Holiday apartment in Karlskrona: World Heritage and archipelago

Karlskrona combines maritime history with a diverse archipelago landscape. The city was founded in 1680, when Charles XI had a new naval base built there. The Naval Port of Karlskrona is an outstanding example of a planned European naval city from the late 17th century. Its original urban plan and many buildings have remained intact. The well-preserved architecture and urban plan led to Karlskrona being granted World Heritage status in 1998. Drottningskär Citadel on Aspö is also part of the Naval Port of Karlskrona World Heritage Site.

Museums

The Naval Museum is located on Stumholmen in the centre of Karlskrona. It is Sweden’s national museum for the history of Swedish naval defence from 1522 to the present day and offers more than 20 exhibitions spanning the period from the 16th century to the Cold War. In the submarine hall, visitors can enter the Cold War-era submarine Neptune. The Naval Museum can be reached on foot from Karlskrona Travel Center in about 20 minutes.

Another cultural attraction is the Blekinge Museum in Karlskrona, which presents various exhibitions about Blekinge County. This means that, alongside maritime history, a range of topics from Blekinge are also in focus.

Nature

Karlskrona Municipality encompasses a diverse natural mosaic of coastal islands and skerries, coastal meadows, juniper heaths, deciduous forests and, farther north, coniferous forests. The municipality includes an archipelago with 1,650 islands. Karlskrona also has 25 nature reserves protecting archipelago, agricultural, deciduous-forest and mixed-forest landscapes. For days by the water, there are 32 official bathing areas and hundreds of swimming coves.

Torhamns udde combines nature observation with a well-preserved, open cultural landscape. The area has been protected as a nature reserve since 1977 and is also a Natura 2000 site. Torhamns udde is a popular destination for birdwatching, especially during the spring and autumn migrations. There is a bird station and an accessible birdwatching tower. Numerous archaeological remains and a long cultural history are also part of this open landscape.

Things to do

Karlskrona’s municipal walking and hiking trails cover a total of 26 Swedish miles. Blekingeleden is the longest hiking trail offered by Karlskrona Municipality. Shorter and clearly defined is the marked Tjurkö Kulturstig: the 1.5-kilometre hiking trail passes historic and reconstructed buildings, the harbour and an old quarry.

Places and parks

Wämöparken is a combined cultural, nature and amusement park in Karlskrona. Visitors can stroll along Vilsestigen and visit the park’s cultural buildings. In Lyckeby, Barnens Gård offers animals, water play and large play areas for the whole family.

Skärva combines a historic manor with protected landscapes. Skärva Herrgård was built in 1785–86 as a summer residence for the shipyard admiral F. H. Chapman. This unusual architectural work of the 18th century combines local and vernacular building traditions with classical architecture. Skärva Nature Reserve includes species-rich noble deciduous forests, beaches, meadows, pastures, groves and marshes.

Culture

On Tjurkö, Skärgårdskraft konst & hantverksförening presents arts and crafts during the summer season. The offerings also include a stone-carving exhibition, antiques and curiosities, furniture, Karlskrona porcelain, a café and ice cream. The island’s seasonal cultural programme brings together craftsmanship, regional design and historical references.

Further places

Further local pages in this selection: Rödeby, Drottningskär, Fågelmara, Karlskrona, Kristianopel, Nävragöl, Torhamn, Tving, Ramdala, Holmsjö, Nättraby, Lyckeby, Jämjö, Sturkö, Hasslö, Ebbenäs. Then open the local page that interests you further.

To the higher-level travel overview: Blekinge.