Öland

The two largest Baltic Sea islands Öland and [[REGION-21]] – know as “the islands of sun and wind” – are traditional summer destinations for a lot of Swedes, including the Royal Family. Kilometre-long sandy beaches and a mix of rocky steppes, flower meadows and lakes form a unique regional landscape. Characteristic windmills and ‘raukar’ eroded limestone rock formations are an enticing sight for Swedish surfers. Öland and particularly Gotland are considered very mild, but spring is still quite fresh here so the early-season March storms often blow through unridden. Temperatures begin to climb from April onwards, until in May and June Öland’s west coast enjoys a reliable sea-breeze between the island and mainland at Kalmarsund. It‘s no accident that Sweden‘s biggest windsurfing club is here in Haga (kiters meet in Sandbergen, 1km south). This region also plays host to the Nordic and Swedish Skiing Championships. But back to the windsports – July and August are a little less reliable, yet in exchange there’s plenty more sun. Autumnal storms bless both islands equally with wind and, of course, decent waves. Most notably the small island of Fårö, north of Gotland, has a real “North Shore” on offer – an absolute must for waveheads. What’s more, the little ferry from Gotland is free! The islands are well-known for their lively summer parties: on Öland, most of the action is in Borgholm, north of Haga Park, where you’ll also find one of the island’s few alcohol shops. On Gotland, it’s a non-stop party behind the 13th century city wall of the formerly Hanseatic town of Visby.