Karlshamn

A naturally beautiful town, the southern Swedish city of Karlshamn on the Baltic Sea is the second largest city in Blekinge län, the smallest province in Sweden. During your holidays here, you’ll find friendly locals, exquisite arts and crafts, and most importantly, inner peace. 

On Ferryhopper, you can find useful information about must-see places and ferries to Karlshamn, and book your tickets online with no additional fees!

Majestic view of the Baltic sea coast covered in snow

Vacation in Karlshamn

A charming coastal town located in the western part of Blekinge at the river Mieån, the city of Karlshamn, meaning "The Port of the King", was built in the 7th century. 

With cozy cobbled streets, a cultural district and an archipelago closeby, Karlshamn is renowned for its beautiful nature. In fact, the city is known as the "Swedish Garden" and aims to maintain its admirably clean environment. 

Here, visitors will find ARK56, a network of trails for kayaking, hiking and cycling through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In addition, since the locals' way of life is heavily influenced by sports such as sailing, football and hockey, this is also a great escape for those who love exercising outdoors.

How to get to Karlshamn

You can easily travel to Karlshamn by car, train or ferry. The city can be reached by car via the E22 or highway 29. Malmö (westbound) is about 150 km away from Karlshamn and Kalmar (eastbound) about 140 km. 

You can also reach the town by train from major Swedish cities or from Copenhagen taking around 2.5 hours. The trains arrive at Karlshamns train station, which is located just east of the city center. 

To get there by ferry, there is a direct route from Klaipeda in Lithuania to Karlshamn. Find more information about ferry routes and schedules to Κarlshamn  below. 

Useful info: although Karlshamn doesn’t have an airport, the nearest one is located 30 km east of the city in Kallinge.

What to do in Karlshamn

An awesome place to start your sightseeing in Karlshamn is at its cultural quarter (northern part of town). Here you’ll find beautiful old merchants and warehouse buildings from the 18th century, as well as the city museum, the old punch factory, the tobacco factory, an art gallery, and Holländarhuset, the town’s oldest building.

Afterwards, it’s time to treat yourself! For the best souvenirs, head to the Glasgården in Mörrum for some beautiful art made of glass or enjoy Blekinge. 

If you’re into fishing, make sure to visit the Laxens hus Salmon House, located about 10 km northwest of Karlshamn. This is a paradise for every fisherman and you will also have the opportunity to visit the salmon museum. 

Alternatively, you can head for a walk to the Långasjönäs nature reserve or the Eriksberg Vilt- och Naturpark, one of the largest wildlife parks in Northern Europe. Another option is to head to Boön, a small island at the harbor entrance of Karlshamn, and follow its 3 km long cultural and historical hiking trail. 

If you’d rather stay in the city, there is a lovely seaside promenade in central Karlshamn. It is about 2 km long and starts by the statue of the emigrants, ending at Vägga fishing harbor.

Sightseeing in Karlshamn

From the moment you step off the boat, there are numerous sights to visit in Karlshamn that will keep you busy. From interactive museums to historical buildings, Karlshamn will definitely surprise you. 

Here you can find a list of the top sightseeing in Karlshamn:

• The Karlshamns Museum
• The Karlshamns Kastell (also known as the Citadel), a fortress island just outside the harbor
• The punch museum, situated in the art hall, a former warehouse
• The Fisherman’s Hut, one of city’s oldest buildings
• The Kreativum Science Centre, great for schools and families
• The Blekinge Sjöfartsmuseum, a small maritime museum located in the port area of Karlshamn
• The Skottsbergska Gården, one of the best preserved merchants houses in Sweden
• The Utvandrarmonumentet, the emigrants monument located at the beach promenade
• Stortorget, the historical and still regularly used marketplace in the center of Karlshamn
• The Carl Gusfaf church

Useful info: boat tours to the fortress island during pre and post season are free.

The historic Carl Gustaf church in Karlshamn

Nightlife in Karlshamn

Even though Karlshamn is a relatively small town, without any crazy parties, you will be able to find nice pubs with live music and modern nightclubs.

Karlshamn is also home to a few exciting festivals. If you happen to visit the city at the end of July, keep in mind that the Baltic Festival (Östersjöfestivalen), Southern Sweden’s most prominent festival, takes place here. Get ready for 4 fantastic days with lots of music, entertainment, cultural events, and food from all over the world.

Food in Karlshamn

Karlshamn is filled with fantastic seafood! Don't forget to check out the city's waterfront restaurants, which provide fantastic views and even better cuisine.

Here, you will also get the opportunity to taste traditional Swedish food such as meatballs, marinated herring and cinnamon buns. 

Tip: during your stay in Karlshamn, make sure to visit Gourmet Grön, the most famous restaurant in the city, renowned for its lavish afternoon buffet. It’s even suitable for budget travelers!

Useful information about Karlshamn

In most cases, travelers visiting Karlshamn spend only little time there before continuing their journey to either Kristianstad in the west or Kalmar in the north on the road to Stockholm. 

If you spend the night or more days in town, there are several accommodation options available, from hotels and luxury apartments to holiday homes perfect for families. You can also choose to stay at a campsite or in a cottage right by the sea or lakes.

In town, you will find various traveler amenities, such as supermarkets, ATMs, car rental agencies, and a hospital.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Karlshamn

Here are some useful contacts for your trip to Karlshamn:

• Blekinge Hospital: +46454731000
• Karlshamn police station: +46771141400
• Emergency service: +46454305100
• Tourist information center: +4645481203
• Karlshamn Municipality: +4645481000
• Karlshamn’s Taxi: +4645415065
• European emergency number: 112

Transportation in Karlshamn

Karlshamn is a small city that can be easily explored on foot or by bicycle. Bicycle trails that lead to or pass through Karlshamn are Sydostleden (Växjö-Simrishamn) and Banvallsleden (Halmstad-Karlshamn).

If you decide to arrive at Karlshamn by ferry, you can bring your own vehicle. Alternatively, you can rent one in the city. Long-term parking is available at the train station, Matvik and also in Svanevik, but only during summer.

When traveling outside the city, Karlshamn's public transportation is the best option. Regular buses depart from the city and taxis are also easily accessible. Lastly, to explore the archipelago, you can hop on taxi boats to the nearby islands with ease.

Ports in Karlshamn

Karlshamn Port borders the Baltic Sea and is one of Sweden's largest ports. Overlooking the Blekinge archipelago and surrounded by forest, this port is one of the most distinctive in the world, drawing an increasing number of visitors every year.

Taxis take 10 minutes to get from the port to the town center. The ferry terminal houses a customs office, ticketing office, waiting room, a café, and parking. Ferry passengers are usually transported by shuttle from the terminal to the ferry and vice versa.

Karlshamn ferry: schedules and tickets

You can easily travel to Karlshamn from Lithuania by ferry, thanks to the year-round connections of DFDS. The ferry route is direct and a convenient way to get to Sweden by ferry. Specifically:

• Klaipėda - Karlshamn ferry: catching a ferry from Klaipėda to Karlshman is possible throughout the year, with 1 daily departure. The estimated travel time is around 13.5 hours.

Useful info: note that the ferry from Klaipėda arrives at Stilleryd harbor, a few kilometers west of the city.

Magnificent sunset at Blekinge County

Where to book ferry tickets to Karlshamn online

You can find all about ferry routes from/to Karlshamn port in Sweden on Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries. Compare prices and timetables, and book ferry tickets to Karlshamn on Ferryhopper at no extra cost.