Things to do in Karlskrona - 13 tips for the naval town

What to see and do in Karlskrona? Karlskrona is an archipelago idyll located on an island and surrounded by islands. This is really a lovely town for anyone who likes to be on the coast. The naval town of Karlskrona is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its military history.

Karlskrona

Karlskrona offers archipelago life, military history and beautiful nature. We visited the city in the summer, and it really is a perfect summer city!

Karlskrona is located in the centre of the Blekinge archipelago, about 9 miles southwest of Kalmar.

What can you do in Karlskrona?

What can you see and do in Karlskrona? All sorts of things actually! We have collected our best tips here in a list.

1. visit the Marine Museum

Marinmuseum in Karlskrona is a museum that tells the story of the Swedish Navy from 1522 to the present day. The museum is beautifully located on the island of Stumholmen and offers a modern and exciting museum experience.

There's a submarine hall with 110 years of submarine history, a wreck tunnel from which you can see a real shipwreck, and the 'sloop and bark shed' with the navy's small boats. There are also a number of museum ships outside the museum, which you are welcome to board.

2. Walk around Stumholmen.

The Marine Museum in Karlskrona is located on the island of Stumholmen. The museum is undoubtedly the main attraction here, but it's also nice to walk around the island, which is part of the World Heritage Site Örlogsstaden Karlskrona. For three hundred years, Stumholmen was a military base and closed to unauthorised persons. Today you can stroll around among military history memories, homes and beaches and of course the Karlskrona Upper Lighthouse.

3. Check out Trinity Church and Frederick's Church.

On Stortorget in Karlskrona are two beautiful and impressive churches. Both Trefaldighetskyrkan and Fredrikskyrkan are considered among the most important monuments of the classical Roman baroque period in Sweden, and both are part of the World Heritage Site Örlogsstaden Karlskrona. Both are also designed by Nicodemus Tessin the younger. The Trinity Church was completed in 1709.

Fredrikskyrkan was completed somewhat later and inaugurated in 1744. We experienced both churches as very beautiful, and almost slightly exotic in their architecture.

4. Indulging in ice cream at Glassiären

Right next to the two churches, also on Stortorget, you will find the ice cream parlour Glassiären. Several people told us about this place when we were visiting Karlskrona, and of course we couldn't resist the temptation. It is true that the ice creams at Glassiären are huge, and they are also very tasty. In addition, we found a lot of exciting flavours here. Don't miss out! And remember to plan a very light lunch that day...!

5. Donate to the Rosenbom, outside the Admiralty Church.

The Admiralty Church in Karlskrona is called Ulrica Pia after Queen Ulrika Eleonora the Elder. Outside the church, which is one of Sweden's largest wooden churches, stands the figure of 'Rosenbom', and if you lift your hat you can donate a coin. Rosenbom has stood here since at least the 18th century, although the figure has been replaced by a copy. However, the original is on display inside the church.

Not far from the Admiralty Church, in the Admiralty Park, stands the Admiralty Clock Tower. The clock was built in 1699 and was intended to make work at the shipyard more efficient by indicating the time for workers who did not have their own clock. From 1909 it began to be used for church ringing, for the Admiralty Church.

6. Experience Karlskrona's central islands: Björkholmen, Ekholmen, Saltö, Dragsö, Långö.

One thing you won't want to miss doing in Karlskrona is visiting all the central islands. You can walk or cycle from Björkholmen to Ekholmen, Saltö and Dragsö. Långö is another of the central islands. We cycled around here, and it was really charming!

7. See the idyllic Brändaholm - perhaps Sweden's most beautiful colony area

Brändaholm is perhaps the most photographed place in Karlskrona. This colonial cottage area is fantastically idyllic with its red cottages, which are scattered among rocks and greenery. Here you can snap your perfect Instagram picture!

8. Camping on Dragsö

Dragsö Camping and Stugby is located on the island of Dragsö in Karlskrona. We cycled here and discovered a fantastic holiday environment, with a lovely beach.

On Dragsö you will also find the Troll Forest. Besides the fact that this forest feels magical with all its curved trees, there are also a lot of trolls living here. We photographed some of them ...

On a headland on Dragsö, there is also a 'love tree' where you can seal your love, if you are afraid it will run away.

9. Take a bike ride to Aspö

Aspö is located just outside Karlskrona and is one of the islands in the Blekinge archipelago. You can get here by car ferry from Karlskrona and if you want you can take your bicycles with you. On the way you pass the fortress tower Godnatt.

The main attraction on the island is Drottningskär Castle, which features a well-preserved 17th century defence system. There is also the Aspö Pilot Tower, which is now a charming hotel and restaurant.

10. Learn about military history at the Old Naval Shipyard in Lindholmen.

The Old Naval Shipyard at Lindholmen is part of the Karlskrona World Heritage Site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 400 ships have been built and launched here over the years. Here are some places to discover on the island:

• Washing wheel was built in 1763 and made it possible to build warships with up to 70 guns. Here, shipyard workers worked on an assembly line, long before this technology was recognised by Henry Ford.
• The rope course is Sweden's longest wooden building, measuring 300 metres. Various types of rope for sailing warships were manufactured here until the early 1960s.
• Polhemus doll is a dry dock built in 1717-1724, the first of its kind in Sweden. The dock is named after the inventor Christoffer Polhem, who was responsible for its construction.

A visit to the Old Naval Shipyard was one of the things we wanted to do in Karlskrona, but the shipyard area is military and can only be visited with a guide. When we visited Karlskrona, there were no guided tours yet due to the pandemic, so you'll have to make do with a photo from another military building, the Bastion Aurora.

11. Stroll in Wämö Park

Wämöparken in Karlskrona is an outdoor park and a popular destination. Sometimes the park is called "Blekinge's Skansen" and that is of course how it can be described, albeit less. There are historical cottages and farmhouses, animals, a hiking trail and a coffee house. A cosy destination!

12. Visit the ruins of Lyckå Castle

Blekinge's older history is characterised by struggles between Danish and Swedish lords, and until the peace of Roskilde in 1658 Blekinge mainly belonged to Denmark. In 1545 the lord of Lyckå received a royal order to build a "permanent house". Burghers and farmers were commissioned to contribute, but despite this, the castle was not completed until the 1560s.

In 1564, during the Nordic Seven Years' War, Lyckå Castle was besieged by Swedish troops. The castle was looted and set on fire, but was soon rebuilt by the Danes. In 1600, when Lyckå lost its city rights in favour of Kristianopel, the county governor moved there and the castle was destroyed.

13. Experience Sturkö, Tjurkö and Kungsholm Fort.

Sturkö and Tjurkö are two islands that can be reached by car from the mainland. Here you can experience a really lovely archipelago environment.

From Tjurkö you can see Kungsholm Fort, which can sometimes be visited by guided tours. On Tjurkö there is also an industrial monument in the form of a quarry. During the late 19th century Tjurkö was the centre of large-scale quarrying in Blekinge. During this time there were many small private quarries, but on Tjurkö industrial activity started early.

More to do in Karlskrona for food, culture and history lovers

Want even more tips on things to do in Karlskrona? Here are some more suggestions for those who like culture and history.

• Albinsson & Sjöberg Car Museum showcases cars from the past and present.
• Cinderella Big game is a farm shop just outside Karlskrona, where you can find game meat, among other things.
• Goodnight fortification tower is a so-called core tower from 1857-63, which can be passed during various boat trips.
• Blekinge Museum offers historical experiences and various exhibitions. There is also a beautiful baroque garden.
• Karlskrona Porcelain Museum shows porcelain from the 1918-1968 production.

More things to do in Karlskrona for nature lovers

Do you prefer nature experiences? Here are some more tips on things to do in Karlskrona for you.

• ARK56 is a network of trails in the Blekinge Archipelago biosphere reserve. The trails can be followed by bike, on foot, by kayak or by boat and meet at 13 hubs where you can find services and change modes of transport.
• Blekingeleden is 27 kilometres long, divided into different stages.
• Boat trips there are many different ones to choose from. For example, there are archipelago boats, ferries and steam boat tours. For example, you can take the M/F Ljungskär from Fisktorget.
• Nature reserve there is plenty to do in Karlskrona and Blekinge. For example, look up "Blekinge Utflyktsguide" at a tourist office and you will find lots of tips.
• The cliff is Sweden's southeasternmost island group and a popular destination for people travelling by boat.

More to do in Karlskrona with children

Travelling with children? Here are some ideas on what to do in Karlskrona with children.

• Children's farm is located east of Karlskrona and offers a playground and water park.
• Boda village is a kind of adventure house with different challenges.
• Bus Factory Karlskrona offers playgrounds.
• Sunbathing and swimming can be done in many places. For example, there are sandy beaches on Stumholmen and Dragsö.

Where can you stay, camp or caravan?

There are of course many different accommodation options in Karlskrona. For example, you can stay at Dragsö camping or in the cosy Lotstornet on Aspö. If you are travelling with a motorhome, you can park at the "Karlskrona stadsmarina" site.

There are a large number of sites, many with electricity, within walking distance of the city centre. There are also services such as toilets, showers, rubbish collection and latrine emptying. When we were here, the price was 220 SEK/day and you could pay via app or vending machine.

Things to do in Karlskrona - more to see nearby

In the neighbourhood of Karlskrona, you can visit charming and historic sites. Kristianopel, the first Renaissance city in the Nordic region. It is also nice to discover beautiful Ronneby Brunnspark, where people once came to drink a well or take a health bath, and which is now a cultural reserve. We have also heard that it is interesting to visit the Eriksberg Safari Park. In addition, you can take a ferry from Karlskrona to Gdansk in Poland.

More to see and do in Karlskrona?

Have you visited Karlskrona? How was your experience? Do you have even more tips on what to see and do in Karlskrona?

Facts about Karlskrona

• Municipality: Karlskrona municipality
• County: Blekinge County
• Landscape: Blekinge
• District: Karlskrona city district, Augerum district, Lösens district
• Population: More than 66 000 (2021)
• The name: The city is named after its founder Charles XI.
• Read more: You can find more information at the city's Visit website.

History of Karlskrona

• 17th century: The island of Trossö, on which Karlskrona was built, was owned by farmer Vittus Andersson. On the mainland there was an older town, Lyckå, and a few kilometres away the Danes had started building the town of Kristianopel.
• 1658: Blekinge became Swedish.
• 1679: The farmer Vittus Andersson was forced to sell his property to the Swedish crown, which began planning to place large parts of the kingdom's fleet on Trossö.
• 168o: Karlskrona was granted town privileges. People moved here from Ronneby, which had lost its city privileges, and from Kristianopel, which was destroyed by the Swedes.
• 1682: Bridges were built, connecting the city centre with the mainland.
• End of the 17th century: The first town plan showed a pure fortress, but soon room was made for urbanisation. Karlskrona soon became the third largest city in the kingdom, after Riga and Stockholm.

18th to 19th century

• 1701-17011: The city was hit by the plague and around 7,000 people died.
• 1741 and 1789: New plagues hit the city and in total around 12,000 people died.
• 1790: Most of the city burned down, but was soon rebuilt.
• 1887 and 1909: The city suffered major fires.
• Late 19th century: Karlskrona gained several railway connections.