Lomma

Lomma is the coastal area where the closest beach to Lund is located. It is accessible by bus number 139 from Lund Central Station and is therefore very popular for sunbathing and swimming. The shallow water also makes it a sought-after spot among windsurfers. Lomma is a popular choice for anyone planning a hemester in Skåne.

During sunny, warm days, it might be difficult to maintain social distancing as the beach is packed with locals, tourists and boat owners. If you feel uneasy about being in a crowd, you can instead visit the local ice cream shop, Lomma Glassfabrik, which sells some of the best ice cream in town. The shop is not far from the harbour area, where you will also find cafés, restaurants, and boatyard services. It is open until 6:00 pm, or later when the weather is nice.

Bjärred

Not too far from Lomma, there is another beach famous for its long jetty. Bjärred is another great option for a relaxed hemester in Skåne, especially for families. The 574-metre-long bathing jetty is said to beone of the longest bathing jetties in Sweden and the longest in Skåne. At the far end of the jetty, there is a bathhouse and a restaurant. The shallow water around the jetty makes it popular among young people and families on warm summer days. For those who do not drive, the area is accessible by bus number 137 from Lund C, departing from the same bus stop as the bus to Lomma.

Båstad

Located in the northwestern part of Skåne, Båstad is one of the most popular summer destinations in the region, thanks to the annual tennis tournaments, that have been held since 1948. For those planning a hemester in Skåne, Båstad offers both beaches and cultural events.

It is also home to the Nordic region’s largest outdoor tennis facility, Båstad Tennis Stadium.

This year, due to Covid-19, many events have been cancelled or held privately, but Båstad remains a great choice if you want to spend the day at the beach since Båstad has one of the longest sandy beaches in Sweden.

To get there from Lund, take the Öresundståg towards Mölndal and get off at Båstad station. From there, you can take a yellow regional bus to get to the city centre and beach area. For updated schedules and information, visit the Skånetrafiken website.

Ystad

Long before I moved to Sweden, I used to watch the Kurt Wallander series on television. At the time, I did not know that one day I would live in the same region as its setting.

Ystad is the backdrop of the popular crime series by acclaimed Swedish author Henning Mankell. However, this town is nothing like a murder scene. On the contrary, a beautiful town with medieval, pastel-coloured half-timbered houses on cobblestone streets and sun-dappled squares.

Ystad is also where Ystad Djurpark located. This outdoor zoo is a perfect place to visit for  families with kids as it offers fun activities to do such as petting zoo, animal feeding, and even swimming.

Åhus

If there’s a way to sum up Åhus, a town in northeastern part of Skåne, in one sentence, it would be a long sandy beach and a medieval town. This town has a long history dating back to the late Viking Age and was once an important trading post. Åhus is ideal for a hemester in Skåne if you want both history and long sandy beaches.

Before Covid-19 hit the world, Åhus hosted Europe’s largest beach handball tournament and Åhus Beach Football. But even without those events, Åhus still has a lot to offer. You can stroll around the city centre, which still preserves traces of medieval times. You can also challenge yourself at the adventure park or try what Åhus was long known for: snuff, schnapps and an abundance of eels.

But, if those are not really your things, just increase your ice cream intake while in Åhus. The town is also home to a local ice cream factory producing delicious ice cream perfect for summer: Otto & Glassfabriken.

This summer is certainly different from the summers we used to have, but a hemester in Skåne can still offer memorable experiences. Wherever you go and whatever you do, I hope this summer still brings happy moments for you.

All photos by Hayu Hamemayu (except feature image)

About the author

Hayu Hamemayu is a Lund-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in The Jakarta Post, Media Indonesia, Kompas, Majalah Kartini, and Indonesia Travel Magazine among others. A traveller mommy by nature and random thinker by inclination, she keeps memories in her Instagram @hayuhamemayu and writes her everyday stories in her blog.

Further reading

• Newbie stories
• Work in Sweden guides
• Learn Swedish