About Öland

The Island of Light and Horizons

Öland is known across Sweden as “the island of light.” Here, the skies seem wider, the sun lingers longer, and the landscapes glow with colors that shift through every hour of the day. For centuries, this light has attracted artists, poets, and storytellers who seek its clarity and mystery. To filmmakers, Öland offers a rare gift: natural light that paints every frame with atmosphere and emotion. Dawn reveals soft, silver-blue tones across the limestone plains. Midday shines with bright, golden clarity over the sea. And evenings bring deep crimson sunsets stretching endlessly across the horizon. This is not just light—it is living, breathing cinema.

Beyond its beauty, Öland carries the weight of history. The island has been home to people since prehistoric times, leaving behind ancient burial mounds, standing stones, and Viking strongholds. One of its most iconic landmarks is Borgholm Castle, a dramatic ruin that overlooks the sea and whispers of centuries past. Scattered across the island are nearly 400 wooden windmills, once symbols of survival and now enduring icons of its cultural identity. Medieval churches, fortresses, and small fishing villages tell the story of an island that has always stood at the crossroads of nature and civilization. For filmmakers, these sites provide authentic backdrops that can transport any story into another era

Öland has a strong connection to Sweden’s Viking age. Archaeological sites such as the ring forts of Eketorp and Gråborg reveal how the island played a role in trade, defense, and culture during the Viking period. Here, history is not locked in books—it is visible in the land itself. The stone circles, fortresses, and ancient pathways still echo with the lives of those who once walked them, making the island a compelling location for films exploring myth, legend, and history.

Öland’s landscapes are as diverse as they are striking. The Stora Alvaret, a vast limestone plateau and UNESCO World Heritage site, stretches for miles with a unique, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Along the coast, filmmakers can capture dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and the shimmering waters of the Baltic Sea. Forests and meadows add yet another layer of texture, offering intimate natural spaces alongside epic horizons. This diversity makes Öland a filmmaker’s dream—an island that can stand in for multiple worlds within a single shoot.

For generations, Öland has inspired Sweden’s greatest painters, writers, and musicians. Each summer, artists still flock to the island for its creative energy, drawn by the way the landscape seems to speak to the imagination. Today, filmmakers are discovering what so many others already know: Öland is not just a place, it is a feeling. A stage where light, history, and nature come together to create something truly cinematic.

Why Film on Öland?

Öland offers:

Unique Nordic light that transforms every frame.

Rich history from Viking forts to medieval castles.

Unspoiled landscapes ranging from limestone plains to dramatic coastlines.

Cultural heritage with windmills, stone walls, and villages that tell authentic stories.

Versatility—a location that can serve as both the backdrop for intimate dramas and sweeping epics.

For filmmakers, Öland is more than a location—it is a character in itself. It gives voice to stories, depth to images, and atmosphere to every production

At Nordic Horizon Productions, Öland is more than just our home—it is the heart of our filmmaking. The island’s legendary light, its Viking history, and its dramatic landscapes shape the way we tell stories and capture images. We use Öland’s horizons not only as a backdrop, but as a source of inspiration that gives our productions their unique atmosphere.