Osby: Art, History and Nature by Lake Osby

Osby brings together culture, history and nature: at the Lekoseum, you can see toys from different eras; in the town centre, you’ll find art and Osby Church. Outdoors, options range from walks and viewpoints to paddling and swimming spots by Lake Osby. Which of these aspects interests you most can help you decide whether Osby is the right destination for your stay.

Culture, Art and History

The Lekoseum in Osby is a toy museum. It displays locally made toys from different eras. The collection spans many periods, making a visit particularly interesting for travellers who are interested in toys and their design.

Göta Motorer in Osby is also an industrial museum. A municipal cultural article dated 16 December 2024 described the collection as including boat engines, stationary engines and preserved spare parts. This makes it a different kind of collection from the one at the Lekoseum: engineering rather than toys. The two museums offer different highlights for a culture-focused stay.

Osby Church has stood in the same place since the Middle Ages. Today, only the choir and apse remain of the medieval building. The history of the nave is distinct: it was demolished in 1834 and rebuilt at twice its former length and width. The church therefore reflects both the long continuity of the site and a specific change to its architecture.

For art in the town centre, the Konstpromenadkarta offers a two-kilometre walk past eleven public artworks and buildings. Osby Konsthall is located in the Osby Library in the town centre. The Konstpromenad starts in front of the library and ends on the shore of Lake Osby at Sjöängen. This gives the walk through art and buildings a specific starting point and endpoint in the centre of Osby.

Nature and Activities around Lake Osby

The municipal nature reserve Näset is located on a peninsula in Lake Osby. The reserve has walking trails, a lookout tower and opportunities for kayaking and canoeing. The Skåneleden, specifically SL1 Kust till kust, Stage 7, passes through the Näset area. Before setting out, check the reserve rules and current conditions; trails and visitor facilities may change.

For paddling, the municipal tourism website describes the water on Lake Osby as calm: the whole family can paddle there and go around the Näset peninsula. Check the water conditions and local rules before setting off. This lets you plan a paddling trip separately from choosing a walking route through Näset, without treating the two activities as the same.

Another nature reserve, Osby skansar, is situated on a ridge between the Helge å river and Lake Osby. An unmarked path leads to the old 17th-century fortification, Sibbarps skans. Since the path is unmarked and its condition may change, check the trail conditions before setting out. Rare lichens may grow on the bark of old beeches, including the beech tarspot and the pin lichen. The landscape and historic fortification give this reserve a different focus from Näset.

Klinten has a lit fitness trail with circular routes for walking, running and cycling. There is also a viewpoint with views of Osby town centre and Lake Osby. Municipal recreational facilities may change, so check their current status before using them.

There are two child-friendly swimming spots with gently sloping shores by Lake Osby. Facilities and swimming conditions may change with the seasons, so it is a good idea to check conditions before planning a day of swimming.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

The Lekoseum is 50 metres from Osby railway station and can be reached by Öresundståg or Pågatåg. Check train connections before your trip, as rail services need to be considered separately. For finding your way around town, look for the clearly named cultural destinations: the library, Konsthall, Konstpromenad and Osby Church are in the centre of Osby, while Näset and Osby skansar each offer their own natural and landscape highlights.

Discover more destinations: Visseltofta, Lönsboda, Killeberg, Svanshals, Hökön.

Go to the main travel overview: Osby.