Sweden and many of the countries of Northern Europe are often forgotten and overlooked, but they offer a unique experience and a diverse landscape that is the perfect place to explore during the summer and winter! Skåne is a gorgeous region of Sweden, full of places to explore and activities to enjoy. From historic fortresses to flowering farm shops, Skåne’s countryside offers visitors a variety of ways to take in its unique beauty. Whether you’re looking for an educational experience or simply some great photo ops, there is something for everyone here in the southernmost region of Sweden.
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1. Go Castle Hopping
There are so many beautiful castles scattered all over Skåne. I recommend picking a castle that is close to other sights you really want to see in order to cut down on drive time. Things in Skåne can be fairly spread out and if you only have a few days to see everything you can it will be really helpful to shorten drive times. Here are my favorite castles we’ve visited so far and a list of all the ones I hope to visit.
Torups Slott
This castle is pure perfection. We visited on a warm sunny evening when the long summer hours allowed us to have sunlight even at 7 pm. We walked the short walking trail around the lake through a small wooded area with stunning views of the castle in the distance. A small field was filled with sheep and horses calmly grazing. As we walked my husband and toddler played together and laughed. I held my infant baby boy in my arms and took it all in, conversing with my in-laws.
I’m not kidding when I say I could have lived in that moment forever.
There is a small museum inside the castle as well as castle garden trails that are open to the public. The outside is free to visit, it is a great spot for a picnic lunch or dinner.
Svaneholm Castle
This castle is also beautiful although it has a less traditional “castle look” in my opinion. It has a beautiful lake right next to it with walking trails around the lake to enjoy. On the front lawn, there is a swing set for kids, my son really appreciated that!
Inside the castle is a museum and a small cafe!
Right near the entrance of the castle, there is also a small garden that is upkept by the local garden club: .
More Castles in Skåne:
- Sofiero Palace
- Norrviken Gardens
- Glimmingehus
- Hackeberga Slott (This is a hotel only open to hotel and restaurant guests)
- Krapperups Castle
- Vittskovle Slott
- Trolleholms Slott
- Trollenas Castle
- Bosjokloster Slott
- Hjularod Slott
- Kronovalls Vinslott (Another hotel in a castle)
2. Sightsee in Malmö
Malmö is Sweden’s third largest city and it is in Skåne right across from Denmark. Because of its proximity to Copenhagen a lot of people take a day trip to Malmö while they are in the area. There are a lot of fun and unique things to do in Malmö. So many that I have a round-up of all the top things to do in Malmö.
From Malmöhus castle to a disgusting food museum, make sure you carve out some time to visit this unique city. And of course, crossing the Øresund Bridge itself is a unique thing to do while you’re visiting the area.
3. Have Fika
No matter where you are in Sweden, don’t forget to stop by a small cafe or pack a small treat to go for Fika each afternoon. Fika is an afternoon break taken with friends and family every afternoon over a cup of coffee and a sweet treat.
A few of the best places to grab fika in Skåne are: Söderberg & Sara (Malmö), St Jakobs (Malmö), Flinkmans Cafe (Helsingborg), Åbergs Trädgärd (Ystad), Österlenkryddor (Ystad)
Read More: 9 Swedish Pastries and Treats You Must Try for Fika
4. Stop by a Few Farm Shops in Skåne
Several local farms run small shops where locals and tourists can buy local produce and goods directly from the farms themselves. These shops have the most beautiful gardens and delicious foods.
My favorite thus far is Österlenkryddor. This ADORABLE shop has multiple goods to draw you in. First up is the absolutely amazing homemade ice cream in the best flavors. Lavender is their most popular but I don’t love floral flavors so we tried the pistachio, raspberry, saffron, and hazelnut flavors. It was so creamy and delicious.
Secondly, they have a lavender field! This is how I initially found them because I love flower fields. Guests are welcome to take photos in the field and on select mornings during the summer they offer sunrise events in the flower field where you can sample some of their products. And lastly, they have a whole shop filled with spices and foods and more that you can shop.
Other Farm Shops:
- Angavallen – A farm-to-table restaurant and farm store.
- Hallongarden – This farm offers pick your own raspberries, strawberries and blueberries May-June. I hear the raspberry cheesecake is to die for.
More to Do in Sweden:
5. Vikingabyn Foteviken – Viking Village and Museum
A bit more of a touristy stop is Vikingabyn Foteviken. This museum offers a replica Viking village complete with a tour from a local Viking as well as villagers that work in some of the shops just as the Vikings would have. We got to try homemade bread, butter and honey as well as make a bracelet in the weaver’s hut and observe a blacksmith at work.
This is a fun place to visit with kids because it is interactive and there is a lot of space for them to run and play. There are even some games from the Viking times that everyone can try their hand at.
6. Visit Lund
Lund is a university city not that far from Malmō itself. Because a large amount of the population are university students the city is extra empty during the summer, perfect for the summer tourists!
You’ll have a great time when you walk among the flowers at the Lund Botanical Garden, visit the Lund Cathedral or go back in time at Kulturen with houses dating back to the middle ages. There are many yummy food spots worth trying as well so no one will go hungry. And of course, just walk the streets to find the cute and cozy corners all throughout town.
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7. Ales Stenar
Take a small hike up to the cliffside to see these old stones from Viking times. Ale Stenar is about a 20-minute walk from the parking area up to the stones with a mild gain in elevation. At the top, you can enjoy the great view over the ocean as you take in the history of these 1,000+ year-old stones. This stone ship is a beautiful remnant of a bygone time. It is very windy at the top of the cliff and when conditions are right you’ll see lots of wind surfers flying about.
There is not much else to do in the surrounding area although the small town at the base of the cliffs does have some yummy looking restaurants.
8. Ystad
Small towns are a specialty when it comes to Scandinavia. I am constantly amazed by the sights and things to do in so many of the little towns all over the country. Ystad is no exception. One of Sweden’s top charming towns, they have a main street lined with small shops and restaurants that is fun to walk along. The church on the city square is open to the public and is beautiful inside.
During the summer there are flowers blooming everywhere but regardless of when you visit Ystad is home to the most picturesque street ever. This curved residential street is as Instagram-worthy as it gets.
9. The Mills of Skåne
Large white modern windmills are a common sight in Skåne but you can also find older mills too. The older mills make for much cuter photo ops and picnic spots than the newer models. There is a very pretty mill right in downtown Malmō behind Malmō Castle. Others like Bracke Molla and Flackarps Mill are out in the countryside.
10. Hiking
I love hiking and the subtle rolling hills of Skåne are a wonderful spot to do some light hiking. It won’t give you views like the mountains but you can get outside and appreciate nature. The Trollskogen hike takes you through a beech tree forest and sounds like it would be truly wonderful. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the beautiful nature that can be found in the Kullaberg Nature Reserve or one of the National Parks.
11. Skanor Beach
We live in Florida and I do just have to say, the Swedish beaches aren’t quite as nice (read: warm) as the turquoise beaches of Tampa. However, there are still some beautiful white sandy beaches worth visiting in the southern region of Sweden. The small beach huts of Skanor beach are cute and worth seeing. They are absolutely adorable and practical too. People purchase these huts to store all of their beach supplies so when they take a beach trip they have everything they need in one accessible spot.
Even though the weather is colder in Sweden than in Tampa, on a warm summer day this is a wonderful beach to visit for a beach day in Skåne, Sweden.
Other beautiful beaches in Skåne: Sandhammaren, Simrishamn, Haväng.
Best Time to Visit Skåne, Sweden
As a whole the summer months are the best time of the year to visit Sweden. The weather is warm but almost never hot and on a sunny day it is perfectly comfortable to spend the day outside. Skåne can be quite rainy almost anytime of year so definitely be prepared. Bring an umbrella and a rain jacket everywhere you go in order to stay dry.
How to Get Around Skåne
Public transportation in Sweden is top notch so using trains and buses to get around is a great way to keep your cost down and still see everything. There is a train station in every city and bus stops at almost all of the sights you would want to see, even the more remote places.
If you are short on time in the area or prefer to keep to your own time table while sightseeing then a car rental is a great option. Things are pretty spread out in Skåne so when there is a lot to do it can save a lot of time when you don’t have to wait for buses and trains.
More to Do in Scandinavia
Best Things to Do in Skåne Sweden
Skåne is a great destination for those who want to explore the outdoors and dive into Swedish culture. Whether you’re looking for castles, Vikings, farms, hiking or beaches, Skåne has something for everyone! Take some time on your next trip to Sweden and make sure you check out all of these amazing things to do in Skåne. You won’t be disappointed with all the unique experiences that Southern Sweden offers!
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Sweden today!
Don’t forget that if you’re looking for more things to do in other parts of Sweden then many other cities and regions have their own unique experiences and attractions that you’ll want to take advantage of. From the capital city of Stockholm to the Lapland region in the north, there are endless opportunities for adventure! Be sure to do some research on what other regions and cities have to offer. You may just find yourself adding more destinations to your Swedish travel itinerary!
