Insider guide to Öland

Markus
Insider guide to Öland

Food Scene

Öland is Sweden's richest farming area due to the slightly warmer climate. There is a rich tradition of locally produced food. This list offers some recommendations.
Super cosy backyard cafe in beautiful village Kolstad. Take a stroll in the village and stay at Kaffetuppen for a cup of coffee! The backyard is filled with flowers, small fruit trees and bushes. Chicken roam free. There is a small playhouse for children filled with toys and even mascerade clothes to change into. (Notice: very small scale, varying opening hours. Sunday best bet, otherwise, check with them!)
10 locals recommend
Kaffetuppen
49 Kolstad Kyrkgata
10 locals recommend
Super cosy backyard cafe in beautiful village Kolstad. Take a stroll in the village and stay at Kaffetuppen for a cup of coffee! The backyard is filled with flowers, small fruit trees and bushes. Chicken roam free. There is a small playhouse for children filled with toys and even mascerade clothes to change into. (Notice: very small scale, varying opening hours. Sunday best bet, otherwise, check with them!)
Dine like a viking! Every night, one pig and one lamb is barbecued over the fire. They cut the meat in front of you as you get served different parts of the animal. They got a nice sallad buffé to accompany the meat as well. In the old nordic mythology, soldiers fallen in battle would end up in Odins hall; in their afterlife, every day they would go to battle the giants together, and every night they would slaughter the pig Särimner and have a feast. Särimner would be brought back to life the next day, only to be slaughtered again and served to hungry vikings. This place is an open hall, a bit "touristy", lots of families, not really the romantic candle lit dinner type place.
13 locals recommend
Lammet & Grisen
35 Hornvägen
13 locals recommend
Dine like a viking! Every night, one pig and one lamb is barbecued over the fire. They cut the meat in front of you as you get served different parts of the animal. They got a nice sallad buffé to accompany the meat as well. In the old nordic mythology, soldiers fallen in battle would end up in Odins hall; in their afterlife, every day they would go to battle the giants together, and every night they would slaughter the pig Särimner and have a feast. Särimner would be brought back to life the next day, only to be slaughtered again and served to hungry vikings. This place is an open hall, a bit "touristy", lots of families, not really the romantic candle lit dinner type place.
Best store for fresh fish on Öland. Not a restaurant, just a shop! Here you can buy fish for your barbeque as well as shrimp, oysters and also a bunch of locally produced stuff like oils and so on. They also have a smaller selection of local beef, some veggies, snacks and other food stuff.
Nisses Fisk
5 Per Lindströms väg
Best store for fresh fish on Öland. Not a restaurant, just a shop! Here you can buy fish for your barbeque as well as shrimp, oysters and also a bunch of locally produced stuff like oils and so on. They also have a smaller selection of local beef, some veggies, snacks and other food stuff.
Please notice: In Sweden there is a state monopoly on selling alcohol. In local stores you will only find beer that is below 3,5%. So if you want wine or anything else stronger, this is the store. There are only 2 "systembolaget" on Öland; the other one is in Färjestaden (town by the bridge). They are closed on sundays and close early on saturdays. On weekdays they usually close at 6pm. Google "Systembolaget Borgholm" to check when the closest one is open.
Systembolaget
19 Östra Kyrkogatan
Please notice: In Sweden there is a state monopoly on selling alcohol. In local stores you will only find beer that is below 3,5%. So if you want wine or anything else stronger, this is the store. There are only 2 "systembolaget" on Öland; the other one is in Färjestaden (town by the bridge). They are closed on sundays and close early on saturdays. On weekdays they usually close at 6pm. Google "Systembolaget Borgholm" to check when the closest one is open.
"Kroppkakor" is a local classic, and a little bit special one.. If slimy potatoe balls filled with pork sounds like something you´d enjoy - go ahead and try! :) (They have other food as well, more touristy family stuff like burgers etc)
Eva's dumplings
7 Hagslättsvägen
"Kroppkakor" is a local classic, and a little bit special one.. If slimy potatoe balls filled with pork sounds like something you´d enjoy - go ahead and try! :) (They have other food as well, more touristy family stuff like burgers etc)
Ölands choklad is a producer of luxury chocolate. In Färjestaden they have a shop with the delicious peices of chocolate - and also a restaurant with nice food right by the harbour. Plus the best ice cream on Öland.
21 locals recommend
Ölands choklad
5 Södra Hamnplan
21 locals recommend
Ölands choklad is a producer of luxury chocolate. In Färjestaden they have a shop with the delicious peices of chocolate - and also a restaurant with nice food right by the harbour. Plus the best ice cream on Öland.
A small hotel in central Borgholm with a great restaurant. Until 2018 it was the only restaurant on the island with a michelin star. When Karin Fransson, the head chef, went to retirement, the star was naturally lost. The restaurant got a facelift in early -19 with beautiful, nordic interior design. And the new owners are committed to fighting to take the michelin star back. This place is a bit more pricy, a fine dining place. A must for foodies though!
13 locals recommend
Hotell Borgholm
15 Trädgårdsgatan
13 locals recommend
A small hotel in central Borgholm with a great restaurant. Until 2018 it was the only restaurant on the island with a michelin star. When Karin Fransson, the head chef, went to retirement, the star was naturally lost. The restaurant got a facelift in early -19 with beautiful, nordic interior design. And the new owners are committed to fighting to take the michelin star back. This place is a bit more pricy, a fine dining place. A must for foodies though!
Kackelstugan is a restaurant, beer brewery and small scale musical scene. Pure quality! All summer they host live concerts in the small hall with well known swedish bands and musicians. Check ahead for availability - often fully booked.
19 locals recommend
Kackelstugan
16 Västra Sörbys Bygata
19 locals recommend
Kackelstugan is a restaurant, beer brewery and small scale musical scene. Pure quality! All summer they host live concerts in the small hall with well known swedish bands and musicians. Check ahead for availability - often fully booked.
Nice seafood restaurant on the east coast. Cosy spot by the sea.
11 locals recommend
Kårehamns Fisk & Havskök
83 Kårehamnsvägen
11 locals recommend
Nice seafood restaurant on the east coast. Cosy spot by the sea.
One of the best restaurants on Öland, located in one of the oldest houses in Borgholm. Reciever of many prices and great reviews, this is a place for foodies rather than families with small kids.
6 locals recommend
Restaurang Trädgårdsgatan 26
26 Trädgårdsgatan
6 locals recommend
One of the best restaurants on Öland, located in one of the oldest houses in Borgholm. Reciever of many prices and great reviews, this is a place for foodies rather than families with small kids.
Beloved by kids and grown kids alike - the caramell factory! Watch the caramells being created right in front of your eyes and shop more than what is good for you!
8 locals recommend
Ölands Karameller
8 locals recommend
Beloved by kids and grown kids alike - the caramell factory! Watch the caramells being created right in front of your eyes and shop more than what is good for you!
Great asian fusion food, mostly Korean infuences. The small restaurant has an Urban feel and reminds more of a hipster bar you´d find in Stockholm. Really small indoors bar, but has outdoor serving in the summer time
Brasserie - Tack o Bock
Great asian fusion food, mostly Korean infuences. The small restaurant has an Urban feel and reminds more of a hipster bar you´d find in Stockholm. Really small indoors bar, but has outdoor serving in the summer time
Best bread on Öland hands down. You deserve fresh, tasty, healthy bread on your vacay, don´t you!
Brick oven bakery Olof
Best bread on Öland hands down. You deserve fresh, tasty, healthy bread on your vacay, don´t you!
best hot dogs on Öland. loads of different saucages with mashed potatoes, bread and other sides. quality! near köpingsvik beach
KorvOlle Öland
best hot dogs on Öland. loads of different saucages with mashed potatoes, bread and other sides. quality! near köpingsvik beach

Parks & Nature

Öland is known for beautiful and versatile nature. As a matter of fact, half of the Island is on UNESCOS world inheritage site list.
Amazing rock formations along the coastline. Theese rocks formed the ocean floor on a shallow coral reef south of the equator 490 million years ago. Today you can stroll along the coastline and enjoy the super cool view, take a swim by the rocks - or at the nearby sand beach. Must see for nature lovers!
14 locals recommend
Byrum's raukar
14 locals recommend
Amazing rock formations along the coastline. Theese rocks formed the ocean floor on a shallow coral reef south of the equator 490 million years ago. Today you can stroll along the coastline and enjoy the super cool view, take a swim by the rocks - or at the nearby sand beach. Must see for nature lovers!
Barren rock coastline. Harch nature near the northern peak of the island. Outside theese rocks viking warships have clashed in battle, and the view of the ocean and the flat rock formation has a eternal, calm feel. Take a swim here but be careful if windy, the ocean smashes the sharp rock edges pretty hard!
Neptune's fields
Barren rock coastline. Harch nature near the northern peak of the island. Outside theese rocks viking warships have clashed in battle, and the view of the ocean and the flat rock formation has a eternal, calm feel. Take a swim here but be careful if windy, the ocean smashes the sharp rock edges pretty hard!
Trollskogen (troll forest) is a gorgeous nordic type forest with lots of different trees. If you want to see the more beautiful part - take the longer stroll of about 4-5km. The hike takes you through the forest and along the coast. There is also a shorther hike trail if you are bringing kids.
19 locals recommend
Troll Forest
20 Trollskogsvägen
19 locals recommend
Trollskogen (troll forest) is a gorgeous nordic type forest with lots of different trees. If you want to see the more beautiful part - take the longer stroll of about 4-5km. The hike takes you through the forest and along the coast. There is also a shorther hike trail if you are bringing kids.
Shorter hiking trail (aprox 30min) through a very old oaktree forest. Beautiful for forest entusiasts! Lots of oak trees were cut down due to the crowns need for warships in the old days, but this one has a bunch of really old trees left.
6 locals recommend
Halltorps Hage
6 locals recommend
Shorter hiking trail (aprox 30min) through a very old oaktree forest. Beautiful for forest entusiasts! Lots of oak trees were cut down due to the crowns need for warships in the old days, but this one has a bunch of really old trees left.
Between the small village of Rälla and the ocean there is a typical nordic pine tree forest with hiking trails of different lengths. Close to the village of Stora Rör there is a beautiful outside church (actually, just a cross) and a anonymous cemetary. Very calm and beautiful spot in the middle of the forest! There are hiking trails in a bunch of different lentghs. At the southern tip of the Rällla forest area, there is a small village: "Stora Rör". Here you can find restaurants and it´s a cosy walk from Rälla forest into the village.
Rälla
Between the small village of Rälla and the ocean there is a typical nordic pine tree forest with hiking trails of different lengths. Close to the village of Stora Rör there is a beautiful outside church (actually, just a cross) and a anonymous cemetary. Very calm and beautiful spot in the middle of the forest! There are hiking trails in a bunch of different lentghs. At the southern tip of the Rällla forest area, there is a small village: "Stora Rör". Here you can find restaurants and it´s a cosy walk from Rälla forest into the village.
Most beautiful sand beach on Öland. But wow, this is something else. This is the most packed camping ground in the nordics. If you enjoy calm beaches with few people, this is NOT for you. This place is crazy. There are more people here than an average small town in Sweden. Super commerce: jumping castles for the kids, restaurants etc etc. It is interesting. But hectic. Wort a visit just to have seen it. Great for kids! The coastline close to Böda has lots of sand beaches. So if you are looking for a bit less crowded, but beautiful sand beaches - just drive along the coast up there and there will be plenty.
11 locals recommend
Boda Sand Camping
11 Bödasandsallén
11 locals recommend
Most beautiful sand beach on Öland. But wow, this is something else. This is the most packed camping ground in the nordics. If you enjoy calm beaches with few people, this is NOT for you. This place is crazy. There are more people here than an average small town in Sweden. Super commerce: jumping castles for the kids, restaurants etc etc. It is interesting. But hectic. Wort a visit just to have seen it. Great for kids! The coastline close to Böda has lots of sand beaches. So if you are looking for a bit less crowded, but beautiful sand beaches - just drive along the coast up there and there will be plenty.
Alvaret is the huge natinal park stretching over almost half of the island; the southern part. This is the only place in Sweden with this type of nature. It is best viewed by passing across the island by Resmo, Mysinge or Degerhamn. Öland is famous for the Alvaret nature so it is a must see. You can also stroll on Alvaret but watch out for signs with bulls; animals roam on pretty big peices of land. Alvaret is a harch nature type with small bushes, very short trees bent by wind and a bunch of wild herbs and flowers. Supposedly lovers of orchids seek out Alvaret to stroll around and look at beautiful flowers.
12 locals recommend
Alvaret
12 locals recommend
Alvaret is the huge natinal park stretching over almost half of the island; the southern part. This is the only place in Sweden with this type of nature. It is best viewed by passing across the island by Resmo, Mysinge or Degerhamn. Öland is famous for the Alvaret nature so it is a must see. You can also stroll on Alvaret but watch out for signs with bulls; animals roam on pretty big peices of land. Alvaret is a harch nature type with small bushes, very short trees bent by wind and a bunch of wild herbs and flowers. Supposedly lovers of orchids seek out Alvaret to stroll around and look at beautiful flowers.

Sightseeing

The best sightseeing Öland offers is the nature itself. Just driving across Alvaret on the southern half of the island is a beautiful experience.
There is a lighthouse at the northern as well as southern peak of Öland. The northern one is on a cosy little island with some old houses and worth a visit. Climb the lighthouse for a beautiful ocean view.
15 locals recommend
Lange Erik
101 Holmvägen
15 locals recommend
There is a lighthouse at the northern as well as southern peak of Öland. The northern one is on a cosy little island with some old houses and worth a visit. Climb the lighthouse for a beautiful ocean view.
Långe Jan is the southern lighthouse; the tallest in Sweden. Getting there you drive through the swedish kings hunting grounds. You might catch a glimse of the beautiful deer. You will defineatly see hundereds of cows and sheep - and might have to stop your car and let them cross the street; they roam free on the southern tip of Öland. The nature is harch and beautiful. Seals rest on the rocky coastline and hundereds of different birds fill the skies.
32 locals recommend
Lange Jan
32 locals recommend
Långe Jan is the southern lighthouse; the tallest in Sweden. Getting there you drive through the swedish kings hunting grounds. You might catch a glimse of the beautiful deer. You will defineatly see hundereds of cows and sheep - and might have to stop your car and let them cross the street; they roam free on the southern tip of Öland. The nature is harch and beautiful. Seals rest on the rocky coastline and hundereds of different birds fill the skies.
One of Ölands most gorgeous villages. Park your car and take a stroll, or just drive through it on your way. Old cute houses and a genuine feel. If you enjoy veggie growing there is a great farming school that has a beautiful garden with a bunch of different crops growing. There is also a small store.
Vickleby
One of Ölands most gorgeous villages. Park your car and take a stroll, or just drive through it on your way. Old cute houses and a genuine feel. If you enjoy veggie growing there is a great farming school that has a beautiful garden with a bunch of different crops growing. There is also a small store.
For lovers of history. This castle ruin is one of the more preserved ones in scandinavia from its era. It is located on a plateau above the small city of Borgholm. You can either drive to the castle and enter it, or take a walk through the oaktree forest below the castle and get a pretty cool view of the castle from below.
42 locals recommend
Borgholm Castle
5 Sollidenvägen
42 locals recommend
For lovers of history. This castle ruin is one of the more preserved ones in scandinavia from its era. It is located on a plateau above the small city of Borgholm. You can either drive to the castle and enter it, or take a walk through the oaktree forest below the castle and get a pretty cool view of the castle from below.
Gettlinge gravfält is a field of graves from the iron- and bronze age stretcing over two kilometers. For the non historically interested: it is a bunch of rocks. For the one intrigued by history it offers an amazing story about the people who lived here before they were called vikings; soldiers buried in theese graves with their dog, clothes, swords.
Gettlinge gravfält
Gettlinge gravfält is a field of graves from the iron- and bronze age stretcing over two kilometers. For the non historically interested: it is a bunch of rocks. For the one intrigued by history it offers an amazing story about the people who lived here before they were called vikings; soldiers buried in theese graves with their dog, clothes, swords.
Castle ruin as well as ruin of old church. Marked paths for nature walks of different distances. Nice spot!
8 locals recommend
Gråborg
Borg
8 locals recommend
Castle ruin as well as ruin of old church. Marked paths for nature walks of different distances. Nice spot!
A quarry. Sounds dull, but bare with me! The coastal road ("Horns kustväg") north of the quarry is really beautiful. It is slower than the main road, but so much nicer! View of the ocean, passing through cozy small villages, many beaches and through wonderful nature scenes. The quarry is actually pretty cool too.
Gillberga Stenbrott
A quarry. Sounds dull, but bare with me! The coastal road ("Horns kustväg") north of the quarry is really beautiful. It is slower than the main road, but so much nicer! View of the ocean, passing through cozy small villages, many beaches and through wonderful nature scenes. The quarry is actually pretty cool too.
The Karlevi Stone is a runic stone raised around year 900 during the viking age. It was created in the honor of a Danish viking, Sibbe the Wise, who died when he helped the swedish viking Styrbjörn the Strong to attack his uncle Eric the Victorious. Theese dudes loved a good fight.
Karlevistenen
The Karlevi Stone is a runic stone raised around year 900 during the viking age. It was created in the honor of a Danish viking, Sibbe the Wise, who died when he helped the swedish viking Styrbjörn the Strong to attack his uncle Eric the Victorious. Theese dudes loved a good fight.
For the royalist! Solliden castle is the swedish royal family's very own summer cabin. You can (for a fee) take a stroll past their castle and the castle garden. Last time we went there and took a stroll we bumped into the king himself! You never know. Outside of the castle there is a very cosy café that is also worth a visit. Warning, lots of tourists here!
28 locals recommend
Solliden Palace
Sollidenvägen
28 locals recommend
For the royalist! Solliden castle is the swedish royal family's very own summer cabin. You can (for a fee) take a stroll past their castle and the castle garden. Last time we went there and took a stroll we bumped into the king himself! You never know. Outside of the castle there is a very cosy café that is also worth a visit. Warning, lots of tourists here!

Arts & Culture

Öland is home to lots of artist. As you drive around the island you will pass many small painters and sculpturers workshops.
Outdoors museum. Actually a small village that kind of is a museum. In one of the old houses there is a cafe. They also have animals like pigs and goats and there is some small scale farming going on. Small fee to enter, well worth a visit if you enjoy old enviroments, farmhouses, animals and so on!
17 locals recommend
Olands Museum Himmelsberga
1 Himmelsberga bygata
17 locals recommend
Outdoors museum. Actually a small village that kind of is a museum. In one of the old houses there is a cafe. They also have animals like pigs and goats and there is some small scale farming going on. Small fee to enter, well worth a visit if you enjoy old enviroments, farmhouses, animals and so on!
Best place on the Island for lovers of art. Always a few parallell exibitions, great shop and a cafe with a perfect view of the ocean.
16 locals recommend
Vida Museum
Landsvägen
16 locals recommend
Best place on the Island for lovers of art. Always a few parallell exibitions, great shop and a cafe with a perfect view of the ocean.
Beautiful garden where you can stroll among the flowerbeds, herbs and vegetables. Cute store with gardening stuff, herbs and more. Located in the village of Vickleby also mentioned in this list.
15 locals recommend
Capellagarden
25 Vickleby bygata
15 locals recommend
Beautiful garden where you can stroll among the flowerbeds, herbs and vegetables. Cute store with gardening stuff, herbs and more. Located in the village of Vickleby also mentioned in this list.
Showroom in an old "Ölandsgård" (classic Öland style farmers residens). Paintings are mild in color and focus on surrounding landscapes and sheep. Lots of sheep.
Ateljé Himlavid
Showroom in an old "Ölandsgård" (classic Öland style farmers residens). Paintings are mild in color and focus on surrounding landscapes and sheep. Lots of sheep.

Shopping

"The Paradise workshop" is a place for lovers of ceramics. Also has a café.
12 locals recommend
Paradisverkstan
2 Paradisvägen
12 locals recommend
"The Paradise workshop" is a place for lovers of ceramics. Also has a café.
For the lover of the garden. You can buy plants of all sorts as well as gardening stuff. Cosy place to just take a stroll and look at the plants and smell the herbs.
Borgholms Handelsträdgård AB
1 Malmsborgsgatan
For the lover of the garden. You can buy plants of all sorts as well as gardening stuff. Cosy place to just take a stroll and look at the plants and smell the herbs.
Beautiful hand made ceramic tablewear. Cute little shop in the middle of Borgholm. They also have some other stuff such as pillows made from high wuality japanese kimono fabrics.
Form Öland
Beautiful hand made ceramic tablewear. Cute little shop in the middle of Borgholm. They also have some other stuff such as pillows made from high wuality japanese kimono fabrics.
Main focus books about birds. Thousands of them. Nerd level 10. BUT it is much more than that. The perfect gift shop. It is a must stop if you pass by while driving down south!
Naturbokhandeln
Main focus books about birds. Thousands of them. Nerd level 10. BUT it is much more than that. The perfect gift shop. It is a must stop if you pass by while driving down south!

Beach & Ocean

Öland is known for it´s beautiful sand beaches. Rumour says the softest sand is found in the northeast around Böda. The rocky coastline of Neptuni on the northwest tip of the island is also worth a visit. Here are some other gems:
Shallow, child friendly beach nearby. Very crowded. Close to convenience store, restaurants.
Stranden i Köpingsvik
Shallow, child friendly beach nearby. Very crowded. Close to convenience store, restaurants.
Beautiful nature, nice sand beach. A small camping ground with tents between the pine trees. A small fee for road access to the ocean. There is a small kiosk
13 locals recommend
Bjärby Bathing place
13 locals recommend
Beautiful nature, nice sand beach. A small camping ground with tents between the pine trees. A small fee for road access to the ocean. There is a small kiosk
Small beach, not as crowded as the large more well known ones. There is also a bit of sightseeing here, nice scenery. No restaurants or stores
Kapelluddens Fyr
99 Kläppingevägen
Small beach, not as crowded as the large more well known ones. There is also a bit of sightseeing here, nice scenery. No restaurants or stores
Walking distance from central Borgholm. Sand beach with a bridge stretching so far out so that you may jump into the water. Ölands beaches are often very shallow
Mejeriviken
Walking distance from central Borgholm. Sand beach with a bridge stretching so far out so that you may jump into the water. Ölands beaches are often very shallow
Old limestone quarry turned top bathing spot! Purple warm water. Jump from various heights. Not so good for small kids, there is only a tiny rocky beach. A nice change from all the sand beaches of Öland.
6 locals recommend
Kalkbrottet Grönhögen
6 locals recommend
Old limestone quarry turned top bathing spot! Purple warm water. Jump from various heights. Not so good for small kids, there is only a tiny rocky beach. A nice change from all the sand beaches of Öland.