Kalmar and Öland: castles, windmills and lighthouses
Kalmar’s castle, then across the bridge to Öland’s limestone plains, Iron Age fort, ruined castle and lighthouses at both ends.
- Distance
- 249 km (154 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 26 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Sweden
- Updated
- July 22, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 249 km (154 mi) with 8 stops, from Kalmar to Byxelkrok. About 3 h 26 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Sweden
Route description
Start in Kalmar, a harbour city on the Baltic with a walled old town on the island of Kvarnholmen. Kalmar Castle stands in its moat just south of the centre, with Renaissance rooms and exhibitions that cover more than 800 years. Then cross the Öland Bridge, about 6 km long and free to use, onto the island, which is a long, narrow ribbon of limestone and farmland.
Turn south on road 136 and then minor roads across the Stora Alvaret, a treeless limestone plain that is part of the Agricultural Landscape of Southern Öland World Heritage Site. Eketorp is a reconstructed Iron Age ring fort, open in summer. Continue to Ottenby at the southern tip, where Långe Jan, Sweden’s tallest lighthouse, stands among bird-watching hides and grazing land.
Drive back north along the island. Windmills line the road in many villages, a symbol of Öland, which once had hundreds of them. Borgholm Castle is a great roofless ruin on the ridge above Borgholm, the island’s main town. The royal family’s summer home, Solliden, is next to it, and its gardens open to visitors in summer. Borgholm has shops, a harbour and fuel.
Road 136 continues north through pine forest and farmland towards Byxelkrok. Before the village, detour to Trollskogen and Grankullavik on the north-eastern shore, where Långe Erik lighthouse stands on an islet. Byxelkrok is a small harbour on the west coast, known for its sunsets over Kalmar Sound. Roads are flat and quiet, and the island is popular with motorhomes and cyclists.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Kalmar
Sweden - 21 km
Kalmar Castle
HistoryKalmar, SwedenA moated Renaissance castle by the sea, where the Kalmar Union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden was agreed in 1397. Parking lies along the park just south, and the rooms and exhibitions are open for a fee.
- 352 km
Eketorp Fort
HistoryDegerhamn, SwedenA reconstructed Iron Age ring fort on the open limestone plain of southern Öland, with houses and animals inside its round stone wall. Open in summer with an entrance fee; allow a couple of hours with children.
- 415 km
Långe Jan
ViewsOttenby, SwedenSweden’s tallest lighthouse, 42 m, at the southern tip of Öland beside the Ottenby bird observatory. Climb it in summer for views over the nature reserve; the car park sits at the end of the road.
- 595 km
Borgholm Castle
HistoryBorgholm, SwedenThe roofless shell of a grand castle burned out in 1806, on a limestone ridge above Borgholm. Entry is paid in summer, and the gardens of the royal summer home at Solliden are a short walk away.
- 62 km
Borgholm
Sweden - 776 km
Långe Erik
ViewsGrankullavik, SwedenA white lighthouse of 1845 on a small islet at the northern tip of Öland, joined to the shore by a bridge. The Trollskogen nature reserve, with twisted pines and a wreck on the beach, is close by.
- 89 km
Byxelkrok
Sweden
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Kalmar → Långe Jan · 67 km · 0 h 56 minOn the way: Kalmar Castle, Eketorp Fort.Overnight nearby, for example: Ottenby Vandrarhem & Camping (6 km); Ställplats drottning Öda (11 km).
- Day 2: Långe Jan → Borgholm · 97 km · 1 h 20 minOn the way: Borgholm Castle.Overnight nearby, for example: Smedjans Ställplatser Köpingsvik (4 km); Kaffetorpet Camping (16 km).
- Day 3: Borgholm → Byxelkrok · 84 km · 1 h 10 minOn the way: Långe Erik.Overnight nearby, for example: Tokenäs Camping (< 1 km); Sandbybadets Camping (17 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Sweden: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Congestion charges in Stockholm and Gothenburg; Øresund Bridge toll. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Kalmar and Öland: castles, windmills and lighthouses?
3-day road trip of about 249 km (154 mi) with 8 stops, from Kalmar to Byxelkrok. About 3 h 26 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Kalmar and Öland: castles, windmills and lighthouses?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 26 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Kalmar and Öland: castles, windmills and lighthouses start and end?
It starts in Kalmar and ends in Byxelkrok.
Which countries does Kalmar and Öland: castles, windmills and lighthouses pass through?
Sweden.
Where can you camp along Kalmar and Öland: castles, windmills and lighthouses?
OpenStreetMap lists 57 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Stensö Camping, Kalmar Camping and Vita Sands Camping.
When is the best time for Kalmar and Öland: castles, windmills and lighthouses?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
