Highlights from your holiday home in Southern Sweden: treats with coffee in Lund and slow living in the silent wilderness

Sweden is a country where the wilderness enjoys an idyllic reputation, starting in the southern region of Skåne, where beaches meet forested nature and rolling grasslands. Swedish heritage is also richly represented with charming cities such as Lund and Helsingborg, and the red barn houses in Småland. Do you want to enjoy space, silence, and unspoiled nature? Rent a holiday home in Southern Sweden and savor an enchanting getaway that lets you truly unwind!

Visit the charming city of Lund from your holiday home in Southern Sweden

Stately university buildings and lanes lined with colorful houses and half-timbered facades define Lund’s cityscape. The two towers of the Romanesque Lund Cathedral (Lunds Domkyrka) immediately catch the eye. There’s no denying it’s a major university town: the campus dates back to the 17th century with standout buildings such as the white main building and the ivy-clad library. Also visit the botanical gardens and the open-air museum Kulturen.

Tip: Enjoy a fika — the Swedish tradition of coffee with something sweet — at St. Jakobs Stenugnsbageri. You can get a second cup of coffee for free here! Consider the hot chocolate too: it’s made with real dark chocolate. A sweet treat you really should try is kardemummabulle, a cardamom bun that looks like a cinnamon roll but is filled with fragrant cardamom.

Experience the Swedish idyll in Småland

Småland is a region in Southern Sweden that deserves dedicated time, as the nature is utterly idyllic. The mix of landscapes and traditional wooden architecture is a feast for the eyes. Drive past sparkling lakes and along rolling roads flanked by red cottages that dot the forested scenery. Småland is Sweden through and through! Especially in the glow of evening light, the red stugor look picture-perfect. Your chances of spotting a moose are quite high in Småland. These animals are inseparable from the Swedish wilderness and, although they are wild, you might just find one keeping you company during a picnic. You can also hop aboard an “elk train” or join a moose safari.

In the town of Eksjö, one of Europe’s most beautiful wooden towns, you’ll find many timber houses clustered together in all kinds of colors. The little river that runs through town and the balcony terrace Bron Kök along the water make the place exceptionally charming. Is the terrace full? Take a seat on the octagonal bench around the tree on the opposite bank and enjoy the picturesque view.

Canoeing and horse riding in Kyrkekvarn from your holiday home in Southern Sweden

Soak up the water-rich nature from your canoe in Kyrkekvarn, a nature area south of Lake Vättern. For example, paddle a stretch of the River Tidan. In Sweden, wild camping is allowed, so bring your camping gear for a multi-day wilderness adventure. Enjoy the silence as you watch the wind play across the water and look out for wildlife such as moose. Prefer a journey on dry land? There’s an equally tempting alternative: riding the sturdy Icelandic horse breed! Dreaming of a trek but lacking experience? No worries — an experienced guide will lead the way.

Stenshuvud National Park

On Sweden’s southern Baltic coast lies a protected area with forests and beautiful beaches. Hiking trails lead to several summits with sweeping views over the sea and the vast green landscape. A fun tip for anyone celebrating a birthday is the barn café Annorlunda at the park entrance, where you can order an all-you-can-enjoy high tea with cookies and sweet buns. From there it’s a short walk to a pleasant beach that shelves gently into the sea. The rounded, wooded slopes make a stunning backdrop and invite an adventurous exploration of the coastline.

Täppet Havsbad and the coast of Haväng

During a stay in a holiday home in Southern Sweden, you’ll never be short of lovely beaches. In addition to the fine sandy shores of Stenshuvud National Park, you’ll find more coastal gems in Skåne. Täppet Havsbad is a gorgeous stretch of nature where woodland meets beach. A solitary pine and a wooden pier have made this spot a favorite with photographers, and the wide beach offers plenty of space for a leisurely day on the sand. Also visit the coast of Haväng. The blend of nature, beach, and sea here makes for a wonderfully relaxing seaside day. Thanks to a nearby military training area, the nature enjoys protected status.

Waffles and Swedish fika in Helsingborg

Helsingborg showcases a unique mix of medieval and modern architecture. The castle-like town hall with its tall square tower is particularly impressive. A must-see is the garden of Sofiero Palace, famed for its exuberant collection of rhododendrons. The city is also perfect for savoring sunsets in atmospheric spots. The white tables and the windmill at the Möllebacken terrace form an authentic scene where people love to eat waffles while enjoying beautiful views over the city. From here you can even see Denmark! All in all, it’s a superb setting for a Swedish fika or dinner with the setting sun as dessert.

Rent a holiday home in Southern Sweden

In Southern Sweden you can enjoy endless nature along the coast and inland. Pleasant beaches and forests meet along the Baltic coast, and you’ll find the typical Swedish stugor that so charmingly accent the landscape throughout the south. Several cities offer a unique atmosphere. Order coffee with a cardamom bun in the old university city of Lund after a leisurely stroll, or visit the palace gardens of Sofiero in Helsingborg. Do you long for a destination with water-rich nature and peaceful beaches? Rent a holiday home in Southern Sweden and experience the restorative joy of slowing down.