The history of Borgholms Slott dates back 900 years. The oldest structure began in the 12th century with a central or defensive tower surrounded by a ring wall. The present-day ruin also evokes a Baroque palace, which Karl X Gustav had built in the mid-17th century. Early fortification history and courtly architecture thus meet in one place.
Castle history and outdoor discoveries
Guided tours of Borgholms Slott are included in the admission price; the current arrangements may change. If you are planning to take a guided tour, check the latest visitor information before your visit. For children, “Barnens slottsäventyr” includes ten castle challenges in the 2026 season programme; afterwards, participants are knighted as protectors of Borgholms Slott. Activities include a knight’s obstacle course, archery and board games with a knight, as well as puzzles, drawing a sword from a magic stone and searching for the unicorn’s gold. The seasonal offering may change.
Solliden offers another glimpse into history: the estate was built as a summer residence for the future Queen Victoria of Sweden and completed in 1906. Its park invites you to stroll and explore along winding paths. If you prefer to combine historical places with nature, the Borga Hage nature reserve, also known as Slottsskogen, has deciduous woodland, flowering meadows and paths by the sea. More than 100 rare species have been recorded there.
Borga Hage borders Solliden and the castle ruins. A walking path about one kilometre long leads from Borgholm through Slottsskogen to Borgholms Slott. The listed hiking trail “Borge hage och slottsområde” is longer, at 4.2 kilometres. These distances give you a concrete reference for factoring each route into your plans.
A guided walk called “I Borgholms stad och slott” is also described for 2026: it starts and ends in Borgholm, going from the harbour through parks, past squares and historic sites to the castle, then back through Slottsskogen in the Borga Hage nature reserve. This gives you the choice between a guided circular route, a short connection to the castle that you plan yourself, and a listed hiking trail. Dates and availability for the guided option may change; check them if you would like to join the tour.
Townscape and culture in Borgholm
The town plan itself also reflects its history. Borgholm’s historic townscape follows an 1817 plan: a central axis with squares and public buildings shapes the layout, along with trading courtyards in the so-called Borgholm style. At the Borgholms stadsmuseum, you can explore period interiors and collections of Öland art and crafts. Exhibition themes range from Borgholm as a seaside resort to Öland’s industrial, maritime and railway history. The museum has been a protected historic building since 1985 and is protected under Sweden’s Cultural Environment Act.
You can discover another piece of the town’s history at Borgholm Bio. The cinema was inaugurated on 23 April 1920 and is considered the oldest cinema built in a rural area that was designed as a cinema building from the outset. Film screenings and other events are held there throughout the year; specific dates may change. Borgholm Church adds its own architectural touch: construction began in 1872, it was inaugurated in 1879, and it was designed in the Neo-Romanesque style.
At the Kallbadhus, a historic place meets a little everyday break. It was first inaugurated in 1882 and is located on Badhusgatan in Borgholm. You can fika there—that is, take a coffee break; the offering may vary. Along Strandvägen, the view takes in the grand villas from Borgholm’s days as a seaside resort and the Kalmarsund. The town’s history and coastal views complement visits to the museum, church and cinema.
Planning your stay
The different distance figures are useful when planning your routes: the walking path from Borgholm to the castle is about one kilometre long, while the listed hiking trail in the Borga Hage and castle area is 4.2 kilometres. A guided town walk offers another way to discover the parks, squares, historic sites and nature reserve together. Use this information to choose the kind of visit that suits your interest in the town’s history, the castle or the landscape, and check the latest dates for guided activities.
With Kalmar länstrafik (KLT), you can travel by public transport within Borgholm Municipality, across the municipal boundary and over the Öland Bridge. If bus connections are part of your plans, it is helpful to check the latest timetable information.
Discover more destinations: Djupvik, Löttorp, Rälla, Borgholm, Källa, Köpingsvik, Byxelkrok, Räpplinge.
Return to the main travel overview: Kalmar.
