Finding the best ice cream in Borgholm is one of the simplest pleasures of an Öland holiday. The town combines a walkable centre, a harbour promenade, historic streets and easy access to beaches, making it ideal for exploring with a cone in hand. Whether you prefer creamy Swedish ice cream, Italian style gelato, a classic soft serve or a dessert served in a café, Borgholm offers plenty of delicious options during the warmer months.
Why Borgholm is a great place for ice cream
Borgholm is one of Öland’s main holiday towns, and ice cream is very much part of the local summer rhythm. Visitors stroll between the harbour, Storgatan, the town square and nearby parks, often stopping for something cold along the way. The compact layout means you can compare several ice cream shops without needing a car, while the surrounding sights provide excellent places to enjoy your purchase.
The town’s ice cream scene is especially lively from late spring through summer. Some businesses operate seasonally, so opening hours and flavours can change from one year to the next. On a warm afternoon, queues are common at popular counters, but they usually move quickly. If you are visiting outside the main season, check current opening times before setting out.
The best ice cream in Borgholm depends on what you want from the experience. A traditional Swedish scoop is ideal for a relaxed walk, while gelato offers a denser texture and intense flavour. Families may prefer a generous soft serve, and visitors looking for a longer break can choose a café with homemade cakes, coffee and outdoor seating.
The best places to look for ice cream in Borgholm
Borgholms Glass
Borgholms Glass is one of the names most closely associated with an ice cream stop in the town. Its seasonal setting and broad appeal make it a natural first choice for visitors searching for the best ice cream in Borgholm. Depending on the time of year, you may find a selection of scoops, cones, cups and other familiar summer treats.
This is a good option if your group has different preferences. One person can choose a classic chocolate or vanilla flavour, another can try a fruit based option, and children can select a smaller portion. Ask the staff about the flavours of the day, particularly if you enjoy trying local or less familiar combinations.
The best time to visit is often in the afternoon, after sightseeing but before the busiest evening period. You can then continue towards the harbour or find a bench in the centre. If the weather is sunny, buying your ice cream before a walk along the water is a simple way to make an ordinary afternoon feel like a holiday.
Gelato and Italian style flavours
For many travellers, the best ice cream in Borgholm means gelato rather than a traditional scoop. Gelato is usually served slightly warmer than standard ice cream, which gives it a soft, smooth texture. It is also known for concentrated flavours, making pistachio, hazelnut, coffee and dark chocolate particularly satisfying.
When you find a gelato counter in Borgholm, look for flavours with a natural appearance and a short, clearly explained menu. Seasonal fruit flavours are often excellent during the height of summer. Lemon, raspberry, strawberry and blackcurrant can provide a refreshing contrast to richer choices such as caramel or chocolate.
It is worth tasting before choosing if the shop offers samples. A small taste can help you decide between similar flavours and is useful when unfamiliar Swedish descriptions appear on the board. Gelato is also a good choice for anyone who wants a smaller serving with plenty of flavour.
Cafés in the town centre
Borgholm’s cafés are useful when members of your group want different kinds of treats. One person may want ice cream, while another prefers a cinnamon bun, cake or a cup of coffee. Many cafés have outdoor tables during the warmer months, allowing you to take a longer break rather than eating while walking.
Café menus change frequently, but common choices include ice cream with berries, waffles, pancakes, milkshakes and dessert plates. These options are particularly appealing on a cooler day when a cone does not seem quite enough. A café stop can also be practical for families because there is usually more room for children than at a small takeaway counter.
Look around the central streets near Storgatan and the harbour when you arrive. Local cafés often display their ice cream and dessert menus outside, making it easy to compare prices, seating and flavours before deciding. During peak summer weeks, visiting slightly earlier can give you a better chance of finding a table.
Seasonal kiosks and soft serve
Swedish soft serve, known locally as mjukglass, is a classic choice for a warm day. It is lighter and airier than a scoop of premium ice cream, and it is often served in a large cone with a choice of toppings. Chocolate dip, sprinkles, sweets and sauces are common additions.
Seasonal kiosks around the town and harbour may offer soft serve alongside drinks, snacks and simple desserts. These are convenient when you are heading to the beach, visiting Borgholm Castle or travelling onwards to another part of Öland. A soft serve is also easy to enjoy during a short stop because you do not need to plan a full café visit.
If you are travelling with children, ask whether the kiosk offers a small portion. Swedish servings can be generous, and a smaller cone is easier to finish before it melts. Adults may enjoy a dipped cone or a combination of soft serve and a scoop for two different textures.
Best ice cream in Borgholm for different tastes
For families with children
Families should look for ice cream shops with visible menus, quick service and enough space to stand or sit nearby. A wide selection is helpful when children want familiar flavours, while small cups reduce the risk of a cone melting before it is eaten.
- Choose a cup if you are planning a longer walk or if the weather is very warm.
- Ask about smaller portions for younger children.
- Look for topping choices if children enjoy building their own dessert.
- Bring napkins, especially when ordering soft serve or fruit sauces.
- Use the harbour or a nearby park as a relaxed place to sit.
For gelato enthusiasts
Gelato lovers should focus on texture and flavour intensity rather than portion size. A good serving should be smooth and easy to scoop, with a flavour that remains clear without tasting excessively sweet. Fruit gelato should taste fresh and lively, while nut based varieties should have a rounded, roasted character.
Try one creamy flavour with one fruit flavour to create balance. Pistachio with lemon, chocolate with raspberry or coffee with strawberry can work particularly well. If you are visiting with someone else, sharing two or three flavours is an easy way to explore more of the menu without ordering a very large portion.
For traditional Swedish ice cream
If you want a classic Swedish experience, choose a cone with familiar flavours such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or lakrits. Swedish liquorice has a distinctive salty and sweet taste, so it can be a fun choice for adventurous visitors. Berry flavours are also worth considering because Nordic summer desserts often make good use of raspberries, blueberries and cloudberries.
Some ice cream shops offer combinations inspired by Swedish cakes and sweets. Ask whether there is a local special or a seasonal flavour. Even when the recipe is not specifically from Öland, trying a flavour connected to Swedish baking can make the stop more memorable.
For visitors seeking dairy free options
Plant based and dairy free choices are increasingly common, but availability can vary between shops and seasons. Fruit sorbet is often the easiest option, although some businesses also offer oat, coconut or other non dairy bases. Ask staff about ingredients if you have an allergy rather than relying on the flavour name alone.
People with serious allergies should also ask about shared equipment and possible traces of nuts, gluten or dairy. Staff may be able to explain which flavours are suitable, but the range may be more limited during quieter months.
The best places to enjoy your ice cream
Borgholm harbour
The harbour is one of the most enjoyable places to eat ice cream in Borgholm. Boats, waterfront buildings and open views create a pleasant setting, particularly in the evening when the light is softer. Walk along the promenade and look for a bench with a view across the water.
Keep an eye on melting ice cream if you are sitting near the harbour. Wind can also make napkins and wrappers difficult to manage, so use the bins provided and avoid leaving anything behind. A cup can be more practical than a cone if you plan to walk for a while.
The town centre and Storgatan
The central streets are convenient when you are combining an ice cream stop with shopping or sightseeing. Storgatan and the surrounding lanes have a relaxed summer atmosphere, with small shops, cafés and historic buildings. This area is a good choice if you want to browse menus before making a decision.
Find a quiet side street or a public bench if the main pedestrian areas are busy. Eating away from the busiest foot traffic gives you more time to notice the details of Borgholm’s older architecture and enjoy your dessert without rushing.
Borgholm Castle and Solliden
Borgholm Castle is a short journey from the centre and makes an excellent destination for a day that includes ice cream. The dramatic ruins are one of Öland’s best known sights, and the surrounding landscape provides plenty of space for walking. Check whether the visitor facilities are open before you travel, particularly outside the main season.
Nearby Solliden Palace also attracts visitors during the summer. Its gardens, exhibitions and cafés may offer refreshments, including ice cream or other desserts, depending on the season. Combining a garden visit with a sweet stop is a good option when you want more than a quick walk through town.
A simple ice cream walk through Borgholm
Start in the town centre and spend a few minutes looking at the menus outside the local ice cream shops and cafés. Choose a cone or cup, then walk towards the harbour. Take the waterfront route at an easy pace, stopping to watch the boats and enjoy the view.
From the harbour, you can continue along the promenade or return through the central streets. If you are staying overnight, an evening visit can be especially enjoyable because the town is often calmer than during the afternoon. Families may prefer an earlier stop, while couples and groups of friends can make it part of a relaxed evening walk.
For a longer outing, visit Borgholm Castle before returning to town for gelato. Alternatively, spend the morning at the castle, have lunch in Borgholm and choose ice cream in the afternoon. This plan keeps the day flexible and allows you to avoid the hottest part of the day during the walk around the ruins.
When to visit Borgholm for ice cream
June, July and August are the most reliable months for finding a full selection of ice cream, gelato and soft serve. July is usually the busiest period, particularly on sunny weekends and during school holidays. If you want a quieter experience, visit in June or late August, when many businesses are still open but the streets may feel less crowded.
May and September can also be enjoyable, especially on warm days, but seasonal opening hours become more important. Some ice cream shops operate only during the height of summer, while cafés may remain open for longer. Check social media, official websites or local tourism information before visiting a specific business.
Even a cool day can be a good time for ice cream. Gelato and café desserts are not limited to hot weather, and a warm drink alongside a small portion can make the experience comfortable in spring or early autumn.
Practical tips for choosing ice cream shops in Borgholm
- Check opening hours on the day you plan to visit, because many businesses are seasonal.
- Ask about current flavours rather than assuming the online menu is complete.
- Visit before the evening rush if you want the shortest queue.
- Consider a cup on very hot days or when you are planning a long walk.
- Ask about dairy free, gluten free and nut free choices if needed.
- Carry a card and a small amount of Swedish cash, as payment methods can differ at seasonal kiosks.
- Use public bins and keep cones, spoons and napkins away from the shoreline.
- Compare the portion size before ordering several scoops, especially for children.
How to find the best ice cream in Borgholm for you
There is no single answer for everyone searching for the best ice cream in Borgholm. If you value variety and a classic holiday atmosphere, start with a well known seasonal ice cream counter. If texture and strong flavours matter most, look for gelato and ask about the freshest fruit or nut flavours. For families, a café or kiosk with flexible portions and outdoor seating may be the most comfortable choice.
The best approach is to treat your first visit as a starting point. Notice which flavours appeal to you, ask staff what is popular and return later in the trip to try something different. Borgholm is small enough that an ice cream stop can fit naturally into almost any itinerary, whether you are visiting the harbour, exploring Öland’s history or simply enjoying a summer afternoon in town.