Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: October 2026 | Öland's southern tip offers a landscape that almost feels exotic, with open spaces and animals roaming freely across the roads. Here also stands the Långe Jan lighthouse, which is Sweden's tallest lighthouse and one of the country's oldest lighthouses.
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The southern tip of Öland
The landscape in this part of Öland made a big impression on us. The nature is so barren, and the animals roam freely across the vast expanses. Also the large lighthouse at the farthest point towards the sea.
As an exotic safari on the southern tip of Öland.
When we left the main road and turned down towards Öland's southernmost tip, the landscape changed. Almost like a safari in the Serengeti, or some other African savannah, we thought. Low trees stand scattered across the open fields and cows and sheep graze in large herds.
The animals may not be exotic, but they do roam freely, crossing the road whenever they feel like it. You get to crawl along the road at a slow speed and somehow it all feels... exotic.
Nature reserve and birdwatchers' paradise
On the southern tip of Öland, the Ottenby nature reserve is home to both harbour seals and one of Sweden's best birding locations. We don't know much about birding ourselves, but our birding friends have been here to watch birds. They have told us that birdwatchers from all over the world usually gather here.
Bird research has been conducted at the site since the 1940s. Our friends have told us that you can see, among other things, the common tern, the great horned owl, the great shearwater and the sandpiper here.
Once they saw a black-legged sandpiper, which is extremely rare today, and which created a commotion when all the birdwatchers simultaneously left their cars with their binoculars in high gear...
Church Harbour and St John's Chapel
In the Middle Ages there were large quantities of herring off the southern tip of Öland and a fishing village developed, which was named Kyrkhamn. There was lively market trade here in the past, and there are some traces in the form of pits and house foundations. You can also see traces of the St John's chapel that existed here in the Middle Ages.
The Långe Jan lighthouse on the southern tip of Öland.
The Långe Jan lighthouse was first lit in 1785, making it one of Sweden's oldest lighthouses. The name comes from the old chapel. When the chapel was demolished, the stones were used to build the lighthouse.
The lighthouse is 41.6 meters high, making it Sweden's tallest lighthouse. Since 2008, the lighthouse has been a national monument. The lighthouse is open to visitors during parts of the year and those who climb the 197 steps are rewarded with views of southern Öland and the sea. Check current opening hours before visiting.
It was extra fun to see the lighthouse because in our online shop we have trivets and coasters with the lighthouses Långe Jan and Långe Erik! Feel free to check out our products with lighthouses.
Fyrbyn and Naturum Ottenby
At the lighthouse there is a bookstore, a small lighthouse museum, a restaurant, Ottenby bird station and Naturum Ottenby. We visited Naturum which is really nice and interesting, with exhibitions about birds, among other things.
Peter also tried flying like a barn swallow, in the nature centre's "flight simulator". A bit of fun!
Our overnight stay with a campervan
After visiting the southern tip of Öland, we drove on to the Drottning Öda campsite, a few kilometers northeast of Ottenby. It suited us well and provided a good starting point for the next day's visit to Eketorp Castle.
Good to know about Öland's southern cape and Långe Jan
- Where is Öland's southern cape located? Öland's southern cape is located at Ottenby, the southernmost point on Öland, about fifty kilometers south of the Öland Bridge.
- Can you go up to Långe Jan? Yes, the lighthouse is open to visitors during parts of the year. There are 197 steps to the top, and current opening hours should be checked before visiting.
- What is there to do at Öland's southern tip? In addition to Långe Jan, there is Naturum Ottenby, Ottenby Bird Station, hiking opportunities, bird watching and good chances of seeing seals. There is also a restaurant at the lighthouse village.
- Does Naturum Ottenby cost anything? Admission to Naturum Ottenby is free. Check current opening hours before visiting.
See more in the neighbourhood
You might also like:
Getsvedjeberget – hike to the pulpit on the High Coast
Midsummer on Öland: Discover Sweden's sunny island
Näsets Marcusgård in Dalarna - a night in "Oddis Öga"
Packrafting on the Alster River - an adventure at Vidinge Gård, Småland
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Matts Torebring says:
Since 1974 we have visited Öland every year. The first 25 years by holidaying every year at Löttorps Camping. After that, no summer without a visit to Öland. Southern Öland we have discovered in recent years. It is like being in another country. I have probably thought many times, is this really Sweden? it is so different. You can really feel the wings of history, not least in Fornborgen. We have also parked at the Drottning Öda car park. Southern Öland cannot be driven around in a day, as we perhaps did the first few years. It takes time to discover, stop and experience.
27 June 2021 - 7:43
Helena says:
Surely it is like being in another country! Totally agree!!! And certainly there is a lot of history! Nice that you have also been to the ancient castle and Queen Öda!
28 June 2021 - 8:35
bmlarsreseblogg says:
The southern cape and Ottenby is one of our favourite places on Öland! Just as you write, it almost feels like the savannahs of Africa when you walk there. A few years ago we were there with the Fotoklubben and then we had a morning together with the director of Naturum, which meant that we got to come out to the seals' area, which you otherwise do not have access to. A couple of times we have been there when they collect and ring birds, also interesting.
We have stayed at the small campsite at Ottenby hostel on a couple of occasions.
27 June 2021 - 8:05
Helena says:
It became a favourite place for us too actually, so special and different. Great to be there with the photo club! And great tips on camping!
28 June 2021 - 8:36
Ama de casa says:
What wonderful pictures! It really is a beautiful and different landscape there on southern Öland.
I have actually climbed that lighthouse, but it was many years ago now. When I was younger, I don't think I even complained about the stairs 😉.
Have a great weekend!
27 June 2021 - 9:16
Helena says:
Good job with the lighthouse there! 🙂 Such stairs can take the must out of one, but then I will manage the vertigo at the top as well, haha. But certainly nice views!
28 June 2021 - 8:37
Lena - gott för själen says:
Have been to Öland a couple of times. I really liked the island. And I agree with you, the southern parts feel really exotic. Really special with the animals down there. Even the far north feels different.
Hug Lena
11 July 2021 - 8:24