Ystad

Ystad is a picturesque seaside town located in the south of Sweden. It’s renowned for its sandy beaches, historic buildings, delicious seafood, and slow paced life. 

On Ferryhopper, you can find useful information about the coastal town of Ystad, what to do and see, and how to get there by ferry! Find the crossing that suits you best and learn how to plan your ferry trip in Sweden easily and quickly!

St Mary’s Church, the oldest building in Ystad

Vacation in Ystad

Ystad is one of the coziest and most charming towns in southern Sweden, on the coast of the Baltic Sea, and is set in Skåne’s breathtaking landscape. It harmoniously combines medieval architecture, top-class museums and art galleries, and 40 km of sandy beaches west and east of the town.

With pleasant pedestrian streets and striking timber framed houses dating back to the Middle Ages, visiting Ystad is like going back in time. The small colorful town also makes a great base for exploring the area, as well as Skåne, and trying tons of activities like hiking or fishing. Therefore, whether you’re a history lover, nature enthusiast or culture-seeker, Ystad has something for everyone yearning for a relaxing getaway away from everyday life.

How to get to Ystad

There are countless options when it comes to traveling to Ystad. To get there by ferry, there is a direct route from Świnoujście in Poland and the Danish island of Rønne to Ystad.

Alternatively, you may choose to arrive by plane. Your nearest point of arrival is Malmö Airport, which is just 30 minutes from the city center by car. You can also fly to Copenhagen Airport, which is 1 hour away but serves many international connections.

If you wish to travel by train, Ystad can be reached from Stockholm or Copenhagen by high-speed train, changing at Lund or Malmö to a local train (pågatåg).

Tip: to learn more about ferries to Ystad, check out our relevant section below and get in the right mood for holidays on Sweden’s southern coast!

What to do in Ystad

One of the best things to do in Ystad is to walk through the city’s historic center and admire its medieval, pastel-coloured half-timbered cottages. Visit one of Ystad’s charming galleries or boutiques to purchase some artisan handicrafts and enjoy the comings and goings of the city’s famous veteran fire truck.

Historic Ystad has 2 key medieval buildings at its heart: the 13th-century monastery, with a cultural history museum, surrounded by idyllic gardens, and the nearby St. Mary's Church, the oldest building in the town. The 51 meter high church has a tradition of a nightwatchman blowing his horn from the church tower – all year round, every night, since the 18th century. This is a must-do experience which only exists here in Ystad. 

Ystad is also known as the "Hollywood of Sweden." It’s home to the oldest cinema in Sweden (Biografteatern Scala), Scandinavia's largest film studio (Ystad studios) and the Cineteket interactive film museum. If you are a fan of the crime books and series of Henning Mankell, featuring fictional Ystad police inspector Kurt Wallander, we highly recommend following the Wallander trails.

In addition, Ystad is the perfect base for day excursions. During summer, enjoy a walk or swim at Sandhammaren, one of the most beautiful beaches in Sweden. Other day trip options include the cozy little village of Simrishamn and Stenshuvuds nature reserve.

Wavy day at the stunning Sandhammaren beach in Skåne, south Sweden

Sightseeing in Ystad

Ystad has a long history and a rich cultural heritage. Here, you can visit an array of cultural landmarks and well preserved late medieval and renaissance buildings. Among the most beautiful attractions to discover in and around Ystad we recommend:

• Ales Stenar, 15 km east of Ystad, it is the Stonehenge of Sweden
• The Marsvinsholm Castle, about 10 km northwest of Ystad
• St. Mary's Church, dating back to 1200, it is the oldest building in the town
• The Greyfriars Abbey, a medieval monastery that houses St Peter's Church and the Museum of Cultural History
• The Ystad Art Museum, with works by contemporary southern Swedish and Danish artists
• The Ystad Abbey, opened in 1267 and houses a popular museum
• The Kemnerska gården, where the king Karl XII is said to have spent the night
• The Ystads theater

Breathtaking views from the Ales Stenar monument in Skåne, Sweden

Nightlife in Ystad

The nightlife in Ystad is relatively quiet, filled with moments of relaxation and idyllic views! However, you will find several traditional pubs to enjoy local beer and wine along Stora Östergatan, Ystad’s busiest retail street, and Stortorget square.

Ystad also hosts the Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival, which takes place each year in early August and presents around 40 concerts and other events.

Food in Ystad

Ystad has a reputation for culinary innovation. There are a number of nice restaurants that you can visit during your vacation here, offering plenty of varieties of seafood and fresh fish, as well as traditional Swedish food.

Useful information about Ystad

In Ystad you can find everything you might need for a pleasant, smooth holiday trip. It is a great destination for a weekend getaway and a beautiful town to relax surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. 

Regarding accommodation, you can find some nice hotels in central Ystad, as well as Bed & Breakfast options. You also have the opportunity to go camping close to the well-known Ystad sand beach. In addition, the town is home to what is considered the best resort in all of Sweden, Ystad Saltsjöbad. Related to healthcare, there is a hospital and medical center in Ystad located very close to the center of the town.

The Church of St Peter at Greyfriars Abbey, Ystad

Important phone numbers for your stay in Ystad

Here are some useful contacts for your trip to Ystad: 

• Port of Ystad: +4641118080
• Ystad medical center: +46411995900
• Ystad hospital: +46411995000
• Police department: +46771141400
• Ystad Tourist Information Office: +46411577681
• European emergency number: 112

Transportation in Ystad

Considering its small size, everything is easily accessible on foot in Ystad. Another option is to use the bus or rent a bike to get around the town. There's also a little tourist street 'train' that runs tours in the city but also out in Sandskogen.

If you would like to explore Ystad’s picturesque countryside, we would recommend doing so with your vehicle.

Ports in Ystad

Until the 19th century, the Port of Ystad on the Baltic sea was one of Sweden's most important ports. Nowadays, with well over 2 million people passing through the port each year, it is the third busiest ferry port in Sweden.

The port is situated only a few minutes walk away from the city center and 660 meters northwest of Ystad railway station.

Ystad ferry: schedules and tickets

The port of Ystad has ferry connections with the port of Świnoujście in Poland and Rønne in Denmark. Here you can find more information on the ferry connections from/to Ystad:

• Świnoujście - Ystad ferry: the ferry connection between Świnoujście and Ystad is operated by Polferries and Unity Line with up to 4 daily crossings all year round. The crossings last 6.5 to 7.5 hr.
• Rønne - Ystad ferry: there are up to 8 daily connections from Rønne to Ystad, operated by Bornholmslinjen. The ferry crossing lasts around 1.5 hours.

Ship just arrived at the port of Ystad

Book ferry tickets to Ystad online

At the moment, it’s not possible to book ferry tickets from/to Ystad on Ferryhopper. As we focus on including more routes, check out our interactive Map of ferries, browse all available ferry schedules in Sweden and book ferry tickets for your next trip!