KarlshamnSweden · Ferry Destinations

All About Karlshamn

At first, Karlshamn comes across as an industrial harbor town with a business-savvy persona. Take some time to dig deeper though, and you’ll discover the city’s quirky side that it manages to hide oh-so-brilliantly. Initially known as Bodekull, this settlement in the southern part of Sweden first received city status in 1664, a few years after it came under Swedish rule. In 1666, the town’s name officially became Karlshamn, honoring King Karl, responsible for ordering the construction of a port here.

Over the following decades and centuries, Karlshamn grew and at one time was infamous for manufacturing tobacco, alcohol, and snuff. Today, though, the port is an exciting destination that attracts tourists looking for a quiet seaside getaway. When vacationing in this city of 14,000 inhabitants, you’ll come across friendly locals, exquisite arts and crafts, and most importantly, find a sense of inner peace.
 

Routes and Ferries to Karlshamn

Ideally, the most enjoyable and scenic route to Karlshamn is across the Baltic Sea. DFDS Seaways has boats traveling back and forth between Klaipėda in Lithuania and Sweden seven times a week. These top-of-the-line vessels have all modern-day amenities, restaurants, and you can even bring your car on the journey. The voyage takes 14 hours, and ferry tickets to Karlshamn are bookable through Ferryscanner all year around. Upon disembarking, buses and taxis stationed outside the terminal take passengers to the main town.

Since there is no airport in Karlshamn, the closest landing strip is in Ronneby, 35km from the city. However, the airport has flights mainly arriving from Stockholm. International travelers prefer to land in Copenhagen or Malmö. Both airports are roughly two hours away by car from Karlshamn. From Copenhagen, trains take 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach this Swedish port.
 

Port of Karlshamn

Karlshamns Hamn is amongst the largest ports in Sweden. A trading hub for forestry, its primary seafaring traffic consists of cargo vessels and container ships. The origins of the port lead us back to the 1600s. At the time, Karl X Gustav set his eyes upon Karlsham when in need of a harbor to develop export in the Baltic region. An ice-free port with naturally deep waters, Karlshamns Hamn has excellent rail and road connections that loop around the city, saving its residents from noise and air pollution.

The ferry terminal at the port is 10 minutes by taxi from the town center. Tourists with ferry tickets to Karlshamn will find the building to have a customs office, ticketing office, waiting area, a café, and parking. A shuttle typically transfers ferry passengers from the terminal to the boat and vice versa.
 

Best Beaches

Quaint little sandy seafronts, nestled between the refreshing sea and lush natural spaces, beaches in Karlshamn make for amusing and relaxing escapes for the whole family to enjoy.

Långasjöns Badplats

Långasjöns Badplats is a lakeside bathing spot, 20km north of Karlshamn. Located near a camping ground, the sandy beach is perfect for families and sunseekers who like to remain active throughout the day. From canoeing and fishing in the lake to hiking, taking a sauna, or playing games at the nearby sports ground, there is plenty to do here. Crowded during the summers, the beach has open and shaded areas to lounge, shallow calm waters, jetties, a kiosk, and restrooms.

Kolleviks Strand

Arguably the best beach in Karlshamn, Kolleviks is about 3.2km from the city. A walk or a bus ride to this coast takes half an hour. There is also a designated bike path from the town to the beach. Kolleviks is a clean and sandy cove with barbeque grills, jetties, WCs, changing rooms, and a restaurant at the next-door camping area. However, it is most famous for having Sweden’s first snorkeling trail. A free for all underwater route with markers, the trail teaches swimmers about the different aquatic life found off the coast of Blekinge.

Hällevik Beach

It will take you 30 minutes by car to reach the beach next to the village of Hällevik, located to the southwest of Karlshamn. Trains and buses take longer, close to 1 hour and 30 minutes. A shallow bay with still waters, the 300-meters-long sandy stretch attracts sunseekers of all ages. Besides parking and toilets, visitors also have access to a volleyball court and a jetty going 150 meters into the sea. Hällevik’s marina is a pleasant spot for walks, while the ice-cream stall by the beach is forever a hit for both children and adults.

Sternö Sandvik

Wide-open spaces all around, hills in the background to add a hint of theater, breathtaking views, and sunsets to remember, Sternö Sandvik is an idyllic location to spend a warm day in Karlshamn. Only a 10-minute drive from the center, this sandy beach comes with peaceful waters, grassy lawns, jetties, picnic tables, toilets, a play area, and a kiosk. The seaside is clean and very much kid-friendly. The water, though, can be a little cold, especially up until noon.

Eriksbergs Stränder

About 12km east of the city, Eriksbergs is a nature reserve with a couple of beaches. Besides the attraction of being close to the sea, you get to observe deer, bison, wild boar, and other animals living in enclosed zones. Hiking trails from the reserve lead enthusiastic adventurers to rustic rocky beaches with next to no facilities. However, the paths are a little demanding and not meant for beginners. You’ll find barbeque areas along the way, and there is the possibility to go kayaking into the sea from the shoreline.
 

Places to Visit

From the time you step off the boat, having used your ferry tickets to Karlshamn, stimulating cultural attractions aplenty await your participation. A city of many faces, Karlshamn will surprise you with its culinary feats, interactive museums, awe-inspiring sights, and festivals that showcase the fun side of Swedish life.

Karlshamns Museum

Karlshamns Museum incorporates the Karlshamn Cultural District, a neighborhood featuring vintage warehouses, gardens, and buildings like the oldest residence in the county, the Dutch House. Within the houses and century-old department stores are displays and exhibits that tell tales of the city’s vibrant history. When roaming around the neighborhood, don’t forget to check out the replica of an old distillery where you can taste the famous Carlshamn Punch. The museum is open on all days except Monday during the summer months. For the rest of the year, it opens only on weekdays. Entry into all three sections of the museum costs €5.

Kreativum Science Center

A must-visit excursion with kids, Kreativum is an interactive playground where children can have fun and learn about science. About 3km from the central train station, the science center has different sections focusing on space, human beings, and nature. Also on display here are 11 life-size dinosaurs. Kreapark is the outdoor experimental area of the center where one can go fossil hunting and study the laws of physics in a hands-on manner. Daytime adult tickets at Kreativum cost €18.

ARK56

ARK56 is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that welcomes you on an extraordinary adventure amidst the environmental beauty of the Blekinge Archipelago. Several trails meander through this region that visitors can explore on foot, by bike, or by boat and kayak. The ARK56 app guides hikers to the 13 main hubs on the routes, and to facilities like restaurants, barbeque areas, and toilets, along the way.

Baltic Festival

Southern Sweden’s most prominent festival takes place from Wednesday to Saturday during Week 29 of every year. The Baltic Festival is a series of mostly free concerts and happenings that attract music lovers, gourmands, and cultural aficionados from around the globe. The festivities start with a paid show in the town square and then trickle off to different venues around the city. Other events expected at Östersjöfestivalen are farmer’s markets, exhibitions, art installations, and parades.

Gourmet Grön

Gourmet Grön is the most famous restaurant in Karlshamn, known for its lavish afternoon buffet. Serving delicious food since 1992, the restaurant has received many accolades from the Academy of Gastronomy. The extensive buffet has hot and cold dishes as well as vegan and vegetarian options. Gourmet Grön’s waterfront location further adds to its appeal. Perfect for budget travelers, a tummy-filling meal here will come to around €10. The restaurant, however, does not accept cash payments.
 

Transportation Around Karlshamn

Places of interest in Karlshamn are close to each other and the city center. You can easily cover them on foot or rent a bicycle for that extra bit of freedom. Arriving with ferry tickets to Karlshamn permits you to bring your own car. Otherwise, you can rent one, provided the plan is to travel around the region and visit different towns. Paid parking in the city is not an issue.

Public transport in Karlshamn is best for when you wish to travel outside the city. There are regular buses leaving town, or else taxis are readily available. In summers, local ferries take passengers around the archipelago on day tours. Tourist season is also when you can hire a boat taxi for point-to-point travel between some islands.