The story of Öland - cycling through the millennia
Overview
Trip overview
Type
Self-guided
Difficulty
Intermediate
Accommodation
5 nights
Cycling
160 km
This is a self-guided intermediate-level cycling holiday. The cycling takes place on both asphalt and gravel in a relatively safe traffic environment. e-bike and luggage delivery is available.
Book with Sweden by Bike
Why book with us
No extra fees - you pay the organizer's price
Accident insurance for everyone registered in the booking
Free 1-year membership (value 299 kr)
20% discount in our webshop (single-use coupon)
Personal support throughout your booking
Do you have questions about this cycling holiday? Email us.
Photos
Photos from the trip
Enjoy freshly baked buns at Café Söderbönor in Mörbylånga.
You cycle on the old railway embankment across the Great Alvar.
Karlevistenen is considered one of Sweden's most remarkable rune stones.
Practical Info
Before you book
Accommodation
Hotel
Stadshotellet, Kalmar
Hotel Magasin 1, Mörbylånga
Gammalsbygårdens Gästgiveri, Degerhamn
Gammalsbygårdens Gästgiveri, Degerhamn
Hotel Skansen, Färjestaden
Season
1 May - 30 Sep
Type of cycling
Leisure
Surface
Asphalt and Gravel
The cycling takes place in a relatively safe traffic environment and that it is fine for adults to cycle along the route.
Gourmet
Let the flavors take center stage - enjoy local delicacies, selected ingredients and culinary experiences along your cycling journey.
Culture
Explore art, historical sites and local traditions - a perfect mix of cycling and cultural experiences.
Romantic
Escape the daily grind and make memories together - romantic cycling packages with cozy accommodation and beautiful surroundings.
We speak
English, Swedish and German
Öland is one of the large islands in the Baltic Sea known for its special nature, rich bird life, lots of sun and full of historical imprints, especially from the Iron Age. From May 1 to September 25, we invite you to a unique cycling experience in the World Heritage Site of Southern Öland's cultivated landscape with some of Öland's most historically interesting places.
You cycle through a more than 2000-year-old cultural and agricultural landscape and always have a view of either the sea or the large Alvaret, known for its unique flora. On the way, you visit burial grounds and ancient castles from Öland's golden age - the Iron Age and take part in an exclusive guided tour of Sandby Castle, which was subjected to a brutal massacre about 1,500 years ago. This is a 6-day cycling package on southern Öland with good bikes, food and accommodation at some of southern Öland's best hotels and in the Hanseatic city of Kalmar.
The bike ride is mostly on paved bike paths and country roads. A total of 10 km is on gravel roads. The cycling takes place in a quiet traffic environment, but you can expect to share the road with tractors, motorhomes, cows and sheep.
Included
One night at Stadshotellet in Kalmar (part in double room)
One night at Hotel Magasin 1 (sharing a double room)
Two nights at Gammalsbygårdens Gästgiveri (part in double room)
One night at Hotel Skansen (sharing a double room)
5 x breakfast
4 x packed lunch (picked from the breakfast buffet)
5 x three-course dinners (excluding drinks)
Introduction to the history of southern Öland and exciting places to visit along the way
Exclusive guided tour at Sandby Borg
Luggage transport between hotels
Rent a bike for four days. Choose between electric, touring, tandem or 3-speed standard bike
Bicycle helmet, bicycle bag, small coffee thermos, small cooler bag with cooling clamp
Assistance if something unexpected happens to you or your bike.
Digital cycling map (gpx file)
Add-on Extras
Extra nights, the package is easily supplemented with one or two days
Single room supplement: SEK 3 000
Day 1 - Arrival in the old Hanseatic city of Kalmar
Stadshotellet, Kalmar
Dinner
The package starts with a three-course dinner and overnight stay in the historically interesting city of Kalmar, which in the Middle Ages was part of the Hanseatic League before the formation of the Kalmar Union.
Here you can visit the well-preserved castle that had its heyday under King Gustav Vasa and stroll around the 17th-century city center, which is still partly surrounded by a ring wall. The next day the journey continues to Öland via either the Öland Bridge or the Dessi bicycle ferry.
Day 2 - Arrival to Öland and Mörbylånga
Hotel Magasin 1, Mörbylånga
Dinner
Arrive at Hotell Magasin1 in Mörbylånga with check-in from 14:00. If you arrive early, you can explore Mörbylånga's charming neighborhood, take a swim or enjoy freshly baked buns and cakes at Café Söderbönor. You can also soften your body for tomorrow's bike ride in the hotel's newly built relaxation area with sauna, seating areas for resting and outdoor hot tub. This can be booked at the reception or pre-registered.
At 18.30 you will get an introduction to the history of Öland at Ölands Cykeluthyrning, which is right next to the hotel. After that, you will receive your bikes, which are customized according to your wishes. The evening ends with a three-course dinner with local ingredients at Magasin1, while you enjoy the sunset over Kalmarsund.
Day 3 - Historic castles, burial grounds and the vast landscape of Stora Alvaret
Gammalsbygårdens Gästgiveri, Degerhamn
Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
30-40 km
Gettlinge burial ground, which is one of the largest on Öland.
After breakfast, you start the bike ride south, either along the beautiful coastal roads or up on the edge of the castle. Here you have the opportunity to visit Bårby Borg and Gettlinge grave field, one of Öland's largest. During this stage, you can also stop at the Eckelsudde bird and seal sanctuary, where you have a good chance of seeing a seal colony. After cycling 20-30 km, you turn east and travel across the vast, open Alvaret. Just before you reach the eastern side, you can make a detour to Treby Castle, which is currently under excavation.
After today's adventure, a new three-course dinner and comfortable beds await at the picturesque Gammalsbygårdens Gästgiveri. For those who are wine lovers, there is the opportunity to enjoy something good from the wine cellar, however, this is not included in the package.
Day 4 - Öland's southern cape, ancient castles from the Iron Age and Sweden's highest lighthouse
Gammalsbygårdens Gästgiveri, Degerhamn
Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
40-45 km
On day four, you'll explore around South Öland. Highlights include the famous Eketorps Borg, Sweden's only reconstructed ancient castle, the impressive Karl X Gustav's Wall and Öland's largest burial ground. At the magical Södra Udden, with its vast pastures for sheep, cows and deer, you'll find one of Europe's best birdwatching sites and Sweden's tallest lighthouse, Långe Jan.
South of Södra Möckleby, you can experience remnants of the town's 300-year-old stone industry era, including the ruins of an alum mill and several spectacular limestone quarries. Return to Gammalsbygården for another good night's sleep and a tasty dinner.
Day 5 - Nature shop, guided tour of Sandby Borg and the Iron Age village Gamla Skogsby
Hotel Skansen, Färjestaden
Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
50-60 km
Today you follow the east coast northwards, passing Naturbutiken in Stenåsa, which has Sweden's largest range of binoculars and other nature-related products. After 30 km you reach the famous Sandby Borg, the site of a brutal massacre some 1,500 years ago. Here you'll get an exclusive guided tour by a knowledgeable local guide and learn more about the fascinating history of the castle.
Then you turn west and cross Öland again, this time via winding small roads through Mittlandsskogen, one of Europe's largest continuous deciduous forests. At the edge of the forest you will find the Iron Age village Gamla Skogsby, which is under excavation and boasts a 55 meter long longhouse. The fifth night is spent at Hotell Skansen in Färjestaden, where you are also treated to a three-course dinner. An evening walk in the harbor overlooking the Öland Bridge at sunset is highly recommended.
Day 6 - Karlevi stone, Capellagården and "Sweden's most beautiful village street"
Breakfast and lunch to go
20-30 km
From Färjestaden to Mörbylånga there is an excellent cycle path for those who want to take the fastest route. On the way you can stop at one of Sweden's most famous rune stones, the Karlevi stone.
Alternatively, take the back roads through the beautiful Vickleby Nature Reserve and Beijershamn, which is known for its excellent birdlife. Vickleby, with its famous Capellagården craft school and "Sweden's most beautiful village street", is definitely worth a detour. At the latest at 18:30 you return the bike at the bike rental in Mörbylånga.
Morbylå steam, Öland
Map The story of Öland - cycling through the millennia
Travel
Getting Here
Kalmar is easily accessible by direct train from Copenhagen and Gothenburg and by Silverlinjen or Flixbuss from Stockholm. Bus 105 from Kalmar C goes once an hour to Mörbylånga bus station, which is right next to Hotel Magasin 1 and Öland's bike rental. For those who come by car, there is free parking outside the hotel and bike rental. The address is Järnvägsgatan 3, Mörbylånga.
Confirmation and invoice are sent directly from the local tour operator. No payment is made to Sweden by Bike.
Payment terms for this package:
- When booking, a deposit of 20 % is payable, no later than 48 hours after receiving the booking confirmation.
- The remainder of the cost is payable at least 30 days before departure.
- Both the deposit and the final sum are paid by card via a link sent by email.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Cancellation policy:
If canceled at least 48 hours before the date of arrival, you will be refunded 90 % of the amount paid.
In case of later cancellation, no refund will be made.
2 Ratings
★4.5
Overall impression ★4.5
Value for money ★4.5
Treatment and service ★5.0
Accommodation ★4.5
Dining experience ★4.0
Biking experience ★4.5
Stefan OlssonJuly 2025
★4.2
Very pleasant experience!
Barbro L.June 2025
★4.8
Good bikes, good service, welcoming staff. Useful tips along the way for sights to visit. Useful with GPS guidance on the bike routes.
Price & Booking
Book this trip
11 750SEK/pers (5 nights)
4.5 (2)
You will receive your booking confirmation from the organiser with final price and availability.
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Very pleasant experience!
Good bikes, good service, welcoming staff. Useful tips along the way for sights to visit. Useful with GPS guidance on the bike routes.