Kalmar

Kalmar is a city in the Småland province of the Götaland region of south-east Sweden with a population of 60,000 (2007). It is one of the oldest Swedish cities, dating back to the year 1027.

In more recent times, Kalmar has been an industrial city with Kalmar Mekaniska Verkstad making steam engines and large machinery. It has a university with over 9,000 students and a research facility for Telia Sonera.

You can go here by train from Malmö, or from Copenhagen Airport. Flying to Stockholm (Skavsta) is another option, and driving down the E22. Kalmar does have an airport with connections to Stockholm Arlanda. For boat lovers Kalmar has a beautiful harbour with good facilities for the visitor. Occasionally cruise ships stop at Kalmar.

You can walk to all interesting locations. The city centre is relatively small, with two main squares. On one you find the cathedral (Domkyrkan) and the other is called Larmtorget. From the second one, you can walk to the Baronen shopping centre. You can also rent canoes at the low cost hotel Svanen, and you can paddle your way around the centre, which is an island.