Kalmar (Sweden)

Kalmar is a Baltic Sea port and city in Sweden's Smaland Province. By population (around 40,000) the city is ranked Smaland's 3rd-largest - after Jonkoping (~90,000) and Vaxjo (~65,000). Kalmar Municipality (grouping 12 kommuner/municipalities) has combined population around 240,000. Via the Oland Bridge (1972-opened road bridge, length 6 km / 3,8 mi) Kalmar is directly linked to Farjestaden (on Oland Island).

After receiving town status in the 12th century, Kalmar was fortified (Kalmar Slott/castle) and between 13th-17th centuries developed as one of Sweden's largest. In the 20th century the city developed heavy industries like Kalmar Verkstad (steam engines, trains and heavy machinery manufacturer), Kalmar Varv (shipyard/1679-1981), Volvo (car factory/1974-1994), as well as education (LNU-Linnaeus University, with ~15,000 students).

As cruise port, Kalmar (locode SEKLR) is visited mainly by smaller- to medium-sized cruise ships and superyachts. In close proximity to the cruise port is the historic downtown featuring as tourist attractions 17th-century stone buildings, city walls, castle, cathedral. On shore excursions/bus tours from Kalmar is visited Oland Island - popular for the Solliden Palace (Swedish Royal Family's summer residence) and Borgholm's ruins (13th-century castle). Oland Island by area (1347 km2 / 520 mi2, population around 25,000) is ranked Sweden's second-largest - after Gotland Island (2994 km2 / 1156 mi2, population around 60,000, principal port Visby).

Prior to the Coronavirus crisis, in 2019, the Port handled 2 cruise ship calls (Ocean Nova, Ocean Majesty) and around 700 passengers.