Västerport (The West Gate)

Kalmar

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Home Europe Sweden Kalmar Do & SeeVästerport (The West Gate)

Västerport (The West Gate)

This magnificent town gate is called Västerport (The West Gate) or Högvakten (The Main Guard). Completed in 1658, it was the main entry to Kvarnholmen right up to 1870.

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addressVästerport, Kalmar

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Kalmar Castle

The history of this legendary castle stretches back over 800 years. Its present appearance dates from the 16th century, when the Vasa kings rebuilt it in the style of a Renaissance palace, with furnishings in a continental manner.

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Kalmar County Museum

Kalmar County Museum is located in a grand building that once housed the Kalmar Steam Mill. The museum offers exhibitions year-round with the Royal Ship Kronan and Sandby Castle history as permanent attractions. In addition, there are temporary exhibitions on contemporary societal and cultural-historical topics.

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Kalmar Art Museum

Kalmar konstmuseum is a vibrant cultural hub housing contemporary art and design from the region. This museum offers engaging weekly guided tours and workshops, providing visitors with immersive experiences in the diverse world of modern artistic expression.

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Kalmar Maritime Museum

During the last few hundred years, a great number of the men of Kalmar have been employed in building ships at 'Varvsholmen' (the 'Ship Yard Island') for Swedish as well as foreign ship owners. It is their history and at the same time the shipping history of Kalmar, which is exhibited at the Kalmar Maritime Museum. Seamen of all categories and their families have generously contributed to the creation of this museum by donating objects of many kinds.

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Old Town in Kalmar

In the heart of Kalmar, a short distance from the imposing Kalmar Castle, lies the quaint Old Town, offering a glimpse into the city's truly ancient past. Characterised by narrow, winding lanes and impeccably preserved 17th-century red-and-white cottages and buildings, this enclave transports visitors to a bygone era. The Old Town arose from the ashes of the original medieval settlement, which succumbed to fire in the 1600s and stands as a charming testament to Kalmar's historical roots.

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Kalmar City Park

Kalmar City Park is situated beside the castle. Johan Jeansson, a merchant of the town, a bust of whom has stood in the park since 1937, was the driving force behind the park project, and his donation enabled the park to be laid out between 1877 and 1880. The old 'Vasa' monument also stands here, moved from Stensö in 1879.

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Skälby

Skälby is one of the many green areas located close to the city. The animals and well-preserved buildings of the 4H farm offer the feel of an old farm. The area is child-friendly, closed to traffic, and features a large playground. Visit the rabbits, pigs, cows, chickens, and many other animals that call this place home.

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Äventyrsbadet

Äventyrsbadet is a fantastic destination for swimming, exercise, and relaxation. The facility boasts exciting features such as water slides, whirlpools, a climbing wall, and water bombs. For those seeking tranquillity, separate relaxation areas offer hot tubs, steam and dry saunas, and even a massage chair.

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Stensö Recreation Area

Stensö, about 2.5 km south of central Kalmar, is one of the city's most popular outdoor recreation areas. Stensö boasts a three-star campsite, rental cottages, a café and restaurant, jogging trails, miniature golf and lovely natural surroundings.

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Krusenstiernska House

A 19th-century, middle-class home in the Old Town, only 200 metres from Kalmar Castle. With its furnishings intact, the house is a museum open to the public during the summer. The fine garden is ideal for picnics or strolls.

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Children's Castle

In the summer, Kalmar Castle turns into the children's own castle. Here the children get the chance to challenge the Black Knight and to be ceremoniously dubbed in the castle hall. Or why not try the treasure hunt, or meet the castle princess? The Children's Castle is filled with activities for both large and small children.

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Book a Guided Tour

Take the opportunity to learn more about Kalmar and its history! During the peak season, guided city walks depart from central Kalmar twice a week. Choose a guided tour of Kvarnholmen, the heart of Kalmar, with its majestic cathedral at Stortorget, or explore the Old Town, the medieval core of Kalmar, with its winding alleys and remnants of the original medieval city wall. Year-round, groups have the option to book their own guided tour.

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Swimming

Kalmar boasts a diverse array of swimming spots: from busy beaches right in the city centre to tranquil, charming shores to the north and south of the centre. Make a stop at Kattrumpan beach at the end of Storgatan in central Kalmar. The newest and largest sandy beach, Kalmarsundsbadet, located behind the castle, has been improved with a 180-metre-long bathing jetty. If you explore the coastline a bit to the south or north of the city core, you'll discover quieter beaches, too.

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