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    Karlskrona

    Sweden

    Karlskrona

    CityCultureNatureBeachFor Families

    Karlskrona was founded in 1680 as the main base for the Swedish fleet on islands in the Blekinge archipelago. Baroque churches, the large market square Stortorget, shipyard, and fortresses have been UNESCO World Heritage since 1998.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Sweden
    7. Blekinge
    9. Karlskrona
    Karlskrona was founded in 1680 as the main base for the Swedish fleet on islands in the Blekinge archipelago. Baroque churches, the large market square Stortorget, shipyard, and fortresses have been UNESCO World Heritage since 1998. To this day, the city is the seat of the Swedish Navy and a starting point for boat trips into the archipelago.

    Sights in Karlskrona

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Marinmuseum

    1Marinmuseum

    The state-run Naval Museum on Stumholmen island tells the story of the Swedish fleet. On display are ship models, a figurehead hall, since 2014 the Ubåtshallen featuring the submarine HMS Neptun and Sweden's first submarine HMS Hajen, as well as an underwater tunnel through which you can see wreckage from 18th-century ships on a clear day.
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    Fredrikskyrkan

    2Fredrikskyrkan

    The baroque main church on Stortorget, with its two towers, was designed by Nicodemus Tessin d. J. Construction began in 1720, it was consecrated in 1744, and the towers were only completed in 1758. Across the square stands the circular Trefaldighetskyrkan by the same architect.
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    Stortorget

    3Stortorget

    The wide marketplace at the highest point of Trossö island is the center of the baroque planned city and is one of Northern Europe's largest squares. Here stand Fredrikskyrkan, Trefaldighetskyrkan, and the Town Hall, all part of the World Heritage site.
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    Kungsholms Fort

    4Kungsholms Fort

    The late 17th-century fortress guards the entrance to Karlskrona and is a World Heritage site. It has been continuously militarily occupied since the 17th century, remains Navy property to this day, and is only accessible via guided tours.
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    City walks in Karlskrona

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Karlskrona: Stortorget, Björkholmen and Marinmuseum

    From Stortorget with Fredrikskyrkan and Trefaldighetskyrkan, you walk along Kungsgatan to Fisktorget and into the timber house district Björkholmen. Afterwards, the path leads you to the former naval island Stumholmen with the Marinmuseum and back to Hoglands park.

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    Stops (7)

    Restaurants & Cafes

    1

    Blomlöfs på Saltö

    Restaurant at Hotel Blomlöfs on Saltö Island, west of downtown and on the waterfront. A good choice for a meal with bay views.
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    2

    Restaurant Montmartre

    Popular restaurant on Ronnebygatan near Stortorget, known for pizza and an extensive evening menu.
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    3

    Antonio's

    Italian restaurant on Borgmästarekajen in the north of Trossö, directly by the water.
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    4

    Bún Vietnamese Street Food

    Small Vietnamese eatery on Kyrkogatan, just a few steps east of Stortorget.
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    Food and Drink in Karlskrona

    In Karlskrona, food comes from the Baltic Sea and its surroundings: fish from the archipelago and Blekinge's local cuisine.

    Strömming

    Fried Baltic herring, often breaded and served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries, is a lunch classic.

    Kroppkakor

    The potato dumplings with pork filling are Blekinge's most famous specialty and are eaten with melted butter and lingonberries.

    Smoked fish

    Smokehouses in the city and on the archipelago sell smoked salmon, herring, and mackerel, ideal for a waterside picnic.

    Marine City of the Baroque

    A City for the FleetAfter Blekinge was ceded to Sweden in 1658, the Swedish government planned to relocate the bulk of its fleet further south from the Stockholm area. In November 1679, Karl XI designated Trossö as the site, and in 1680, the city named after him received its municipal charter. The planned city, with its wide streets, squares, and sightlines, embodies Baroque ideals. The Fredrikskyrkan (consecrated 1744) and the Trefaldighetskyrkan on Stortorget are based on designs by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. The wooden Admiralitetskyrkan was consecrated in 1685, its timber sourced from Riga. In front of it stands a copy of the painted wooden figure Gubben Rosenbom, a collection box brought to life by Selma Lagerlöf in "Nils Holgersson"; the original is now in the church.World Heritage and NavyIn 1998, UNESCO inscribed Karlskrona onto the World Heritage List as an exceptionally well-preserved example of a planned European naval city. This includes, besides the Old Town, the shipyard, the fortresses of Kungsholms fort and Drottningskär at the bay's entrance, further fortifications on smaller islands, and the Kronmühle in Lyckeby. The navy continues to shape the city to this day; many areas are only accessible with a guided tour. The Marinmuseum on Stumholmen tells the history of the Swedish fleet with ship models, figureheads, and a submarine hall.

    Getting to and around Karlskrona

    The city center on Trossö is compact and can be easily explored on foot.Train: From Karlskrona C station, Öresundståg trains run via Ronneby, Karlshamn, and Kristianstad to Malmö and Copenhagen. A second route goes via Emmaboda to Växjö and Kalmar.Flight and Ferry: Ronneby Airport in Kallinge is located approximately 30 kilometers west, SAS flies to Stockholm-Arlanda. From Verkö ferry terminal, Stena Line sails to Gdynia in Poland in approximately ten hours.Bus: Blekingetrafiken operates city and regional buses; tickets are available in the Blekingetrafiken App.Boat: In summer, archipelago boats depart from Fisktorget to the islands of the archipelago. A car ferry goes to Aspö island, home to Drottningskär fortress.

    Accommodations in Karlskrona

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    Campgrounds in Karlskrona

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    Nearby

    Blekinge

    Blekinge

    Blekinge is Sweden's second-smallest province, on the Baltic Sea between Skåne and Småland. Deciduous forests extend to an archipelago coast with around 800 islands and skerries, protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its main town is the naval city of Karlskrona, whose port facilities are UNESCO World Heritage.
    Kalmar

    Kalmar

    Kalmar is located on the Baltic Sea coast of Småland, opposite the island of Öland. The Renaissance castle on the water, the baroque cathedral, and the Old Town on the island of Kvarnholmen make the city one of Southern Sweden's most important historical destinations. Via the Öland Bridge, you're on Öland in just a few minutes.
    Kosta

    Kosta

    Kosta is a small village in the forests of Småland and the historical heart of the Kingdom of Crystal. The glassworks has been active since 1742 and is Sweden's oldest continuously operating glassworks. You can watch the glassblowers at work, shop at the outlet, and observe elk and red deer in nearby wildlife parks.
    Glasriket (Glass Kingdom)

    Glasriket (Glass Kingdom)

    Glasriket, the Kingdom of Crystal, spans the municipalities of Lessebo, Uppvidinge, Nybro, and Emmaboda between Växjö and Kalmar. Today, around 14 glassworks still operate here, including Kosta Boda and Orrefors. In many, you can watch the glassblowers and shop directly from the factory.
    Växjö

    Växjö

    Växjö is the main town of the Kronoberg district and a university city in the heart of Småland, surrounded by lakes. In its compact center are the Cathedral, the Småland Museum with the Swedish Glass Museum, and the House of Emigrants. The city is considered a pioneer in municipal climate protection, and in 2018, it was the first Swedish city to receive the European Green Leaf Award. It's not far to the Kingdom of Crystal.

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