The southern tip of Öland offers a landscape that feels almost exotic, with open spaces and animals roaming freely across the roads. It is also home to the Långe Jan lighthouse, Sweden's highest lighthouse and one of the country's oldest.
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The southern tip of Öland
The southern tip of Öland made a big impression on us. The landscape is so special with its barren nature, all the animals that roam freely and the large lighthouse at the far end of the sea.
The southern tip of Öland is located at the southernmost point of Öland.
As an exotic safari on the southern tip of Öland.
As we left the main road and turned down towards the southernmost headland, it began to feel like we were on safari in the Serengeti, or some other African savannah. The small low trees stand here and there in the open fields. Everywhere the animals - cows and sheep - roam in large herds.
The animals may not be exotic, but they do roam freely, crossing the road whenever they feel like it. You get to crawl along the road at a slow speed and somehow it all feels... exotic.
Nature reserve and birdwatchers' paradise
On the southern tip of Öland, the Ottenby nature reserve is home to both harbour seals and one of Sweden's best birding locations. We don't know much about birding ourselves, but our birding friends have been here to watch birds. They have told us that birdwatchers from all over the world usually gather here.
The site has been used for bird research since the 1940s. Our friends have told us that you can see, among other things, ringed plovers, little terns, fulmars, curlews and sandpipers here. They once saw a black-legged sandpiper, which is extremely rare today, causing an uproar when all the birdwatchers left their cars at the same time with their binoculars at the ready ...
Church Harbour and St John's Chapel
In the Middle Ages there were large quantities of herring off the southern tip of Öland and a fishing village developed, which was named Kyrkhamn. There was lively market trade here in the past, and there are some traces in the form of pits and house foundations. You can also see traces of the St John's chapel that existed here in the Middle Ages.
The Långe Jan lighthouse on the southern tip of Öland.
The Långe Jan lighthouse was first lit in 1785, making it one of Sweden's oldest lighthouses. The name comes from the old chapel. When the chapel was demolished, the stones were used to build the lighthouse.
The lighthouse is 41.6 metres high, making it the tallest lighthouse in Sweden. Since 2008, the lighthouse has been a national monument. In the summer it is usually open for visitors, but when we were here it was closed.
It was extra fun to see the lighthouse because in our online shop we have trivets and coasters with the lighthouses Långe Jan and Långe Erik! Feel free to check out our products with lighthouses.
Fyrbyn and Naturum Ottenby
At the lighthouse site there is a bookshop, a small lighthouse museum, a restaurant, the Ottenby bird station and the Ottenby Nature Centre. We visited Naturum which is really nice and interesting, with exhibitions about birds among other things.
Peter also tried flying like a barn swallow, in the nature centre's "flight simulator". A bit of fun!
Where can you park your campervan?
It is possible that there are sites closer, but after our visit to the southern tip of Öland we chose to drive to the Drottning Öda site, just over five kilometres northeast of Ottenby. This site is located on a farm and there is both electricity and a small service centre. Here we also had a good starting point for visiting Eketorp's ancient castle, which we had on the agenda the next day.
See more in the neighbourhood
There is much to see and experience on Öland. On southern Öland you can visit Eketorp Fortress, where a castle from the 300s has been rebuilt. Here you can also experience the nature area Stora alvaret and see countless ancient remains and windmills.
Have you visited the southern tip of Öland and the Långe Jan lighthouse? How was your experience? Do you have more tips on nice places to visit in the neighbourhood?
Facts about the southern tip of Öland
- Municipality: Mörbylånga
- County: Kalmar County
- Landscape: Öland
- Location: At the southernmost tip of Öland's southernmost tip
Facts about Long John the Lighthouse
- Official name: The southern tip of Öland
- Nickname: The name 'Long John' may come from the medieval chapel 'Capella Beati Johannis' or 'St John'.
- Type of lighthouse: Approach beacon. It was electrified in 1948 and is now unmanned and fully automated.
- Swedish lighthouse number: 552800
- International lighthouse number: C7280
- Height of light: 41 metres above sea level
- The height of the tower: 41.6 metres
- Year of construction: 1785
- Colour: white with black belt
- Light range: 26 nautical miles
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Matts Torebring says:
Since 1974 we have visited Öland every year. The first 25 years by holidaying every year at Löttorps Camping. After that, no summer without a visit to Öland. Southern Öland we have discovered in recent years. It is like being in another country. I have probably thought many times, is this really Sweden? it is so different. You can really feel the wings of history, not least in Fornborgen. We have also parked at the Drottning Öda car park. Southern Öland cannot be driven around in a day, as we perhaps did the first few years. It takes time to discover, stop and experience.
27 June 2021 - 7:43
Helena says:
Surely it is like being in another country! Totally agree!!! And certainly there is a lot of history! Nice that you have also been to the ancient castle and Queen Öda!
28 June 2021 - 8:35
bmlarstravellingblog says:
The southern cape and Ottenby is one of our favourite places on Öland! Just as you write, it almost feels like the savannahs of Africa when you walk there. A few years ago we were there with the Fotoklubben and then we had a morning together with the director of Naturum, which meant that we got to come out to the seals' area, which you otherwise do not have access to. A couple of times we have been there when they collect and ring birds, also interesting.
We have stayed at the small campsite at Ottenby hostel on a couple of occasions.
27 June 2021 - 8:05
Helena says:
It became a favourite place for us too actually, so special and different. Great to be there with the photo club! And great tips on camping!
28 June 2021 - 8:36
Ama de casa says:
What wonderful pictures! It really is a beautiful and different landscape there on southern Öland.
I have actually climbed that lighthouse, but it was many years ago now. When I was younger, I don't think I even complained about the stairs 😉.
Have a great weekend!
27 June 2021 - 9:16
Helena says:
Good job with the lighthouse there! 🙂 Such stairs can take the must out of one, but then I will manage the vertigo at the top as well, haha. But certainly nice views!
28 June 2021 - 8:37
Lena - good for the soul says:
Have been to Öland a couple of times. I really liked the island. And I agree with you, the southern parts feel really exotic. Really special with the animals down there. Even the far north feels different.
Hug Lena
11 July 2021 - 8:24