Österlen: Skåne’s quiet corner

Route description

From Malmö drive east to Ystad, a town of half-timbered houses and a medieval monastery, familiar to many as the home of the Wallander crime novels. Route 9 then follows the coast east to Kåseberga, a tiny fishing harbour below Ale’s Stones.

Turn inland for Glimmingehus, a solid stone castle in open fields, then continue to Simrishamn, the main town of Österlen, with its harbour and pastel cottages. The landscape is rolling farmland dotted with art studios.

North of Simrishamn, Stenshuvud National Park offers short trails and fine beaches, and Kivik is known for its apple orchards, a big summer market and the King’s Grave, a Bronze Age burial cairn just outside the village.

The whole route is under 150 km, so two days are plenty; add more if you want to cycle or swim. Late summer and autumn, when the apples are harvested, are good times to visit.