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Offered languages
- English
- English
Kalmar punches well above its weight for a small Swedish city. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll find out how wars, royal power struggles, and sheer stubbornness shaped one of Scandinavia’s most strategically important cities. The tour starts by Kalmar’s old city wall, Gamla Stadsmuren, near Baronen shopping mall. You’ll climb onto the restored defensive ramparts for views over the water, and hear an introduction to the city’s turbulent history with Denmark.
As you stroll through streets lined with small wooden houses that once sheltered craftsmen and traders, you’ll hear stories about the city’s poorest residents. You’ll also hear a few dramatic Swedish Game of Thrones stories from the 1600s, including a hunger battle in Kalmar. The tour ends at Kalmar Castle, a medieval fortress transformed into a Renaissance palace by the sons of King Gustav Vasa and Lithuanian-Polish Princess Katarina Jagiellon, and where you will hear a ghost story of a lady roaming its towers.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
This tour starts at Baronen and Kalmar City Wall. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
This tour ends at Kalmar Castle.
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
Walk along Kalmar's restored medieval ramparts for sweeping views over the water. Discover how these ancient defences once stood between the city and centuries of Danish invasion.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Explore one of Sweden's most impressive regional museums, home to thousands of artefacts recovered from the warship Kronan. Marvel at the dramatic story of Commander Creutz and the 800 men lost when the ship exploded and sank in 1676.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll past Scandinavia's only remaining washhouse from the 1800s, a hidden gem that most visitors walk straight past. Step inside to experience a rare piece of everyday history that tells the story of Kalmar's working-class residents.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Admire Sweden's largest Baroque cathedral, an imposing landmark at the heart of Kvarnholmen. Discover the curious secret beneath its floor, 81 graves that most visitors never know are there.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass through the doors of this wonderfully old-fashioned tea and coffee shop, where time seems to have stood still. Enjoy browsing the extraordinary range of teas, coffees and treats in an atmosphere unlike any modern store.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Explore a charming historic café tucked inside a maze-like building with crooked floors and vintage furnishings. Enjoy a traditional Swedish fika surrounded by rooms that feel unchanged for generations.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll through Kalmar's liveliest square, once the gathering point for soldiers answering the city's alarm bells. Enjoy the Vasabrunnen fountain, which tells the story of King Gustav Vasa, the father of modern Sweden.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Admire this striking tower built between 1879 and 1900, a proud reminder of Kalmar's Victorian-era ambition. Pass by the nearby Kreugerska House, birthplace of the infamous "Match King" Ivar Kreuger, which was once physically rolled through the streets to save it.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll through this beautiful park and discover public art installations alongside the open pavilions of Kalmar Art Museum. Enjoy a peaceful approach to the castle with views across the water that have inspired visitors for centuries.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Marvel at one of Scandinavia's best-preserved medieval fortresses, dramatically transformed into a Renaissance palace in the 1600s. Explore its authentic royal chambers and listen out for the ghost of a lady said to still roam its towers.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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