Ölands Södra Udde, the southernmost point of the island of Öland is one of the main tourist attractions on what is the second-largest island in Sweden. It is home to Långe Jan, the tallest lighthouse in Sweden with a height of almost 42 meters. The lighthouse watches out over the Baltic Sea in three directions and in the north you have a landscape that looks more like the savannah in Africa.
The island of Öland is narrow, but it is long. The distance from here to Ölands Norra Udde, the northernmost point, is 135 kilometers. At both points there is a picturesque lighthouse.
A Short History of Ölands Södra Udde
The lighthouse was completed in 1785 after almost two years of construction. It was originally 36 meters high, but has since been extended and does today reach a height of 41.6 meters. It was originally powered by coal, but was electrified in 1948. The area was at the time of the construction a part of the village of Ottenby in Ås Parish.
A bit north is still the signs of an old medieval chapel. It was known as Capella Beati Johannis, and is what has given the name to the lighthouse Långe Jan. The chapel was demolished during the Swedish Reformation in the 16th century.
Things to Do and See
This is mostly a nature area with the lighthouse watching out over the Baltic Sea. With a unique landscape, the tallest lighthouse in Sweden, and the view of the Baltic Sea, there is a lot to enjoy here at Ölands Södra Udde. Exploring the area takes some time, especially if you want to see more of the nature reserves, but sometimes it is good to just sit down and enjoy the scenery.
Långe Jan
It is the 41.6- meter-high lighthouse that really makes the scenery here even more picturesque. The lighthouse is open to the public during the summer months, but there is an entrance fee. The surrounding area is, however, free to explore and includes many spectacular views of the lighthouse.
Ottenby Nature Reserve
The whole southern tip of Öland is made up by the Ottenby Nature Reserve. It was established in 1970 and covers and area of 995 hectares. The reserve is famous for its bird life and there are available watchtowers for bird watching. Here you will find several hiking paths in different environments. There are the coast, the small woodland and the plains that looks more like the savannah in Africa than anything else in Sweden. Well, the difference is that it is inhabited by cows and sheep. In addition to Långe Jan, the reserve also includes ancient remains such as Kungsstenarna. You will also find a bird research station here.
Ottenby Rev Nature Reserve
Ottenby Rev Nature Reserve was established in 2020 and covers an area of over 12.700 hectares. It protects the waters around the southern tip of Öland and especially its reef. It is only accessible by boat.
How to Get to Ölands Södra Udde
- Flights: The nearest airport is Kalmar Öland Airport (KLR), which is 72 kilometers to the northwest.
- Car: Ölands Södra Udde is on countryside roads at the easternmost point of Öland.
- Bus: Buses from Kalmar Länstrafik connect Ölands Södra Udde with the surrounding area by a stop in nearby Ottenby.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 477 kilometers (5 h 40 min)
- Gothenburg – 405 kilometers (5 h)
- Malmö – 342 kilometers (4 h 20 min)
- Linköping – 301 kilometers (4 h)
- Kiruna – 1707 kilometers (18 h 20 min)
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