Blekinge is the garden of Sweden where a wild archipelago of a thousand islands meets the deep shade of ancient oak forests. You are entering a landscape shaped by granite and sea foam that feels like a hidden world tucked away in the south. This is the ultimate terrain to park near the rocky shoreline and hop on a local ferry to explore the sun bleached fishing villages. You can navigate the winding coastal roads to find secret swimming coves or watch the salmon jump in the rushing waters of the Mörrum river.
The view from the naval heights of Karlskrona shows a city of grand stone plazas and baroque churches built across an entire island chain. From here you can follow the shoreline to find the colorful wooden cottages of Ronneby or the quiet harbors where the local fleet brings in the daily catch. The route east takes you past the massive stone fortresses that once guarded the Swedish empire from the open sea. The small town squares are filled with local smokehouses selling fresh fish and honey from the forest beehives.
The Eriksberg nature reserve provides a chance to see bison and red deer roaming through the largest safari park in the Nordic region. Exploring the coastal tracks reveals hidden ruins from the days when this land was the border between warring kingdoms. Life in Blekinge is about the balance of salty maritime history and the quiet calm of the woodland trails. Leave the busy main roads behind and follow the blue horizon because this province is a masterpiece of islands and emerald greens.
Blekinge highlights
- Eriksberg Nature Reserve Enter the largest safari park in Scandinavia to see bison and red deer roaming free in the wild. The route through the park offers incredible views of the rocky coast and the chance to spot majestic sea eagles.
- Mörrum River Salmon Center Visit the world famous fishing spot where the rushing water is home to some of the largest salmon on the planet. You can walk the forest trails along the river bank to watch anglers in action or visit the local fish museum.
- Karlskrona Naval Museum Explore a world class collection of figureheads and a real cold war submarine inside this striking building on the water. The museum sits on a historic pier and tells the story of the massive naval base.
- Ronneby Brunnspark Stroll through this award winning garden where historic spa buildings sit among exotic plants and rolling green lawns. It is the perfect place to stretch your legs and enjoy the classic wooden architecture of the old wellness resort.
- Aspö Island Ferry Take the free car ferry from Karlskrona to reach this peaceful island where the massive Drottningskär Citadel guards the harbor entrance. The island is flat and easy to navigate with small beaches and quiet roads for a perfect afternoon escape.
- Tjärö Island Oasis Take a short boat ride to this idyllic island filled with red wooden houses and grazing cows. The rocky cliffs and blue water are ideal for a swim or a picnic in a landscape that looks like a Swedish postcard.
- Hananäs Coastal Trail Discover this hidden gem where the forest meets the sea along a rugged path perfect for a quiet hike. The area is famous for its ancient oak trees and the small stone ruins left behind by farmers from centuries ago.
- Kristianopel Village Visit this historic border town to see the old city walls and the charming rose covered cottages that line the quiet streets. It was once a vital Danish fortress and now serves as a peaceful harbor with a popular local campsite.
- Sölvesborg Bridge Walk across one of the longest pedestrian bridges in Europe which glows with colorful lights after the sun goes down. The bridge connects the old town center to a modern golf course and offers great views of the shallow bay.
- Karlshamn Cultural Quarter Explore the old merchant houses and the original punch factory in this coastal town to see how the wealthy lived in the 1800s. The nearby harbor is the departure point for the boats heading out to the beautiful Kastellet fortress island.
The local Four
History of Blekinge
Blekinge spent over five hundred years as the eastern frontier of the Danish Kingdom where thick forests and rocky shores acted as a natural shield. You can still see the scars of this era in the old stone ruins of Kristianopel where Danish kings built massive walls to keep the Swedish armies at bay. This was a land of fierce woodsmen and coastal traders who lived on the edge of two warring empires.
The turning point came in 1658 when the Treaty of Roskilde handed the province to Sweden forever. King Karl XI saw the strategic genius of the deep natural harbors and the thousand islands of the archipelago. He moved the entire Swedish naval fleet here and built the city of Karlskrona from scratch on a cluster of granite rocks. This massive project turned a quiet fishing coast into a global naval powerhouse filled with baroque squares and heavy stone docks that are still used today.
As the smoke of the naval wars cleared Blekinge transformed into the "Garden of Sweden". The industrial age brought master stonecutters who carved the local granite for monuments across Europe while the salmon trade turned small river towns into wealthy hubs. You are driving through a province where the grand naval legacy of the coast meets the peaceful green of the ancient oak woods. It is a place where the history of two nations is etched into every harbor wall and forest path.