How much port time do I need in Kalmar for this excursion?

We recommend a minimum of 6 hours in port at Kalmar for the standard excursion. If you are adding lunch at Solliden, allow at least 7 hours.

Is there a security check at Solliden Palace?

Yes. When the Royal Family is in residence – which is standard throughout the May–September season – security scanning at the entrance is mandatory for all visitors. GO Nordic's guide coordinates the entry process.

Is this excursion suitable for wheelchairs or guests with limited mobility?

No. This excursion is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs or with walking difficulties. Borgholm Castle involves uneven stone surfaces, worn steps, and open walkways. The route between Borgholm Castle and Solliden Palace is on foot. Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are strongly recommended.

Can guests departing from Borgholm harbour join this excursion?

Yes. For guests arriving by superyacht or private vessel tendering into Borgholm guest harbour, GO Nordic offers an alternative start: the guide meets guests at the harbour and the tour begins with a short walk to Borgholm Castle. No transfer is required. The itinerary from that point is identical.

Is lunch included in the excursion?

Lunch is not included in the standard itinerary. The tour includes champagne and locally sourced Öland snacks at Borgholm Castle and a traditional Swedish fika at the Solliden café. Lunch at Solliden's restaurant is available as an optional add-on and adds approximately 1 hour to the total duration.

Mighty Castle & Royal Gardens

Q: How long does the Mighty Castle & Royal Gardens excursion take?

Approximately 5 hours. The tour includes a 35-minute private transfer each way from Kalmar pier, approximately 90 minutes at Borgholm Castle (including champagne and local Öland snacks), and approximately 90 minutes at Solliden Palace Gardens (including tractor tour, champagne in the private garden, and Swedish fika). Lunch at Solliden's restaurant is available as an optional add-on and adds approximately 1 hour.

Two of Öland’s most iconic sites in a single, guided half-day from Kalmar pier. From the dramatic ruins of Borgholm Castle – Sweden’s largest ruined palace – to the living royal gardens of Solliden, home to the Swedish Royal Family every summer. Private transfer across the Öland Bridge, a champagne toast at the castle, a guided tractor ride into private areas of the palace gardens, and a Swedish fika to close. Approximately 5 hours. Available May to September.

May-September

2-12 guests

5-6 hours

35 min

The itinerary

Your GO Nordic tour leader meets you at Kalmar pier. Private transfer takes you over the Öland Bridge onto the island – a crossing worth noticing in its own right, with open views of the Baltic on both sides.

Borgholm Castle (~90 minutes)

Borgholm Castle is one of northern Europe’s largest ruined palaces – a building so vast that most visitors are caught off guard. Standard visitors walk the open courtyards and exterior galleries. Your GO Nordic guide, dressed in costume, takes you through the castle’s full story: royal seat, military fortress, and accidental ruin after a fire burned for three days in 1806.

The tour ends at GO Nordic’s reserved viewpoint – a spot inside the castle where your group is served a glass of champagne with locally sourced Öland snacks, overlooking Kalmar Sound toward the Swedish mainland.

Walk to Solliden Palace Gardens (~5 minutes)

Your Borgholm guide walks you the short distance to Solliden Palace, where the Solliden specialist guide takes over. Borgholm Castle and Solliden Palace are neighbouring properties – the transition takes minutes on foot.

Solliden Palace & Royal Gardens (~90 minutes)

Solliden has been the Swedish Royal Family’s private summer residence since 1906. Every summer, the Royal Family is in residence here. Standard visitors access the public gardens. GO Nordic guests go further.

After passing through the entrance, where security scanning is mandatory for all visitors when the Royal Family is in residence – your guide leads you through the Italian terraces, the English parkland, and the Dutch Garden. From there, a private tractor ride takes you into sections of the gardens that are not accessible to the general public. Champagne is served in the private garden.

Sightings of members of the Royal Family have been reported on previous visits. This cannot be promised, but it is the nature of the place.

Swedish fika at Solliden café

The tour at Solliden ends with a traditional Swedish Fika in their lovely café garden. Enjoy some home-made pastries with coffee or tea.

Return transfer to Kalmar pier

Your driver and tour leader meets you at Solliden for the return transfer to Kalmar pier. Approximately 35 minutes.

Quick facts

Port: Kalmar
Transfer: pier in Kalmar to Borgholm and Solliden – return included
Duration: approximately 5 hours
Group size: 2-10 guests
Season: May – September

What’s included

Private transfer from Kalmar pier (return)
Costumed guide at Borgholm Castle
Reserved viewpoint at Borgholm with champagne and local Öland snacks
Specialist guide/gardener at Solliden Palace Gardens
Entry into Solliden Palace Gardens
Guided tractor tour into private sections of the gardens
Champagne in the private garden at Solliden
Swedish fika at Solliden café

Add-on: superyacht and private yacht departure from Borgholm harbour

For guests arriving by superyacht or private vessel tendering into Borgholm guest harbour, an alternative start is available. Your GO Nordic guide meets you at the harbour, and the excursion begins with a short walk directly to Borgholm Castle – no transfer required. The itinerary from that point is identical.

This option was originally developed for superyacht guests and one cruise line partner that berths in Borgholm. If your vessel calls at Borgholm directly, this is the route.

The Royal Family and security at Solliden

Solliden Palace is not a museum. It is an active private residence. The Swedish Royal Family has summered here every year since Queen Victoria of Sweden had the palace built in 1906. Security scanning at the entrance is mandatory for all visitors. Bags and belongings pass through screening.

This is simply part of visiting one of Sweden’s most exclusive private estates. GO Nordic handles the logistics. Your guide coordinates the entry process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Mighty Castle & Royal Gardens excursion take? Approximately 5 hours. Allow an extra hour if you include lunch. The tour includes a 35-minute transfer each way from Kalmar pier, approximately 90 minutes at Borgholm Castle, approximately 90 minutes at Solliden Palace Gardens (including tractor tour and champagne) and Swedish fika.

Do I need a minimum port call time in Kalmar? Yes. We recommend a minimum of 7 hours in port at Kalmar for this excursion.

What makes this tour different from visiting Borgholm Castle and Solliden Palace independently? At Borgholm Castle, GO Nordic holds a reserved viewpoint inside the castle where champagne and locally sourced Öland snacks are served – this arrangement is not available independently. At Solliden, GO Nordic guests access private sections of the gardens via a guided tractor ride that is not available on a standard entry ticket; champagne is served in the private garden. Both experiences are exclusive to GO Nordic.

Is the palace interior at Solliden included in the tour? No. Solliden Palace is the private residence of the Swedish Royal Family and the interior is not accessible to visitors. The excursion covers the formal Italian terraces, English parkland, Dutch Garden, and the private garden sections reached via tractor.

Will we see the Royal Family? Solliden is the Swedish Royal Family’s active summer residence from May to September, and the family is in residence throughout this period. Previous GO Nordic guests have encountered members of the family. This cannot be guaranteed.

Is the security check at Solliden always required? Security scanning at the entrance is required throughout the May–September season. This applies to all visitors and is coordinated by your GO Nordic guide.

Can this excursion be booked by individual cruise guests or is it only for groups? The minimum group size is 2 guests. The excursion is available for individual couples, small private groups, and larger groups up to 10. Travel agents, cruise line shore excursion departments, and MICE operators all book through GO Nordic directly.