Glass takes many forms in Nybro: as crystal, archival material and a medium for craftsmanship. Nature reserves and hiking trails offer a very different perspective on forests, lakes and wetlands. You can tailor your stay to your cultural or nature interests while discovering the variety of things Nybro has to offer.
Glass, Design and Industrial History
The Orrefors glassworks was founded in 1898 and has been associated with crystal glass, quality and exceptional craftsmanship ever since. The Orrefors Museum preserves and displays the glassworks’ historical collection, with an exhibition spanning the past and present. In Orrefors, the Hammarsmedjan is also a living museum: its waterwheel and machinery are back in operation, and access is seasonal.
Designarkivet, a national archive that collects knowledge about design processes in Sweden, is located on the former Pukeberg glassworks site. Its collection comprises around 120,000 archival items from some 800 designers and companies. Seasonal exhibitions offer further insights; archive and research visits are available by appointment. A very different collection is devoted to James Bond: Nybro is home to the world’s only James Bond museum.
You can also explore glassmaking itself from a variety of perspectives. Målerås Glasbruk produces art glass and decorative glass, which is mainly cut, painted and engraved. With its own iron foundry, the glassworks combines glass and metal. Visitors can blow their own piece of glass and take it home; this activity is subject to booking and seasonal arrangements. Hyttsill is also served, although the offering may be seasonal or dependent on booking.
At Nybro Crystal, painted glass takes center stage. Airbrush and brush painting are combined on glass in a variety of shapes. The glassworks site also has a shop selling Nybro glass at factory prices, along with other gift items. At Orranäs Glasbruk, visitors can try glassblowing; it is best to check in advance whether you can take part. The Glassblower Café & Creperie serves crêpes for lunch or fika and is open seasonally.
Those interested in local history will find two more distinctive places to visit in Madesjö: Kyrkstallarna is now Sweden’s second-longest wooden building. Madesjö Local Heritage Museum has more than 7,000 objects spread across a range of historical settings. These include an old general store, displays on forestry and farming, and sections on glass, textiles and schools.
Nature Reserves and Landscapes
Svartbäcksmåla Nature Reserve covers 345 hectares and surrounds the southern parts of Nybro. Its landscape alternates between deep coniferous and mixed forests, grove-like deciduous forests, dry sandy areas and damp alder marshes. The area is accessible from central Nybro via walking and cycling paths through the Pukeberg glassworks area, or from Hanemåla. As trail conditions can change, it is worth checking the routes before setting out.
The Svartbäcksmåla activity area has six mountain biking trails totaling 27 kilometers, as well as a skills track, a pump track and a flow trail. The approximately 16.5-kilometer Upplevelseleden hiking trail also passes through the area. Svartbäcksmålabacken has three downhill runs and a fun park with boxes and rails; its seasonal operation depends on conditions.
A different landscape awaits at Rismåla göl, a 4.4-hectare lake in the Ljungbyån catchment area. An accessible trail suitable for most visitors leads through the nature reserve from the bathing area. The bathing area also has a picnic spot with a wind shelter and fire pit. Allgunnen Nature Reserve covers 2,300 hectares. Most of the lake, along with its larger and smaller islands, lies within the reserve; marked hiking trails lead through forests and wetlands.
Hiking Trails by Length
The stated distances give you a clear guide for planning hikes of different lengths. The signposted Bjällingsmålaleden is 2.7 kilometers long and starts on Patron Trädgårdhs väg by the car park for Bjällingsmåla Nature Reserve. There is also a shallow sandy beach and a barbecue area there. At around 16.5 kilometers, Upplevelseleden is considerably longer and runs through the Svartbäcksmåla activity area.
At 84 kilometers, Dackeleden is the longest hiking trail in Nybro Municipality. On its route from Mosjön in the south to Aboda Klint in the north, it passes through Svartbäcksmåla. The trails mentioned therefore differ not only in length, but also in the landscapes and themes they connect. Orrefors vandringsled, meanwhile, combines hiking with glass culture, historic industrial landscapes, nature and traces of the Ice Age.
Getting There and Finding Your Way
Nybro railway station offers numerous departures every day, including direct train connections to Kalmar, Växjö, Gothenburg and Malmö. Kalmar länstrafik connects the towns in Nybro Municipality with one another, as well as Nybro with the rest of Kalmar County, by public transport. As connections and timetables may change, check the latest information before traveling.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Alsterbro, Gullaskruv, Kristvallabrunn, Kråksmåla, Orrefors, Örsjö, Nybro, Målerås, Kulla.
Return to the main travel overview: Kalmar.
