Ystad: Monastery History, Theatre and Coast

Ystad combines a medieval townscape, monastery history, theatre and coast. When choosing a hotel, you can decide what to focus on during your stay: architectural history, museums, performances or nature by the beach. The town offers a range of starting points, from a local history museum to a nature reserve.

Monastery, local history and a historic home

The townscape includes medieval, pastel-coloured half-timbered houses along cobbled streets. The Gråbrödraklostret in Ystad is Sweden’s best-preserved medieval monastery complex after Vadstena, and the most extensive in Skåne. The Franciscan monastery in Ystad was founded in 1267 by the knight Holmger and his wife Katarina. Klostret i Ystad is Ystad’s local history museum.

At the Charlotte Berlins Museum in central Ystad, visitors can explore a home dating from the late 19th century. The museum is open seasonally, and visits are possible as part of guided tours. Check visiting times in advance if you plan to include a museum visit in your stay. The periods offer distinct perspectives: the monastery represents medieval history, while the home open to visitors dates from the late 19th century.

Theatre and cinema

Ystads Teater offers a wide-ranging programme, with 200 concerts, children’s theatre, dance, operetta, festivals and stand-up. The theatre attracts 45,000 visitors each year. The events span everything from concerts and dance to performances for children and stand-up. If you are interested in culture, you’ll find a varied programme here, with something to suit different tastes.

Scala cinema has been operating since 1910 and is considered Sweden’s oldest purpose-built cinema still in use. Unlike the varied theatre programme, Scala is known for its long cinematic tradition. Together, these are two distinct cultural attractions: a theatre with a wide-ranging programme and a cinema with a special history.

Beach and natural surroundings

Pine trees characterise the dry, sandy soils of the Ystads sandskog nature reserve. The beach has an accessibility-adapted path and opportunities for swimming. The reserve thus combines a distinctive pine forest with facilities by the beach. The path is designated as accessibility-adapted, and swimming is also possible there.

You can also walk along Ystad’s chalk-white sandy beaches on the promenade, for a shorter or longer distance. This gives you different ways to enjoy your time on the coast, such as taking a beach walk along the promenade or spending time in the nature reserve, where there is an accessibility-adapted path by the beach and opportunities for swimming. Walking and swimming are separate activities; choose the option that suits your plans for the day.

Hiking, harbour and seasonal events

The Skåneleden trail’s North-to-South route runs from Snogeholm via Krageholm and Bergsjöholm to Ystad. If you’d like to include hiking in your stay, you can make Ystad the destination for this route. Ystad harbour also has a passenger terminal for Bornholmslinjen services to Bornholm. If your trip includes the terminal, check the latest terminal information in advance, as arrangements may change.

In autumn, Grändens Mat in Ystad hosts wine, sparkling wine, schnapps and whisky tastings. Food is included at all tastings, either before or during the event; tickets are available exclusively through Nortic. As dates and events are seasonal, check the specific dates if you’d like to include a tasting in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Kåseberga, Nybrostrand, Svarte, Löderup, Köpingebro

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