Located on the southeastern side of Sweden, the coastal city of Vãstervik beckons visitors for outdoor vacations. You may wonder if anyone stays inside when you witness the number of joggers, hikers, cyclists, fishers and boaters breathing in the maritime air as they enjoy their favorite pastimes. Rent a boat, as the town is protected in an archipelago keeping waters calm, or go out on a daytrip aboard the schooner Vega.
Next to the town, Gränsö Nature Reserve has walks of varying lengths up to 5 miles (9 kilometers) that wind along the coastline and into the forest. Stay overnight in a cabin complete with fireplace or just bring along a sleeping bag and enjoy the starry canopy.
The ruins of 14th-century Stegeholm Castle sit at the entrance to Vastervik’s bay. Concerts are regularly held here during the warmer months. Visit Casimirsborg gård, a modern castle built in 1829 on the site of another 14th-century fortress that once stood at this location. In fact, some of the cellar vaults are from the original structure. Rock art and earlier remnants from the Bronze Age have been found on the property.
While in Sweden, visiting a troll might be appropriate. You can see about 80 trolls and other creatures at Gamleby Trollparken. Walk through the woods on an uphill path until you’re treated to an amazing view at the top.
The Smalspårsjärnvägen is a restored narrow-gauge railway running between Västervik and Hultsfred. Ride the rails to experience Kalmar’s interior with a number of stops along the 40-mile (70-kilometer) route, letting you explore towns and perhaps go for a swim in a lake.
Västervik also has an unusual neo-Gothic round church, Gladhammars Kyrka, with its welcoming interior. Learn about the town’s marine and natural history at the open-air Västerviks Museum. The Psychiatry Museum is housed in a former clinic that had up to 1,400 patients before it closed its doors in the late 1990s.
