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Sweden is a stunning country. From the capital city of Stockholm to the wild Lapland landscape north of the Arctic Circle in Lapland, Sweden has a lot to offer. Located in Scandinavia it hangs above Europe and is separated from the mainland by the Baltic Sea. Though many visitors to this country head North toward Stockholm and beyond, a visit to the Southern region of Sweden has so much to offer.
Located on the Southern tip of Sweden and connected to Denmark by bridge, the province of Skåne is a destination that should be added to any Sweden itinerary. Skåne is often overlooked by travelers but has an undeniable charm and breathtaking cities and small towns that are absolutely worth a visit.
Here are the top 5 reasons to visit Skåne in Southern Sweden.
Tour Beautiful Cities
Malmo is the capital city of Skåne and may be the best known cities in the province. Malmo has so much to discover. Throughout the city are many markets, easy access to the Baltic Sea, a castle, a bustling historical center, and unique architecture like the world’s first twisting skyscraper, the Turning Torso.
Other towns worth visiting in Skåne include:
Helsingborg – Skåne’s second largest city, home to a medieval fortress, and Sweden’s closest point to neighboring Denmark. A great point to start a day trip to Helsingor, Denmark and Hamlet’s Castle.
Lund – A beautiful town and home to Lund University, one of Scandinavia’s oldest universities.
Kristianstad – A popular summer destination for tourists from mainland Europe, Kristianstad is a beautiful town near the coast.
Visit Sweden’s Stonehenge
Called Ale’s Stones, Sweden’s Stonehenge stands just outside of the town of Ystad. No one knows the exact purpose of Ale’s Stones. This megalithic monument is built in an oval shape, some say to represent the shape of a ship. Theories about the purpose of Ale’s Stones include a grave site, cult site, or calendar. Although the purpose of it’s construction may never be known, Ale’s Stones are a unique place to visit in Southern Sweden and can easily be visited on a day trip to Ystad.
Take a Dip in the Baltic Sea
As the tip of Southern Sweden, Skåne is surrounded on 3 sides by the Baltic Sea. Both summer and winter are prime seasons for taking a dip in the Baltic Sea. In summer, the weather is Southern Sweden is warm and the perfect time to take a dip in the surrounding sea. Beautiful sandy beaches can be found around Skåne. In winter, a common activity in Sweden is to warm up in a sauna then cool off by jumping into the sea. Although cold, this sauna and cold plunge combo is popular throughout the Scandinavian region and is said to have many health benefits.
Go Wine Tasting
Sweden is not typically known as a wine destination, but Skåne is one of two regions in Sweden that produces wine. Throughout the Skåne province there are about 20 wineries. A visit the province should include a wine tasting tour at a couple local wineries. Along with well-known wine varieties like Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir, some unique hybrid wine varieties are created in Sweden like Solaris and Rondo. A wine tasting tour will take you through the gorgeous Skåne countryside and beautiful small towns.
Easy Access to Mainland Europe
Skåne is the easiest Swedish province to reach from mainland Europe. Although there is no major international airport in Skåne, there are other convenient options to reach the rest of Europe. The Øresund bridge links Malmo in Sweden to Copenhagen in Denmark. This 25,738 foot long bridge is open to both train and car traffic, making it very easy to transit between these 2 Scandinavian countries. The major Copenhagen International Airport is easily accessible by train crossing from Sweden opening up a whole world of flights to those coming and going from Southern Sweden. From the Southern Swedish town of Trelleborg, passenger ferries cross the Baltic Sea going to Germany, Poland, and Lithuania.
