Ystad and Skåne: 18 Things to See in Southern Sweden in 2026

Skåne is the southernmost and warmest corner of Sweden, and at first glance it looks more like Denmark than typical Scandinavia. Instead of endless dark forests and reindeer beside the road, here you’ll find dazzling white sandy beaches, rolling green plains and — in May — unbelievably yellow fields of blooming rapeseed. Ystad and the wider Skåne region in Sweden are the perfect introduction to this sunny slice of the country.

Getting here from the rest of Europe is surprisingly easy and comfortable. Ferries from Świnoujście in Poland or Rostock in Germany drop you right in the heart of the region, so you save hundreds of kilometres behind the wheel and can start exploring straight away.

I’ve put together 18 specific tips for you — from white beaches through medieval castles all the way to the best falafel in the country. And I’ll tell you straight away where to base yourself strategically and how to save on transport.

TL;DR

• The most accessible part of Sweden: Skåne is ideal for a road trip, with ferries dropping you right into Ystad or Trelleborg.
• The Øresund Bridge: An iconic structure linking Swedish Malmö with Danish Copenhagen, which you can cross by car or train.
• A paradise for history lovers: Ystad offers hundreds of half-timbered houses, while Lund boasts a majestic Romanesque cathedral.
• The Swedish Stonehenge: The magical stones of Ales stenar rise on a cliff right above the wild Baltic Sea.
• Beautiful white beaches: Areas like Sandhammaren or the Falsterbo peninsula have sand that looks more like the Caribbean.
• In the footsteps of Wallander: Fans of Nordic noir will love the filming locations from Henning Mankell’s books.
• Cheap transport in 2026: In the second half of the year, Skånetrafiken offers half-price monthly tickets for all travellers.

When to visit Skåne and the Ystad Sweden weather

This region boasts the longest and warmest summer in the whole country. The tourist season wakes up here as early as spring, and late May looks as if someone poured a bucket of yellow paint over the landscape. The entire province turns golden thanks to the blooming rapeseed fields, which looks absolutely stunning in photos and lights up the whole countryside into the distance.

If you’re tempted by swimming and long evenings, plan your trip for the summer months. From late June to mid-August most Swedes are on their so-called industrial holiday (industrisemester), so all the summer cafés, castles and seasonal attractions run at full steam. Temperatures here regularly climb to a pleasant 25 °C, and the shallow sea by the white sandy beaches warms up nicely. Just bear in mind that you’ll meet the most tourists along the coast and accommodation prices will be at their peak.

Autumn, on the other hand, tempts you with incredible calm and fantastic culinary experiences. September and October are ideal for hiking inland, especially in Söderåsen National Park, where the deciduous forests turn fiery shades of red and orange. On top of that, the Österlen area celebrates its famous apple harvest during this period, so the whole landscape smells of fresh cider and baked pastries. It’s the time when nature calms down and you can enjoy real Nordic serenity without the crowds.

Where to stay in Skåne: hotels in Ystad Sweden and beyond

💡 Accommodation and experiences tip: We prefer to look for accommodation on Booking.com, which usually has the best cancellation terms. Tickets, tours and activities are then worth comparing and booking through GetYourGuide.

When choosing a base for your trip, it mainly comes down to what kind of holiday you prefer. If you like the buzz of a big city and want dozens of great specialty coffee shops at hand, make Malmö your base. From there you can incredibly easily hop on a train for day trips to Copenhagen or nearby academic Lund. Prices in Malmö are surprisingly friendly, and the metro, trams and bike rentals will take you anywhere without unnecessary stress.

For more romantic souls and lovers of the sea, Ystad or the picturesque rural area of Österlen is the absolutely ideal choice. You’ll find perfect peace here, the typical red wooden cottages (stugor) and beautiful old farms converted into cosy family guesthouses. Distances in Skåne are very short by Nordic standards, so even from the deep countryside you can reach the main sights by car in an hour at most.

When booking accommodation, I recommend looking at these specific hotels across price categories that have long collected great reviews:

• Clarion Hotel Malmö Live: A modern skyscraper right in the centre of Malmö, whose city views stretch all the way to the Øresund Bridge, and the breakfast is built on local ingredients — fresh bread, smörgås and local cheeses. You’ll get a double room here from around 1,200 SEK (about €110) a night, and you can comfortably walk everywhere.
• Ystad Saltsjöbad: A luxury spa hotel lying right on the beautiful beach in Ystad. It’s the ideal place to relax after a full day of sightseeing, where you can enjoy heated pools with sea views. Prices per night start around 2,000 SEK (roughly €180).
• Kiviks Hotell: A gorgeous boutique hotel surrounded by apple orchards in the Österlen area. The only thing to break the silence is the wind in the orchards, and the garden is made for an afternoon with a book and a glass of cider. Rooms run around 1,500 SEK (about €135) a night.
• STF Vandrarhem: For travellers on a smaller budget, this hostel network offers great, clean rooms all over the region, often in historic buildings. Prices start at just 600 SEK (about €55) a night.

Where to eat in Skåne

Sweden might look like an expensive foodie destination at first glance, but when you know where to go, you’ll save money and eat brilliantly. The south of Sweden is also a renowned agricultural region, so local ingredients play the leading role.

Bet on the daily menu and market halls

During the day it’s definitely worth seeking out restaurants offering the so-called dagens rätt (daily menu). It usually costs a reasonable 100 to 130 SEK (about €9–12), and besides the main course — often fish or vegetarian patties — it includes a salad buffet, bread and coffee. Among specific spots, I recommend exploring the Saluhall market hall in Malmö, where you’ll find dozens of stalls with fresh treats from seafood to artisan cheeses.

18 things to see and do in Skåne

Let’s dive straight into the specific spots: I’ve prepared a mix of historic towns, nature reserves and architectural curiosities, each with tips on when to visit and rough prices.

1. The Øresund Bridge and the trip to Copenhagen

This sixteen-kilometre engineering marvel connects Swedish Malmö with Danish Copenhagen, and it’s worth crossing even if you have no interest in Copenhagen at all. Part of the journey by train or car runs beneath the sea, then you surface on the artificial island of Peberholm and drive the rest high above the waves of the Øresund strait. From the centre of Malmö you get here almost instantly, because the bridge connects directly to the edge of the city.

It’s an immensely popular link, but get your wallet ready for the toll. A standard one-way crossing for a car costs roughly 470 to 510 Danish krone, which is about 750 SEK (around €65–70). If you’re planning a return trip, it’s absolutely worth getting the annual ØresundGO subscription online in advance. That brings the price of a single crossing down to 178 Danish krone (around €24), so your investment pays off on the very first return journey. The bridge is open around the clock all year, but for a smooth drive without queues, avoid Friday and Sunday afternoons.

When crossing from Sweden to Denmark and back, don’t forget your travel documents. The Swedish government has extended random border checks until at least the end of 2026. Whether you go by car or by comfortable train straight from Copenhagen airport, always keep a valid ID card handy for all passengers. If you prefer public transport, use the reliable Skånetrafiken regional trains.

💡 Tip: If you’re going by train, buy your ticket through the Skånetrafiken app. The journey from the centre of Malmö to Copenhagen airport takes just over twenty minutes, trains run very frequently, and you avoid the stress behind the wheel.

2. Malmö: Turning Torso and Västra Hamnen

The symbol of modern Malmö is undoubtedly the Turning Torso skyscraper, designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. This 190-metre-tall building rises above the city like a giant corkscrew and for many years held the title of the tallest structure in all of Scandinavia. It sits just ten minutes by bus from the main station, and you can also reach it on foot with a pleasant walk along the coast.

There’s one small catch for tourists, though. Unfortunately you can’t normally go up, because the skyscraper hides only luxury apartments and private offices. There’s no public viewing platform, so you’ll have to photograph this architectural gem only from the outside. Luckily, the view from the street is absolutely breathtaking, and admiring it from outside won’t cost you a cent. The area around the building is accessible 24 hours a day.

The building stands in the eco-friendly Västra Hamnen district, which was built on the site of former industrial shipyards. In summer, joggers zip along the piers, kids jump into the sea and the queue for ice cream stretches around the corner. Long wooden piers run along the water, where you can sit with a coffee and enjoy the view of the Danish coast in the distance. There’s no entrance fee here and the atmosphere is incredibly relaxed.

💡 Tip: Come here just before sunset. A pleasant breeze blows in from the sea and the silhouette of the Øresund Bridge against the orange sky looks absolutely fantastic.

3. Malmö: The historic centre and Lilla Torg

From the modern architecture by the sea, move straight into the heart of the old town, dominated by the little Lilla Torg square. This space is surrounded by beautifully restored half-timbered houses from the sixteenth century and feels like something out of a period film. It sits right in the city centre, just a five-minute walk from the central station, so you’ll reach it without any trouble.

During the day you’ll find the perfect refuge here for a traditional Swedish fika — the sacred break for coffee and sweet pastries. A coffee with a cinnamon bun costs around 65 to 100 SEK (about €6–9). In the evening, the whole historic cobblestone square turns into one giant outdoor bar, where locals and tourists gather for a drink and dinner under the open sky. If you want a quieter atmosphere without crowds, I recommend visiting early in the morning.

A short walk away stands the majestic Malmöhus, the oldest preserved Renaissance castle in Scandinavia. Today it works as an extensive museum, where you’ll come across everything from historical exhibitions about the Danish–Swedish wars to a small natural-history aquarium. Adult admission costs a very pleasant 100 SEK (roughly €9) and the museum is usually open every day except Monday.

💡 Tip: If you love design, wander the little shops in the lanes around Lilla Torg. You’ll find plenty of independent boutiques with wonderful Nordic ceramics and textiles at reasonable prices.

4. Malmö: The Möllevången district and legendary falafel

If you want to experience the true soul of today’s Malmö, you have to head to the Möllevången district, which locals lovingly call Möllan. This spot is just about a fifteen-minute walk from the main station, or you can easily reach it by any city bus. The city is home to people from 180 countries, and it’s right here that you feel this incredible multicultural mix in full. The morning markets on the square overflow with exotic fruit, the air smells of all kinds of spices, and the streets are lined with dozens of interesting bistros.

This is where people go for the legendary Malmö falafel at the Jalla Jalla bistro on Bergsgatan, which is a genuine local cultural institution and a lifesaver for any travel budget. A large falafel roll costs a fraction of the price of any other hot meal in Sweden. It usually fits into 50 to 70 SEK (roughly €5–6). You’ll get fresh vegetables with it, plenty of excellent sauces, and you’ll eat perfectly well entirely without meat. Local bistros are usually open from late morning until late at night.

Plenty of wild myths circulate about safety in Malmö, but both the centre and Möllan are perfectly fine during the day and in the evening, so all you need is common sense, just like anywhere in Europe. The best way to avoid the crowds at the stalls is to arrive shortly before noon or, conversely, around two in the afternoon.

💡 Tip: Try adding traditional halloumi cheese to your falafel. Most bistros offer this vegetarian treat for a small surcharge of around 20 SEK (about €2) and it takes the whole taste experience to a higher level.

5. Lund: The Romanesque cathedral and astronomical clock

Just under twenty minutes by train from Malmö lies the university town of Lund, which feels like a completely different world. Skånetrafiken trains run here from Malmö all the time and a ticket costs around 60 SEK (about €5). While Malmö is bold and modern, Lund is ancient, academic and incredibly calm. From the station you can comfortably walk to the historic centre in ten minutes.

The crown jewel of the whole town is the majestic Romanesque Lund Cathedral from the twelfth century. Inside you’ll find a fascinating fifteenth-century astronomical clock that puts on a mechanical show twice a day. The wooden knights duel usually exactly at noon and at three in the afternoon, so plan your visit for that time. Entry is free and it’s open year-round, so you have no excuse to skip it.

Beneath the cathedral lies a dark and slightly eerie crypt. According to old Nordic legend, the mythical giant Finn turned to stone there as he tried to destroy the whole church, and you can see his stone figure wrapped around a pillar with your own eyes. To avoid the throngs of students and tourists, I recommend planning your visit for a weekend morning, when the streets are still asleep.

💡 Tip: Lund is a town of bicycles and students. Rent a bike at one of the many city rental stations and ride through the cobbled lanes lined with brick houses romantically overgrown with ivy.

6. Skanör and Falsterbo: White beaches and seals

The very southwestern tip of Sweden is made up of the picturesque Falsterbo peninsula. You’d search in vain for rocks and dark water here — instead, look forward to kilometres of dazzling white sand and grassy dunes reminiscent of the American Hamptons. From Malmö you get here by car in under half an hour, or you can take the regular regional bus number 300, which drops you right by the sea. Beach access is of course free; you only pay for parking, which costs around 20 SEK (€2) per hour.

These endless beaches are lined with hundreds of tiny, pastel-coloured beach huts. They’re passed down from generation to generation, cost an absolute fortune, and look so fairy-tale-like that you simply can’t not post a photo. If you want the beaches to yourself, come early in the morning or outside the main summer holidays, because in July and August it gets really busy here at weekends.

The area is also home to the Måkläppen nature reserve, known for its large seal colony. In autumn, on the other hand, birdwatchers gather here from all over Europe, because millions of birds migrate across the peninsula on their way south. It’s an absolute paradise for lovers of untouched Nordic nature.

💡 Tip: Entry to the Måkläppen reserve is only permitted from November to January to protect the animals. You can’t get there in summer, but you can often watch the seals with binoculars from the surrounding Skanör beaches.

7. Ystad: Half-timbered houses and the monastery

The town of Ystad embodies exactly what you’d picture as a Nordic idyll. Its historic centre is woven with winding cobbled lanes lined with hundreds of perfectly preserved historic half-timbered houses. From Malmö you get here by car or comfortable train in about fifty minutes. The train station lies right by the harbour, from where you’re in the historic centre on foot in just five minutes.

They’re often nicknamed “almond houses” because of their typical pastel colours. On a walk you’ll also come across the beautiful Gråbrödraklostret monastery, which is one of the best-preserved medieval buildings in the whole Skåne region and is surrounded by fragrant herb gardens. Admission to the monastery museum costs around 50 SEK (about €5) and it’s usually open Tuesday to Sunday. If you want to enjoy the romantic atmosphere without crowds, head into the lanes right after breakfast.

Ystad’s centre has kept its original medieval street layout, so wonderful history breathes at every step. You can wander here for hours, peeking into little courtyards and admiring the carefully maintained facades that are centuries old. Ystad is very compact, and you can walk to all the important spots in a single afternoon.

💡 Tip: Take a break in one of the many local cafés. Ystad is famous for its patisseries, where you’ll get the best cinnamon buns far and wide (expect a price of around 40 SEK, about €4 apiece).

8. Ystad: In the footsteps of Inspector Wallander

Global fame and crowds of tourists, however, were brought to Ystad by the writer Henning Mankell and his fictional, forever gloomy Inspector Kurt Wallander. The books and TV series turned the town into a popular pilgrimage destination for fans of Nordic noir from all over the world. You’ll find all the important spots from the books scattered right in the historic centre, so you don’t need any special transport.

At the local tourist centre you can pick up a special map (often free or for a small fee) and walk the town exactly in the inspector’s footsteps. The route reliably takes you from his flat on Mariagatan all the way to his favourite pizzeria, where he spent his evenings. You can do the walk any time of year, because the lanes are publicly accessible at all times.

Film buffs shouldn’t miss Ystad Studios either, where a large part of the series was filmed. In the interactive visitor centre you can see the original sets and discover how the film illusion of a police station is created. Admission is around 100 SEK (roughly €9) and it’s usually open daily in summer, and mostly only at weekends off-season.

💡 Tip: Stop by the Fridolfs konditori café on Lilla Östergatan. The literary Wallander used to come here for coffee, and today you can have a special blue cake in his honour for around 50 SEK (€5).

9. Ystad: The night watchman of St Mary’s Church

In Ystad, one absolutely fascinating medieval tradition has survived that you won’t easily see anywhere else in Europe. From the tower of the majestic St Mary’s Church, a copper horn is sounded every night. The church stands in the very heart of the town on Stortorget square, and you can experience this whole spectacle (or rather, listen to it) completely free — you just need to be in the right place at the right time.

This job is done by the night watchman, whose task is to guard the town against fires. From nine in the evening until one in the morning, he blows the horn in all four directions exactly every quarter of an hour, announcing to residents that the town is safe and they can sleep peacefully. In the summer months the square is still full of people at that time, so you don’t need to worry about strolling here after dark.

This unique tradition has run continuously since the eighteenth century. When you walk the hushed cobbled lanes beneath the church in the evening and hear the long, drawn-out sound of the horn, you feel as if you’ve travelled three hundred years back in time. It’s one of the most authentic experiences you can take home from southern Sweden.

💡 Tip: The sound of the horn is fairly quiet and muffled, so you needn’t worry about it waking you in your hotel at night. You’ll hear it best if you stand right on the square below the tower a few minutes before the hour.

10. Kåseberga: A picturesque fishing village

About twenty kilometres east of Ystad, the harbour village of Kåseberga hides in a small bay. It’s made up of a cluster of little red houses that huddle right beneath steep green cliffs, protected by a mighty breakwater. By car you arrive here in under half an hour, or you can take the local bus that regularly departs from the train station in Ystad.

The local smokehouses do smell of fish — a huge Swedish tradition that locals have kept up for centuries — but you can enjoy a lovely afternoon fika here. You’ll find several cosy cafés serving great coffee and fluffy cakes with fresh fruit. For coffee and dessert you’ll pay around 80 SEK (about €7). In summer the cafés run from early morning until early evening.

Kåseberga serves as the main starting point for the hike to the magical Ales stenar monument. The harbour is a great place to rest after the walk, where you can sit on a bench, listen to the cry of the gulls and watch the fishing boats bobbing on the waves. The harbour is open at all times and there’s no entrance fee — only parking.

💡 Tip: The car park in Kåseberga fills up very quickly in high season (it costs about 20 SEK per hour). I recommend arriving either early in the morning or, conversely, in the late afternoon, when the crowds from the tour buses have left.

11. Ales stenar: The Swedish Stonehenge

Right above the village of Kåseberga lies one of the most magical spots in all of southern Sweden. On a high grassy cliff rises Ales stenar, a monument made up of fifty-nine enormous boulders arranged in the majestic shape of a ship. From Ystad you’re at the car park in Kåseberga in twenty minutes by car, and from there you have to continue on foot. The hike itself up the maintained path to the cliff takes about a quarter of an hour.

This megalithic monument measures an impressive sixty-seven metres in length and probably dates from the Iron Age. To this day no one knows for certain whether it was a sacred burial ground of an important chieftain or a sophisticated solar calendar that helped determine the seasons. The monument lies freely in nature, so it’s accessible 24 hours a day all year round and there’s absolutely no entrance fee.

When you stand there, the wind ruffling your hair and the sea roaring wildly below you, you’re hit by the incredible mystical atmosphere of the old Norsemen. During summer weekends crowds gather here, so for a peaceful experience I recommend coming outside the main tourist peaks.

💡 Tip: You’ll get the very best experience if you head to the boulders just before sunset. The stones cast long shadows and the golden light reflecting off the sea surface creates a perfect scene for photos.

12. The Sandhammaren and Ystad Sandskog beaches

If you’re coming to Sweden for the swimming, a real paradise awaits you east of Ystad. Sandhammaren beach is regularly voted the absolute most beautiful beach in the whole country, and its sand is so fine that it once reportedly served in precise hourglasses. From Ystad you get here by car in about thirty minutes, the car park lies just a short walk from the beach, and it charges the standard hourly rate of around 20 SEK (€2).

The white strip of sand stretches for kilometres and is surrounded by pine forests that provide pleasant shade on hot summer days. The water is cooler here than in the Mediterranean, but in July and August you can swim without any problem. Beach access is of course free. In autumn the coast turns into an ideal place for long, melancholy walks without people.

Closer to town lies Ystad Sandskog, a popular recreation area full of cycle paths and promenades. You’ll find perfect facilities for families with children here, wooden boardwalks and stalls with excellent soft-serve ice cream. You can reach it from the centre of Ystad in ten minutes, even by bike.

💡 Tip: At Sandhammaren beach, be very careful of the strong sea currents, which can be treacherous. Always respect the warning signs and only swim in areas marked as safe.

13. Glimmingehus: A medieval fortress

Inland, just under thirty-five kilometres northeast of Ystad, rises the Glimmingehus castle. It’s by far the best-preserved medieval fortress in all of Scandinavia. This mighty stone building was commissioned in the late fifteenth century by the Danish knight Jens Holgersen Ulfstand. By car you arrive here from Ystad in under half an hour of relaxed driving between fields and meadows.

The castle was designed to withstand any attack and is full of ingenious defensive features. On a tour you’ll discover hidden arrow slits, false doors and openings in the ceilings through which defenders once poured boiling pitch on unwanted guests. Adult admission costs around 100 SEK (about €9). In high season it’s open daily; off-season the opening hours shrink to just weekends, so it’s best to check online.

Today Glimmingehus is a great spot for a family outing. During the summer season, guides in period costumes host interesting tours and spooky evenings, during which old legends of castle spirits and ancient battles come to life. To avoid the school groups, arrive right at opening time.

💡 Tip: In the castle grounds there’s a beautiful herb garden and a pleasant café, where you can rest and taste excellent vegetarian specialities prepared according to traditional medieval recipes.

14. Simrishamn and Österlen: The apple kingdom

As you continue further east, you’ll enter the picturesque Österlen area, often nicknamed the Swedish Tuscany. It welcomes you with gently rolling countryside, cosy art galleries and endless fragrant apple orchards. The centre of the region is the small town of Simrishamn, about forty-five minutes by car from Ystad. You can also reach it very easily by regional train, so a car isn’t strictly necessary.

The heart of fruit-growing is the nearby town of Kivik, home to the famous local cider mill Kiviks Musteri. In autumn a grand apple market is held here, where artists create huge and incredibly detailed mosaics from tens of thousands of colourful apples. This market draws thousands of visitors, so arm yourself with patience when looking for parking. In summer a visit to the orchards is much calmer, and entry to the grounds is free — you only pay for tastings.

The Österlen area is absolutely ideal for cycling trips. You can slowly ride from one farm to another and buy fresh produce directly from local farmers. Simrishamn doesn’t lack plenty of cafés where you can rest and gather your strength.

💡 Tip: Stop at the Kiviks Musteri cider mill for a guided tasting. For around 150 SEK (€14) you can sample classic apple ciders as well as excellent non-alcoholic ones and buy great vegetarian products made from local ingredients.

15. Helsingborg and the gateway to Denmark

On the northwestern coast of Skåne, about sixty-five kilometres north of Malmö, lies the vibrant city of Helsingborg. It serves as one of the main gateways to Denmark, and by train you get here from Malmö in under an hour. From the historic centre it’s less than five kilometres across the Øresund strait to the Danish shores, so you can see the Danish town of Helsingør with the naked eye right from the harbour.

The city’s landmark is Kärnan, a mighty medieval brick tower — the only survivor of the original giant castle. When you climb the dozens of steps to its top, a breathtaking view opens up of the whole city and the busy maritime route below you. Admission to the tower costs around 80 SEK (about €7) and in summer it’s open daily. To avoid the rush of tourists, head up the tower right at ten in the morning.

Ferries between Helsingborg and Danish Helsingør shuttle back and forth all the time, and a ticket for a foot passenger costs around 50 SEK (€5). The crossing takes just twenty minutes, so you can make a super-quick day trip to the famous Danish castle of Kronborg, the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

💡 Tip: Crossing by ferry with a car is often a cheaper and faster alternative for travellers who want to avoid Copenhagen traffic and the high tolls on the big Øresund Bridge.

16. Kullaberg: Cliffs and a lighthouse

A short way above Helsingborg, about thirty-five kilometres by car heading north, the Kulla peninsula juts out into the sea. Its very tip is formed by the wild Kullaberg nature reserve. Here the calm sandy beaches end and real Nordic drama begins, full of steep cliffs and crashing waves. Entry to the reserve itself is free; you only pay for parking by the main trails.

The gneiss cliffs plunge dozens of metres vertically into the sea, and the whole area is threaded with demanding trails accessible year-round. At the very end of the peninsula stands the Kullens fyr lighthouse (the highest-situated lighthouse in all of Sweden), which in summer you can even go inside for a small fee.

You can enjoy beautiful hikes with sea views here, explore caves hidden in the rocks, or head out on an organised seal safari on small boats. In short, the area is a paradise for all lovers of untamed nature and adrenaline. If you want the cliffs to yourself, head here early in the morning before the families arrive.

💡 Tip: The terrain on the cliffs is very rugged and rocky. Definitely wear sturdy hiking boots and be careful, especially if a strong wind is blowing in from the sea, which can be treacherous.

17. Nimis: A wooden structure and the micronation of Ladonia

On the northern coast of the Kulla peninsula hides one of the most curious attractions in all of Sweden. It’s called Nimis, and it’s a huge labyrinth of towers and corridors built from driftwood by the eccentric artist Lars Vilks. The place is just a short drive from the main Kullaberg reserve, and entry is completely free, because the structure lies freely in nature and is accessible around the clock.

The structure was built illegally in an off-limits nature reserve, and the authorities tried for years to remove it. In protest, Vilks declared an independent micronation on this bit of beach called Ladonia (today it has tens of thousands of virtual citizens from all over the world). This whole bizarre story gives the place a wonderfully rebellious atmosphere.

The way to Nimis isn’t signposted at all and takes quite a bit of physical effort. You have to descend a very steep and rocky trail through the forest down to the sea, but once the towering wooden structures appear before you, you’ll understand that the effort was worth it. Set off in sturdy shoes and ideally on summer days when the ground is dry.

💡 Tip: If you head here, don’t count on any tourist facilities. There’s no signal, toilets or refreshment stalls. Bring plenty of water and don’t come in the rain — the steep trail is hellishly slippery.

18. Bäckaskog Castle and the Skåneleden trail

Southern Sweden is dotted with dozens of beautiful castles and châteaux that once served the Danish and Swedish nobility. One of the prettiest is Bäckaskog Castle, which lies on a narrow strip of land right between two glittering lakes. It sits near the town of Kristianstad, and from Malmö you reach it by car in about an hour and a half. You can enter the castle gardens without any trouble; admission to the interiors themselves is around 80 SEK (about €7).

The former thirteenth-century monastery was later rebuilt into the summer residence of King Charles XV. Today you can walk through the beautiful sprawling gardens, admire centuries-old trees and enjoy perfect peace far from the main tourist routes. The castle is accessible mainly in the summer season, when there are regular tours of the historic interiors and a fantastic castle café is open. There you can have an excellent apple pie and coffee with a gorgeous view over the calm lake surface. On top of that, the whole province is crossed by the famous network of hiking and cycling trails, Skåneleden, which measures over thirteen hundred kilometres in total.

Thanks to the mostly flat terrain, Skåne is an absolute paradise for cyclists, so feel free to rent a bike and set off to discover old castles, windmills and picturesque farms entirely under your own steam. Most of the cycle routes are perfectly signposted and safely weave through picturesque villages and deep beech forests, where you suddenly lose track of how long you’ve been riding, because it simply swept you away.

💡 Tip: Along the countryside cycle paths you’ll come across plenty of so-called “loppis”, or flea markets, which the Swedes absolutely love. They’re often held right in old barns at farms, and you can find wonderful vintage treasures there for a few crowns.

How to get to Skåne and how to get around

The journey to southern Sweden from central Europe is surprisingly quick and offers several comfortable options. If you’re planning a road trip and setting off in your own car, the ferries from Poland or Germany make the most sense. From the Polish port of Świnoujście you sail to Swedish Ystad or Trelleborg in about seven hours. Prices for a car with driver start at €95, and if you choose the night crossing you save a night in a hotel and set off rested in the morning. From Gdynia in Poland you can then sail to Karlskrona, which takes just under ten hours.

The German alternative is the ports of Rostock, Travemünde or Sassnitz. The ferry from Rostock to Trelleborg makes the crossing in six hours and is a very popular choice for families with children who want to minimise the time spent behind the wheel on the motorway. Tickets range between €60 and €200 depending on how far in advance you book. The simple rule here is that the earlier you buy your ticket, the friendlier the final price.

For travellers who prefer to fly, Copenhagen’s Kastrup airport is absolutely ideal. Flights to Copenhagen are often much cheaper than direct flights to Sweden, and carriers like Ryanair, easyJet and Lufthansa serve it from major European hubs. From the airport terminal you then hop straight onto a comfortable train, and after crossing the iconic Øresund Bridge you step out in just twenty minutes right in the centre of Swedish Malmö. Malmö’s own airport serves mostly domestic flights or smaller low-cost airlines.

Getting around the region itself is incredibly easy thanks to the reliable regional operator Skånetrafiken. Their purple trains and green buses connect just about every larger village, run precisely on time, and you can buy tickets in a few clicks through the Skånetrafiken app. If you head to Skåne in the second half of 2026, you can also benefit from blanket government subsidies that have slashed the price of monthly tickets to a fantastic half (roughly 530 SEK, about €48).

A car will give you enormous freedom to explore remote beaches or hidden apple orchards in the Österlen area, but it’s definitely not a necessity. Skåne is wonderfully flat and boasts hundreds of kilometres of perfect cycle paths. If you base yourself strategically in Malmö or Ystad, you can simply rent a bike, pack a picnic blanket and explore the surrounding coast purely under your own power.

A 5-day loop through southern Sweden

If you arrive in Sweden on the morning ferry and have roughly five days to explore the south, I’ve put together an ideal itinerary for you. It lets you see the absolute best of the whole region, but at the same time won’t trap you in the car for hours. The distances here are really unusually short, so each day you’ll drive at most around eighty kilometres and there’s plenty of time left for lounging in local cafés.

Day one — devote it to discovering Malmö. Start with a morning coffee in the Västra Hamnen district with a view of the Turning Torso skyscraper, in the afternoon lose yourself in the lanes around Lilla Torg, and in the evening have the best falafel in the Möllevången district. You can comfortably spend the night right in the city centre, from where you can walk everywhere.

Day two — set off first thing in the morning by train or car to nearby Lund. See the majestic cathedral with its astronomical clock, walk through the university campus and have a hearty lunch in the form of the daily menu (dagens rätt), which often includes excellent vegetarian patties. In the afternoon, move to the very southwest to the Falsterbo peninsula and Skanör. Walk among the photogenic beach huts, breathe in the clean sea air and stay at one of the smaller local guesthouses by the water.

Day three — drive along the southern coast to Ystad, which will take you barely fifty minutes of relaxed driving. Explore the historic centre full of half-timbered houses and follow in the footsteps of Inspector Wallander. For dinner head to a cosy pizzeria and wait for nightfall to listen to the night watchman from the church tower. An overnight stay in Ystad is an absolute must, ideally in one of the romantic hotels.

Day four — mysticism and nature await you. In the morning drive to the fishing village of Kåseberga and hike up to the magical Ales stenar stones before the tour buses arrive. Then continue further east into the Österlen area. Stop at the Kiviks Musteri cider mill, buy local apple products and stroll through the orchards. Look for accommodation around the town of Simrishamn, where you’ll come across picturesque farms converted into private stays.

Day five — you can devote it to the majestic Glimmingehus castle and then head either north into the dense forests of Småland, or slowly return along the motorway back to Trelleborg for the afternoon ferry. This loop deliberately skips the more remote northern Kulla peninsula, so you don’t rush and can truly enjoy the slow Nordic pace to the full.

Where to go next from Skåne

If you’ve already explored the south of Sweden, several options open up for where to continue. With a car you can head north into the deep forests of Småland and experience the real Sweden, or go even further and spend a few days in wonderful Stockholm.

If you’re tempted by big cities and great food, definitely use the Øresund Bridge and cross into neighbouring Denmark. A visit to Copenhagen is an absolute must. And if you want to plan your budget better before the trip, take a look at our detailed breakdown of prices and costs in Sweden.

Frequently asked questions