Route 1: Southern Sweden including Skåne and Småland
by Thomas Kliem
The route in brief
The TT-Line ferry docks at Trelleborg on Skåne’s south coast, from where the route follows the coast of eastern Skåne and on into Blekinge. From Karlskrona in eastern Blekinge you then drive northwards to Kalmar and across the bridge to Öland. At the end of your stay on Öland, you make your way across Sweden via Småland, eventually arriving at the coast and Halmstad in southern Halland. From there the route heads south again, following Skåne’s west coast back to the starting point in Trelleborg.
Don’t miss
The Kingdom of Crystal
While in the Kingdom of Crystal don’t miss the chance to visit the fascinating glassworks and join an informative guided tour, after which you can choose the perfect souvenir in the outlet shop at better prices than you will find elsewhere. Once in a while there is also the chance to try your hand at glass-blowing. “Hyttsill” – traditional hot-shop herring – is available at some of the glassworks in summer, guaranteeing a tasty meal.
Ystad – Sweden’s crime thriller capital
Part of the route passes through the region of Skåne, the landscapes of which and particularly the town of Ystad are familiar to many readers and TV viewers from Henning Mankell’s gripping crime thrillers about Inspector Kurt Wallander. Ystad is well worth a visit, and you will recognise many of the locations used in the films.