The largest Iron Age ring fort in Sweden, Gråborg was built as the Roman Empire was crumbling. Its impressively monumental walls measure 640m around, even though much of the stonework was plundered for later housing. After falling into disuse, the fort sprang back to life around 1200, when the adjacent St Knut’s chapel (now a ruin) was built. The Gråborg complex is about 8km east of Färjestaden; you need your own transport to get here.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
9.2 MILES
Fairy-tale turrets, a drawbridge, a foul dungeon and secret passages…Kalmar Slott has everything that a proper castle should. This dominant Renaissance…
14.97 MILES
Sweden’s most famous ‘summer house’, Solliden Palace, 2.5km south of Borgholm town centre, is still used by the Swedish royals. Its exceptional gardens…
14.73 MILES
Northern Europe’s largest ruined castle, Borgholms Slott looms just south of town. This epic limestone structure was burnt and abandoned early in the 18th…
25.09 MILES
If you can’t picture how the ring forts looked in their prime, take a trip to Eketorp. The site has been partly reconstructed to show typical fortified…
8.61 MILES
The highlight of this fine museum, in an old steam mill by the harbour, are finds from the 17th-century flagship Kronan. The ship exploded and sank just…
12.08 MILES
The biggest single monument amid the ancient grave fields of Mysinge and Gettlinge is Bronze Age tomb Mysinge hög, 4km east of Mörbylånga, from where…
8.3 MILES
The vast Ismantorp fortress, with the remains of 88 houses and nine mysterious gates, is deep in the woods, about 20km northeast of Ölands Djurpark. Drive…
27.74 MILES
No one has counted, apparently, but there are probably upwards of 35,000 objects on display at this fascinating ethnological museum housed in the former…
Nearby Southeastern Sweden attractions
4.48 MILES
A zoo, amusement park and water park combined. Free admission for children under 1m.
8.3 MILES
The vast Ismantorp fortress, with the remains of 88 houses and nine mysterious gates, is deep in the woods, about 20km northeast of Ölands Djurpark. Drive…
8.58 MILES
Ah-har, me hearties! Salty sea dogs should line up for this eccentric collection of seafaring memorabilia, with bottled ships, foghorns and all sorts of…
8.61 MILES
The highlight of this fine museum, in an old steam mill by the harbour, are finds from the 17th-century flagship Kronan. The ship exploded and sank just…
8.81 MILES
Home to a spectacular pulpit, the baroque Domkyrkan was designed by Tessin, King Karl X Gustav’s favourite architect.
9.2 MILES
Fairy-tale turrets, a drawbridge, a foul dungeon and secret passages…Kalmar Slott has everything that a proper castle should. This dominant Renaissance…
9.22 MILES
The striking Kalmar Konstmuseum can be found in the park near Kalmar Slott. While it doesn't have a permanent collection, its striking galleries usually…
9.54 MILES
Krusenstiernska Gården is a 19th-century middle-class home around 500m from the entrance to Kalmar Slott that seems to be delightfully stuck in a timewarp…