Known as the gateway to Österlen, Ystad has a charming cobble main street full of brightly coloured buildings. The town is famous for the Greyfriars Abbey, one of the most well preserved medieval monasteries in Sweden.
Ystad is a small town on the south coast of Sweden with a population of approximately 30,000. The settlement of Ystad was first mentioned in documents in 1244 as “Viistatha”. Sankta Maria kyrka was already constructed by this time. The Franciscan monastery of Gråbrödraklostret was founded in 1267. In 1285, the name “Ystath” was first recorded. In the 14th century, Ystad traded with the Hanseatic League. After World War II, ferry services began operating to Świnoujście in Poland and the Danish island of Bornholm. Be sure to visit all the best things to see and do in Ystad. Discover all of Ystads top sights and attractions.
What to see and do in Ystad
STORA ÖSTERGATAN
Take a wander down Stora Östergatan (Main East Street), the main pedestrian street of Ystad. There cobbled streeet are lined with numerous beautiful old brightly coloured buildings. Be sure to check out the side streets. Ystad has a number of buildings with gothic Hansa architecture, shared by other towns associated with the Hanseatic League around the Baltic. Most notacibly are the brick and half timbered buildings. Stora Östergatan runs through the middle of Stortorget.
STORTORGET
Stortorget (Big Square) is Ystad’s main square and is lined by a cafes and restaurants. The centrepiece of the square is the Gamla Rådhuset (Old Town Hall). The oldest parts of the building date back to the 14th century. Over the centuries it was damaged, rebuilt, and renovated until it got its current neoclassical appearance. In 1921, Ystad’s town hall was transfered to another building. Today Gamla Rådhuset acts as council meeting rooms. The spire of Sankta Maria Kyrka is visible directly behind Gamla Rådhuset.
Sankta Maria Kyrka
Sankta Maria Kyrka (Saint Mary’s Church) began being built around the year 1200. The church continued being modified for the next couple of centuries until it was a storm collapsed the tower and destroyed the a large part of the church in 1648. The church was quickly rebuilt, now in Renaissance style. The church under went extensive renovations in the 1830s, 1880s, and 1920s.
Ystad is the only town in Sweden that still has a tower guard, a tradition that has continued in Ystad since the 18th century. The tower guard watches over the city from the tower of Sankta Maria Kyrka every night and blows a horn on every quarter of an hour between 9:15PM and 1AM.
Klostret i Ystad / Greyfriars Abbey
Greyfriars Abbey (Gråbrödraklostret) is one of the most well-preserved medieval monasteries in Sweden. The Franciscan Order of Friars arrived in Ystad in 1223. In 1267, the Franciscans founded the monastery. The Franciscans wore grey garments and were known as Gråbrödra (Grey Brothers) or Greyfriars.
In 1532, during the Reformation, the Greyfriars were forcibly driven out of the monastery. For the next two hundred years the building was used as a hospital. In 1777, the building briefly became a state-owned distillery. In 1786, the monastery was used for to store grain. The local council bought the building in 1876. Following extensive renovations, the building was opened as Ystad’s Cultural History Museum in 1912.
Nybrostrand
Nybrostrand is the main beach of Ystad, located a couple of kilometres to the east. The beach stretches for kilometres and is backed by forest and further back summer houses and camping grounds. Its a very popular beach during the summer months. There is even a small stretch designated for nudists.
Nearby Sights
Marsvinsholms Slott
Marsvinsholms Slott (Marsvinsholm Castle) is located 12 kilometres northwest of Ystad. An estate was built on the site by the Danish crown in the 1300s, known variously as Bosøe, Borsøe and Bordsyø. In the 1520s, it was sold to the Danish admiral Jens Holgersen Ulfstand, who had constructed Glimmingehus in 1499. In 1630, the estate was sold to a Danish nobleman named Otte Marsvin. The current castle was completed in 1648. The castle under went restorations in the 1780s and 1850s, giving the castle its distinctive Dutch Renaissance style. Today, the castle remains in private ownership.
Where To Eat
Söderberg & Sara Stenugnsbageri
Regementsgatan 2
Grändens Mat
Besökaregränd 3
Where To SLeep
Prins Carl
Hamngatan 8
Stationen B&B
Hamntorget 1 A
Continental du Sud
Hamngatan 13
Ystad Saltsjöbad
Saltsjöbadsvägen 15
How to get to Ystad
Malmö to Ystad by train
- Departure: Every 30m
- Duration: 41-51m
- Price: 105kr (SEK)
Ystad is connected to the surrounding towns and countryside by bus, operated by Skånetrafiken.
Ystad by Ferry
- Bornholm, Denmark
- Swinoujscie, Poland