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Ultimate Guide to Skåne - Sweden's Tuscany
- Eveline | Rail Voyage
- Jun 8
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 9
Skåne.. Where rolling hills and flower fields meet turquoise sea & white sandy beaches. Where you can check yourself into a picturesque farm hotel with a bath tub facing green lush landscapes, or wake up in an old cottage facing yellow rapeseed fields. Enjoy incredible cuisine made from scratch from the products produced next door. Skåne is the definition of cottage core, Tuscany & Provence combined.
In this article you will find top things to do, most unique stays and places to eat in Skåne - everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip to Sweden’s most beautiful & southernmost region.
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Table of contents
Top Things to do in Skåne
Skåne is a beautiful region with lots to do. Here you can enjoy a day admiring some of the most incredible nature Sweden has to offer, stay at unique hotels, have a fika at cosy cafés & dine at creative restaurants focused on seasonal and local products. Here is a compiled list of the most unique things to do & places to visit in Skåne.
Visit Ystad - Picturesque town
Ystad, Sweden’s southernmost town. Here you can wander in trendy movie makers' footsteps, stroll among beautiful architecture, picturesque streets and visit cosy cafés and stores. If you have some time, a tip is to spend a day at the sea spa at Ystad Saltsjöbad.
Taste Sweden’s best Apple Cider at Kiviks Musteri
Learn about, buy & drink apple cider at Kiviks musteri. Sweden’s most famous and delicious apple cider producers. While you’re there, make a visit to the small town of Kivik, located at the coast offering picturesque houses.
Beach day at Mossbystrand
Think you need to go to Thailand or Maldives to experience incredibly white beaches and crystal clear water? Think again. In Skåne you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches Europe has to offer. Mossbystrand is one of them and well worth a day of your time.
Explore local stores & products
Skåne is a lush region with lots of groceries produced. When visiting, don’t skip going to any of the small grocery and deli stores around. Here are some of my favourites:
Gröna butiken Orelund: local vegetables & products combined with a careful selection of some of the best products from around Europe
Österlenkryddor: spices, lavender fields and lots of locally produced products
Österlen Sparris: buy newly harvested asparagus, directly from the soil
Unwind in Stenshuvuds National park
The Stenshuvud National Park is an important park to preserve nature and biodiversity. The park consists of different biotypes, from sandy heaths and wet meadows to rocky coastland and beautiful sandy beaches and here you’ll find rare species. You can hike up to the top and will be rewarded with incredible coastal views.
Learn how to make rapeseed oil at Gunnarshögs gård
This farm shop in eastern Skåne demonstrates farming traditions that date back to 1897. Here you can sample the organic oils made on site as well as skin products, vinegars, mustards and more. The café serves tasty home-made sandwiches and local delicacies. While you're there, take a guided tour to see the production and try to press your own rapeseed oil.
Take a moment to breathe at Meditationsringen
In honor of the life and work of Dag Hammarskjöld. Nature was an important part of Dag Hammarskjöld’s life and he made sure that the land surrounding Backåkra was protected as a nature reserve. The stone meditation ring is a place to enjoy a moment of peaceful silence in this beautiful, open landscape.
Close to Meditationsringen, you will also find the famous Ales Stenar, Sweden's version of Stonehenge. Then make a stop in Kåseberga, a fishing village by the sea where you can have lunch. Worth a visit!
Where to stay in Skåne
We stayed at 3 different hotels in total during our long weekend visit and they were all incredible and unique in their own way.
Sydkustens at Pillehill: Farm hotel and winery combined, located on a hill with incredible views of the surrounding landscapes. If you book the room "Äppelkriget" you'll even have a bathroom with a view - if you're lucky you might even spot some animals passing by. Book your stay here
Allé på Österlen: Located in the heart of Österlen, the picturesque area east of Skåne and one of Sweden’s most beautiful, you'll find this incredible boutique hotel originally from the 19th century. Owned by the most lovely woman. The restaurant will take you on a journey through the most perfect tasting menu made from scratch and based on local and seasonal groceries from nearby producers. Book your stay here.
Örums Nygård: 300 year old family owned countryside hotel with a spa and restaurant. Originally an animal farm but turned into a beautiful boutique hotel. Here you can relax by the pool, enjoy a dinner with a view of landscape and based on seasonal groceries. Have an evening walk among the beautiful surrounding landscapes, and after a good night’s sleep - sip on a cup of coffee in the beautiful garden & enjoy a homemade breakfast. Book it here.
Looking to experience the real Skåne and slow down, then these 3 hotels should be on your bucketlist.
Skåne Top Restaurants & Cafés - Seasonal, Local & Crafted with Care
Skåne's food scene is thriving. Here you’ll find incredible farm restaurants, mostly based on locally produced groceries and in season. Some of my favourites are mentioned below.
Allé på Österlen – Fine dining based on seasonal and local products. Incredible tasting menu!
Svaneholm Castle - Lunch setting in an old castle located on the countryside, surrounded by beautiful forests. Here you'll find carefully selected groceries and a menu with a few dishes.
Olof Viktors – Beautiful interior, delicious lunch or baked goods at Olof Viktors
Sydkustens at Pillehill – Dinner and or wine tasting with views of Skåne’s beautiful landscapes at this cosy countryside hotel
Stora Bageriet - delicious lunch & homemade local buns at Gamla bageriet
Kiviks hamn & Glasscafé - dine at the sea in this cosy little bistro
Tjörnedala Krogcafé - Art & old cosy Swedish café combined
How to go to Skåne
I'll always opt for the train & embarking on a “Rail Voyage”. From Hamburg or Berlin you can board a direct night train in the evening and arrive in Malmö in the morning. The best option is to choose Snälltåget as it arrives at 07.00.
Top tip - buy some snacks, bring a book or download a movie and transform transportation into a cosy part of the experience! You can also travel from Hamburg by day train, but then you need to change train in Copenhagen. Book tickets for the night train at snalltaget.se and the day trains at bahn.com
When to visit Skåne & How to get around
When is the best time to visit Skåne? Skåne is the southernmost region in Sweden and it offers so much beauty during each season. But if you want help planning your ultimate experience, here is a guide to help you know what to expect depending on when you go.
Spring in Skåne is full of blossoms, rapeseed fields turning the landscape yellow and peaceful walks along coastal trails. Summer (June–August) is the best time for dreamy beach days, cycling between charming villages and having long dinners under the open sky.
Autumn brings cozy cafés, apple orchards in full swing and crisp hikes through colourful beech forests. Winter is quiet and atmospheric — perfect for slow mornings, traditional christmas markets, spa retreats and exploring half-empty castles. The true Swedish winter dream!
How to get around in Skåne? The regional transportation system is well developed and you will find the train is a great option if you want to explore the South coast. Going to Ystad, Skivarp, Trelleborg or even Simrishamn (close to Österlen). To go to smaller towns, such as Kivik, Brösarp and Kåseberga, the bus departs from most train stations.
Find a train map overview here and bus connections at skanetrafiken.se. Book your tickets for trains and buses at skanetrafiken.se.
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Hopefully now you feel ready to explore Skåne! One of the most incredible places to visit in Scandinavia.
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Enjoy your Swedish dream trip!
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