Apr 02 2026

ten excursion gems

#3 Stone Coast, Northern Öland

fascinating rauks, beautiful fishing villages & unique mills

The rocky coast on northern Öland is a unique excursion destination with barren nature, rocky outcrops and vast coastal landscapes. Here you will encounter dramatic views, limestone formations and open sea. Perfect for hiking, cycling, photography and picnicking.

Visit popular places like Byrums raukar and experience one of Sweden's most spectacular stretches of coast, where the forces of nature have shaped the landscape for thousands of years.

Marcus Carlsson

The stone coast on Öland – barren coast, rocky cliffs & unique natural formations
Dramatic landscape with limestone, shingle & open sea
Magical sunset over Kalmarsund

Byrum's raukar – one of Öland's most famous sights
Perfect for hiking, nature experiences & photography
Rich birdlife and expansive views along the coast
Combination of wild nature, geology & tranquility

alexander hall

1. Byrum's raukar

At Byrum there is Öland's finest rauk area, which consists of about a hundred rauk along a 600 meter long beach strip. The largest rauks in the southern part of the area are upwards of four meters high. Just north of Raukar, there is also a nice swimming area with a sandy beach.

2. Horn's coastal road & Horn's cape

The road that runs from Byrum, via Alvedsjö bodar and down to Äleklinta, is generally called the Stone Coast. Here you pass several quarries from a bygone industrial era and here you experience a magnificent view of the Kalmar Sound. At Horns udde, quarrying has been going on since the Middle Ages. The red limestone, "Ölandmarmorn", has been in great demand in the construction of castles and churches.

3. Hornsjön

Hornsjön is Öland's largest lake and has been added as a result of land uplift enclosing the bay that originally existed here. The lake is a popular birding area where you can hear piping plovers, reed warblers and marsh warblers. At Klosterholmen there is a bird tower. You can reach the lake from several directions, for example from one of the car parks at Horns kungsgård.

4. Alvedsjö Bodar

Alvedsjö bodar is a harbor with several wooden boathouses. The sheds are built in half-timbered houses with reed roofs. During the 1900th century, the coastal stretch became a summer residence for many writers and artists.

5. Earth Port

One of the most beautiful views on Öland, regardless of the season, is looking down from the north towards Jordhamn's grist mill and the small fishing sheds. The scrubbing mill was built in 1905 to scrub or polish limestone. The mill is today the only one of its kind in Sweden. Adjacent to the mill is a scour walk, a predecessor of the mill which was driven by oxen.

6. Gillberga village & quarry

In Gillberga village, almost all buildings are made of limestone. Even the mill in the village has a stone base instead of the traditional wooden base. It is not surprising that the limestone was widely used as a building material as the Gillberga quarry is located just south of the village. The walls of the quarry are up to 17 meters high and allow you to see 17 million years back in time, as it took 1 years for each millimeter of limestone to form.

7. Sandvik

Sandvik is an old fishing community that has long been the center of the stone industry on Öland. Today it is a popular year-round destination with a fine guest harbour. There are restaurants, cafes and a grocery store here. Sandvik's mill is a well-known landmark in the harbor's silhouette. It was built in 1856 and is one of the world's largest windmills.

alexander hall

8. Djupvik - Äleklinta

The narrow alvarsvägen between Djupvik and Äleklinta winds its way along the crest of the country castle with the alvar and the coast on either side. Just north of Äleklinta is the well-preserved fishing village of Bruddesta. Nearby are also Djupvik and Äleklinta, both of which are old fishing villages with stone beaches all around and today popular excursion destinations with nice bathing spots.

alexander hall

food & drink in northern Öland

Along the Stenkusten coast, Sandvik, Löttorp and Byxelkrok are perfect stops to replenish your energy with food and drink during your excursion. Here you will find restaurants, ice cream and cozy cafes – everything from simple coffee breaks to hearty meals.

In the list below, we recommend food and drink places throughout northern Öland, where you can also discover local produce and visit farm shops along the way.

cycling & hiking along the stone coast

Experience the Stenkusten Coast on foot or by bike along the 30-kilometre stretch from Äleklinta to Byrum. The road follows the Landborg ridge and offers magnificent views of Kalmarsund to the west and the open, grazed alvar meadows to the east.

For circular routes, we recommend the Djupviksrundan and the Södra and Norra Stenkustrundan – perfect for those who want to combine nature experiences with activity.