19 Photos That Show the Solitude of Öland
Öland is the second largest island in Sweden and also home to the smallest province. Located off the southeast coast of Sweden, it is full of winding, narrow roads that lead to farms and small villages. The population is a mix of locals and people who own second homes here, including the Swedish Royal Family – in fact, the royals traditionally celebrate mid-summer in their home close to Borgholm Castle.
Öland by the sea
This is Öland in a nutshell: the sea, the farm, the windmill.
Ottenby Bird Station
Lonely roads
One of the many winding, narrow roads that snake through Öland.
Beach life
Like any island, Öland has a lot of beaches, but don’t mistake them for the Miami or Riviera kind. Instead, most are quiet, secluded, and have no bars or restaurants, although you might come across the occasional ice cream stand.
Stunning fields
Fields surrounded by traditional stone fences are around every corner, often dotted with grazing animals.
More fields
Clouds sweep across the many fields quite quickly, pushed by the strong winds from the sea.
Famous windmills
Öland is famous for its windmills. They are wooden and made in the traditional Swedish style that reflects the farming heritage of the island.
Around every corner…
Some windmills are just for show and some are still in use. This one is very old and has become a tourist attraction.
Viking burial ground
There’s an old Viking burial ground in the village of Gettlinge, on the southern tip of Öland. This place is brimming with the island’s long history, which dates back to 96 AD.
Fertile farmland
Öland has a strong farming tradition, and many villages are populated by generations of the same farming families.
Serenity at sunset
A solo swan makes its way across the gentle sea as the sun comes down.
Making hay
Harvest time is an important time of the year here. Crops are gathered and fields prepared for the coming spring.
Twilight
As the sun moves across the sky, it plays on the water that surrounds Öland, creating picture-perfect moments.
Peaceful afternoons
Late afternoon is the time for exploring and hanging out, just after leaving the beach.
Stormy seas
The sea is often quiet on Öland, but when there’s a storm, the waters rage.
Forest walks
The forests are perfect for quiet walks and foraging for berries and mushrooms.
Remote north
The northern end of Öland is even more remote, wild and secluded, with houses grouped in tiny villages and wide, open spaces in between.
Biking
Öland attracts bikers from all over who are drawn to the relatively flat surfaces stretching across long distances. That said, biking to a store for merely some milk can take an hour or more.
The end of another beautiful day…
With its slow-moving lifestyle and sense of solitude, Öland has the kind of subtle charm that you don’t even notice – until one day you say to yourself, “I need a trip to Öland.” Once there, you end up never wanting to leave.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
