Looking for the top things to do in Ystad? This travel guide is just for you!
Nestled on the southern tip of Sweden’s scenic coast, this vibrant city is full of exciting and unique things to do. Whether you’re a history buff, nature enthusiast, or culture-seeker, Ystad has something for everyone. From its charming cobblestone streets and iconic wooden buildings to modern attractions like the ABBA Museum and Sofiero Castle, there is no shortage of interesting places to explore in this picturesque destination.
The possibilities are endless for finding fun things to do in Ystad. Take a stroll down the main street lined with shops and sample some local delicacies or take a guided tour through the quaint old town. Enjoy panoramic views from atop the cliffs overlooking Österlen, or take a dip in the inviting waters of Stenshuvud National Park.
No matter what you’re looking for during your visit to Ystad; whether it’s culture-rich experiences, outdoor adventures or simply some time away from everyday life – this historic Swedish gem has something special that will make your stay truly memorable! So don’t wait any longer – start planning your trip today and discover all the amazing things there are to do in beautiful Ystad!
Do you need help planning your trips? Start here!
❗️Be insured before your trip and get a SafetyWing FREE insurance quote
📚 Read our post about why you should always have insurance
✈️ Find out how to find cheap flights using Skyscanner or find deals now
🛌🏻 Book your accommodation through Booking.com
🎭 Find awesome and hassle-free tours through GetYourGuide
🚘 Explore Europe on an epic road trip with Discover Cars
Top 10 Things to do in Ystad (Sweden)
Ales Stenar
Ale’s Stones, or Ales Stenar in Swedish, is a megalithic monument in Scania located in southern Sweden. It consists of 59 large, flat boulders weighing up to 1,800 kgs, with an estimated total weight of up to 100,000 kgs.
The stones are arranged in the shape of a ship and are located on Kåseberga Högklint, about 2 kilometers east of the village of Kåseberga and 30 kilometers south of Malmö.
Ale’s Stones were believed to be constructed during the Nordic Bronze Age, between 1500 and 500 BC. The reason for its construction is unknown, but it may have been used as a ceremonial or religious site. The site has been excavated several times, most recently in 2004, but no artifacts have been found.
Ale’s Stones is a popular tourist attraction and has been designated a national monument by the Swedish government.
- Address: 271 78 Löderup, Sweden
- Opening hours: 24/7
Where to stay in Ystad? Check out this list of hotels and find great deals!
[irp]
Ystads Teater
Ystads theater is a massive theater in central Ystad city. It was built in 1893-1894, and an urban architect Peter Boisen drew it.
The original name of this theater was “Ystad’s New Theater” it was situated opposite an old theater at Stortorget. When the theater was built, it had 500 seats.
You can see the various unique collections of paintings painted in Carl Grabow’s studio.
It is also known that the theater is a portion of the Nordic section of European Road Historic Theaters.
- Address: Sjömansgatan 13, 271 43 Ystad, Sweden
- Website: https://www.ystad.se/kultur/ystads-teater/
Where to stay in Ystad? Check out this list of hotels and find great deals!
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Sankta Maria Kyrka (Saint Mary’s Church)
Saint Mary’s Church is the first church on the Ystad site. It is a Romanesque basilica-shaped church building built in the 13th century.
It was rebuilt during the 14th and 15th centuries and acquired a more beautiful look, which is how it looks today. In the 18th century, a few more changes and interior work were done, and until 1830, it was partially reconstructed.
You can see so many amazing paintings and historical things inside the church.
- Address: Stortorget 2A, 271 43 Ystad, Sweden
- Website: http://mariakyrkaniystad.se/info-en.html
Where to stay in Ystad? Check out this list of hotels and find great deals!
The Abbey in Ystad
The Abbey in Ystad is the best and most famous landmark Abbey in Sweden. It was founded in 1267 by Franciscan Munks, called Grey Friars.
It is the renowned abbey where you can see the Exhibitions and other activities in Ystad almost all year.
This famous medieval church and one of the Ystad landmarks were built in Brick Gothic style based on the old structure. It is open to various museum visitors and other tourists.
You can enjoy the good plants in the herb, cabbage, rose, and peony Gardens around The Abbey.
Also, you can purchase various designer items and handmade crafts in the museum shop. If you are a sweets lover, you can buy from the shops.
- Address: St Petri Kyrkoplan, 271 34 Ystad, Sweden
- Opening hours: Temporarily closed to the public, you can visit and view from the outside
Where to stay in Ystad? Check out this list of hotels and find great deals!
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Ystad Art Museum
The Ystad Art Museum is home to a wide range of art, from ancient sculptures to modern paintings. The museum is also home to a library and an archive containing a wealth of information on art and artists. It is open every day except Mondays, and admission is free for children and students.
- Opening hours: Tues-Fri 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM and Sat-Sun 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Entrance fee: 50 Kronor ($5)
- Website: https://www.ystad.se/kultur/ystads-konstmuseum/
Cineteket Ystad Film (The Ystad Studios Visitor Center)
The Ystad Studios Visitor Center is for those who fan Wallander. This is the best place to visit in Southern Sweden.
The museum is built next to the Ystad Film Studios. It also includes sets and props from the “Wallander” Films. It is within walking distance from the center of town, but still, its visit is worthwhile.
Also, you can get discounted tickets on Mondays if you are a newcomer.
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sat 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Website: https://ystad.se/ysvc/
Where to stay in Ystad? Check out this list of hotels and find great deals!
[irp]
Åberg Trädgård and Cafe
For nature lovers, the Åberg Trädgård is a place where you can see a variety of plants and trees.
You can get a good coffee and enjoy the cozy place with organic ingredients. The cafeteria also offers other things to eat, like cakes and sandwiches from their garden’s ingredients.
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sat-Sun 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Address: Karlshemsvägen 37, 271 98 Ystad, Sweden
- Åberg Trädgård and Café Website
Where to stay in Ystad? Check out this list of hotels and find great deals!
[irp]
Marsvinsholms Slott
It is well-known that there are so many things to see in Ystad; the Marsvinsholms Slott is also one of them. Marsvinsholm Castle was built in 1648, located in the west of Ystad.
You can see many impressive buildings in the surrounding area and an elegant antique market across the street. The live theatre outside in the summer makes this an appealing stop.
In the summer season, you can do and see various things; the castle is open for visitors all year round.
- Address: Marsvinsholms allé 136-20, 271 93 Ystad, Sweden
Where to stay in Ystad? Check out this list of hotels and find great deals!
[irp]
Absolut Home Distillery
Absolut is a brand of vodka owned by Pernod Ricard. It is made in Åhus, Sweden. The company was founded in 1879 by Lars Olsson Smith and is now owned by the French company Pernod Ricard. Absolut is the third largest vodka producer in the world after Smirnoff and Bacardi.
The Absolut distillery in Sweden was opened in 1879. It produces a variety of vodkas, including Absolut, Absolut Citron, Absolut Peppar, and Absolut Vanilia. The company has also released several flavored vodkas, including Absolut Raspberri, Absolut Apeach, and Absolut Pears.
You can visit Absolute Home Distillery, about an hour’s drive from Ystad to Åhus. You can tour the distillery, take cocktail-making classes, and book a table for dinner!
- Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Fri-Sat 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM, and Sun at 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Address: Vallgatan 5, 296 31 Åhus, Sweden
- Website: https://www.absoluthome.com/en/
Where to stay in Ystad? Check out this list of hotels and find great deals!
Ystad Beach
Ystad Beach is a beautiful sandy beach located in Ystad, Sweden. The beach is well-known for its crystal clear water and stunning views. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and fishing in the summer months, and there are also several restaurants and cafes nearby for grabbing a bite. Ystad Beach is definitely a must-see for anyone visiting the area!
Where to stay in Ystad? Check out this list of hotels and find great deals!
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.
Planning to visit Sweden? Check out these posts!
- Best time to visit Sweden
- Sweden Points of Interests: Places to visit, Castles to visit, Islands to check out, National Parks to hike, UNESCO Sites, Museums to check out, Beaches to chill at, Hiking spots, Camping spots, and Stockholm to Helsinki Ferry
- Stockholm Points of Interests: Things to do in Stockholm, Day trips from Stockholm, How to get from the airport, Cafes to check out, Pubs to hang out, Museums to visit, Restaurants to try, and Where to stay in Stockholm
- Swedish Culture Overview: Tipping guide, Drinks to try, Supermarkets to do your groceries, and Food to try
- Places to visit in Sweden: Kalmar, Gammelstad, Ystad, Gothenburg, Uppsala, Malmö, Swedish Lapland, Luleå, Kosterhavet National Park, Gotland, Österlen, Lund, and Skåne
Where to stay in Ystad
Booking.comActivities to do in Ystad
Are you on Pinterest? Pin this for later read!
