Kalmar

Sweden

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

Kalmar is one of the oldest Swedish cities, dating back to the year 1027, and the foundation of the Kalmar Union, which ruled all the Nordic Countries during the 14th and 15th centuries.

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

  • Kalmar Turism, Ölandskajen 9, +46 480-41 77 00. Oct–Apr M–F 10:00–17:00. May & Sep M–F 09:00–17.00, Sa 10.00–15.00,.Jun–Aug M–F 09:00–20.00, Sa & Su 10:00–16.00.

Kalmar Turism, Ölandskajen 9, +46 480-41 77 00. Oct–Apr M–F 10:00–17:00. May & Sep M–F 09:00–17.00, Sa 10.00–15.00,.Jun–Aug M–F 09:00–20.00, Sa & Su 10:00–16.00.

  • Kalmar Art museum, Stadsparken, +46 480-42 62 82. Opened 2008 in a new, highly controversial building.
  • Kalmar Castle.
  • Kalmar Cathedral, Stortorget, +46 480-123 00. Dating back to 1660
  • Kalmar County Museum, Skeppsbrogatan 51, +46 480-45 13 00.

Kalmar Art museum, Stadsparken, +46 480-42 62 82. Opened 2008 in a new, highly controversial building.

Kalmar Castle.

Kalmar Cathedral, Stortorget, +46 480-123 00. Dating back to 1660

Kalmar County Museum, Skeppsbrogatan 51, +46 480-45 13 00.

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.

  • Linnéuniversitetet, Nygatan 18B, +46 77-228 80 00. Kalmar one of the two main campuses of Linnéuniversitetet, the other one being located in Växjö. The Kalmar campus is known for its courses in seafaring, teaching and economics (Baltic School of Economics).

Linnéuniversitetet, Nygatan 18B, +46 77-228 80 00. Kalmar one of the two main campuses of Linnéuniversitetet, the other one being located in [[Växjö]]. The Kalmar campus is known for its courses in seafaring, teaching and economics (Baltic School of Economics).

The past couple of years many shopping malls and establishments have opened in Kalmar. The main shopping areas are

  • Baronen, Skeppsbrogatan 12 (Close to the harbour, +46 70-297 92 93. Many smaller shops and a movie theatre
  • Bilen. IKEA, CityGross and other large stores.
  • Giraffen. ICA Maxi, Onoff, CoopForum and many other stores.
  • 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.

Baronen, Skeppsbrogatan 12 (Close to the harbour, +46 70-297 92 93. Many smaller shops and a movie theatre

Bilen. IKEA, CityGross and other large stores.

Giraffen. ICA Maxi, Onoff, CoopForum and many other stores.

Kalmar Kött & Bar, Larmtorget 2, +46 480-288 30. Voted by many as the best in town

Kama Sushi, Västra Sjögatan 13, +46 480-548 78.

Restaurang Larmgatan 10, Larmgatan 10, +46 480-865 25. Combination of Asian and European cuisine.

Thai Silk Palace, Fiskaregatan 8, +46 480-281 26.

Thai Taste, Esplanaden 6, +46 480-42 19 40. Thai food take away.

  • Krusentiernska gården, Stora Dammgatan 9, +46 480-41 15 52. A wonderful coffeeshop in a beautiful garden setting.
  • Kullzénska caféet, Kaggensgatan 26, +46 480-288 82. Wonderful small coffeeshop in an old building in the centre.

Krusentiernska gården, Stora Dammgatan 9, +46 480-41 15 52. A wonderful coffeeshop in a beautiful garden setting.

Kullzénska caféet, Kaggensgatan 26, +46 480-288 82. Wonderful small coffeeshop in an old building in the centre.

  • 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.

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.

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.