Sweden – a country which really has it all. From exciting cities to peaceful nature and paradise beaches along the coast. With wildlife, many attractions to visit and the laid-back atmosphere, the country is one of the best destinations in Northern Europe. Especially the Southern part of Sweden is popular for travellers throughout the year. Over 80% of the Swedes live in the South – for a good reason. Here you will find the most stunning places to enjoy the nature and get to know the Swedish lifestyle a bit better. Southern Sweden stretches from Malmö up until the area above Stockholm. But what are the best places to viist in Southern Sweden? What are the best places you absolutely need to see? Here is a full list for your trip.
Compared to the Northern part of Sweden, the South is full of life. You will cross the cute red houses on every road, see the farm and wild life and meet locals who are eager to talk to you. With many different attractions, Southern Sweden is a great destination for ANY traveller – from city lover to nature freak or hiker. In Sweden, everyone will find its very own reason to stay and fall in love. But see for yourself:
Spend a few days in Stockholm and the Archipelago
Of course, it is a must-do to visit the capital, Stockholm and therefore the city is one of the best places to visit in Southern Sweden.. It is located on the east coast and stretches over a beautiful archipelago with many different islands. Stockholm itself is a lively city where you can spend a few days before heading off to the countryside again. Visit the Old Town, go to the museums or book a boat trip to see more of the surrounding area.
Click here for a full guide on Stockholm and the best things to do.
Stroll through the picturesque town of Lund
A personal opinion, but this is by far the prettiest city in Southern Sweden. Lund is located in the Skåne province and mainly known as a university city. The city center is full of beautiful old houses, parks and cute cafés for your daily fika.
Make sure to visit the campus to get a little insight into the Swedish student life and have a coffee in one of the many cafés. During the spring and summer months, the blossom is an absolute highlight. If this is the time you´re visiting, add the Botanical garden to your list of things to do.
Take a day trip to Öland
Welcome to Sweden´s second largest island, one of the best places to visit in Southern Sweden. Öland is located in Småland and directly at the coast. You can easily reach it by car crossing a bridge from the mainland. The island is an absolute paradise if you love nature. There are multiple nature reserves for hiking or biking and you can even spot some wildlife next to the streets. With a population of only slightly over 20000 inhabitants, the island is quiet and rural. There are only a few villages where you can look at the cute Swedish houses.
If you plan to stay a little longer in Öland, make sure to rent a bike and explore the area with it. The best places to visit are the Ottenby Lund Naturreservat and the cute village of Stora Frö.
Öland is the perfect place if you are looking for some remote beaches and lonely roads. Find a great sunset spot, walk around and feel the wind in your hair – there is no better way to experience the island.
Explore the area of Båstad and Kullaberg
Båstad and Kullaberg are headlands, both located on the Western coast of Sweden about 200 kilometers from Gothenburg. Each of them is worth a visit and offers stunning views over the ocean and the Swedish nature. From Båstad, drive the road 115 out to the coast where you will either find the Hovs Hallar Naturreservat or the picturesque fishing village Torekov. The coastal line is rough with many rocks but one of the absolute best places to visit in Southern Sweden.
Both areas are perfect to watch the sun set directly over the ocean.
Visit the lakes Vänern and Vättern
Vänern and Vättern are the two big lakes located directly in the center of Southern Sweden. Both are known for beautiful nature areas and popular among tourists as well. Especially Vättern is a great place to go on longer walks or simply relax by the shore. You can visit the Biosphere Reserve Area and explore more of the Sweden inland (which can be very beautiful as well).
Stroll through Gothenburg and travel the Archipelago
The biggest city on the Swedish West coast is Gothenburg. It is the second largest city in the country and the capital of the Västra Götaland County. Gothenburg is home to many students and offers quite a lot to do for travellers. You can stroll around Haga, which is the historical center of the city and the absolute hotspot for a great fika. The Palmhuset and the Botanical Garden are some of the best things to do next to all the shopping and eating.
If you are staying for more than a day, a trip out to the Gothenburg Archipelago is an absolute recommendation. The islands are stunning and you will get to see even more of one of the most beautiful regions of Southern Sweden, the West coast). You can easily take the ferries which operate regularly from Gothenburg to the islands.
Click here for a Gothenburg City Guide.
Explore the Bohuslän Coast up to Norway
From Gothenburg up until the boarder to Norway, you will find some of the prettiest villages and beaches. The so-called Bohuslän coast is known as a popular summer destination for both Swedes and tourists. One picturesque village follows the other and you could spend days wandering through the Naturreservats and stroll through the villages.
Here you will find multiple of the best places to visit in Southern Sweden. One of the absolute hotspots along the coast are Smögen (with the pretty colorful houses), Fjällbacka or Grebbestad. Along the road you will also see very often signs for hiking areas which you can follow to end up in the most beautiful forests or nice beaches.
A city stroll in Malmö
Malmö is the most Southern bigger city in Sweden and located directly at the Örsesund bridge which connects Sweden and Denmark. The city itself is not as pretty as other places in Sweden (it has to be mentioned that travelling Sweden is simply not about city trips but rather about nature) but still, if you are in the area, consider it worth a visit. Especially if you are looking for some shopping opportunities, Malmö is a good address. You can visit the Öresund Bridge, the Disgusting Food Museum or spend the day in the beautiful park directly in the city center.
Visit the villages of Åhus and Kivik
An absolute hotspot and stunning place to see on the Eastern coast of Sweden is Åhus. The village is home to Absolut Vodka and during the summer months, the beaches are extremely crowded. It is therefore recommended to visit in the off-season (which is anytime between September and May). Visit the beach in Äspet, hike through the forests and have a drink at the canal in the center.
Just a few kilometers down the coast you will find Kivik and the nearby Stenshuvud Nationalpark. A perfect spot for hiking and some quiet time in nature. Both places will make you fall in love with the Swedish coast even more.
A trip to Österlen
A few minutes from Kivik, the area of Österlen begins – the last on the list of the best places in Southern Sweden. This is the region between the cities Ystad and Simrishamn in Skåne. Österlen is all about green wide fields and stunning hiking routes. You can visit the impressives stones at Ale Stones, which actually looks like Stonehenge. During the warmer months, the beach in Backåkra is a nice place to enjoy the Swedish sun.
Ready to explore Southern Sweden?
If this did not convince you yet, then I don´t know. Southern Sweden really is out of the books and will show you what this country is all about. The red houses, the nature everywhere, the wildlife and relaxed atmosphere among the locals – those are only some of the many reasons why you should travel to Sweden as soon as possible.
If you have enough time, make sure to spend around three to four weeks exploring the South. This will allow you to really experience the culture and the way of life in Sweden. Plus, it gives you enough time to never want to leave again … you will see!
