Holiday accommodation in Torsås – Discover nature, coast and culture

Örarevet gives Torsås a distinctive coastal landscape. The two-kilometre-long glacial ridge encompasses a small archipelago, extensive beach meadows, unusual juniper heaths, barren pebble beaches and a municipal sandy beach. Between these varied landscape forms, the coast is not a uniform strip but a diverse natural area with several characteristic faces.

Nature

Örarevet Nature Reserve is known for its rich birdlife; around 40 bird species are more or less permanent residents there. Strömby Nature Reserve offers a different focus, with older coniferous forest dominated by spruce. The oldest pine trees there are around 200 years old. Dead wood and the limited influence of modern forestry support a diverse range of animal and plant life, including many rare species.

In Örarevet Nature Reserve, a trail leads from the car park along the entire reef. There is a jetty, four picnic and barbecue areas, and sandy beaches; the first section has a gravel surface designed to provide improved accessibility. A canoe and kayak route runs along the coast between Bergkvara and Örarevet Nature Reserve, passing special seal areas and Djursvik.

The Ödet nature area complements the coastal and forest landscapes with walking trails and boardwalks through wetlands and oak forest. An observation tower is available for birdwatching, and there are also barbecue areas. The audio walk “Vattnets väsen” takes around 30 to 45 minutes and is suitable for children aged four and over.

Trails

The 144-kilometre Torsåsleden is designed as a continuous circular trail. Resting and overnight accommodation points are located along the route, so the hike can be started at various places. The Torsås section of the Kalmarsundsleden is around 25 kilometres long and is considered an easy coastal route from Kalmar to the border with Blekinge.

There are also well-developed routes for cycling tours. The approximately 100-kilometre Slöjdleden passes through forests and meadows, along stone walls and traditional fences, and connects the coast with the inland. The roughly 30-kilometre Dackeleden is both a hiking and cycling route and follows in the footsteps of freedom fighter Nils Dacke. The Torsås app allows visitors to take a journey through time along the way. Skeppeleden is divided into three stages: the short loop is 10 kilometres, the medium loop 15 kilometres and the long loop 28 kilometres; the long stage extends as far as Bröms.

In the centre of Torsås lies Slingan, a well over 1.3-kilometre-long, illuminated training loop with a woodchip surface. Next to it there is a larger gravel area, for example for football, as well as a boules court with seating.

Activities

The Sahara Aktivitetsområde in Torsås combines various sports and play facilities: the complex includes an athletics facility, tennis and padel courts, a beach volleyball court, a climbing wall, a friendship swing, and interactive play and exercise elements. Tennis and padel cannot be booked but are intended for spontaneous play. Kanaberg offers a nature-focused challenge. It features enormous boulders that have been there since the Ice Age, between which visitors can climb and crawl; there is also a small barbecue area.

At Tegubben, the offering includes a guided tour and a bookable experience at Tegubbens Lavendelträdgård.

Culture

The history of Torsås reaches back to the Middle Ages in the area around the church. The first church may have been a stave church built in the 12th century and was replaced by a stone church in the 13th century. The present stone church building was constructed between 1777 and 1780; walls from the medieval church were reused in the southwest.

Since the mid-19th century, handicrafts and handwork have been produced and sold in Torsås. Materials used include wood, birch bark, textiles, ceramics, wickerwork and metal; various sales outlets are part of this offering. At Kus’ krukmakeri, visitors can make pottery, create sculptures, fire ceramics and paint porcelain by prior appointment. Ceramics are also sold there.

In Bergkvara, Bergkvara Konsthall at Kulturmagasinet by the harbour presents exhibitions by professional artists. Bergkvara Sjöfartsmuseum is located in a hundred-year-old harbour warehouse. The museum includes an intact ship forge on nearby Dalaskär. The historical walk “I sjöfartens spår – Bergkvara” leads to various sites connected with Bergkvara’s maritime history; the Torsås app offers an informative audio guide for adults and older children.

At Olssonska Gården, visitors can take a journey through time with the help of the Torsås app. Along the way, they follow in the footsteps of the people who lived on the farm.

Water and food

Maritime experiences head out onto the water from Bergkvara. Sälsafari från Bergkvara starts at Bergkvara’s Small Boat Harbour and lasts around one and a half hours. The island with the Garpen lighthouse can be reached from Bergkvara’s Small Boat Harbour by boat Gustav in around 15 minutes.

For a break, Nature TRIBE has a tipi lunch café that is open all year round. It serves wood-fired pizza, including a vegetarian option and, on request, a vegan option.

The direct selection of destinations includes Gullabo, Söderåkra, Torsås and Bergkvara. Other destinations to discover are Nybro, Västervik, Mönsterås and Mörbylånga.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kalmar.