'''Kalmar''' [http://www.kalmar.se/defaultInt.aspx?id=3675] is a city in the Smaland province of the Gotaland 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.
Get in
You can go here by train from Malmo, 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.
Get around
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.
See
'''Kalmar Castle''' (Kalmar Slott) [http://www.kalmarslott.kalmar.se/]
'''Kalmar County Museum''' (Kalmar lans museum) [http://www.kalmarlansmuseum.se/site/hem/eng/intro_english.asp]
'''The cathedral''' (Domkyrkan) dating back to 1660
'''Kalmar Art museum''' opens 2008 in a new, highly controversial building
'''Salve''' experience the middle ages, live!
Do
Kalmar is an interesting town in many ways. The town was established in 12th centry and the old city wall is still well preserved. The Kalmar Castle dates back to the year 1160 A.D and the tower of the castle was continuousely expanded in the 13th centry. Beside the castle, there is a very pieceful city park.
This town is connected to the island of Oland by a bridge, which used to be Europe's longest (6 km). Kalmar is about 45 minutes away (by car) from the Glass Kingdom (Glasriket) where the famous works of Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Nybro, Pukeberg, Maleras are located.
Kalmar has a football team, Kalmar FF, [http://www.kalmarff.se] that won the Swedish cup in 2007. They play in the highest division, the Allsvenskan. You can watch them play at Fredriksskans, one of Sweden's prettiest football stadiums.
Study
Kalmar has a university, Hogskolan i Kalmar. It is known for its courses in seafaring, teaching and economics (Baltic School of Economics).
Buy
The past couple of years many shopping malls and establishments have opened in Kalmar. The main shopping areas are
'''Billen'''. IKEA, CityGross and other large stores. By the E22.
'''Giraffen'''. ICA Maxi, Onoff, CoopForum and many other stores
'''Baronen'''. Close to the harbour. Many smaller shops and a movie theatre
the city centre has many small shops
In the museum Lansmuseet you can buy many Christmas articles, some made after designs by Jenny Nystrom, a famous swedish artist born in Kalmar.
Eat
'''Thai Silk Palace''', Fiskaregatan 8
'''Kama Sushi''', Vastra Sjogatan 13
'''Helen & Jorgens''' Larmtorget, voted by many as the best in town
'''Calmar Hamnkrog''' the restaurant with the best location in town, on the water!
'''Larmgatan 10''', Larmgatan 10, combination of Asian and European cuisine
Drink
Coffeeshops
'''Krusentiernska garden''' A wonderful coffeeshop in a beautiful garden setting
'''Kullzenska cafeet''' Wonderful small coffeeshop in an old building in the centre
Sleep
'''Calmar Stadshotell''' [http://www.profilhotels.se/eng/hotel/calmar/index.php?hotel=8], Stortorget 14 - classy and centrally located
'''Hotel Packhuset''' on the harbour
'''Hotel Witt'''
'''Brofastet Hotell & Konferens'''
'''Lagpris Hotell och vandrarhem Svanen'''
'''Frimurarehotellet'''
Contact
'''Cafe Dream''' [http://www.cafedream.se/] (Vastra Sjogatan 17) is an Internet cafe. 30 SEK for 30 minutes.
Get out
Kalmar suits very well as the starting point, if you want to experience the Swedish east cost. Swebusexpress runs between Kalmar and Karlskrona regularly and the cost of this bus trip is low. It is also possible to travel to an other elegant and relaxing Summar resort in the eas cost, Vastervik.
The local buss goes to Borgholm in Oland island and it take approximately one hour.