Blekinge: Archipelago, Nature and Cultural Heritage

Blekinge is Sweden’s southernmost archipelago region; the archipelago comprises around 2,875 islands. Coastal towns, islands, beech forests and nature experiences are all close at hand. This means your trip can focus on a variety of things: maritime history, trails by the water or time spent in nature reserves.

Islands and Trails

The archipelago ferry service connects coastal towns with the islands of Tärnö, Tjärö, Hasslö, Sturkö and Trummenäs. From Nogersund, one island can be reached in 25 minutes. Timetables can change, so check the latest times before planning a connection. On Tjärö, experiences include hiking trails, swimming from the rocks and opportunities to go kayaking. The island has been considered a meeting place between people and the sea for around 3,000 years—a historical interpretation that adds a cultural perspective to its nature activities.

Trails on land also vary in length and character. The Blekingeleden is 270 kilometres long, divided into 15 stages, and passes through forests, by lakes and nature reserves, as well as through villages and cultural landscapes. Its length and number of stages can be adapted. The Eriksbergsleden, established in 2025, is an approximately 12-kilometre coastal hiking trail between Eriksberg Outdoor and Björnahemmet; route details may continue to evolve, so check the current route. For cycling, Banvallen offers another option: the fully car-free, paved route is 28 kilometres long and is particularly suitable for families. ARK56 connects parts of the coast and archipelago with routes for hiking, cycling, kayaking and boating. The hubs often bring together parking, public transport, accommodation, restaurants, information and a range of activities; what is available can vary by hub and season.

Nature Along the Trails

The Almö Nature Reserve has more than ten kilometres of trails close to the sea. The area is also home to the stag beetle, described as Europe’s largest insect. At the Halen recreation centre, nature and recreational areas meet valuable broadleaf forests. The area covers 809 hectares around Blekinge’s largest lake and offers hiking and riding trails, picnic areas, campsites and service stations. Trails and facilities may change.

In the Mörrumsåns övre dalgång Nature Reserve, an old railway embankment passes through a landscape of river, low-lying banks and wooded slopes strewn with boulders. Visitors can experience the varied landscapes along the embankment, which is now a popular walking and cycling trail. Laxens Hus in Mörrum offers another perspective on the Mörrumsån: the exhibition explores the life of salmon and the history of fishing, including recreational fishing in the river.

Maritime History and Cultural Heritage

Karlskrona was founded in 1680 to meet the need for a naval base in southern Sweden and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on 3 December 1998. Karlskrona Naval Port is the best-preserved and most complete of the surviving European naval towns. The Galjonshallen at the Naval Museum displays thirteen large figureheads from ships in the Swedish Navy. Nordic clinker boat traditions are also part of the cultural picture: they were added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021 and continue to be regarded as living cultural heritage in Karlskrona.

In the sheltered Saxemaraviken bay lies Saxemara båtvarv, Blekinge’s only active wooden boatyard. Traditional boatbuilding has been part of the area’s history since 1927; wooden boats are still built, restored and maintained there using traditional craft knowledge. If you are considering a visit, check the latest visitor information in advance. Långören offers a different way to experience cultural heritage: the island is a living cultural heritage site, and visitors can walk among historic buildings and experience one of Blekinge’s best-preserved pilotage environments.

Parks and Visitor Attractions

Ronneby Brunnspark is a historic park in Ronneby, with 18th-century villas, peaceful ponds and flowering gardens. The park is home to Naturum Blekinge, a visitor centre for nature experiences, recreational activities and environmental knowledge. The programme may vary by season. The Blekinge Museum visitor site in Karlskrona includes a courtyard, a Baroque garden and the Grevagrundet playground, in addition to the museum.

If you are looking for a hotel in Blekinge, the reason for your trip can help you decide where to stay—for example, Karlskrona’s maritime cultural heritage, a walking or cycling route, or nature and island experiences. First decide which places are important to your stay, then use them to guide your further planning.

Discover more destinations: Karlshamn, Karlskrona, Trensum, Ronneby, Sölvesborg, Olofström; Södermanland, Halland.

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