The most beautiful places in South Sweden: 12 tips for your trip

Southern Sweden has stolen our hearts. We've been living in the south of Sweden for almost two years now, and we're still discovering new places that surprise us. From sprawling forests and crystal-clear lakes to pearly white beaches, rugged coastlines and small Swedish towns where you could happily wander for hours.

When we first moved here, we quickly discovered just how much beauty there is to find. You don't have to travel all the way to the far north of Sweden to experience impressive nature. The south has its own special landscapes, charming villages and places you might not have on your list right away.

We love searching for new locations. It usually starts with endless scrolling through Google Maps, saving special spots and finding out what else there is to discover nearby. Then we head out to explore these new places and gather inspiration for our next road trip.

Because we actually live here now, we look at southern Sweden a little differently than you would if you were just visiting on holiday. Of course, the well-known sights are worth seeing, but it's often the places that get mentioned less that can really surprise you.

In this article, we share 12 beautiful places in southern Sweden that we'd love to put in the spotlight. From impressive national parks to cosy coastal towns and historic wooden towns. Perfect if you're planning a holiday, mapping out a road trip, or simply looking for inspiration for your next adventure.

1. Stenshuvud National Park: pearly white beaches and beautiful nature

Region: Skåne | Ideal for: hiking, beach and nature

If you ask us what makes southern Sweden so special, it's the variety of landscapes. And Stenshuvud National Park is a beautiful example of that.

This national park lies on the east coast of Skåne and combines green forests, rolling hills, sandy beaches and lovely views over the Baltic Sea. You can hike through the forest and end up at a beach with light sand and clear water.

In some places, the landscape almost reminds you of Asia. That contrast between the green nature and the pale beaches makes this area special.

What we love about places like this is how easy it is to turn it into a varied day out. Start with a walk through the nature reserve, take your time to enjoy the views, and finish off at the beach.

Our tip: set aside enough time to discover both the forest and the coast. Stenshuvud isn't just a place for a quick photo, but an area to wander through at a relaxed pace.

2. Kullaberg: rugged nature on the Swedish coast

Region: Skåne | Ideal for: hiking, views and unique day trips

More into rugged rocky coastlines, narrow hiking trails and impressive views? Then Kullaberg is a place to remember.

This nature reserve lies on a peninsula in the northwest of Skåne. Instead of long sandy beaches, you'll find rocks, steep slopes and a coastline that's constantly changing. From various spots you look out over the sea, and on clear days you can see far across the water.

What makes Kullaberg even more worthwhile is that there's plenty more to discover in the area. You could, for example, combine your visit with Mölle, a charming coastal village at the foot of the peninsula.

Nimis is also a well-known sight nearby. This unique wooden artwork was built by artist Lars Vilks among the rocks along the coast. The path to get there is steep and uneven, so good shoes are recommended.

Our tip: turn it into a full day trip. Combine a hike through Kullaberg with a visit to Mölle, and check beforehand whether you'd also like to see Nimis.

3. Halen nature reserve: a surprisingly beautiful natural area

Region: Blekinge | Ideal for: forest walks, lakes and tranquillity

When you search for beautiful nature reserves in southern Sweden, you'll probably come across Åsnen fairly quickly. And rightly so: the area around Åsnen is gorgeous. Still, we think Halen nature reserve deserves just as much attention.

Around Lake Halen, near Olofström, you'll find forests, water and plenty of ways to immerse yourself in nature. It's a lovely place to go for a walk, sit by the water for a while, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet.

It's exactly this kind of place that shows why we enjoy living in southern Sweden so much. You don't always need a famous tourist destination for a beautiful day out in nature. Sometimes it's worth looking a little further than the places that get recommended everywhere.

We think Halen is a wonderful alternative for anyone who wants to discover the nature of southern Sweden without only ticking off the best-known names.

Our tip: include Halen nature reserve in your route through Blekinge. Especially if you enjoy hiking and love lakes and forests, this is an area worth remembering.

4. Söderåsen National Park: hiking through forests and ravines

Region: Skåne | Ideal for: hiking, autumn colours and viewpoints

You don't have to travel all the way to northern Sweden to feel surrounded by impressive nature. Söderåsen National Park proves that southern Sweden can be wild and varied too.

The national park is known for its beech forests, deep ravines, rock faces and viewpoints. The landscape here is very different from the coast. You walk through green forests, follow paths along steep slopes and reach beautiful views over the landscape at several spots.

This is a special destination especially in autumn. The leaves turn yellow, orange and red, and the forests take on a completely different look.

Söderåsen is a great place if you want to go on a proper hike during a holiday in southern Sweden. There are several hiking routes, so you can decide for yourself how much time to spend in the park.

Our tip: don't just plan a quick stop at a viewpoint — go for a walk through the forest too. It's along the way that you really discover how varied this area is. Keep in mind that some routes can be steep.

5. Båstad: a lovely coastal town in summer

Region: Skåne | Ideal for: cafés, shops and a summery atmosphere

Not every beautiful place has to be deep in nature. Sometimes you just want to visit a charming little town during a road trip, grab some lunch and wander around for a bit. Båstad is perfect for that.

This coastal town lies on the Bjäre peninsula and is known for, among other things, tennis and its annual tennis tournament. In summer there's a lively atmosphere, with restaurants, shops and terraces.

Its seaside location also makes Båstad appealing. You can combine a visit to the town centre with a walk along the coast or a trip into the surrounding nature.

For us, this combination of nature and charm is one of the best things about southern Sweden. You can start the day actively and then settle down somewhere for a bite to eat or a drink.

Our tip: visit Båstad on a nice summer day and combine it with exploring the Bjäre peninsula.

6. Gränna: the town of Swedish candy canes

Region: Småland | Ideal for: colourful streets, sweet treats and views over the water

Gränna is one of the best-known towns in Småland, mostly thanks to its colourful Swedish candy canes: the polkagrisar.

In the centre you'll find shops where these traditional sweets are made and sold. It's fun to pop in and watch how they're prepared. But Gränna has more to offer than just candy.

The town has charming streets, characterful houses and views over Lake Vättern. From the harbour you can also take the ferry to Visingsö, an island that makes an easy addition to your day trip.

That makes Gränna a nice stop if you're travelling through Småland or doing a road trip around Lake Vättern.

Our tip: grab a fresh polkagris and walk down towards the water afterwards. Got more time? See if you can fit in a visit to Visingsö too.

7. Eksjö: one of Sweden's most beautiful wooden towns

Region: Småland | Ideal for: culture, architecture and a relaxed town stroll

Do you love old wooden houses and historic streets? Then Eksjö is a place you don't want to skip.

The town is known for its well-preserved historic wooden centre. As you wander through the streets, you'll see colourful facades, old buildings and small squares that all have a character of their own.

Eksjö is also a lovely destination to explore at a relaxed pace. You don't need an elaborate plan for it. A couple of hours strolling around, admiring the architecture and stopping for coffee somewhere is already a great way to get to know the town.

It's also a nice change of pace from the many nature areas that southern Sweden is full of. During a road trip, it's good to not only drive from one forest to the next lake, but also make time for the region's history and culture.

Our tip: make sure to wander into the smaller side streets too. Eksjö's charm isn't only in its best-known buildings, but in the historic streetscape as a whole.

8. Lund: a lively university town

Region: Skåne | Ideal for: culture, shopping and café terraces

Southern Sweden isn't just forests, lakes and beaches. Towns deserve a spot on your route too, and Lund is a great example.

Thanks to its university, Lund has a lively atmosphere. You'll find cafés, shops, restaurants and charming streets, while the town still carries a rich history.

A visit to the impressive cathedral really shouldn't be missed. The historic centre is also well worth a leisurely wander.

Lund is compact enough to explore mostly on foot, making it ideal for a relaxed day out. You can easily spend a few hours walking around, grab lunch somewhere and soak up the town's atmosphere.

Our tip: combine a walk through the historic centre with a coffee stop. Lund is also a great addition to a route through Skåne where you mix nature areas with towns.

9. Kalmar: history, coast and cosy terraces

Region: Småland | Ideal for: history, restaurants and the coast

Kalmar is a city that shows just how varied southern Sweden can be. You'll find history, water, an inviting old town and plenty of places to settle in for a while.

The best-known landmark is the impressive Kalmar Castle. Alongside that, the city has a historic centre and a coastal setting that's perfect for a long walk.

What also makes Kalmar interesting is the mix of city and surroundings. You can turn it into a cultural stop, or spend an afternoon browsing shops, restaurants and terraces.

And then there's the location close to Öland, which means you can easily combine both destinations on one road trip.

Our tip: set aside enough time to explore the centre as well as the castle. Kalmar is more than a quick photo stop.

10. Tylösand: a beloved beach in southern Sweden

Region: Halland | Ideal for: beach days, walking and sunsets

Whenever locals talk about beautiful beaches in southern Sweden, Tylösand comes up time and again. And it's easy to see why.

This beach near Halmstad is known for its long stretch of sand and open coastal landscape. On sunny summer days, it's a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing and enjoying the outdoors.

But even when it's not warm enough for a beach day, the coast is still worth a visit. A walk along the water, wind in your hair and a view over the sea: sometimes that's all you need.

Tylösand also makes a great stop if you're travelling through Halland and want to add a beach to your route.

Our tip: don't save Tylösand for sunny days only. Even outside the high season, it's a lovely place to clear your head.

11. Öland: unique nature and endless loppisar

Region: Öland | Ideal for: nature, vintage finds and small discoveries

Öland is a destination worth setting aside some extra time for. This long, narrow island off the coast of Småland has a character all of its own and is surprisingly varied.

You'll find unique nature reserves, open landscapes, coastlines, historic sites and small villages. But there's something else that makes a visit extra fun: the many loppisar.

A loppis is a Swedish second-hand market or sales spot where you can come across all sorts of things. Think vintage furniture, old everyday objects, unusual finds and items with a story. One moment you walk into a big shop, the next you stumble on a tiny stall by the roadside.

We love leaving room for this kind of unexpected discovery while travelling. You never quite know what you'll find. And that's what makes a destination like Öland extra interesting: alongside the well-known sights, you get to make your own small discoveries.

The nature here is special too. In many places the landscape is very different from the dense forests you find on the Swedish mainland, which gives Öland an almost world-of-its-own feel.

Our tip: don't plan every minute. Leave room for an unexpected loppis, a nature reserve you happen upon along the way, or a village you only meant to drive through. Do check opening times in advance though, as many loppisar are seasonal.

12. Lake Vättern: explore one of Sweden's most beautiful lakes

Region: Småland and surrounding regions | Ideal for: boat trips, island visits and lake views

Lake Vättern is Sweden's second-largest lake and absolutely a spot you don't want to skip on a road trip through southern Sweden. This enormous lake stretches across several regions and offers stunning views over the water in many places.

One great way to discover the lake is from Jönköping. From this city you can head out onto the water and see the lake from a completely different perspective. A boat tour is a relaxed way to enjoy the landscape, especially if you have a bit more time during your trip.

But our favourite tip for this area is Visingsö, a special island in the middle of Lake Vättern. You reach the island by ferry from Gränna. Once there, you can explore at your own pace and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, historic sites and scenery.

Visingsö is a great destination for anyone looking for something different from a standard city visit or forest walk. You can spend just a few hours there, or easily dedicate a larger part of the day to it.

Our tip: combine Gränna with a visit to Visingsö and take the time to enjoy the view over Lake Vättern. Want to experience the lake from the water? Check in advance which boat tours are available from Jönköping, as the offering and sailing times can vary by season.

Discover southern Sweden with Swedespots

Living in South Sweden for almost two years has taught us one thing above all: how much there is to discover. You can visit the same region several times and still keep finding new places.

That's also the idea behind Swedespots. We collect interesting locations on clear maps, so you spend less time searching and more time getting out there.

With the Swedespots South Sweden map you'll discover locations spread across Skåne, Småland, Blekinge, Halland and Öland. Use the map to get inspired, save places and put together your own road trip.

Check out the Swedespots South Sweden map

Want to explore the west coast and other parts of West Sweden too? Then take a look at our West Sweden map

We hope this list gives you some inspiration for your next trip. And remember: you don't have to tick off every well-known highlight to experience South Sweden. Often it's the places you stumble upon by chance that stay with you the longest.

Enjoy discovering South Sweden!