Calm lakes, endless forests, untouched beaches, photogenic red cottages, dangerously good fika, small towns that will make you want to stay forever. Sweden has it all. You can hike, mountain bike, wild camp, and kayak to your heart’s content here, but most people arrive here for the quiet. I recently spent time exploring Southern Sweden on a road trip through Skåne, Småland, and Öland. From the Netherlands, this part of Sweden is surprisingly easy to reach by car.

In this Southern Sweden travel guide, you will find my favorite spots, restaurants, hotels, and day trips for a Southern Sweden road trip: from the creative village of Kosta to the buzzing city of Helsingborg. Combining the trip with a stop in Copenhagen? Check out my Copenhagen City Guide. From there, the adventurous Faroe Islands are also a highly recommended destination.

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How to Get to Southern Sweden

The easiest way into Southern Sweden depends on where you are starting from. Malmö Airport and Copenhagen Airport both sit within an hour of the region, and Copenhagen is usually the better hub for international flights. From there, the Øresund Bridge connects Denmark and Sweden by train or car in under forty minutes, so crossing the border barely registers.

If you are coming from elsewhere in Sweden or want to make a longer trip of it, driving is by far the best way to explore the region once you arrive. Public transport will get you from city to city, but you lose the freedom to pull over at a random lighthouse or an empty stretch of beach. This comparison site is where I find reliable options for the best rental car in Sweden for every budget. Book well ahead, especially in summer, since availability disappears fast.

Tip: get yourself a solid data plan. With an eSIM from Saily, you stay connected everywhere without ridiculous roaming costs.

The Best Southern Sweden Itinerary

The route we drove runs from Malmö in the southwest, through the glass village of Kosta and the historic city of Kalmar, over to the island of Öland, and finally north to Helsingborg. In total you are looking at around 600 to 700 kilometers, but add a few hundred more for detours to lighthouses, cute coffee stops, and unplanned beach breaks. Plan for at least 7 to 10 days for this Southern Sweden road trip.

The route looks roughly like this:

• Stop 1: Malmö (1 to 2 nights)
• Stop 2: Kosta and Glasriket (1 night)
• Stop 3: Kalmar (1 to 2 nights)
• Stop 4: Öland (2 to 3 nights)
• Stop 5: Helsingborg (1 to 2 nights)

Malmö: Your First Stop in Southern Sweden

Malmö is the perfect city to kick off your Southern Sweden road trip. It has far more going on than just the Øresund Bridge: modern architecture, a buzzing market, and an old historic center full of green spaces. Walk across Stortorget, wander through the Västra Hamnen district, and take in the striking Turning Torso.

For an original way to get to know the city, hop aboard the Rundan boat tour in Malmö. You sail past the city’s best spots in about an hour while the guide tells you exactly what is hiding behind those facades.

Kosta: The Kingdom of Crystal

The first real stop is the small village of Kosta, also known as The Kingdom of Crystal. Since 1742, this place has been producing handblown glass that goes well beyond whatever is sitting in your kitchen cupboard. At the Kosta Art Gallery, you see exactly what they are capable of: colorful glass musical instruments, large sculptures, and pieces that are hard to describe and impossible to forget.

Across the street is the Kosta Glasbruk, where you can watch sturdy craftsmen shape molten glass in real time. You can simply walk in and watch. Grab lunch at Don Camillo or the Linnéa Art Restaurant, both just a short walk away.

Nearby is the Kosta Safari Park, where you might spot a moose if you are lucky. If you have some extra budget, book a night in one of the unique treehouses on site with a glass roof. You sleep under the stars there. That is an experience you will not forget anytime soon.

Kalmar: A Town Worth Slowing Down For

Next up is the town of Kalmar. This historic Baltic trading city had its old center relocated more than once to protect it from the Danes. It is also the gateway to the island of Öland. For four years running, it has been voted the most popular summer destination among Swedes themselves, and once you are there, it is easy to see why.

Colorful streets, lovely shops, good restaurants, and plenty of culture. Right in the center stands the imposing Kalmar Cathedral. Its exterior, designed in classic baroque style, is reason enough to stop by. The castle, transformed by King Gustav Vasa into a striking renaissance fortress, is also well worth a visit. Inside, the rooms are in remarkably good, original condition, and you can kayak right alongside the walls.

Fun fact: people in Sweden used to believe the human soul lived in the nose, and inside the castle you can see that every wood carving has had its nose removed…

Best Restaurants in Kalmar

Chocolate lovers should not skip Johannes Choklad. The delicatessen Gerdas Te och Kaffehandel sits in a gorgeous building, and you will not leave empty handed. For the best poke bowl in town, head to Mimami sushi & poké bowl bar. The cozy OAS Café is the place for a long lunch, and Blomlöfs i Kalmar is a great stop if you love seafood. The street Strandgatan is wildly photogenic. For dinner, FF:s Bar Och Ett Litet Kök and restaurant Postgatan are both worth the visit.

In Sweden, “fika” is sacred: a coffee break with something sweet. Swedish cinnamon buns are especially popular. The best one I had this whole trip came from Mormors Stenugnsbageri on the island of Öland. More about that later.

Best Hotel in Kalmar: Slottshotellet

Sleep at the romantic Slottshotellet. I slept like royalty in a spacious, sun-filled room.

Öland: The Island You Cannot Skip in Southern Sweden

From Kalmar, the road continues to the island of Öland. The southern part of the island is UNESCO World Heritage listed, thanks to its unique limestone plateau. You come to Öland for the quiet. Driving across the 6 kilometer bridge that connects mainland Sweden to this unusual island is an experience in itself. There is evidence that people lived here as far back as 6000 BC. You can walk or cycle past characteristic windmills and a coastline unlike anywhere else.

The Swedish royals love it here too, and they spend time regularly at the striking Solliden Palace. It is worth a visit. The palace is open to the public and has a lovely terrace.

Top Things to Do on Öland

• Byrums Raukar: these striking rock formations along the coast make an unbeatable backdrop for sunset.
• Neptuni åkrar: picnic along one of the prettiest stretches of Öland’s coastline, especially in summer.
• Ölandsfiskar’n AB in Byxelkrok: grab a fresh salmon burger and an affordable glass of wine here.
• Långe Erik: the area around this lighthouse pulls you in. A calm lake with bobbing boats on one side, the rolling sea on the other, and countless birds.
• Trollskogen: a peaceful forest walk on well kept paths, also accessible for those with limited mobility.
• Lyckesand: in summer this is the spot for a refreshing swim.
• Mormors Stenugnsbageri: the best fika and cinnamon buns of the entire trip.

Best Hotel on Öland: Hotell Borgholm

In the capital Borgholm you will find a hotel that gets everything right: Hotell Borgholm. The rooms have everything you need, and the hotel restaurant is heaven for food lovers. It is the ideal base for exploring the island.

Follow my adventures on Instagram for more travel inspiration, including daily updates from places just like this one.

Helsingborg: The Most Innovative City in Southern Sweden

The final stop is the charming city of Helsingborg, a place that consistently ranks among Europe’s most innovative. This city on Skåne’s west coast leads the way in smart, sustainable solutions for food waste, loneliness, integration, equality, and eco friendly transport. In 2020, that effort earned it a major prize: The European Capital of Innovation award.

Walk into any Swedish supermarket and look for “salted caramel & peanuts” dates by the brand Dadlar. I brought home 5 packs and wish I had bought more.

Beyond the smart city credentials, Helsingborg is great for shopping, brunching, and walking. Hunt down the street art, grab dangerously good fika at Bruket Kaffebar, admire the impressive Helsingborg City Hall, take a dip in the sea at Pålsjöbaden (yes, even in winter, just like the locals), and book a table at restaurant Creo for dinner by candlelight.

Brasseriet Helsingborg is another great culinary stop. For cocktails and good wine, head to KOL & cocktails, Lenoteque Vinbar, and Vinpublik. Want to explore the city in a different way? Book a walking tour with a local in Helsingborg and see the city through the eyes of someone who actually lives there. Afterward, follow the locals’ lead and take a dip in the sea at Pålsjöbaden.

Besides fika, Swedes are also big fans of salad bars. Nearly every restaurant has a salad buffet on offer.

Best Day Trips from Helsingborg

• Winery Lottenlund: a wine tasting run by owner Tina, who started her own vineyard in Sweden after trips to Tuscany. She now supplies the Swedish royal family, which says enough about the quality.
• Ödåkra Spritfabrik: a creative hub set inside a former distillery. The large, rustic spaces are now home to art, fashion, and food shops, tattoo studios, reiki sessions, and concept stores. A hipster hangout straight out of Berlin.
• Sofiero Palace: on a sunny day, the gardens here are stunning. Lunch at the Orangeriet pairs perfectly with a swim at Pålsjöbaden afterward.
• Miss Alice Krog & Delikatesser: lunch in the greenhouse and order the famous tomato tart. The tomatoes come straight from Tomatens Hus across the street. There is also a nice little shop inside the restaurant.

Best Hotel in Helsingborg: The Vault

The Vault in Helsingborg is housed in a former bank, and it is exactly as cool as that sounds. The colorful hotel has individually styled, memorable rooms. Book well in advance, as this hotel is highly sought after and sits in a prime location.

Looking for more Scandinavian inspiration? Check out my tips for Oslo and Bergen, plus the unmissable bucket list train ride from Oslo to Bergen.

Copenhagen: Combine Your Southern Sweden Road Trip with Denmark

From Helsingborg, Copenhagen is barely a detour. The Øresund Bridge connects the two countries, and you can drive across in under forty minutes. That alone is reason enough to add a couple of days. Copenhagen is an easy city to fall for, and it should not be skipped.

Two tours worth remembering once you get there: the food tour with 6+ tastings of Danish classics, and the politically incorrect beer tasting walking tour. All my tips for Copenhagen are in my full Copenhagen guide.

Practical Tips for Your Southern Sweden Trip

A few things that come in handy for your Southern Sweden trip:

• Currency: Sweden uses the Swedish krona (SEK). You can pay contactless almost everywhere; cash is barely needed.
• Driving: speed limits are strictly enforced: 30, 50, 70, or 110 km/h depending on the road.
• Best time to visit: June through August is peak season; long days, little rain, and everything is open. Expect more crowds at popular spots like Öland and Borgholm.
• Allemansrätten: the Swedish right to roam. You can wild camp, hike, and swim almost anywhere, as long as you leave no trace behind.
• Travel insurance: always worth sorting before you go. I use SafetyWing, it covers you for trips like this without the usual paperwork headache.

More Scandinavian Adventures

Once you catch the Scandinavian bug, you will want more. Explore the rugged nature of the Faroe Islands for some of the best hikes around. Or head east and discover the medieval beauty of Tallinn and the rest of Estonia’s surprising highlights.

Southern Sweden: Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you need for a Southern Sweden road trip?

For the route in this article, from Malmö through Kosta and Kalmar to Öland and Helsingborg, you need at least 7 to 10 days. Adding Copenhagen onto the end pushes that to 10 to 14 days in total.

Do I need a car for a Southern Sweden road trip?

Yes, a car makes a real difference. Öland is only reachable by bridge, and many of the best spots along the coast sit far from any train station. Book your rental car in Sweden ahead of time, especially if you are traveling in summer.

What are the best places to visit in Southern Sweden?

The absolute highlights: Byrums Raukar on Öland, Kalmar Castle, the glassworks in Kosta, Solliden Palace on Öland, and the Ödåkra Spritfabrik plus the gardens of Sofiero Palace in Helsingborg. Öland and Skåne together give you a great mix of nature, culture, and food.

When is the best time to visit Southern Sweden?

June through August is ideal: long summer days, pleasant weather, and everything open. July is the busiest, especially on Öland. If you prefer fewer crowds, late May or early September is a smart choice: fewer people, similar weather, and better hotel prices.

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