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Öland
From Wikitravel
Contents
Öland [1] is a province in the Götaland region in Sweden. It consists of Sweden's second largest island (after Gotland) on the south-east coast.
[edit] Cities
[edit] Other destinations
[edit] Understand
Öland is rather sparsely populated, with most of the land consisting of farm land or in the north woods, so transportation is limited. There is no railway on Öland and the bus routes and bus departures are relatively few, even though the situation gets a lot better during the tourist season (from the beginning of June to the middle of August). Taking the bus, however, remains the most convenient way to get around on the island, since they cover most of the island and can get you within biking distance of interesting sights and beautiful beaches. Bringing a bike is recommendable, and convenient, as passengers are allowed to bring bikes on the buses. It's also the best way to experience the unique landscape of Öland. There are very nice biking trails along the long coast of Öland.
[edit] Talk
While English is widely known by most Swedes, the level of English spoken at the country side (including Öland) is noticeably lower than, for example, the level of English spoken in Stockholm. Don't despair though, the island is packed with tourists, during the summer, mostly from Swedish cities, with a higher level of spoken English, as well as international tourists.
Another language which will get you around fairly well is German, since German tourists are plentiful during the summer months and the language is taught in school from the 6th grade (optional). A lot of people of the older generation actually speaks a lot better German than English, so if you're in a not so touristy area where you only meet locals, German may take you further than English. Remember though, whatever language you speak and whatever language they speak, the locals are glad to help and will try their best.
Observe that most tourist information signs will be in Swedish, English, German and in rare cases Dutch and/or French.
[edit] Get in
You get in by car or bus from Kalmar over the Ölandsbron bridge.
[edit] Get around
Buses are extremely few and far between, and do not even go near many interesting locations. Öland is however very bike-friendly with many smaller roads well suited for biking and no hills to speak of.
[edit][add listing] See
- Borgholm Castle (Borgholms slott) [2] (or rather its ruin, as it burnt down in the 19th Century). It is not open all year round, but you can always admire it from a distance.
- The southern agricultural landscape (Alvaret)of Öland is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a unique landscape with rare species and evidence of human settlements from prehistoric times. This place is often listed as one of the must-sees in Sweden by Swedish, as well as international, travel magazines.
- The villas in Borgholm have a lot of character, and it is rather entertaining to walk around and look at them.
- Solliden the Royal summer residence with its beautiful garden
- Vida Museum showing the works of among others Bertil and Ulrika Wallien and Ulf Trotzig
- Eketorp an old fortification stemming from the middle ages with activities for children
- Böda Sand a beautiful sandy beach on the very north of the island. To get there you walk through a mesmerizing forest called the Trolls' forest (Trollskogen).
- The rock formations, called raukar, on the beautiful Byerum beach. These formations have been created by natural erasion over thousands of year. If you're interested in seeing more of these 'raukar' they are in fact even more plentiful on Sweden's largest island, Gotland.
- The Northern tip of the island, with its lighthouse (Långe Jan), natural preserve and Neptune's fields (Neptuni ängar)
- The Southern tip of the island, with its lighthouse (Långe Erik) and bird sanctuary (Ottenby Fågelstation).
- The only lake on Öland, Hornsjön
[edit] Itineraries
[edit][add listing] Do
- Spend a day at one of Öland's many beaches
- Bike along the Öland trail (Ölandsleden), or the shorter Sweden trail (the part that runs on Öland, that is)
- Spend a day or two in the beautiful town of Borgholm with it's charming villas and cosy cafés. Close tot he town are also the Borgholm castle and the Solliden (royal residence), which are both well worth a visit. The massive castle situated on a hill with a stunning view of the town of Borgholm and the sea and Solliden with it's beautiful architecture as well as it's gardens.
[edit][add listing] Eat
Kroppkaka is a Småland/Öland specialty. Smoked fish is another one. Berries are usually abundant throughout the summer and early autumn. Mushrooms are plentiful in autumn.
[edit][add listing] Drink
The island don't have much to offer in the nightlife department but if you head into the larger towns, e.g. Borgholm (in particular), Färjestaden and Mörbylånga you will see a few nice restaurants and bars.
[edit] Stay safe
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[edit] Get out
Now, why would you want to do that?
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