Kalmar

Kalmar is a city in the Småland province in southeastern Sweden, with 38,000 inhabitants. It is located on the coast of the Baltic sea, and is the seat of the municipality. Kalmar kommun, the city, has 67,000 citizens, and the county Kalmar län with some 233,000 inhabitants.

Understand
Kalmar is one of the oldest Swedish cities, and traces of settlements from the Iron Age have been found. Recorded history goes back to the year 1027, and the foundation of the Kalmar Union, which ruled all the Nordic Countries during the 14th and 15th centuries. The port of Kalmar, was important for the country's and the region's trade. The major exports via this trade was iron, tar, and wood.

The Kalmar Union unraveled in the late 16th century but the city was still important to Sweden. After the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658, the strategic importance of Kalmar gradually diminished as the borders of Sweden were redrawn further south causing Kalmar to lose its status as one of Sweden's main military outposts. Kalmar Castle then fell into disuse. Serious renovation efforts on the castle began before WWII, but was put on pause during it. Renovations resumed later in the 20th century, and has restored the castle to its current state.

In Kalmar, the Öland Bridge connects Öland to mainland Sweden.

By train
There are direct trains from Copenhagen, via Copenhagen Airport and Malmö as well as trains from Gothenburg. From Stockholm, a change of trains in Alvesta or Linköping is required. is just a few blocks from the central square.

By plane
Flying to Stockholm (Skavsta) is another option, and driving down the E22. have connections from Stockholm Arlanda Airport.

By ship
Kalmar has a beautiful harbour with good facilities for the visitor. Occasionally cruise ships call at Kalmar.

Get around
You can walk to all interesting locations. The city center is relatively small, with two main squares. On one you find the cathedral (Domkyrkan) and the other is called Larmtorget. From the second one, you can walk to the Baronen shopping centre. You can also rent canoes at the low cost hotel Svanen, and you can paddle your way around the centre, which is an island.

Driving in the city center is a challenge as there are many one way streets, and the street signs have many caveats which are written out in Swedish only. Free parking is virtually non-existent, and paid parking requires an app to be installed on your phone in many cases. Some paid parking lots may have an automated machine where you can pay for parking, but getting US credit cards accepted is a matter of luck. If you are travelling into Kalmar from another city, take the train!

Do
Kalmar is an interesting town in many ways. The town was established in 12th century and the old city wall is still well preserved. The Kalmar Castle dates back to the year 1160 A.D and the tower of the castle was continuously expanded in the 13th century. Beside the castle, there is a very peaceful city park.

This town is connected to the island of Öland by a bridge, which used to be Europe's longest (6 km). Kalmar is about 45 minutes away (by car) from the Glass Kingdom (Glasriket) where the famous works of Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Nybro, Pukeberg, Målerås are located. Kalmar has a football team, Kalmar FF, that won the Swedish cup in 2007. They play in the highest division, the Allsvenskan. You can watch them play at Kalmar Arena. Newly constructed and opened in 2010.

Buy
The past couple of years many shopping malls and establishments have opened in Kalmar. The main shopping areas are
 * the city centre has many small shops
 * the city centre has many small shops
 * the city centre has many small shops
 * the city centre has many small shops

In the museum Länsmuséet you can buy many Christmas articles, some made after designs by Jenny Nyström, a famous Swedish artist born in Kalmar.

Sleep
Hotell Kalmar has info on all hotels in Kalmar.

Connect

 * Turistbyrån has Internet for 20 SEK. This is for a total of 24 hours usage to be used within 3 months and is wireless, so you need your own phone/laptop or iPad. Very cheap and fast, though only useful if you are visiting the wharf as it does not reach much more than within a 1 km radius.

Go next
Kalmar is a good starting point to experience the Swedish east coast. Swebusexpress runs between Kalmar and Karlskrona regularly and the cost of this bus trip is low. It is also possible to travel to another elegant and relaxing summer resort in the east cost, Västervik. The local bus goes to Borgholm in Öland island and it takes approximately one hour.

If you want to experience the inland of Småland nearby cities include Vimmerby, the home town of Astrid Lindgren and the epicentre of Astrid Lindgren tourism, and Eksjö, a well preserved historical wooden town.