Formerly a coal port, the city's central park has developed into locals' favourite outdoor spot since the 1980s, proudly holding a Landscape Architecture Prize for the design by Peter Latz. It has a photographable open-air stage, a pond, skate park, and plenty of paths for a stroll along the Saar river. It neighbours on the movie theatre CineStar, among other attractions.

Built over the main mosque of the old Moslem city, this cathedral is an eclectic mix of styles, from Romanesque to Neoclassical. An extraordinary collection of Flemish tapestries from the metropolitan chapter are on display in the Tapestry Museum.

At the northeastern tip of Öland, by the gate to Trollskogen (Troll Forest) nature reserve, you'll find Trollskogen nature centre. Many of the forest's trees are ancient, aged between 100–200 years. Crooked pine trees, sculpted by the winds from the sea, contort in imaginative forms. Here, you'll also find spruce and venerable oaks.

Himmelsberga is Öland's most authentic village, now preserved as an open air museum with enclosed farms built along both sides of the narrow village road. The heart of the museum consists of several large farms with buildings dating back the 18th and 19th century. The cottage is still has the original furniture, and the old stables are packed with all the tools and equipment that were used on the farms. The coffee shop sells freshly baked bread and hot pies, and you can buy genuine Öland handicrafts in the village shop. Himmelsberga holds exhibitions of arts and crafts in its two galleries. There's also an art museum with a collection of older and modern Öland paintings.