Holiday apartment in Mönsterås: Archipelago coast, hiking trails and culture

The municipality of Mönsterås is located on the Kalmarsund and combines an archipelago coast with river landscapes around the Emån and Alsterån rivers. The Mönsterås archipelago includes grazed islands and ancient cultural landscapes. This brings coastal areas, rivers and historically shaped landscapes together within a compact thematic area.

Hiking and nature

The Mönsteråsleden is just over 80 kilometres long and runs through the entire municipality of Mönsterås. In the north, it connects to the Ostkustleden, and in the southwest to the Högsbyleden. Along the trail, there are several wind shelters and fire pits, as well as a public overnight shelter by Lake Norregöl. No reservation is required for this shelter.

Oknö is an island in the Kalmarsund connected by road. The Oknöleden, also known as Östersjöspåret, is an eleven-kilometre hiking trail along the water. On Oknö, well-trodden paths run along the sea; there are good opportunities for swimming, fishing and birdwatching.

Jungnerholmarna is a recreational area surrounded by the Emån River and of high natural value. The area has hiking trails with cultural and natural information along the route. There are also barbecue areas, a bathing area and green spaces for recreation and play.

Lövö Nature Reserve combines a well-preserved archipelago village with a historic cultural landscape of fields, pastureland and flower-rich coastal meadows by the sea. There are several hiking trails in the south; because of the grazing, crossings there take the form of cattle grids. The reserve also offers opportunities for swimming, for example at the ford between the mainland and Brönnsö.

At Kronobäck, the wetland circular trail begins at the monastery ruins. It forms a loop of approximately 2.4 kilometres and is signposted with red-marked posts. The wetland at Kronobäck is known as Sweden’s first “pike factory” and serves as a spawning ground for thousands of pike in spring. It is used for birdwatching and is home to numerous white-tailed eagles and other birds of prey.

Culture and history

At Kronobäck are the ruins of a monastery church built by the Order of St. John at the end of the 15th century. At the time, it was the largest structure of its kind in the Nordic region.

Modéerska huset is a listed merchant’s house from the 18th century and the oldest wooden house in Mönsterås. Unique objects made by craftspeople from the municipality of Mönsterås are displayed there. Various exhibitions take place during the summer months.

Pataholm was an important trading centre. The area around the market square is today almost unchanged from the 19th century. Strömsrum is an estate with origins in the Middle Ages; the present main building was constructed in the 18th century.

Gabriel’s tiled stoves are handcrafted in Timmernabben. The factory has been located at the same site since it was founded in 1925.

Activities on the water and on land

In Långehäll outside Blomstermåla, there are marked mountain biking trails, a bike park and a loop trail. The activity park at the harbour in Mönsterås offers opportunities for parkour, skateboarding, inline skating and BMX.

The guest harbours of Mönsterås offer visiting boaters overnight berths and a starting point for excursions on land. In the municipality of Mönsterås, there are good opportunities for fishing along the coast, in lakes and in flowing waters.

More local pages

Blomstermåla, Fliseryd, Mönsterås, Timmernabben, Ålem

More destination pages: Västervik, Torsås, Borgholm

To the higher-level travel overview: Kalmar.