Millions of birds travel here throughout the year
ÖLAND, SWEDEN: In this part of Europe you realise it´s spring when the exotic birds are in for landing, a few weeks ahead of tourists arriving for holiday in cabins, cottages and chalets. At Öland, the long Swedish island in the southern Baltic Sea, expect sun, sea, white sandy beaches and family activities, and the Swedish Royal Family visiting Solliden Palace every summer. You are welcome to visit the palace, see the lush greenery, visit shops and have a light lunch.
Birdlife and holiday
Öland is a favourite summer holiday destination for Swedish families, birds and birdwatchers. The first spring birds arrive early, such as Greylag Geese, Common Shelducks, Golden Plovers, Northern Lapwings, Eurasian Skylarks and Starlings. Other migrants arrive during the last half of May, e.g. Marsh Warblers, Icterine Warblers, Barred Warblers, Greenish Warblers, Red-backed Shrikes, Eurasian Golden Orioles and Common Rosefinches.
Along with Ottenby, Beijershamn is one of Öland’s best and most popular bird habitats. Öland, for a birder, is a magical landscape all year around.
Guide to Romantic summer in Sweden
Attractions
Borgholms Castle is a beautiful castle ruin with loads of kid’s activities in June- August. In the south of the island you can go ancient at the Gettlinge burial ground, or visit ‘Stora Alvaret’ – a giant limestone plateau. Ölands Animal and Amusement Park has 160 species of animal, a corking amusement park and features a water park and ‘Pirate Park’.
Ceramics and design
Paradisverkstaden is a family business that designs and produces ceramics in its workshop and studio on Öland. Here Eva’s paintwork merges with Hannah’s shapes and Moa’s lines. Both daughters work with design and are responsible for market exposure and production, while Olof designed all the new Paradisverkstaden buildings. Address: Snäckstrand, Färjestaden.
Himmelberga is a museum of cultural history, arts, crafts, shop and refreshment situated in a village carefully preserved buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Eva and Local food
In 2016 Hanna Karlsson was awarded “Ölanding of the year”. On her farm Hanna produces milk and meat. “Swedish food production is of high quality”, Hanns declares. She delivers food to restaurants and run a food shop at the farm Österbro, north of the island.
No other food served on Öland is like Eva´s kroppkakor. A specialty handmade of potato-dumplings with a filling of onion and pork or bacon. This is a dish everyone should try; we promise you a pleasant surprise. Address: Hagslättsvägen 14, Köpingsvik.
Link Evas Kroppskakor
Link Visit Öland
Make it Happen!
Touch Down: Kalmar Öland Airport is the region’s largest airport, and operates both regular and charter flights, daily regular flights to Stockholm (Bromma and Arlanda).
Stay: Stay at Hotel Skansen and you will live the life as a feast. At Skansen, celebration and joy is a natural part of everyday life.
Eat: On Öland beer is produced, wine is produced, whiskey is made and cheese is curdled. Farm shops are offering locally produced meats and strings of vegetables, berries, pickles, jams. You can buy fish in the harbors or fish yourself – and enjoy food and drink on the island’s many taverns, bars, patisseries and cafes.
Play: Skansen Hotel holds the largest whiskey cellar in Sweden with over 1100 varieties of whiskey and has received the award “The Great Whisky Bars of the World”. Visit for whiskey tastings, lectures, or organize your own party. You can even get to fill your own bottle.
Mini Guide: SJ is the train operator in Sweden, with direct train connections to Kalmar from, among others, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Copenhagen and Växjo.
