In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
From Malmö via Lund and the glass country of Småland to Kalmar, across the Öland Bridge to the Långe Jan lighthouse, then along the Blekinge coast to Karlskrona and via Åhus and Kivik to Ystad: around 1,120 kilometres in eight stages, where bridge tolls, wind on the bridges and Sweden’s park-don’t-camp principle set the pace.
The spirit of the route
Southern Sweden is a quiet drive. Beyond the Öresund Bridge, rapeseed fields, beech groves and red wooden houses alternate, then the Småland forest closes in around the road, and in Kosta the furnace where glass has been blown since 1742 is still glowing. Near Kalmar the Öland Bridge swings six kilometres across the sound, and on the island the sky suddenly opens up: alvar steppe, windmills, stone walls, a lighthouse at the southern tip where migrating birds gather in autumn. Blekinge shows itself as a skerry coast with a naval city, Kristianopel’s ramparts and oak woods by the water. Finally you roll through Österlen’s apple orchards to the dunes of Sandhammaren, the sea on your right, cornfields on your left. Through the open sliding door you smell pine, seaweed and wood smoke. Wild camping is not your right here, but there are plenty of well-kept sites by the water.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Malmö to Växjö (via Lund) (approx. 185 km)
- The drive
- From the Öresund Bridge and Malmö, take the E22/E6 briefly to Lund, then head east via Hörby and Hässleholm on country roads and expressway sections into Småland (Älmhult, Växjö). Well-built, mostly two-lane roads; from Älmhult it gets wooded, with deer-crossing signs. Pure driving time is a good two and a half hours.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Lund: Romanesque cathedral with its astronomical clock and an old town to explore on foot, only 20 minutes beyond Malmö.
- Malmö: the Turning Torso, Ribersborg beach and the Västra Hamnen waterfront, reachable by bike from Camping Sibbarp.
- Växjö: Smålands Museum with the Swedish Glass Museum, and the Utvandrarnas Hus (Emigrant House) on the story of the Småland emigrants to America.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: First Camp Malmö Sibbarp on the Öresund, southwest of the centre and good for the first night after the bridge; electricity and sanitary facilities, check the season and service point in advance. In Lund, Källby Friluftsbad & Camping lies a little outside town; in Växjö, Evedals Camping on Lake Helgasjön lies north of the city (check the season in advance).
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Sweden you may park a motorhome wherever parking is allowed; however, several nights, camping behaviour (chairs, awning) and pitches in urban areas are not covered by the right of public access. In Malmö and Lund, overnight stays in motorhomes in municipal car parks are often ruled out by signs or time limits. The urban area is not for free campers; a ställplats or campsite is the safe choice.
- Insider tip for campers
- The Öresund Bridge is a toll bridge; according to the operator, motorhomes up to 6 m pay around 690 SEK per crossing at the toll station, and 6–10 m pay double (prices according to the operator, valid from 14 September 2026; payment at the station by card or cash, check discounts and online tickets with the operator). Malmö and Lund have environmental zones which, according to Transportstyrelsen, affect heavy lorries and buses; we know of no restriction for a motorhome under 3.5 t, but with heavier vehicles ask the city or Transportstyrelsen in advance.
2Stage 2: Växjö to Kosta (Glasriket) (approx. 65 km)
- The drive
- On the Rv 25 and smaller country roads through lake and forest country via Lessebo to Kosta, the centre of the Glass Kingdom. A flat to gently rolling route with hardly any bottlenecks, but watch for deer and tractors. A good hour and a half with stops.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Kosta Glasbruk: glassworks with glassblowers, Kosta Outlet and glass museum, founded in 1742.
- Boda and Orrefors nearby: smaller glassworks with shops and workshop tours.
- Forest lakes for an evening walk around Kosta, peaceful after the shops close.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Kosta Bad & Camping at a forest lake with a bathing spot, simple and quiet; within walking distance of the glassworks. Also the Kosta Safaripark Ställplats (motorhome area at the animal park); please ask on site about the season and electricity. Destination Kosta also offers pitches.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Allemansrätten allows tents for one or two nights, but not blanket overnighting in a motorhome. Forest tracks with no through traffic, barriers and private land are off limits. On public car parks an overnight stay is tolerated where parking is allowed and no ban is signposted; camping behaviour remains prohibited.
- Insider tip for campers
- The Glass Kingdom shops are busy in high summer and at weekends; the glassworks often run at full capacity only on weekdays. The outlet in Kosta takes cards; have your purchases packed so they won’t break (glass rattles in a motorhome). Wine and spirits are sold only at Systembolaget; look up branches in advance, we know of none in Kosta itself.
3Stage 3: Kosta to Kalmar (approx. 90 km)
- The drive
- Via Orrefors and Nybro on country roads through quiet mixed forest to Kalmar on the Kalmarsund. Straight, well-built roads, with heavier traffic on the edge of town. A good hour’s driving time.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Orrefors: glassworks with an exhibition, known for heavy-crystal art glass.
- Kalmar Slott: Renaissance castle on a peninsula, with a 12th-century fortress, open daily in summer.
- Kalmar old town with the cathedral and Kvarnholmen, the district of wooden houses and quays.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Kalmar Camping by the sea near the centre and the Öland Bridge, with electricity and sanitary facilities (check facilities and season in advance); Stensö Camping (First Camp) lies south of the centre right by the sea, with forest beaches and good sanitary facilities. Book early in high season.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Overnighting on streets and in residential areas is not usual in Kalmar; public car parks often have time limits and fee zones. Avoid private car parks and watch the signs.
- Insider tip for campers
- Walk to the castle and the old town from the campsite; parking at the castle is scarce and unsuitable for long motorhomes. The next day the approach to the bridge leads from the edge of town straight onto the island. Fill up before the bridge; on Öland petrol stations are rarer and more expensive.
4Stage 4: Kalmar to Byxelkrok (northern Öland) (approx. 130 km)
- The drive
- Across the Öland Bridge (about 6 km, toll-free) to Färjestaden and on to Borgholm, then north via Löttorp to Byxelkrok at the northern tip. The bridge rises to a height of about 40 m, and restrictions are possible in strong wind (we could not confirm an official wind limit) – check weather and traffic reports from Trafikverket before you drive. On the island the road is mostly flat and straight, with plenty of cyclists and oncoming traffic. A good two hours of pure driving time, considerably more with stops.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Öland Bridge: photo stop at the car park at the island end, with a view back to Kalmar’s skyline.
- Borgholms slott: impressive castle ruin above the Kalmarsund, open daily in summer.
- Böda Crown Park and Trollskogen: gnarled coastal forest of pines and oaks in the north of the island, with short walking trails.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Byxelkrok Ställplats at the harbour of Byxelkrok, simple motorhome pitches; clarify facilities and season with the operator in advance; nearby are Löttorps Camping and Ölandsgården Camping. A summer pitch in July is taken early.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): The same rule applies on Öland: parking yes, camping no. Large parts of the north coast are nature reserve (e.g. around Böda), where vehicle bans and parking bans apply away from designated places. The municipalities carry out checks; fines are possible.
- Insider tip for campers
- From the harbour the Ölandsfärjan runs to Oskarshamn (operation in 2026, season, timetable and vehicle lengths could not be confirmed, check with the operator in advance); harbour restaurants are usually open only in summer. The island road has many cyclists; overtake only with a clear view. Sort out water and waste disposal beforehand in Borgholm or at the site.
5Stage 5: Byxelkrok to Ottenby (southern Öland) (approx. 160 km)
- The drive
- The island road south, past Löttorp, Borgholm and Färjestaden and across the central part to Södra Udde. A largely flat, well-built country road, with wind hitting motorhomes on the plateau. A good three hours with breaks.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Stora Alvaret: UNESCO World Heritage Site “Agricultural Landscape of Southern Öland” with limestone plain, stone walls and windmills.
- Eketorp: reconstructed Iron Age ring fort with a museum.
- Ottenby Fyr, Långe Jan: Sweden’s tallest lighthouse at the southern tip, plus the bird observatory.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Ottenby Vandrarhem & Camping near Ottenby, plain and quiet; Ölands Camping & Resort in central/southern Öland with electric pitches. For a waste-disposal stop, Ölands Köpstad near Färjestaden is on the way (check use in advance).
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): The Alvar plain and the area around Ottenby are nature reserve – away from the roads, access rules and driving bans apply, and motorhomes may only stand in marked car parks. Overnighting in car parks is not tolerated. Dogs must be kept on a lead (breeding season).
- Insider tip for campers
- In autumn Ottenby is a good place for watching migrating birds; bring binoculars and warm clothing. The wind at the lighthouse is strong, so secure your doors. Buy food in Färjestaden or Mörbylånga; in the south there are only small shops.
6Stage 6: Ottenby to Karlskrona (via Kalmar and Kristianopel) (approx. 225 km)
- The drive
- North to Färjestaden, across the bridge to Kalmar and south on the E22 through Blekinge. A short detour to the fortress town of Kristianopel and then on to Karlskrona. Mostly well-built expressway; only the detour to Kristianopel is narrow. A good four hours with stops.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Kristianopel: Danish Renaissance fortification (1600) by the sea, today a small village with a bathing bay.
- Karlskrona: UNESCO World Heritage naval city, Marinmuseum and island fortresses.
- Excursion boat tour through the skerries to Aspö and Kungsholms fort.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: First Camp Skönstavik – Karlskrona, near the town and the archipelago, with electricity and sanitary facilities; Björkenäs Camping, Gisslevik Camping and Kristianopel Resort are alternatives on the coast. According to map data (OSM), Karlskrona Stadsmarina also has a ställplats in the harbour; please check facilities and access in advance.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Blekinge, beach car parks are often designated: parking yes, overnighting often prohibited. Nature reserves and island beaches have access bans. Heed the “Parkering förbjuden” signs in harbour areas.
- Insider tip for campers
- The Stadsmarina ställplats is central, ideal for an evening in the old town (check current status in advance). The central district of Trossö has one-way systems and narrow streets – the guest-harbour car parks are scarce for long motorhomes. There are lovely beaches on the island of Tjurkö, reachable by bike.
7Stage 7: Karlskrona to Åhus (approx. 135 km)
- The drive
- On the E22 west through Blekinge via Ronneby and Karlshamn to Sölvesborg, then on country roads to the coast at Åhus on the Hanö Bay. A fast, well-built route, with a few village through-roads near Sölvesborg. A good two and a half hours’ driving time.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Sölvesborg: old town with wooden houses and the long pedestrian bridge Sölvesborgs Stadtbro.
- Åhus: sandy beach, fishing quarter and the Kristianstads Vattenrike (biosphere reserve) in the surrounding area.
- Hanö Bay: wide sandy beach south of Åhus with dune forests.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: First Camp Åhus – Kristianstad on the beach, large and well equipped with electricity, service point and sanitary facilities; book early in high season. Åhus Missionsgård also offers a plain camping option.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On the Hanö Bay too you may park legally, but not wild camp; parts of the dunes and beach meadows are nature reserve, so heed the signs. Fines are possible.
- Insider tip for campers
- Åhus is overcrowded in high summer; arrive in the morning. The Absolut distillery is in Åhus; whether and how tours can be booked in 2026 we could not confirm (ask the provider in advance). Wine and spirits are sold only at Systembolaget.
8Stage 8: Åhus to Ystad (via Kivik, Simrishamn and Kåseberga) (approx. 130 km)
- The drive
- On country roads via Kivik through the apple orchards of Österlen to Simrishamn, then along the south coast via Brantevik and Kåseberga to Ystad. Narrow coastal roads, tractors and cyclists, tight village through-roads. Pure driving time a good two hours, a whole day with stops.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Kivik: Kungagraven (Bronze Age tomb) and apple orchards, and in autumn the bustle of the Kiviksmarknad market (check the date in advance).
- Glimmingehus: one of the best-preserved medieval fortified castles in Scandinavia, near Simrishamn.
- Kåseberga: Ales stenar, a stone ship setting with sea views above the coast, a short walk (about 10–15 minutes) from the harbour.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Kiviks Familjecamping on the beach in Kivik; Ystad Camping (Sandskogen) near the beach, with sanitary facilities and service point. At Ystads Reningsverket there is a simple ställplats for filling and emptying (clarify access and use in advance).
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): At Sandhammaren southeast of Ystad, protection rules apply to dunes and beach; parking yes, overnighting away from the sites no. The beach car parks are overcrowded in high summer.
- Insider tip for campers
- Ferries to Bornholm (Rønne) and Poland (Świnoujście) leave from Ystad. In Ystad, follow in Wallander’s footsteps: Sankta Maria Kloster and the lanes. The car park in Kåseberga is scarce in summer; come early, as long motorhomes struggle there.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- The Swedish right of public access (allemansrätten) allows tents for one or two nights away from houses; it does not apply across the board to motorhomes. With a vehicle you may stand where parking is allowed, but not on private land, in nature reserves without a car park, or within sight of houses. One night in a car park is not expressly forbidden in many places if nothing else is signposted; camping behaviour (chairs, awning, waste disposal) is not part of it.
- On the coast, dunes and alvar (Öland, Sandhammaren, Åhus), nature reserves are an everyday matter: driving bans, fire bans, dogs on leads in the breeding season. Information is available from the municipality or the board at the car park.
- You can stay legally on campsites, on ställplatser (pitches at harbours or on farms) and via apps such as park4night and Campercontact; check the current status in advance.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Waste disposal is called “tömning”; stations (“tömningsstation”) are found on campsites, in harbours and at some petrol stations. Do not drain grey water onto the ground.
- Tap water is drinkable everywhere in Sweden; fill up with drinking water at the site or at harbour stations.
- Gas: German exchange cylinders are generally not exchanged in Sweden; connections and systems vary. Autogas (LPG) and refill options for refillable cylinders in southern Sweden are not reliably confirmed by us – arrive with two full cylinders and check the current status in advance.
- Alcohol above 3.5 % is sold only at Systembolaget, which is closed on Sundays.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits: motorhomes up to 3.5 t as for cars (country roads mostly 70–90 km/h, motorways up to 120 km/h). With a braked trailer, 80 km/h applies according to Transportstyrelsen; an increase to 100 km/h is planned but not yet in force. For motorhomes over 3.5 t the limit depends on the classification in the vehicle registration document (80–90 km/h for heavy lorries and buses); if in doubt, drive at 80 km/h. Heed the signs.
- Öresund Bridge: toll for motorhomes by length (according to the operator up to 6 m, 6–10 m; for longer vehicles ask the operator for the tariff); payment at the toll station, by online ticket or ØresundGO is possible. The Öland Bridge is toll-free; restrictions are possible in strong wind, so heed traffic reports.
- Environmental zones: Malmö and Lund have zones for heavy lorries and buses; we know of no restriction for private motorhomes under 3.5 t. With heavier vehicles, ask the city in advance.
- Dipped headlights are compulsory during the day, the alcohol limit is 0.2 per mille, and mobile phones at the wheel only with hands-free equipment. Winter tyres are required from 1 December to 31 March in wintry road conditions (snow, ice, slush, frost); for heavy vehicles over 3.5 t, stricter periods apply according to Transportstyrelsen (10 November to 10 April), check in advance if applicable.
- Dimensions: to our knowledge width up to 2.6 m, height up to 4.5 m, length up to 12 m for single vehicles (check in the vehicle registration document). Wildlife: elk, deer and wild boar in Småland and Skåne, especially at dusk.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Wind-resistant levelling ramps and storm anchoring for the awning – on Öland and on the coast it is almost always windy.
- Binoculars and a bird guide for Ottenby, where watching migrating birds is an everyday thing in autumn.
- Two full gas cylinders and an adapter for refillable cylinders – exchanging foreign cylinders is hardly possible in Sweden.
- Fly screens and mosquito spray for forest lakes in Småland and coastal sites in summer.
- Bike rack or folding bikes for Malmö, Lund and Kalmar – motorhomes are hard to park in the cities.
- Confirmation of your Öresund ticket and a credit card; in Sweden cash is no longer accepted in many places.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
