Walk along Kalmar's restored medieval ramparts for sweeping views over the water. Discover how these ancient defences once stood between the city and centuries of Danish invasion.

Explore one of Sweden's most impressive regional museums, home to thousands of artefacts recovered from the warship Kronan. Marvel at the dramatic story of Commander Creutz and the 800 men lost when the ship exploded and sank in 1676.

Stroll past Scandinavia's only remaining washhouse from the 1800s, a hidden gem that most visitors walk straight past. Step inside to experience a rare piece of everyday history that tells the story of Kalmar's working-class residents.

Admire Sweden's largest Baroque cathedral, an imposing landmark at the heart of Kvarnholmen. Discover the curious secret beneath its floor, 81 graves that most visitors never know are there.

Pass through the doors of this wonderfully old-fashioned tea and coffee shop, where time seems to have stood still. Enjoy browsing the extraordinary range of teas, coffees and treats in an atmosphere unlike any modern store.

Explore a charming historic café tucked inside a maze-like building with crooked floors and vintage furnishings. Enjoy a traditional Swedish fika surrounded by rooms that feel unchanged for generations.

Stroll through Kalmar's liveliest square, once the gathering point for soldiers answering the city's alarm bells. Enjoy the Vasabrunnen fountain, which tells the story of King Gustav Vasa, the father of modern Sweden.

Admire this striking tower built between 1879 and 1900, a proud reminder of Kalmar's Victorian-era ambition. Pass by the nearby Kreugerska House, birthplace of the infamous "Match King" Ivar Kreuger, which was once physically rolled through the streets to save it.

Stroll through this beautiful park and discover public art installations alongside the open pavilions of Kalmar Art Museum. Enjoy a peaceful approach to the castle with views across the water that have inspired visitors for centuries.

Marvel at one of Scandinavia's best-preserved medieval fortresses, dramatically transformed into a Renaissance palace in the 1600s. Explore its authentic royal chambers and listen out for the ghost of a lady said to still roam its towers.