City walk in Karlshamn

Welcome to the coastal city of Karlshamn! Enjoy an interesting city walk in central Karlshamn and get to know the city on your own.

Follow the sights through the center on the map above. Please, note that the walk is unmarked.

Karlshamn with its exciting history and charming city center invites you to beautiful alleys with both stately buildings and well-preserved wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.

With one of the country's deepest harbours, it has a valuable history of shipping and trade dating back centuries. The town was founded in 1664 by Charles (Karl) X and was named after the king after being the simple fishing village of Bodekull.

Great contrasts are reflected in Karlshamn's history with war and peace, smuggling and vices and also the country's first Sunday school.

Just over 100 yearss ago, Karlshamn must have been considered as a real nest and origin of sin. Brandy, punch, tobacco and Swedish snuff were produced here, and during a period of time in the early 19th century, a printing house in Karlshamn was Sweden's largest producer of playing cards.

Well-known profiles such as Alice Tegnér, the mother of Swedish nursery rhymes, and brandy king L.O. Smith, who graces one of Sweden's largest exports (Absolut Vodka), grew up in the city.

The wingspan of history is also clearly visible on the fortress island of Kastellet in the inner harbour. The island has not only functioned as a defense against the attacks of the Danes, here also used to be a city dungeon and it is said that a secret tunnel goes to Kastellet under the sea.

Even today, Karlshamn has a lively trade on the square and many outdoor restaurants where you can take a break while walking around the city center. This walk goes from some of the country's most unique museums and cultural monuments along cobblestone streets to beautiful plantings and an enthroned statue of the emigrants Karl Oskar & Kristina next to the fanning sea.