle. The castle is not open to the public. Only gardens are accessible.

Örestrandsbaden and Pålsjöbaden, at the end of the. Helsingborg's inhabitants pass through the city in bath robes to dip into the sea. Just behind the harbour and the tropical beach planted in summer of palm and straw. Very popular.

Departure from the train station and arrival at Liseberg Park. A blue streetcar from 1902 takes you through the city on a tour through space and time! The adult ticket costs 30 SEK, and the streetcar is free with the Go City Gothenburg Pass. From April to September, the streetcar operates only on Saturdays, between 11am and 6pm; except in July and August, when it operates every day from 11am to 6pm. Departures every 15 to 30 minutes. Allow 35 to 40 minutes for the round trip.

Community site that binds Helsingborg to Elsinore.

Glasriket, also known as the "kingdom of glass and crystal", is a cultural center located in the province of Småland. The region is renowned for its glassworks, such as Kosta Boda, Målerås, Bergdala and Skruf. You can visit a dozen glassworks and studios, where you can watch the craftsmen blow the glass and even try it yourself. The glassworks also offer factory outlets where you can buy hand-blown items ranging from household items to decorative objects. Nature is a major source of inspiration for Swedish design, and you'll find motifs such as berries, snowballs and flowers in the glassworks' creations. To complete your visit, you can also visit the Swedish Glass Museum in Växjö, which traces the history of Swedish glassworks and displays their creations. Glasriket can be reached by car or public transport from towns such as Växjö, Kalmar, Malmö, Stockholm and Göteborg.

The island of Visingsö is a must-see. With its picturesque landscapes and peaceful atmosphere, it's an ideal getaway for nature lovers. The island can be reached by ferry from the town of Jönköping. Once there, visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities including hiking, cycling and visiting historic sites such as Visingsborg Castle. The island also boasts a number of restaurants and cafés where visitors can sample local specialties.

The Ystad Art Museum was founded in 1936. The collection focuses on art related to Skåne and Denmark and spans from the late ^19th century to the present day. It is one of the largest museums of regional art in Sweden. The collections include works by Ola, Grete and Hans Billgren, Inger Ekdahl, Leif Holmstrand, Tora Vega Holmström, Oluf Höst, Gerhard Nordstöm, Karin Persson, Greta Sandberg, Ellen Trotzig, Charlotte Walentin and Gerhard Wihlborg. Temporary exhibitions are regularly renewed, the program of which is posted in detail on the site.

In the west of Mårtenstorget, rue Kattesund, you can see the ruins of the Drotten church. The archaeological excavations carried out in 1984-1985 highlighted its richness and the fascinating character of its history. Everything suggests that the church, built in the middle of the th century, was destined for the diocese. Originally, there were crypts under the choir and under part of the big nave. Drotten housed a convent before serving, around 1300, parish church until the Reformation in 1536, the date of its demolition.

The street in front of the bishop's palace (Biskopsgatan) leads to the Botanical Garden, with 7,000 plants from all over the world. The institution houses a beautiful museum and a laboratory. The garden is an enchantment for botanists and strollers. You will discover many beautiful species and learn a lot. There is a small store where you can do some shopping for the gardeners, and a very pleasant café invites you to take a gourmet break.

Lund University was founded in 1666. Today, about 35,000 students are enrolled at the university. Opposite the university building and on the right side of Lundagård Park stands the Student Union building (Akademiska Föreningen), which houses meeting rooms, concert halls, a pub, a restaurant and the administration. During the academic year, the area between the university, the Akademiska Föreningen and the many institutes is crowded with students. The library is located behind the bishop's house.

We highly recommend that you walk through Lundagård Park, which lies north of the cathedral. Here you will find Kungshuset, also called Lundagårdshuset, a red brick house built in the last half of the ^16th century and former residence of King Frederick II of Denmark. In the park, between Kulturen, the Museum of Folk Art and Traditions and the Student Union building, Tegnér Square is recognizable by the statue of Esaias Tegnér, a famous Romantic poet who was a student at the University of Lund before teaching there.

In the center of the city, between the train station and the Grand-Place, this park commemorates the battle of Hogland which took place in 1788. You can see the statue of King Charles XIII who, on that occasion, led the Swedish fleet. The park was designed to follow the fashion of the French parks, so there are beautiful geometric areas dotted with flowers. Near the fountain is a bronze statue by Karlskrona native Gunnar Nilsson of the Blekinge girl.

This large, shady, hilly park in the southwestern part of the city is the size of the two districts that make up the old city. There is a good reason for everyone to come and walk the paths, lawns and woods of Slottsskogen: joggers, families with strollers, dog owners, picnickers or outdoor drinkers... In addition to the perfectly maintained green spaces, there are cafes, playgrounds, an observatory, a wildlife park... You will have understood, it is a must!

The entire history of East Skåne is reconstructed on three floors. On the ground floor, rock engravings, jewellery and tools evoke the life of the Vikings. On the^first floor, clothes, fabrics, jewellery and furniture from the 19th century are displayed. On the^second floor, tools and farming implements from the last century. The^third floor is entirely devoted to fishing activities in the Skåne region. You can learn more about Skåne than you can possibly know!

Adjacent to the Ystads Studio, where some of the episodes of the film Wallander were shot, this museum offers to discover the world of the ^7th art, from the creation of the script to the distribution, including special effects. You can even test the famous "green screen" and visit the reconstruction of the police station of Commissioner Kurt Wallander. A beautiful visit that will interest everyone, but especially fans of the big screen!

The Kulturen (opened in 1892) is comparable to the Skansen Museum in Stockholm, and is located on the edge of Lundagård Park, in a maze of small cobbled streets. The museum's grounds provide a shortened history of southern Swedish architecture. Small farmhouses, vicarages and dwellings have been reconstructed as they were originally, as well as a beautiful wooden church from the village of Bosebo in the province of Småland. The houses are open to visitors.

Opened in 1916, the Röhss Museum is dedicated to decorative arts and design. The approximately 50,000 design, decorative arts and fashion artifacts that make up the permanent collection come primarily from Scandinavia and Europe, but also from Greek antiquity and the Far East. They were selected not for their historical significance or the symbolic value they fulfilled in their time, but for their aesthetic value and technical qualities.

Founded in 1833 and pleasantly located in Slottsskogen Park, it is the oldest museum in the city. In 1923, the museum moved from the East India building to new, purpose-built premises in Slottsskogen, where it was expanded in 1981. It displays the country's wildlife and animals from around the world, including a stuffed whale and elephant. The museum has a collection of nearly 10 million animals, no less!

The place is worth a visit. Himmelsberga is a village of preserved buildings from the 17th and 19th centuries that can be visited. The supplies and furniture are still there, along with the machines and equipment of the time. The museum also has an art gallery where temporary exhibitions are presented. The aim of this museum was to save a traditional village of the island (which was about to be destroyed) for posterity; and it is more than successful!

On Route 136 after Halltorp is this modern art museum on stilts, with a very cubic shape and large windows, which presents the works (sculpture, design, pottery...) of Ulrica Hydman-Vallien and Bertil Vallien, from the 1960s until today. In 2003, Vida expanded with another art gallery, Norra Hallen. There are now two permanent museum rooms, three art galleries, a children's corner, a shop and a café, all on a total area of 2,000 m². Enough to keep you busy!

Here is first presented the very productive Passé naval past: the city yards produced, in the 80% th century, almost of the royal fleet of Gustav Vasa. Models and history skilfully remind local issues of these prosperous times. The Naturum, dedicated to local fauna and flora, is a tool for informing and raising awareness of the protection of the environment and respect for the sea. The ticket also gives access to a tower from the top of which the view is superb on the city, its port and its old castle.

The most important glass collection in Northern Europe, collected since the 1930s. The work of Småland's glassblowers, gathered in what is known as the Kingdom of Crystal, is sublimely presented. The methods, culture and origins of this art form, which was imported from Venice in the ^16th century and became a trademark of the entire region, are explained. Other exhibitions can be visited in the same place.

This museum is a must for learning about the history of the region. This is mainly due to the exhibition about the Kronan, the best armed Swedish warship of the 17th century, whose wreck was discovered in 1980 off Öland. The wreck of the Kronan is not on display as such, but some of the 25,000 pieces that were recovered from the water provide an insight into life on board and the history of naval combat along the coast.

Collections of navy arms and models of old ships. It shows the role of the Swedish fleet based in Karlskrona in the emergence of Sweden as a great European power in the th century. Exhibitions outline the way of life on board the war vessels of yesteryear. Some refinement already seemed to prevail: one can admire, among others, a nine-legged cat, used for punishment. From a submarine observation tunnel, it is even possible to see the wreck of a ship of the th century.

The Vadsbo Museum details the history of the Mariestad region, from prehistoric times to the present day. The Industry Museum has an exhibition about the development of industry in the city over the past four centuries, and especially the history of the Unica box (a type of trunk used by workers on construction sites, for example), Mariestad's historical product. Next to the museums there is also a cafeteria open in summer.

This lost peninsula in the north-east of Gotland is mostly known for its very original Fabriken hotel, but the nature reserve in the south of the peninsula is superb to isolate yourself and enjoy the amazing vegetation. Limestone quarries were dug on the island in 1908 by a German company. Thus, for most of the 20th century, there was a limestone industry on the island until it was closed to the public by the Swedish army between 1970 and 1990 to be transformed into a military base.

The most beautiful place on the island to watch the sun set behind the island of Stora Karlsö. Nearby is a charming little fishing village called Djupvik. The Eksta Coast Nature Reserve stretches from Djupvik to Hammarudden. It is a beautiful stretch of Gotland's coastline, with a view of the two small Karlsöarna islands. In the central part of the reserve is Kronvall, a fishing village that was once much larger than it is today and which, according to legend, is where the Danish army landed in 1361.

This church was built from the end of the ^12th century by the Germanic community of Visby. It became a cathedral in 1572 and underwent several structural changes during the Middle Ages. The characteristic black spires of its three steeples were added in the ^18th century. The interior is worth a visit. The medieval style is still predominant, embellished by baroque ornaments and remarkable stained glass windows. A beauty not to be missed!