Day 6: Västervik - Trees and Water

The day started with breakfast at the accommodation before we packed up our things again.

We took the bus to the main train station this time to save our backs (yes, we now have a Malmö bus app...), before getting on the Snabbtåg to Stockholm. It was interesting to see that the fast trains in Sweden lean into the curve like a motorcyclist.

In Linköping, we switched to the 'Kustpilen' (wonderful translation: Coast Arrow), which took us smoothly and occasionally honking through the picturesque landscape of Småland. Our assumption: the train driver just likes to scare cows. 😂

The landscape that we could observe from the train windows now showed clear differences to Skåne. We traveled through dense forests with moss-covered, rocky ground, past large and small lakes and wide, hilly meadows and fields. The typical red-painted wooden houses appeared between the trees - just for this sight alone, the train ride was worthwhile.

After a five-hour train ride, we finally reached Västervik. The Swedish small town is located in the archipelago on the east coast and is really worth seeing.

After checking in at our accommodation, the Hotell Guldkant (very fancy without a reception, only with room PIN), we set off to explore the city. We especially liked the very large and impressive St. Petri Kyrka with its many small towers and the Båtsmangatan with its small, old fishing cottages. The view of the archipelago (by the way, in three directions) and the rest of the old town was also worthwhile.

In addition to a marina, ferry terminals, and a new residential area, Västervik also has a castle ruin. The Stegeholm Castle, built in 1370, burned down together with the town in 1677, but unlike Västervik, it was not rebuilt. Concerts, for example, take place here in the summer.

Like the Malmö Castle and Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Stegeholm is located on a small island in the middle of the city. The question arises: does every castle in Scandinavia have its own island? 🤔

Since we were not willing to spend €20 for a burger or €15 for a salad, we chose McDonald's for dinner tonight, where we watched a short rain shower pass by while overlooking the harbor. Now we're back at the hotel watching Swedish television before going to bed - free language lessons!