Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the bridge, was once the “ferry town” where everyone came and went; today
it sits sad and neglected.
Getting There:
Public transportation is tricky but workable; the island is
most worthwhile if you have a car and at least three extra hours to explore.
Drivers
simply head north from Kalmar a few minutes on highway 137 to
the Öland Bridge. Once across, highway 136 is the island's main north-south
artery.
Buses
regularly connect Kalmar with the town of Borgholm (54 kr,
nearly hourly in summer, off-season every 2 hours, 50-60 minutes) and, with
less frequency, to other Öland destinations (check
www.klt.se
)
.
Bikers
who
are in shape might enjoy biking to and around Öland, but note that you're
not allowed to ride your bike on the bridge; instead, take the shuttle bus that
carries bikers across (20 kr, April-June and Sept, runs early morning and late
afternoon only, catch it at the start of the bridge, look for line #408 “Cykel-
buss,”
www.klt.se
)
. It's possible to rent bikes on Öland, including in Borg-
holm(thoughhoursandquantities arelimited—try tocallandpre-arrange,see
the next page).
Visitors can (and do) spend days exploring this giant island's pleasures. But
on a quick visit of a few hours, you'll want to narrow your focus. Your ba-
sic choices are center/north Öland (more developed and resorty, with roy-
al sights, and easier to reach on a quick visit) or south Öland (more rugged
and remote-feeling, with prehistoric sites, and demanding more time). I've
outlined a few basic ideas for each area below, but these are just the begin-
ning—there's much more to discover on Öland.
Central/North Öland
On a quick spin to the island, I'd stick with the strip of Öland just north
of the bridge. As you drive north along highway 136, keep an eye out for
some of Öland's characteristic, old-fashioned windmills. Occasional stone
churches dotthelandscape (including theoneinRäpplinge—just offthemain
road—where the royals worship when in town).
