Marie and Olof love a Kalmar staycation

Marie and Olof Sjöstrand live in Kalmar with their two daughters. They both have busy lives, with jobs, the respective activities of the children, and their own interests. When they have some time off, they like to go on various outings.

– We like to stay active, and work out as much as we can find the time for, anything from running to padel. On weekends, we often try to go on some sort of outing, preferably with family and friends. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated, maybe just a bike ride or a walk in the woods.

What do you feel is the best thing about Kalmar?

– Kalmar has everything right nearby, like a small town, while offering as much as a large city. There are never any long transports or queues for the things we like to do. And the summer weather is always top notch in this part of the country.

So are you sometimes opting for a staycation? If so, what’s it like on a typical day off?

– Yes, we quite like that. A staycation day starts with breakfast on our terrace, very nice and relaxed. Then we might pack our swimsuits and something to eat, and bike to one of all the good places for swimming in Kalmar, such as Bergavik, Norrlidsbadet, or Jutnabben which are among our favourites. And the food we bring along has some reinforcement following it – ice cream, of course. Some BBQ for dinner, and if we still have the energy for it, we might go for an evening swim.

What is your favourite way of “spending a day downtown?”

– A day in the city nearly always means coffee and a bite to eat in one of the cosy Kalmar cafés. The girls might go for some shopping, and if there’s time, Olof might enjoy a little bit of window shopping, too.

Have you got any favourites among the farm shops and garden centres?

– Wes, we have several. The Ängsbacken garden centre is a place we visit often, to find inspiration for our own garden. That inspiration pretty much always leads to us buying something for our home. Västerslät is our main provider when there’s a BBQ with friends and family, and it’s always worth the trip. The pick-your-own strawberries at Wirbladhs are tradition by now, and we really enjoy that. The tastiest treats are the ones you pick yourself!

Do you go to any of the visitors’ attractions in Kalmar?

– Yes, and Kalmar Castle with all its history has to be number one, we feel. It raises a lot of questions from the children, about everything from dungeons to cannons. The castle itself is really beautiful, too. And then there’s the view of the surrounding lands from the castle walls.

Are there any other hidden gems you would like to tell us about?

– One of our family favourites is Kanaberg. We come here with hard-wearing clothes, and a food thermos of hot dogs, and we go bouldering among the giant rocks. It’s a given success every time.

Five favourite walking spots according to Marie and Olof

1. Old town
2. The city wall at Kvarnholmen
   
3. Tjärhovspromenaden, going all the way to Lotsutkiken - The Pilot´s Lookout
4. The guest harbour
5. The area around the Kattrumpan bath

Five favourite cafés and restaurants

1. Kullzenska Caféet
2. Krusenstiernska gården
3. Johannas Choklad
4. Kött och bar
5. Slipkajen
   

• Beaches
• Cafés
• Restaurants
  
• Farm shops
• Attractions