Room to breathe, an escape from everyday life, and great adventures – that’s Southern Sweden! Villages like Bullerby or archipelagos like Saltkråkan really do exist, as well as small red, yellow, or blue summer cottages with wooden verandas and a jetty by the lake. Just let yourself drift: cliff hiking along the Öresund, beach strolls in Smygehuk, oyster slurping in Gothenburg, searching for moose in the forests of Småland, paddling in the labyrinth of lakes in Dalsland, visiting castles and taking a steamboat trip on the Göta Canal, or island hopping in Bohuslän. Southern Sweden boasts plenty of water and nature – and also some remarkable cities – most notably Malmö and Gothenburg.

A trip to the land of Pippi Longstocking and Emil of Lönneberga can be as versatile as you want it to be. Whether in a camper or your own car on a road trip, staying in Swedish cottages by a lake or fjord, or on an extended city break. Plan your journey to Southern Sweden to suit your taste. What many don’t realize is that from northern Germany, this Scandinavian country is very easy to reach via the bird flight line: take the ferry from Fehmarn to Denmark, cross the imposing Öresund Bridge near Copenhagen, and you’ll be welcomed by Malmö and Southern Sweden in just 3 hours.

The first destination of our road trip is Malmö, a lively city with the perfect mix of modernity and history, now well-known to every Swiss after Nemo's victory in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Visit the iconic Turning Torso and stroll through Kungsparken. Or treat yourself to a “fika” – Swedish coffee time – in one of the many cafés in the charming old town. Just south of Malmö, a trip to the Måkläppen Nature Reserve in Falsterbo is worth a visit. This protected area is remarkable for its large sand deposits, which are constantly changing shape and size due to sea currents and winds. It is Sweden’s oldest nature reserve and an important breeding ground for land birds and seals. If you plan your journey through Southern Sweden counterclockwise, make sure to visit one of the country’s most popular beaches. Beddingestrand, located between Trelleborg and Ystad, is known for its diverse nature, white sand, and clear waters. Ystad is not only famous for its picturesque old town but also as the setting for the Wallander crime novels. A stroll through its colorful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets will stay with you. The Franciscan Monastery, dating back to 1267, houses the town museum, which provides information about the city's history. For a truly special tour of Ystad, you can take a ride in a vintage fire truck. Be sure to stop by Fridolfs Konditori and enjoy the famous “Sockerbulle” (sugar balls). We continue eastward to Österlen, known for its stunning coastline and the many artists who live there. Visit small fishing villages like Simrishamn and Kivik. The beaches here are perfect for a day by the sea or a long beach walk.

For a unique place to stay overnight, head inland to the Nyrups Nature Hotel, nestled in a beech forest with elk and foxes as your neighbors. It doesn’t get more natural than this! The hotel offers six woolen huts, each with two beds. The huts are made in Mongolia and feature simple wooden floors and insulation made of felted wool. Dinner and breakfast are prepared together in the open air over a fire. Close to the nature hotel, the Store Mosse National Park, a spectacular wetland in Southern Sweden, attracts with its rich flora and fauna. From Björnakullen, you can enjoy a great view over the park and Lake Kävsjön. A 40-kilometer hiking trail winds through the park, passing by the Naturum exhibition center. You can spend the night in a log cabin at Lövö, Svänö, or Kittlakull.

Now we head to Småland, one of Sweden's oldest and most charming regions, which attracts visitors with its untouched nature, deep forests, and picturesque lakes. The main town, Växjö, shines with its impressive cathedral from the 18th century and the Småland Museum, where you can learn more about the history and culture of the region. Be sure to try the famous Swedish cinnamon buns in one of the cafés!

If you're interested in arts and crafts, a visit around the Kosta Boda Hotel is a must! Here, everything revolves around glassblowing. In workshops, you can watch glassblowers at work and admire the impressive glass objects in the gallery. Guided tours are also offered, and at the outlet, you can even buy a handmade glass souvenir. Since 1742, mouth-blown glass has been made in Småland. Together with the glassblowers, the designers constantly develop new glassblowing techniques for that distinctive Småland uniqueness.

A highlight for any literature fan is, of course, a visit to Astrid Lindgren's World in Vimmerby. Here, you can explore the magical world of Pippi Longstocking and other characters. The theme park attractions are great fun, not just for kids! If you haven't had enough of Michel and his pranks, the original filming locations of Katthult can be found nearby in the village of Gibberyd. You can visit the shed where Michel carved his many wooden figures and the flagpole where he hoisted his sister Ida.

A trip to the island of Öland, located to the east of Southern Sweden, is also worth it. This is the holiday island of the Swedish royal family. Long white sandy beaches and some of the most scenic beachside campsites are found in the north of the island, along with enchanted forests and charming villages. Be sure to visit Borgholm Castle and the Eketorps fortress. The observation platforms of the lighthouses "Långe Erik" and "Långe Jan" offer spectacular views of vast stretches of Öland. A culinary insider tip: Evas Kroppkakor. Here you can try salmon, eel, mackerel, but most importantly, the local specialty kroppkakor: handmade flour dumplings with a savory filling. You'll definitely leave satisfied!

Our next stop is Linköping, particularly Bergs slussar, the seven locks on the Göta Canal. It's recommended to explore the area by bike. Even for those who aren’t particularly athletic, the route from Borensberg to Berg is easy to manage by bike. At the starting point, you pick up your pre-booked bike and set off along the canal. You might encounter one of the historical canal steamers that still operate, moving leisurely at 5 knots between Gothenburg and Stockholm – the journey takes six days. Day trips on this section of the canal are also possible with the M/S Wasa Lejon. One of the highlights of the bike tour is the aqueduct in Ljungsbro, where the canal crosses over the road. The absolute highlight is the famous Carl Johan lock, better known as Bergs slussar, with its seven successive lock gates where boats overcome nearly 20 meters of height difference.

On the way to the matchstick town of Jönköping, you pass by the picturesque Lake Vättern. The Matchstick Museum (Tändsticksmuseet) documents the history of match production in a charming wooden house where the first match factory was established in 1848. At Lake Vänern, on Mount Hunneberg, you might be lucky enough to spot the king of the forest, the moose. In the summer months, Turistbyrå Vänersborg organizes moose safaris. In the evenings, a bus takes you on the search for these majestic animals.

Arriving in Dalsland, a visit to the aqueduct in Håverud is well worth it—a masterpiece of Swedish engineering from 1868. The 32-meter-long bridge carries the Dalsland Canal high above the river, a spectacular sight for both the skippers of numerous sailboats and motorboats, as well as the many onlookers who gather along the canal and on the bridge to take photos. From Håverud to Bengtsfors, the historic ship M/S Storholmen passes through 19 locks and the famous aqueduct on the Dalsland Canal; for the return trip, the rail bus is a great option.

The next stop on this tour of Southern Sweden is the seafaring city of Gothenburg, a hub for fish and shellfish cuisine, which developed around Scandinavia’s largest port. If you’re in the mood for local cuisine, be sure to plan a visit to the highly acclaimed restaurant "Koka". Only local ingredients are used here, and delicious dishes of crab, lobster, and other seafood are served. Gothenburg, Sweden's second-largest city with over half a million residents, takes pride in its "Slottsskogen", one of the largest urban parks in Europe. Every August, the "Way Out West" festival is held there and has been awarded several times for its eco-friendly organization. For moose-hungry fans of Sweden, the zoo located in the middle of the park is a treat: alongside Sweden's largest mammal, you can also admire birds, sheep, rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, and even seals and penguins. For accommodation, the nearby Slottsskogen Hostel & Hotel is a great choice. Eco-friendliness is a priority here, with green electricity and organic breakfast provided. For a more stylish and functional stay, Hotel Flora at Grönsakstorget is a good option. This family-run four-star hotel is centrally located, with downtown and Vasapark just a five-minute walk away. For adrenaline junkies, the Liseberg amusement park offers numerous attractions as well as the best view of Gothenburg. From the Liseberg Tower, you get a fantastic view of the city and the nearby archipelago, which is our final destination.

Bohuslän, the picturesque coastal region in western Sweden, is known for its dramatic coastline, charming fishing villages, and unspoiled nature. In Fjällbacka, the colorful wooden houses and narrow streets exude a special charm. Explore the harbor and enjoy fresh lobster at one of the local restaurants. A highlight is the hike to the top of Vetteberget, offering breathtaking views of the village and the surrounding coast. A visit to the Bryggan Hotel is a must, not only for its great location with views of the harbor and archipelago, but also for a serving of fish 'n chips. The hotel was a favorite retreat for actress Ingrid Bergman. To follow in her footsteps, stop by Setterlinds bakery, where you can buy Bergman’s favorite cookies. Crime novel fans can also take part in a Camilla Läckberg tour and walk in the "footsteps of Camilla Läckberg". The archipelago around Fjällbacka offers exciting ferry rides and paddling tours.

In Hamburgsund, located south of Fjällbacka, things are a bit quieter than in the bustling and popular Fjällbacka. A ferry ride from Hamburgsund to Hamburgö is a great way to connect the harbor town with the islands. The free cable ferry offers a great view of the sea. The small island of Smögen, on the other hand, attracts countless visitors in the summer. For over a hundred years, the island has been a favorite summer destination for Swedish families. Many sailing and motorboat enthusiasts dock in this picturesque village, eager to enjoy its exciting party and nightlife, for which Smögen is also well known.

So, Skål to Southern Sweden!