Naturum Ottenby
Visitor centre at the southern tip of Öland with an exhibition on birds, migration and bird ringing, and guided tours in Ottenby nature reserve; free admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Naturum Ottenby opened its doors to visitors in 1997 and has since its start been run by BirdLife Sverige on behalf of Länsstyrelsen i Kalmar län (Kalmar County Administrative Board). Naturum acts as the gateway to Ottenby nature reserve at the southern tip of Öland, one of Sweden’s richest bird areas. Operations open when spring is on its way and the migratory birds return, and end with autumn holiday activities at the end of October or the beginning of November.
Naturum’s current permanent exhibition was inaugurated in 2016. It tells the story of the birds of Ottenby, the nature of the point, how bird ringing is done, and the area’s cultural history and life in the Baltic Sea beyond the point. In addition, several temporary exhibitions are shown every year, and the staff offer guided tours for adults and children.
On the point there is also Ottenby fågelstation (bird observatory), where birds have been ringed and studied since 1946, and Sweden’s tallest lighthouse, Långe Jan, with 197 steps. Restaurant Fågel Blå and the Naturbutiken Ottenby shop belong to the visitor site but have their own opening hours.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition on birds, migration and bird ringing
- Guided tours for adults and children
- Ottenby bird observatory with bird ringing
- Sweden’s tallest lighthouse, Långe Jan
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Basutställningen – Exhibition inaugurated in 2016 on the birds of Ottenby, the nature of the point, bird ringing, the area’s cultural history and life in the Baltic Sea.
- Founded
- 1997
- Operated by
- BirdLife Sverige (på uppdrag av Länsstyrelsen i Kalmar län)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Naturum always has free admission. The lighthouse Långe Jan and the restaurant run their own operations.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The exhibition is accessible by wheelchair and other aids. Disabled parking spaces are about 50 metres from the entrance (hard-packed gravel and paved surface); a temporary parking permit can be borrowed at naturum. At the entrance of the Skolhuset (school building) there is a toilet reached via a ramp. Parts of the exhibition let visitors feel birds’ beaks and claws. Two gravel paths on the point are accessible by wheelchair, but the surface is uneven. The restaurant is accessible.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Interactive exhibition for the whole family; guided tours for children and activities such as Barnens upptäcktur (children’s discovery tour) during the autumn holiday.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available · 50 m to the entrance
Regular parking is available; disabled parking spaces are further down towards the lighthouse village, about 50 metres from the entrance.
- Accessible parking
Naturum is located at the southern tip of Öland in Ottenby nature reserve, next to the lighthouse village with Långe Jan.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Restaurant Fågel Blå on the point and the Naturbutiken Ottenby shop (closed for the season in autumn 2026), both with their own opening hours.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | An audio guide can be accessed by smartphone by connecting to the Laterna guide network; it tells, among other things, about the lighthouse community. Guided tours and activities for adults and children, a birdwatching school and school visits are offered. |
