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15 Best Things to Do in Lund (Sweden)

In medieval times Lund was the seat of an archbishopric that held sway over all of the Nordic countries. And speaking to that religious power is the amazing cathedral, the greatest Romanesque edifice in Scandinavia. That has to be the first thing you do in Lund, a green city famed for its reputable university and where the last scenes of Ingmar Bergman’s classic Wild Strawberries were shot.

Sweden’s second oldest outdoor museum is right in the city centre, a little district of historic buildings where old trades and daily life continue as they did before industry arrived. And being a centre of higher learning, Lund is replete with educational attractions tied to the uni, like the botanical garden and a first-rate museum of famous artists’ preliminary sketches.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Lund :

1. Lund Cathedral

Held as Sweden’s greatest piece of Romanesque architecture, Lund Cathedral has elements that have not been altered in 900 years.

These oldest parts combine the Rhenish and Lombard styles and are mostly visible in the apse and crypt.

Go below to check out the sculpted pillars and the altar dating to 1123. Upstairs there’s a fabulous astronomical clock from 1380. Two automaton knights mark the hours and the astronomical dial marks out the direction of the sunset and the phases of the moon.

Finally in the choir, dimly-lit because of the narrow Romanesque windows, see the 14th-century stalls and continue up to the altar where the magnificent gilded Gothic altarpiece dates to 1382.

2. Kulturen

Lund’s open-air museum is the second oldest in Sweden after Stockholm’s.

It opened in 1892 and is a whole historic quarter between the Cathedral and the Botanical Garden.

Some of the museum’s buildings have always stood at this spot, while others have been moved to the museum in pieces to ensure their preservation.

There are around 30 exhibition rooms in this wonderful space, allowing you to immerse yourself in daily and working life on the Lund Peninsula in bygone times.

The larger buildings are galleries for the museum’s collection of more than two million artefacts, counting silverware, porcelain and jewellery from the Scania province.

There are also architectural fragments in the gardens from demolished medieval churches, and runestones in the lapidarium.

3. Botanical Garden

The University of Lund has managed a botanical garden of some description since 1690. This moved location a couple of times before ending up at its current eight-hectare patch in 1868. Even back then the garden boasted more than 6,000 species, and today it has 1,000 more.

Some 200 of these are kept in the greenhouse, which is divided into nine different climate zones.

For inquisitive minds the flower beds and greenhouse displays are labelled to tell you what you’re looking at.

The best time to be here is from May to July, when the gardens are most florid and you can pause at the cafe by the pond for coffee and a chat.

4. Museum of Sketches for Public Art

At this one-of-a-kind museum you have a rare glimpse of the creative process of some of the most famous Swedish and international artists.

The exhibition has preliminary sketches and models by more than 1,000 artists from 30 different countries.

In the international sculpture room for instance you can see Henry Moore’s various models for his work, Hill Arches.

And there are preparatory works by other illustrious 20th-century artists like Henri Matisse, Fernand Léger, Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Diego Rivera, Siri Derkert and Elli Hemberg.

Outside you can browse the sculpture park with 20 works by Swedish artists like Elli Hemberg and Arne Jones.

5. Stadsparken

Southwest of the centre is the city park, which was first laid out in 1911. While the botanical garden is about informative walks, Stadsparken is more for relaxation, exercise and having fun.

There’s a skate park, superb children’s playground with a climbing rock, central Lund’s only indoor swimming pool, an outdoor gym, a 10-kilometre hiking trail and even a parkour course.

And for people who want to take it easy there are generous lawns, paths flanked by old hardwood trees and a formal garden planted with some 7,000 perennials.

These formal paths and gardens are set where Lund’s medieval city hall, Högevall used to stand.

6. Lund University Historical Museum

On Krafts Torg, the university’s historical museum is more than 200 years old and is the second largest museum of its kind in Sweden.

Its current building dates to the 1840s and the museum moved here in 1918. The reserve is vast, comprising more than ten million pieces, as this institution is tasked with documenting finds made across Skåne County.

There are Stone Age tools and weapons, finds from the Iron Age settlement at Uppåkra, thousands of coins and numerous examples of medieval liturgical art.

The museum also has a gallery of classical artefacts brought here after excavations conducted by the university abroad.

7. Drotten Church Ruins

This 51-metre, 11th-century church in the centre of Lund was the seat of the archbishopric, but was torn down during the Reformation in the 15th century.

The site was rediscovered in good condition during excavations in the 70s and 80s and the churchyard and the remnants of the Lord’s Church were put on show in an underground museum.

During the dig an even older church from the 900s was found on the north wall of the Lord’s Church and this has been mooted as Skåne ‘s first ever stone church.

Entrance is free, and there are information boards explaining the significance of the ruins and some of the artefacts found in the dig.

8. Holy Cross Priory, Dalby

You only have to travel ten minutes to the southeast of Lund to reach the Nordic region’s oldest stone church still standing.

It was founded in 1060, and was very briefly the seat of the bishop, until this moved a little way up the road to Lund.

The most absorbing piece inside this atmospheric Romanesque edifice is the baptismal font, dating to the 11th century and carved from sandstone quarried in Höör.

This is the oldest font still in use in Scandinavia and has carvings of human heads and beasts on its base and reliefs of Christ’s baptism on the sides.

9. Lund University Main Building (Universitetshuset)

The origins of Lund University begin in the 15th century, but it was officially founded in 1666 close to the cathedral.

It now ranks as one of Europe’s most prestigious universities, garnering a strong reputation for medical research.

The institution runs several of Lund’s museums but if there’s one sight to see, it’s the main building on the other side of Lundagård park from the cathedral.

This proud whitewashed monument is from 1882 and has a Neoclassical design conceived by Helgo Zetttervall.

Admire the pilasters, Corinthian columns and pediments on the facade, and keep an eye out for the four stone sphinxes on the roof.

10. Lundagård

That green buffer between the cathedral and the University Main Building also has an interesting tale to tell.

From the cathedral’s completion in the 12th century it was walled off, and served as a city quarter containing the university and religious institutions.

There were also financial buildings, as well as the royal mint and Krafts Torg, which was Lund’s main centre of trade and later became a cemetery.

The wall was eventually pulled down in 1840 to the dismay of the university’s students, and the last of three gates to survive is the entrance to Kulturen.

11. All Saints’ Church

Another of Helgo Zettervall’s additions to the Lund cityscape came at the turn of the 1890s when he designed this monumental Neo-Gothic church.

The building came about after Lund Cathedral was deemed too small to house the city’s worshippers, and the bishop Johan Henrik Thomander began the search for a replacement earlier in the century.

The church’s dimensions are still spectacular today, with a 72-metre tower and room inside for 2,000 people.

There’s a lot of ornamentation to pore over inside, but the highlight are the stained glass windows in the choir, crafted in Innsbruck and portraying Christ’s Ascension.

12. Vattenhallen Science Center

This hands-on science museum is run in partnership with the University of Lund and aimed primarily at kids.

On weekends and school holidays there are two astronomy shows a day at the planetarium, led by the university’s astronomy post-grads and lecturers.

The array of activities available changes frequently, but everything here requires interaction, whether kids are scaling a “digiwall”, holding their nerve on a tremble test, shooting protons, building a torch or taking part in all sorts of chemistry experiments.

13. Lund Art Gallery (Konsthall)

For a shot of local culture the city’s art gallery is a venue to ponder and discuss modern art.

The building dating to 1957 warrants a mention too as it was designed by the 20th-century Modernist Klas Anshelm and has big glass panels in its roof filling the gallery with light.

Most of the shows are for Scandinavian art, but there are a couple of international shows a year, and there’s a free catalogue printed for all exhibitions.

The gallery also features a research room and studio.

Admission to all lectures and exhibitions is totally free, so if you’re at a loose end there’s no reason not to get some inspiration here.

14. Lundahoj

As a young university city, Lund is a cyclist’s dream, and you’ll be one of many people getting around the streets on two wheels.

The wealth of greenery and low volume of road traffic (most people go by bike) makes things even safe and easier.

Tourists can use the Lundahof bike sharing system, which has 250 bikes at 17 stations around the city.

Regardless of the amount of trips you make during the day, the first half an hour is always free thanks to the “30 Minute Rule” to ensure as many bikes are available at a given time.

So if you know where you’re going you can zoom around the city without paying a penny.

15. Skrylle

You can drive or catch a regular bus service out to this sprawling natural space 10 minutes or so east of the city.

Here in the Dalby Söderskog National Park are ten different reserves made up of deep forest, moorland, a disused quarry and ponds.

Some of the woodland is old growth and there’s a choice of easy trails to negotiate, three of which are lit.

Lund City Council also operates a small visitor centre/museum at the park informing you about the human history, geology and natural life in this habitat.

15 Best Things to Do in Lund (Sweden):

• Lund Cathedral
• Botanical Garden
• Museum of Sketches for Public Art
• Stadsparken
• Lund University Historical Museum
• Drotten Church Ruins
• Holy Cross Priory, Dalby
• Lund University Main Building (Universitetshuset)
• All Saints' Church
• Vattenhallen Science Center
• Lund Art Gallery (Konsthall)

• Experience Guide (sv, dk, no, eng)
• Corporate (in Swedish)
• Press & Media
• Travel Trade
• Destinations
• Southern Sweden

Lund – a city with heart and mind

Lund, the lively university town in Skåne, combines fascinating history with great flair. Among cobblestones and half-timbered houses, historical charm meets innovation and, due to the large student population, culture and comedy pulsate.

• Established in 1666, Lund University is among Sweden's oldest and most prestigious institutions, known for its enduring traditions.
• On 30 April of each year, students gather at Stadsparken for Walpurgis Night (Valborg) to enjoy barbecue, drinks, the traditional Valborg bonfire and singing.
• With over 700,000 visitors each year, Lund Cathedral is Sweden's most visited church. The cathedral celebrated its 900th anniversary in 2023.

Lund is a city of knowledge and culture. At the start of term, 45,000 students from Sweden and all over the world bring the historically rich city to life. Lund University has been educating academics since it was founded in 1666 and, as one of the 100 best universities in the world, is a sought-after place to study. In addition to the academic level, the lively atmosphere and the wide array of leisure activities are attractive opportunities for students.

Lund's most colourful work of art is probably the botanical garden, Botaniska Trädgården , which the university established in the 17th century as a research park, and which is home to over 7,000 species. To this day, the garden is a place for research, but equally for relaxation – and the best way to enjoy this is to take a picnic break at Café Botan.

Sweden's third largest city, Malmö , is just a 12-minute train ride from Lund. The harbour city of Helsingborg is also only a 30-minute train ride from Lund and well worth a visit.

The Botanical Garden, Lund

Experience beautiful plants or enjoy a coffee by the water lily pond. The Botanical Garden is part of Lund University.

Photo : Martin Sörbo/Visit Lund

Students in Lund

Photo : Leif Johansson, Xrayfoto

Walpurgis Night, Lund

Photo : Aline Lessner/imagebank.sweden.se

Streets of Lund, Skåne

Photo : Carolina Romare

Lund Cathedral

Kulturen in Lund, Skåne

Youthful atmosphere with a fascinating history

Lund has aged in beauty. This is evidenced by the medieval town centre, the houses with colourful facades and the winding cobblestone streets that create a warm, friendly feeling for visitors. At almost one thousand years old, Lund is one of Sweden's oldest cities. It has been shaped by the mighty 12th-century cathedral and the world-famous university founded during the 17th century. Lund is considered a city of history, culture, science and innovation.

Lund owes many traditions and a diverse cultural scene to its students. The city is a breeding ground for successful musicians, actors and journalists. Humour is also part of life for the young academics. Lund's residents and visitors share a laugh at the annual comedy festival, the great spontaneous party during Valborg on 30 April and the Lund student choir singing on 1 May.

Creative shops with unique items and exciting museums line the streets of Lund. As the most visited attraction in Skåne and the oldest cathedral in Scandinavia, the enormous Lund Cathedral is a stone superlative. The astronomical clock from 1425 is also extraordinary: it shows the signs of the zodiac and the phases of the moon over Lund. In summer there are free guided tours of the cathedral.

The open-air museum Kulturen, in the centre of Lund, is a hands-on experience of cultural history. In old houses you stroll through life in Lund and its rural surroundings from the Middle Ages to the 1930s. Around 20 exhibitions also showcase regional folk art and modern design from Skåne. Whether Midsummer or Advent, Kulturen offers a varied programme for many occasions.

Lund, Skåne

Archaeologists date the foundation of Lund to around 990.

Photo : Jon Nordström/Visit Lund

Photo : Apelöga/Tourism in Skåne

Accessible nature on the doorstep

The perfect combination of city life and outdoor adventure await you in Lund. It is also surrounded by enchanting beech forests and bright rape seed fields that invite you to go hiking and cycling.

Lund and its surroundings have numerous cycling routes , so there is always the great option of exploring Lund by bike. There are stores and accommodations where you can rent a bicycle.

Discover the long-distance hiking trail Skåneleden. From Lund, you can travel by bus to Genarp and set off on a 12-kilometre section of the trail. During your hike, you can climb Romeleklint, the second highest point on the ridge at 175 metres. The famous botanist Carl Linnaeus once stood here and marvelled at the many spires. At the end of the hike, you can take the bus back to Lund from Veberöd.

Love Coffee & Winebar, Lund

The Love Coffee & Winebar offers a great wine list with wines from small wineries.

Photo : Sabine Klautzsch

Biking in Skåne

Photo : Apelöga/imagebank.sweden.se

Food for the head and the soul

Cosy cafés from bistros to hip coffee bars and a hidden oasis for raw food fans make Lund the ideal place for lunch or a Swedish ‘fika’ . From one café to the next, you can simply walk or do as the locals do and take the bike.

Love Coffee & Winebar offers a great wine list with wines from small wineries. The wine list changes constantly, depending on the mood, season and theme of the evening.

At the popular Mannz Bageri you can buy handmade fika pastries to go, and at Patisseriet you can not only enjoy a delicious coffee and something sweet, but also tasty salads.

Saluhallen Lund – a market hall on Mårtenstorget – has been catering to gourmets since 1909, with speciality shops for takeaway delicacies and restaurants for tasty treats, from snacks to dinners.

Outside the city, farm shops amid golden rape seed fields with homemade specialties await cyclists and hikers.

Unsurprisingly, researchers and inventors have flourished and achieved great things amidst this inspiring atmosphere. Lund is both charming and smart.

Practical information before your trip to Lund

By train: SJ national trains run from major cities, such as Stockholm (4.5 hours), Gothenburg (3 hours) and Malmö (20 minutes) to Lund.

By plane: You can fly to Malmö Airport , located about 20 minutes from Lund, but Copenhagen Airport in Denmark tends to have more frequent international flights. The regular Öresundståg or SJ trains take you from Copenhagen Airport to Lund’s central station (across the Öresund Bridge) in less than 45 minutes.

By car: Lund is easy to reach by car. From mainland Europe, the drive from central Copenhagen over the Öresund Bridge takes less than an hour.

Lund has an extensive cycle network that makes it easy to explore the city and its surroundings by bicycle.

Explore Lund by making use of the efficient green city buses, which offer comprehensive routes originating from the Lund Central station. You can purchase tickets at Skånetrafiken’s customer service centre, from the ticket machines at Lund Central station or with the Skånetrafiken app .

The yellow regional buses connect Lund and Skåne's towns and countryside. These buses typically depart from Lund Central station or Bankgatan. Remember to secure your ticket prior to boarding; acquire it via the Skånetrafiken app, Skånetrafiken’s customer service centre or the ticket machines at Lund Central station.

The Grand Hotel in the city centre of Lund is a 4-star hotel with a rich heritage that goes back a hundred years and boasts charming rooms.

The Winstrup Hotel and Hostel is a unique and affordable accommodation option in the city centre of Lund. Sleep in a shared room or book yourself a budget twin room.

Outside the city centre you can find the Hobykrok Bed and Breakfast from where you can reach the nature reserve Kungsmarken in just 10 minutes by foot.

If you would like to spend the night like a king or queen, the Norrmans Castle, just 30 kilometres from Lund, might be just what you are looking for. Here you can spend the night in the pavilion not far away or in the castle and dine like royalty in the restaurant.

Visit the Visit Lund website for a wide range of accommodation options in Lund.

In the centre of Lund, Lunds Konsthall gallery exhibits regional and international artists in a bright, modern building. From established painters to emerging photographers, retrospectives and thematic exhibitions serve up wholesome pieces of art.

At Skissernas Museum (Museum of Sketches), modern and contemporary art meet in a total of seven galleries.

Like much else in Lund, the history museum, Historiska Museet , is linked to the university. In the former bishop's residence behind Lund Cathedral, there are now exhibitions on the history of the city. The archaeology section shows discoveries from the excavations at Uppåkra south of Lund, where Scandinavia’s largest settlement was located in the Iron Age.

If you are looking for a unique experience in Lund, search no further – here you can find plenty of events in Lund.

At the cutting-edge water park Högevall , thrills await you on sprawling 213-metre water slides. Families can also explore a jungle-themed bathing area designed for little ones, featuring playful animals and bubbling water.

Head on an adventure for the whole family on a cycle trail trolley . Cycle on the old train track along the Romeleåsen valley from Björnstorp to Veberöd through beautiful nature and experience nature in a unique manner.

The Norrmans Castle, Skåne

The Norrmans Castle, also called Häckeberga Castle, was built in the 1870s. It is located in Skåne, close to both Lund and Malmö.

Photo : Mickael Tannus

Historic buildings in Lund

Museum of Sketches, Lund

Trolley cycling in Skåne

Photo : Per Pixel Petersson/imagebank.sweden.se

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City malmö – a city of contrasts and an international melting pot, city helsingborg – a fusion of history, innovation and coastal beauty, region skåne – a coastal county steeped in history, take a road trip in beautiful skåne and blekinge.

15 Best things to do in Lund (Sweden)

By: Author Swedish Nomad

Posted on Last updated: May 3, 2021

Categories Sweden

Home / Europe / Sweden / 15 Best things to do in Lund (Sweden)

Here’s a list of the 15 best things to do in Lund ( Sweden ), along with famous landmarks, museums, and other points of interest.

Lund is one of the largest cities in Sweden , located in the province of Skåne in the southern part of the country. It’s a historic city that is highly associated with education, and it’s home to one of the finest universities in Europe. 

Furthermore, there are several parts of Lund where you can stroll around and see well-preserved buildings from various eras. Summer is the most popular time of the year to visit Lund, but there is always something interesting to do in Lund.

Lund Cathedral (Lunds domkyrka)

Lund Cathedral is one of the city’s highlights and is known as the most impressive example of Romanesque architecture in Scandinavia. It was constructed in the 12 th  century and is inspired by the architecture of northern Italy.

The cathedral is richly decorated and features many fascinating stone sculptures as well as other art pieces dating to the various centuries of the cathedral’s existence.

There is also an astronomical clock found here that shouldn’t be missed. Lund’s Cathedral is a popular venue for concerts and features six organs, one of which is considered Sweden’s biggest.

Museum of Cultural History and Open-Air Museum

Lund’s Museum of Cultural History, also often known as Kulturen, is one of the cultural highlights of the city and offers both an indoor as well as an outdoor section.

Visiting this site is like entering a time capsule as everything here resembles the period between the middle ages and the early 20 th  century.

Many interesting exhibits are at home at the Kulturen including collections on folk art, medieval history as well as modern design. The museum is found right in the center of Lund and also features beautiful gardens that are very inviting.   

Skrylle Nature Reserve

Around 15 km east of Lund is the fantastic Skrylle Nature Reserve which is one of the main recreational attractions of the region. Many residents come here to enjoy virtually untouched nature and make use of the area’s many hiking and cycling trails.

The parking area features a restaurant and a small history museum and allows easy access to some of the numerous trails. And the further you get away from the parking area the more serene and peaceful the reserve becomes.

Don’t miss some of the great lookout spots and gardens that can be found here. There are also playgrounds available that make a stay here enjoyable for visitors of all ages.

Museum of Artistic Process and Public Art

The Skissernas Museum is dedicated to public art and the artistic process. Unlike other art museums, the focus does not lie on finished artworks but rather on sketches, models, and the preparatory work that is needed to create art.

This unique museum offers a variety of pencil drawings, plaster sculptures, and paintings of modern and contemporary artists from all over the world.

Of course, there are also many Swedish artists represented here such as Isaac Grünewald or Gerhard Nordström. Interestingly, the museum is also home to a large collection of images and clips of public art dating from the modern days to the 1930s.    

Bild: Alexanderstock23 / Shutterstock.com

Botanical Garden

Lund offers nature-lovers beautiful botanical gardens with a rich history dating to 1690 when the local university first established it. Over the years the gardens have developed into a first-class institution.

Today, Lund’s Botanical Garden is home to around 7000 species of plants growing on 20 acres of ground right in the middle of Lund.

The purpose of the botanical gardens is not just to entertain visitors with their natural beauty but also to educate local students about botany, gardening, and ecology. The site was declared a historical landmark in 1974 and has since then enjoyed special protection.

All Saints Church

All Saints Church in Lund was opened in 1891 and can be found a few hundred meters north of the city center. Lunds Allhelgonakyrka, as the church is called in Swedish, is built in a Gothic revival style of architecture.

This church is known for its uncut cement altar and the beautiful decorative paintings of Svante Thulin. The tower of the All Saints Church features a bell foundry consisting of three bells designed by M & O Ohlsson and was inaugurated in 1966.

Visiting the church can be combined with the North Cemetery (Norra kyrkogården) which is only a few meters away from the church.

Lundagård Park

Lundagård is Lund’s most prominent park and can be found between the main building of the local university and the Lund Cathedral. This park was originally the site of Lund’s fortress but today only a gate is remaining and the rest of the area is a great greenery space.

The park also features the Kungshuset, a former residence of the Danish king which nowadays is used by the university. The Lundagård Park is also home to the Lund University Historical Museum.

The Rune Stone Hill

Runestones can be found all over Scandinavia and they remind us about the heritage of the Vikings who used to lived here. The city of Lund features a small park adjacent to the university that is home to many of these ancient stones.

They were collected from the surrounding countryside to celebrate the 200 th anniversary of the university. The site is called the Rune Stone Hill because of a little mound where the stones are placed around.

Lund University Main Building

The main building of the Lund University is surprisingly beautiful and shouldn’t be missed when coming to this lovely Swedish city. It was constructed in the 19 th  century by the famous architect Helgo Zettervall and is characterized by the architect’s obsession with classical antiquity.

There are many columns, sphinxes and copings found here. The building is situated at the northern end of Lundagård Park and can easily be reached by bike or on foot from the central parts of Lund. 

Vattenhallen Science Center

Vattenhallen Science Center is run by the local Lund University and offers a very interactive way to learn about science. It is mostly dedicated to educating local youths but it can also be an interesting place to visit for tourists.

Most of the staff here is made up of university students eager to teach children about their subjects. Coming here is ideal if you are traveling with children as your kids will love learning in this engaging science center.

The Historical Museum

The Lunds Universitets Historiska Museet, as the museum is known in Swedish, is located right next to the Lundagård Park and offers a fantastic archaeological collection of around 10 million exhibits.

All the major epochs of human development such as the Stone Age or the Iron Age are represented here making the museum a fantastic place to learn about the early history of mankind.

There is also a “Kuriosakabinettet” which is dedicated to displaying weird and surprising artifacts and shouldn’t be missed. The museum also has a section dedicated to zoology, presenting local fauna dating to the ice age. Due to the sheer volume of exhibits, the Historical Museum is a great place to spend a rainy day.

Bild: Imfoto / Shutterstock.com

Saluhallen (Market Hall)

Saluhallen is Lund’s best address for food lovers as there is a sheer endless number of first-class eateries found here. Of course, you can also buy fresh produce here and cook your own meal if you desire.

The food on offer here ranges from typical Swedish food to international cuisine. What almost all the shops and restaurants have in common is that they offer hand-made food of a fantastic quality that is guaranteed to satisfy even the most demanding gourmet.

Rinnebäck Gorge

The Rinnebäck Gorge (called Rinnebäcksravinen in Swedish) is found on the western edge of Lund and is a beautiful natural area that is great for nature-lovers and everyone in search of some serenity and relaxation.

The area offers a unique chance to experience untouched nature just a few hundred meters away from the city center. Needless to say, the Rinnebäcksravinen is very popular amongst locals and it’s a very popular spot for cycling and hiking.

Museum of Life

The Museum of Life is dedicated to the human body and aims at educating its visitors about anatomy and all bodily functions. Entrance to the museum is free.

This museum is one of the best places to visit in Lund with kids to spark a kid’s interest in Biology. The Museum of Life is very modern and engaging. It offers many quizzes and games to stimulate the minds of young visitors.

St. Peter’s Priory (Klosterkyrkan)

The St. Peter’s Priory was one of Denmark’s first monastic houses. It was established in the 12 th  century when Lund and its surroundings were not yet part of Sweden.

It was built for Benedictine nuns and was dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint Peter. The priory’s main church is built in a beautiful Gothic style of architecture.

Apart from the church, there used to be a dormitory, a refectory, and a wing for lay sisters here but today only the St. Peter’s Priory Church remains. The priory is located a few hundred meters west of the pedestrian center and can easily be reached on foot.

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THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Lund

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Full-day Tours

Walking tours, audio guides, cultural tours, private sightseeing tours, what travellers are saying.

• Lund Cathedral
• Kulturen in Lund - Museum of Cultural History and Open-Air Museum
• Botanical Gardens (Botaniska Tradgarden)
• Stadsparken
• Skrylle Nature reserve
• Lundagård Park
• Rinnebacksravinen
• Hamlet And Sweden Tour from Copenhagen- Two Countries in One Day!
• Malmö & Lund Tour, Crossing the Øresund Bridge to Sweden
• Daytrip Lund & Malmö City Tour Private
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THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Lund

Things to do in lund, explore popular experiences, tours in and around lund.

Hamlet and Sweden Tour from Copenhagen - 2 Countries in One Day

Lund Romantic Journey

Daytrip Lund & Malmö City Tour Private

Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Daytrip Lund & Malmö City Tour

All around Oresund (Self-guided)

Malmö & Lund Tour, Crossing the Øresund Bridge to Sweden

Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group)

Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö

Walk Malmö with an audio guide

Historical tours.

Top Attractions in Lund

Other Top Attractions around Lund

Full-day Tours

Walking tours, audio guides, cultural tours, private sightseeing tours, what travellers are saying.

• Lund Cathedral
• Kulturen in Lund - Museum of Cultural History and Open-Air Museum
• Botanical Gardens (Botaniska Tradgarden)
• Stadsparken
• Skrylle Nature reserve
• Lundagård Park
• Rinnebacksravinen
• Hamlet And Sweden Tour from Copenhagen- Two Countries in One Day!
• Malmö & Lund Tour, Crossing the Øresund Bridge to Sweden
• Daytrip Lund & Malmö City Tour Private
• Daytrip Lund & Malmö City Tour
• Copenhagen to Sweden Private Day Trip

The university town of Lund is a vibrant city of contrasts. It’s where you’ll meet some of the world’s smartest and innovative people among age-old cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses.

• Cities & Locations

The university town with charm

Lund is full of contrasts. From quaint cobblestoned streets and old half-timbered houses, to some of the world’s most innovative companies and institutions. They say you can live your whole life in Lund without seeing all the unique spots and beautiful buildings. And just outside the city you are surrounded by scenic plains, enchanting beech forests and golden canola fields. Combine biking and hiking with city life.

A thousand years of history

Lund is one of Sweden’s oldest cities with over 1,000 years of history. The magnificent cathedral from the 12th century and the world-famous university from the 17th century shape the city’s history, culture, knowledge and innovation. You’re only walking distance away from cafes, unique shops and fascinating museums. 

Student mecca

Lund’s near 50,000 Swedish and international students give the city its pulse. The university is internationally acclaimed both for its science and social activities. Some of Sweden’s best actors, comedians and musicians come from Lund. There are some great student traditions you shouldn’t miss, like the traditional singers on 1 May and Lund Comedy Festival. On Walpurgis (30 April), 20-30,000 students gather in the main park, Stadsparken, for a huge spontaneous picnic. 

What to see in Lund

Skissernas museum – the museum of sketches.

Skissernas Museum in the centre of Lund houses the world’s largest collection of sketches, models and preparatory works for international and Swedish art. It focuses on the artist’s creative process from a first idea until the final model or sketch. The museum consists of seven large galleries with a variety of sketches and models, from small copper web models the size of a fingernail, to large sculptures more than five metres tall.

Kulturen in Lund is one of the world’s best open-air museums comprising two blocks of historical buildings and gardens. The houses are surrounded by cobblestone streets and beautiful flora. Kulturen is built according to the pavilion system that inspired different world exhibitions of the nineteenth century. There are up to twenty different exhibitions, highlighting everything from art, design, culture and history, and temporary exhibitions especially for children.

The Botanical garden

Home to over 7,000 species, this lush botanical garden has been part of Lund University since the 17th century. Walk through the colourful plantations and stop at the pond to watch goldfish before visiting the orangery. See if you can spot the small quail families that live here. The park runs a diversified operation within botany, gardening and ecology for research at the university, and for schools and the public to enjoy and explore. 

Historical Museum 

The Historical Museum features permanent and temporary exhibitions. See the Zoological Gallery, Classical Antique Collection, Cathedral Museum and the Stone and Bronze age halls.  The Barbaricum exhibition highlights the finds from nearby Uppåkra, southern Sweden's largest and most inventive Iron Age city. Visit the site at Uppåkra, just 6 kilometres from Lund to see all the remains. There are lots of activities for children, who can explore the museum and join an organised  animal hunt.

What to do in Lund

Visit lund cathedral.

Join over 700,000 visitors and 85,000 worshippers each year at Sweden’s most visited church. Consecrated in 1145, this cathedral has become one of the main tourist attractions in the Nordics, with its majestic towers and altar that date back to 1398.The towers and exterior, the crypt and the astronomical clock are things you shouldn’t miss. 

Go trolley cycling

Rent a trolley cycle, pack a picnic basket and bring the family on a day trip where everyone can take turns pedalling along disused railway tracks and enjoy the  beautiful scenery. Most trips take around 3-4 hours including breaks. Bike from the village of Björnstorp through Veberöd. This takes in the beautiful, natural surroundings of the Romeleåsen ridge, and is one of Skåne's most important heritages. Take bus 160 to Knivsåsen. The track is just a short walk away.

Beautiful hikes on Lund’s doorstep

Hike around Torna Hällestad, a beautiful area just 35 minutes from Lund by bus. Start by the general store and grab something to eat from their café , then choose your route. Many go from the same point. Walk into Trollskogen (The magic forest) and see the magnificent beech trees whose branches and stems bend, stretch and curl in the most imaginative forms. Choose a light hike around the Skryllegården recreational area or do something more ambitious. The Skåneleden trail passes this way.

Enjoy a swim in Högevallsbadet 

Högevallsbadet is one of Skåne’s most modern and largest water parks. There’s everything for people who like excitement and challenges, such as adventurous 213 metre-long slides jungle pools and exercise courses, all in one of Skåne’s most modern water parks. Swim in one of the two teaching pools or the 50-metre training pool, then relax in the hot pool.

Where to stay in Lund

The more hotel.

The More hotel is an apartment hotel based in a converted railway engine shed in south Lund. It offers affordable living for a night, or a longer spell. Stay in a studio apartment of different sizes or treat yourself to a suite. All rooms have a kitchenette. Their restaurant, “Matrummet”, serves excellent dishes under the motto of “No compromises, no prestige...just the love for food and drink.” There’s a relax area and you can rent bikes to get around what is known as the city of bikes. 

Häckeberga slott – The Norrmans Castle

Häckeberga Castle is on the lakeside in one of Skåne’s prettiest nature reserves. It’s less than 25 kilometres from Lund. Stay in the castle itself, or in the annex – the hunting lodge. All rooms are harmonized with a castle atmosphere. 

Grand Hotel 

The Grand Hotel is a luxury business hotel in the centre of Lund. The warm atmosphere at the Grand is steeped in tradition and history. The hotel boasts haute cuisine and a well-stocked wine cellar. Go jogging in the well-lit jogging tracks in Stadsparken (5 minutes from the hotel), or work out in the hotel gym before relaxing in the communal sauna.  

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Founded by the Danes around 1000 AD and once the seat of the largest archbishopric in Europe, Lund is the second-oldest city in Sweden. It's also one of its loveliest, surrounded by copses of beech trees and glowing with an impressive architectural legacy. Its magnificent, medieval old town is centred on its strikingly beautiful cathedral. Radiating around it is the country's oldest, most prestigious university (c 1666). Perhaps ironically, the university keeps Lund young, its vibrant, engaged youth driving a lively arts and culinary scene. You'll feel it humming along the old town's photogenic lanes, flanked by cafes, bars and a clutch of engaging museums.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Lunds domkyrka

Lund’s twin-towered Romanesque cathedral is magnificent. Try to pop in at noon or 3pm (1pm and 3pm on Sunday) when the marvellous astronomical clock…

Dating from 1892, this huge open-air museum spans two whole blocks. Its 30-odd buildings include everything from the meanest birch-bark hovel to grand…

Skissernas Museum

The exhibition rooms here, with their visual feast of paintings and sculpture, are designed for maximum impact and art immersion. Several sculptures and…

Historiska Museet

Behind the cathedral, the Historiska Museet has a large collection of pre–Viking Age finds, including a 7000-year-old skeleton. It’s joined with…

Lund University

Lund University is ranked as one of the world's top 100 universities and is one of Europe's oldest institutions for education. It's buildings are…

Drottens kyrkoruin

Subterranean Drottens kyrkoruin contains the foundations of an 11th-century church, as well as a grisly collection of skeletons that build a picture of…

Universitetshuset

The main university building, topped by four sphinxes representing the original faculties, looks a little bit like the White House. It's often…

Botanical Gardens

The 8-hectare Botanical Gardens, east of the town centre, feature around 7000 species and nine climate zones. The tropical greenhouses are open from 11am…

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The charming Swedish town of Lund, perhaps best known for its world-renowned university, is located in the southern part of Skåne, making it a quick train trip from both Malmö and Copenhagen. The small town is the country’s most popular study location; half of its 80,000 inhabitants are students!

Walking through the crooked cobblestone streets with their colorful cottages is as relaxing as it is scenic. Lund is not as big and hectic as its neighboring cities, which makes discovering this medieval town all the more enjoyable.

If you’re planning to visit Lund, here are some of the best hotels, restaurants and places to explore to make the most of your stay:

Where to stay in lund.

Lund has an abundance of accommodation options, but best known is Grand Hotel. The imposing building located in the centre is, apart from a popular wedding and events venue, a luxury hotel. With a rich heritage dating back to 1899, Grand Hotel is worth a visit even if you’re planning to stay somewhere more affordable.

Grand Hotel Lund

Bantorget 1 221 04 Lund

If you want to live more like a “Lund local” an authentic Lund cottage or a light city apartment in the heart of Lund might be something for you!

Where to get coffee in Lund

The coffee culture is thriving in Lund much thanks to its student population. The popular café Love Coffee has one location (soon to be two) in the town centre. With a courtyard and views across to the Cathedral, Love Coffee is a must-visit for coffee-lovers. Down the road, in an old timber framed cottage, you’ll find Coffee Break . Apart from the coffee, Coffee Break serves delicious cakes and sandwiches.

Det lilla caféet på hörnet (The Little Coffee Shop on the Corner) is newer but has already made a name for itself in the coffee circles. If you happen to be on the other side of town, near Mårtenstorget, Hoppipolla Café is a typical student hang-out worth a visit for those who want to immerse themselves in Lund’s university culture.

Where to eat in Lund

Lund’s food scene is best described as heaven for vegetarians and vegans. From Ebbas Skafferi (Ebba’s Pantry) and TrueFood Lund to The Herbivore , the options are not only plentiful, but tasty too.

  If you’re looking for a more traditional sandwich spot, Inkognito has quality paninis for affordable prices. For those of you in the mood for beers and burgers (with meat or without) Tugg Burgers has an extensive selection, best enjoyed in their heated courtyard.

  But you can’t visit Lund without trying the famous falafel shed, Lundafalafel : one of the best falafels in Skåne! Make sure to get there early as there’s often a line.

Lundafalafel

Stora Södergatan 5 222 23 Lund

Opening Hours: Mon – Thu 11:00 – 10:00 pm Fri – Sat 11:00 – 4:00 am Sun 12:00 – 10:00 pm

Where to drink in Lund

Café Ariman is the soul of Lund. This unique café/pub is laid back, fun, and has a great range of beers available. Another popular pub in the center of the city is Inferno . Set in a timbre-framed cottage, it has a large heated outside space and an excellent drinks menu.

  If you’re on the look-out for a watering hole with tasty pub meals, The Bishops Arms (also a hotel) is the place to go.

The Bishops Arms

S:t Petri Kyrkogata 7 222 22 Lund

Opening Hours: Tue – Thu 4:00 – 11:45 pm Fri – Sat 3:00 – 01:00 am Sun – Mon 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Where to shop in Lund

The locals love “loppis shopping” (second-hand shopping) and the city is full of garage sales, pop-ups, and second-hand boutiques. Fyndkällaren Loppis has a large selection of furniture, homeware, and paintings. Check out their social media to see what they have happening at the moment.

Erikshjälpen is another popular second-hand destination. They also sell furniture and homeware, but they have a big selection of clothes and accessories too.

What to see in Lund

There’s always something to marvel over in Lund. Lund Cathedral is undoubtably the town’s main tourist attraction. The church’s distinct exterior has remained the same since it was renovated by architect Helgo Zettervall (who also designed the neighboring Universitetshuset) at the end of the 1800s.

After visiting the cathedral, take a walk through the quiet, beautiful North Cemetery , which has an alley lined with trees that offers a charming vista.

Of course there’s the famous Lund University , with its grand buildings and stretches of perfect lawn. There’s always something happening on campus, but it’s also just a wonderful place to explore and take in the collegiate atmosphere. Pop your head into the incredible Lund University Library while you’re there – book lovers will eat it up!

Lund also has a lovely selection of parks and green spaces, the most impressive being The Botanical Gardens and Stadsparken , each with their own café for fika.

In Kulturen (The Culture House), an open-air museum, you’ll find gardens and cottages open to the public all year around – a fun way to learn about Lund’s medieval history!

For those interesting in architecture, Jakriborg housing estate just between Lund and Malmö is a real treat: a wonderful example of New Classical architecture blended with traditional Swedish architecture , these colorful houses were built in the 1990s. Take a stroll around and marvel at the quaintness!

Looking for more to do in Sweden? Check out our guides to brunch in Malmö and Stockholm , and things to do in Helsingborg and Gothenburg .

Post navigation

Lund travel guide

Instantly likeable, Lund is a small, attractive city that’s overflowing with history and charm. On the one hand it’s a relic – along with Sigtuna, this is Sweden’s oldest city, with roots stretching back to the tail end of the Viking Age. On the other hand, Lund is a thoroughly modern little city. Buses running on biogas rumble past eco-friendly cafés serving locally produced food, and the huge student population helps support a lively arts scene and some important scientific research. It’s here that the huge ESS super-microscope is being built, allowing scientists to improve their understanding of basic atomic structures.

Lund’s university was founded way back in 1666 and it remains one of the country’s largest and most respected places to study, with a whopping 40,000-odd active students – many of them visiting from as far afield as the USA, Australia and China. This, combined with the abundance of wow-inducing university buildings and carefully preened parks, makes Lund feel like a Swedish version of England’s Oxford.

Like its next-door neighbour Malmö (and the rest of the southern region known as Skåne), Lund once belonged to Denmark. You’ll find traces of that country’s lasting influence in the cute medieval buildings dotted around the city centre, which survived the overenthusiastic bulldozing campaigns of the 1950s and 60s relatively unscathed. Lund’s cathedral, now more than 900 years old, is the most obvious place to start exploring. It’s not only one of the most visited churches in Sweden, but also the city’s main landmark and meeting place, surrounded by tall trees and shopping streets lined by half-timbered buildings.

Close by you’ll find some excellent galleries and museums, such as Historiska Museet (the history museum), which houses rare items from the university’s vast collection, including treasures from Egypt, the South Pacific and beyond. The restaurant scene in Lund can’t quite compete with Malmö and Copenhagen but there are still some excellent places to refuel while sightseeing.

Coffee shops are a big deal here, as in the rest of Sweden, but you’ll also find smart restaurants serving food and drink from all over the world. Lund is an easy day trip from Malmö but you’ll need a few full days to really do the city justice. Fortunately there are some great places to stay, including one well-run hostel . The downside is that beds across town can sell out quickly, especially around graduation time when parents are in town to visit students.

Aside from Malmö or Copenhagen, there are some easy excursions to be made from Lund. The countryside east of town is flat but beautiful, with meadows, forests, farm shops and easy-going villages waiting to be explored. One such village, Dalby, is home to the oldest stone church in Scandinavia. For a real summer treat, try cycling through the countryside on the old railway that begins in nearby Björnstorp.

6 fun cultural attractions in Lund

Lund is one of those Swedish cities that makes you feel like you’re in a real-life fairytale. Make time for these quirky cultural sights!

Free things to do in Lund

Considering its small size, Lund is bursting with things to see and do. And while most of the big museums…

Riding the rails near Lund

Fancy exploring the countryside near Lund? You could go hiking, or simply hire a car and take a road trip past…

Historiska Museum

Steps from the cathedral in the very heart of the city, Historiska Museum is Lund’s main history museum – and…

Lund Cathedral

One of the most visited churches in Sweden, Lund Cathedral has been central to life in the city for more…

The Museum of Sketches

Before the finished version of every artistic masterpiece comes an early draft – be it a back-of-an-envelope sketch, or the…

The ruins of Drottens Church

Hidden beneath what looks like an ordinary street in Lund’s main shopping district is one of the city’s most intriguing…

Tours in Lund

Guided Tour of 2 Countries (Lund & Malmö) in One Day

With this 8-hour guided tour, sightsee through the city of Lund and Malmö and visit important landmarks. Visit Øresund (via ferry) and Hamlet’s castle

Destination Lund is a voluntary non-profit tourist agency with the largest amount of tourist information about Lund, the oldest city in nowadays Sweden. The city of Lund was established already in year 964 by the Danish king Harald Bluetooth and his Vikings. Lund was an important and remarkable ecclesiastical city during the medieval time, and archbishopric for the whole Christian Scandinavia.

Lund 1060 years in 2024

2024 is a special anniversary year in Lund. It is then 1060 years since Lund was inaugurated by the Danish Viking Harald Bluetooth and his men. It was the nephew of Bluetooth, called Golden-Harald, and some Vikings from the mythical Viking fortress Jomsborg that attacked the southwestern parts of Skåne, probably including Uppåkra, a hedonic large Iron Age settlement. The Vikings were Christen and built the first church at the place that have been the city of Lund since then. There will probably not be any official celebration, but if booking a greet, our greeters can show and tell about the oldest history of Lund.

Tourist information - Planning your visit in Lund

On the page about travel information you will find useful information when planning a visit to Lund. There is also information about hotels and restaurants, which most can be reached by walking since the distances are short.

On the page about visitor guides about Lund , you find some visitor guides with information about interesting things to do during your visit in Lund. We are in contact with some guides that offer guided tours on request for a fee. We also offer free greeter service in English or Swedish, aimed at smaller groups of maximum 6 persons. If you have any questions during planning or before your visit to Lund, you are most welcome to contact us .

Our tourist information is mobile friendly, free of charged and advertising. It opens directly in the mobile phone; no app needs to be downloaded. We do not sell anything, even our greeter service is for free. We are a non-profit tourist organisation operated by locals living in Lund.

Discover interesting places and attractions in Lund

In Lund, there are many interesting places with fascinating history to discover. Nowadays Lund is an important student city with one of the largest and most popular universities in Sweden. The north east part is one of the largest research areas in northern Europe, still growing with the establishment of European Spallation Source (ESS) and MAX IV, the brightest X-ray source in the world, due to their homepage. With our visitor guides you can guide yourself to discover some interesting places in Lund.

Or let our greeters show you Lund

We also have greeter service for visitors, since Destination Lund is part of the International Greeter Association. For larger groups we can help you find a guide.

Are you planning to visit the European Song Contest in Malmö 2024?

Between 7 – 11 May 2024 the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Malmö. If you choose to stay in Lund, you can go by train directly to Hyllie station and Malmö Arena in only 20 minutes. On our page about the Eurovision Song Contest , we have collected practical information if you choose to stay in Lund.

Since we are fully voluntary and non-profit, we have not been able to produce so much information in English yet. We do have a page on Instagram were we post photos about Lund now and then with information in English.

The voluntary tourist information Destination Lund A non-profit tourism and visitors guide about Lund

• Contact us • Travel information • Attractions in Lund • Our greeters • Guided tours

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“There is a very tangible Lund spirit – those with it have … an ironic distance to everything, including themselves and Lund, a barb to deflate pompous self-importance”, wrote the Swedish essayist Jan Mårtensson. His compatriot, poet Peter Ortman, for his part once described what he termed “Lund syndrome”: “a mix of paranoia, exhibitionism and megalomania”. Whatever it is about the place, there is indeed a special spirit to LUND – a sense of tolerance (it’s more relaxed than other Swedish cities), and a belief that people should be judged by what they do, not by what they have.

The Domkyrkan

Lund orientation.

A few kilometres inland and 54km south of Helsingborg, Lund’s reputation as a glorious old university city is well founded. An ocean of bikes is the first image to greet you at the train station, and like Oxford in England – with which Lund is usually aptly compared – there is a bohemian, laidback eccentricity in the air. With a twelfth-century Romanesque cathedral , medieval streets lined with a variety of architectural styles, and a wealth of cafés and restaurants, Lund is an enchanting little city that could well captivate you for a couple of days; it has a wide range of museums , a couple of them excellent, a mix of architectural grandeur, plus the buzz of student life. While Lund does lose much of its atmosphere during the summer months, some places remain open through June to August.

The obvious place to begin your exploration is the magnificent Domkyrkan, Lund's crowning glory. One of the world's finest masterpieces of Romanesque architecture, the cathedral is built of storm-cloud charcoal and white stone, giving it an imposing monochrome appearance. Before going inside, have a look round the back of the building; on the way there, you’ll notice the grotesque animal and bird gargoyles over the side entrances, their features blunted by eight centuries of weathering. At the very back, the most beautiful part of the exterior, the three-storey apse above the crypt, is revealed, crowned with an exquisite gallery.

The interior

The majestic interior is surprisingly unadorned, an elegant mass of watery-grey ribbed stone arches and stone-flagged flooring. One of the world’s finest masterpieces of Romanesque architecture, the cathedral was built in the twelfth century when Lund became the first independent archbishopric in Scandinavia, laying the foundation for a period of wealth and eminence that lasted until the advent of Protestantism. There are several striking features, such as the elaborately carved fourteenth-century choir stalls depicting Old Testament scenes, and the grotesque carvings hidden beneath the seats. The most vividly coloured feature is just to the left of the entrance, an amazing astronomical clock dating from the 1440s, which shows hours, days, weeks and the courses of the sun and moon in the zodiac. Each day at noon and 3pm, the clock also reveals its ecclesiastical Punch-and-Judy show, as two knights pop out and clash swords as many times as the clock strikes, followed by little mechanical doors opening to trumpet-blowing heralds and the Three Wise Men trundling slowly to the Virgin Mary.

The dimly lit and dramatic crypt beneath the apse has been left almost untouched since the twelfth century, and should not be missed. Here, the thick smattering of what look like tombstones is really comprised of memorial slabs, brought down to the crypt from just above; but there is one actual tomb – that of Birger Gunnarsson , Lund’s last archbishop. A short man from a poor family, Gunnarsson chose the principal altar-facing position for his tomb, dictating that his stone effigy above it should be tall and regal. Two pillars here are gripped by stone figures – one of a man, another of a woman and child. Local legend has it that Finn the Giant built the cathedral for St Lawrence; in return, unless the saint could guess his name, Finn wanted the sun, the moon or the saint’s eyes. Lawrence was just preparing to end his days in blindness when he heard Finn’s wife boasting to her baby, “Soon Father Finn will bring some eyes for you to play with.” The relieved saint rushed to Finn declaring the name. The livid giant, his wife and child rushed to the crypt to pull down the columns, and were instantly turned to stone. Even without the fable, the column-hugging figures are fascinating to view.

Lund is a wonderful town to wander around, its cobbled streets festooned with climbing roses. To help get your bearings, it’s worth noting that the main thoroughfare changes its name several times. In the centre, it’s called Kyrkogatan; to the north, Bredgatan (there’s no need to venture further north than the pretty old brick house at no. 16); to the south, Stora Södergatan. Lundagård (the city’s academic heart), the Domkyrkan and Stortorget are all along this route. Lund’s crowning glory is its cathedral; just 100m north of Stortorget, and only a short walk east from the station, it is the obvious place to begin your exploration.

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Tourist’s guide to Lund, a small forest town in Sweden

In southern Sweden, in the province of Skane (Scania), there is a small town Lund. It is located near Malmö (a fairly large-scale city) and is the administrative center of Lund.

The total area of ​​Lund is almost 26 km², the urban population is about 90,000 people.

For more than four hundred years, Lund is considered one of the main university cities not only in Sweden, but throughout Scandinavia. This is not surprising, because in addition to the local population, another 40,000 students live here.

Related entries:

• Tourist’s guide to Jonkoping, an active city in Sweden
• Tourist’s guide to Linkoping in Sweden
• Tourist’s guide to Visby – a city of ruins and roses in Sweden
• Tourist’s guide to Karlstad – a small town by the largest lake in Sweden

Lund Attractions

Few tourists travel to Lund purposefully. In most cases, this city finds itself within the framework of a popular cross-border route, including Copenhagen, Helsingborg, Helsingor and Malmo.

And to visit Lund, one of the oldest cities in Sweden (he is already over 1000 years old), is worth it. This small and very cozy town has a special atmosphere of silence and solitude, it’s nice to just walk along its streets. You can go for a walk to the park – there are many of them, because Lund is rightfully recognized as one of the greenest cities in Sweden (“lund” means “forest”). During the walk you can go to museums and temples, see various historical and architectural attractions – like any old city in Sweden, Lund is full of attractions.

What is worth seeing in the first place?

In the historical center of the city, many sights, in particular, ancient buildings, have been preserved. So, at Kyrkogatan 6 is the building of the Cathedral.

This giant building, which is the most important attraction of Lund, looks quite unusual against the background of the small houses surrounding it. The most impressive in the architectural ensemble Lund Cathedral – two towers with pyramidal roofs, each of which reaches a height of 55 m. These towers are clearly visible from all around Lund and are used as landmarks on the city skyline.

Very interesting are the medieval (XIV century) astronomical clocks located inside the temple. They show the position of the sun, moon, constellations, time and date. Above the clock are figures of knights who every hour demonstrate the progress of medieval tournaments with a clang of weapons and the roar of trumpets. And at noon before the statue of the Mother of God with the baby, an amazing procession takes place – these are moving wooden figures of the sages.

In the basement of Lund Cathedral, tombs are arranged, where prominent residents of Lund are buried.

Lund Cathedral is the most visited temple in Sweden. Services have been held here for almost 900 years, with the doors of the temple open daily:

• from Monday to Friday – 8:00 – 18:00;
• Saturday – 9:00 – 17:00;
• Sunday – 10:00 – 18:00.

On Saturdays, at 10:00, a free concert of organ music begins in the Lund Cathedral (there are 5 organs in the cathedral, they are considered to be perhaps the largest in Sweden). Every Sunday, the cathedral organizes a free tour in English, during which they tell a lot of interesting things about this attraction.

The next attraction in the historical center of Lund, which is strikingly different from the Cathedral, is the All Saints Church, located at 34 Bredgatan, Lund 222 21, Sweden.

All Saints Church, standing on a hill and looking up, is one of the most exquisite temples in Sweden. Together with the tower and the spire, it reaches a height of 72 m, and this is the tallest building in Lund.

The interior is very impressive. Behind the altar made of concrete, there are statues of Jesus (in the center), the Virgin Mary and the Apostle John (on the sides). The crucifix is ​​installed above the arch, on which you can read the inscription: “Det är fullkomna” (“He is perfect”). The font, made of polished cement, is decorated with copper elements. The walls are covered with images conveying scenes from the Bible.

Inside the building is amazing acoustics. The body established in the church has 49 votes.

Unfortunately, temple opening hours are limited. Basically, it is open on weekdays for several hours.

Not far from the previous attractions ( at Tegnersplatsen, Lund 223 50), there is one more that deserves attention. This is the Museum of Cultural History and Open-Air Museum, one of Sweden’s largest open-air ethnographic museums.

There are exhibits that tell about the peculiarities of the Swedish way of life from the Middle Ages to the 1930s. There are fisherman’s houses, wooden house churches, and other interesting exhibits – each building has a separate exposition, and you can see all of them. There are interesting exhibitions for children: collections of toys from different eras, samples of playgrounds.

The museum is very quiet and comfortable, you can walk along the streets with exhibition buildings, relax on comfortable benches, eat in the cafe.

It’s better to come to the Cultural History Museum at least half a day to take a walk, without haste. This interesting attraction of Lund and Sweden is open for visits daily from 10:00 to 17:00 from May to September, during the rest of the year – from 12:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 16:00 – at weekends.

Not far from the historic city center ( at the address : 20 Oestra Vallgatan, Lund 223 61) there is an amazingly beautiful attraction – the Lund botanical garden.

7,000 species of plants grow in the garden, and all of them are indicated by nameplates. There are greenhouses with different climatic zones, for example, one of them has a huge collection of cacti.

The Botanical Park is a popular attraction not only among tourists, but also among the indigenous population of the city. They like to walk and relax in the garden; here you can lie on the lawn and sit in the cafe. In summer, festivals and various holiday programs are often organized here.

Visiting this attraction is absolutely free.

Rest in Lund: cost of living

In Lund, unlike the big cities of Sweden, there are not so many options for settlement. Nevertheless, there are comfortable hotels in which you will have to pay from 75 € for a double room per night (average price – 120 €). Apartments will cost a little more – from 125 €. Favorable accommodation options can be found at www.booking.com.

For example, you can book a room at the 4 * Park Inn by Radisson, located 3 km from the center of Lund for only 77 €. For 87 € they offer a similar room in the 4 * Elite Hotel Ideon, arranged in the tallest city building, located on the territory of the Ideon technology park. Forenom Aparthotel is located in the very center of Lund and offers its guests apartments with their own modern kitchen for 126 € per day.

It will be convenient for road travelers and small companies to stay in “holiday homes.” They are located outside the city, among nature. So, 22 km from Lund, in the village of Loebred, there is Dorisberg B&B – this is a bed and breakfast apartment for 68 € per day.

How much do you need for food

Lund has many cafes and restaurants offering traditional Scandinavian and European dishes. Klostergatan Boulevard, known as Gastronomic, has many bakeries and restaurants. The Saluhallen market is the center of the most famous manufacturers of sausages, cheeses, chocolate and other products in the Skane region. Along with the trading counters, small cafes operate on this market, offering visitors Swedish dishes.

One of the most original restaurants in Lund is considered Mat & Destillat – they prepare Swedish cuisine in a modern interpretation. In this restaurant you can order “home” dishes for lunch (for example, pork chop with smoked bacon, fried onions and mushrooms), and for dinner they offer an extensive menu with an excellent wine list. Hot food prices start at 27 €.

The Grands Matsal restaurant at the Grand Hotel offers delicious dishes made from organic products grown on Skone farms. And the wine cellar in this institution is the largest in Sweden. For a three-course lunch, you need to pay from 32 €.

The average food prices in Lund are: € 9 for a lunch in an inexpensive restaurant for one person, € 48 for two for a mid-range restaurant, € 7 for McMeal at McDonalds or other similar meals.

How to get to Lund from Copenhagen

There are 2 airports near Lund: in Malmö and in the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen. It’s more convenient, and more profitable, to fly to Copenhagen, and from there you can get to Lund by train or bus. It is cheaper to travel by bus, but trains travel much more often.

There are direct bus routes from Copenhagen, from the Central Railway Station to Lund (FlixBus company) – departure at 7:05, 21:10, 21:30. In Lund, they come to the railway station, located almost in the center of the city. Travel time is an hour and a half.

Among the most important advantages of the FlixBus carrier is that the fares are set lower than those of competitors. Another important point: on the company’s website the addresses of the stops are indicated, there is a detailed instruction for purchasing a ticket, and all the information is written in Russian.

Tickets can be bought both on the official website and at the box office in Copenhagen. They cost 7 euros (52 kroons).

Official FlixBus website: www.flixbus.ru.

Trains run between the Central Railway Stations of Copenhagen and Lund around the clock with an interval of 20 minutes. There are direct flights with transfers to Malmo, while travel time remains unchanged – approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.

Regional trains run from the capital of Denmark to Lund, which can be compared with our high-comfort trains.

Tickets are most conveniently bought at the box office. Since there are a lot of flights from Copenhagen to the city of Lund, you do not need to book a seat in advance. You can buy a ticket online on the railway website of Sweden www.sj.se (Copenhagen is spelled “Koebenhavn”). The fare starts from 15 euros (140 kroons).

Prices on the page are for July 2018.

Video: A walk through the city of Lund. Useful review for tourists.

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Top Things to Do in Lund, Sweden - Lund Must-See Attractions

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17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sweden

Written by Andrew Birbeck and Lura Seavey Updated Apr 13, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

With its rich history and varied landscapes, Sweden is a traveler's paradise and a photographer's dream. If you love outdoor attractions, it's certainly hard to beat. The air and water are crystal clean, and there are thousands of acres of unspoiled forests and majestic lakes to explore, not to mention vast archipelagos along its coasts.

The roads and public transport are excellent; the citizens are invariably friendly and helpful; and in recent years, Swedish cuisine has undergone what can only be described as a revolution. Throw in a mind-boggling history, from notorious Viking invaders to royal dynasties and imperial intrigue, and one thing is certain: you'll never be bored.

Sweden's tourist attractions range from opulent palaces and ancient towns to vast Arctic landscapes and the famed Ice Hotel. There are so many things to do that you'll want to allow plenty of time to enjoy all its outdoor adventures and historic treasures.

To help you pinpoint the best places to visit in this much-loved Scandinavian country, we've pulled together our list of the top attractions in Sweden.

1. Gamla Stan, Stockholm

2. vasa museum, stockholm, 3. drottningholm palace, lovö, 4. the göta canal, gothenburg to stockholm, 5. kiruna and the ice hotel, lapland, 6. skansen and djurgården, stockholm, 7. visby, gotland, 8. stockholm city hall, 9. liseberg theme park, gothenburg, 10. kärnan & the fredriksdal open-air museum, helsingborg, 11. oresund bridge, malmö, 12. domkyrka (uppsala cathedral), uppsala, 13. sigtuna, 14. stockholm archipelago, stromma boat tours, 15. abisko national park, lapland, 16. lund cathedral, 17. abba the museum, map of tourist attractions in sweden.

Stockholm's Old Town, known as Gamla Stan, is a small concentrated area where the city began in the middle of the 13th century.

Much of the medieval enclave remains, although in typical Scandinavian style, it is freshly brushed and painted regularly. Its charm is in the architecture along its narrow stone-paved lanes and cobbled streets around its squares, especially the main one, Stortorget , surrounded by old merchants' houses.

In this neighborhood, along with plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafés, you'll find the Nobel Museum , the Post Museum , the Royal Coin Cabinet , and several churches. It's also a good area to stay if you can find suitable accommodations, with options including luxury boutique hotels, guesthouses, and even affordable inns and hostels.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Stockholm

The Vasa Museum (Vasamuseet) in Stockholm is Sweden's most popular museum, attracting around a million visitors annually. The museum caters to tourists of all nationalities, and English-language guided tours and audio guides are available.

A visit to the Vasa , which houses 10 separate exhibitions and a further four museum ships, is a day out in itself. In 1628, the pride of the Swedish Imperial fleet, the 64-gun warship Vasa , sank on its maiden voyage. The ship lay below the icy waters for more than three centuries until, in 1961, an incredibly ambitious salvage operation took place. Now, visitors from across the world come to see this fascinating time capsule.

A shop and a restaurant are located on-site for those wanting to make a full day of it.

Another Stockholm museum worth visiting is Fotografiska , an innovative gallery of changing exhibits celebrating the art of photography. It is also known for its entertainment venue and restaurant, which features sustainably grown organic produce. The museum has been so successful that there is also a newer branch of this museum in New York City .

Address: Galärvarvsvägen 14, 115 21, Stockholm

Fairy-tale Drottningholm Palace (Drottningholms slott) , on the island of Lovö, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies about 11 kilometers west of Stockholm city center (45 minutes by ferry), making this an excellent day trip from Stockholm . Dating from the 17th century, the palace is now the official residence of the Swedish Royal Family.

In the picturesque terraced park are bronze sculptures from Bohemia and Denmark, brought back as trophies of war. Be sure to take in the Chinese Pavilion, which dates from the late 1700s. The 18th-century Palace Theatre (Drottningholms Slottsteater ) is still used for performances during the summer months. In the Theatre Museum, you can see period stage costumes and stage scenery.

Guided tours are available (in English), and a variety of fun programs and workshops are available for kids and adults alike.

Address: 178 93 Drottningholm

Often described as Sweden's greatest feat of engineering, the Göta Canal (Göta kanal) dates from the early 19th century and is 190 kilometers in length. It's now one of the country's premier tourist attractions and offers a unique perspective on Sweden's heartland.

In addition, by connecting with lakes Vänern and Vättern and the Trollhätte Canal , it forms part of a water link all the way from Stockholm, in the northeast, to Gothenburg, in the southwest.

Featuring 47 bridges and 58 locks the canal stretches from Sjötorp at Lake Vänern to Söderköping on the Baltic Sea. There's a choice of passenger cruise vessels or you can hire a boat and experience the canal in your own way.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Gothenburg

Sharing the same latitude as central Greenland, Kiruna in Lapland is Sweden's northernmost town. It's also the chief town of the largest commune in the country, which borders both Norway and Finland. The midnight sun is visible here from mid-May to mid-July.

Originally a Lapp settlement, the town began to develop when the mining of iron ore started around 1900. Incredibly, due to subsidence caused by mining, the entire city is being slowly moved northwest to the foot of the Luossavaara Mountain.

The world's first-ever Ice Hotel at Jukkasjärvi is about 17 kilometers outside the city. The ICEHOTEL , with its stunning rooms and furnishings, is re-created each year in a new design, built from ice in the river Torne.

In the summer, this is a center for river rafting, stand up paddleboarding, fishing, and canoeing. Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise , is 90 kilometers west of Kiruna. Abisko National Park is located 95 kilometers northwest, where the Lapland Railroad runs west to Narvik on the Norwegian coast.

Address: Marknadsvägen 63, 981 91 Jukkasjärvi

Skansen , the world's oldest open-air museum (and one of the world's largest), is a historic village made up of houses and farmsteads from all over Sweden. Together, these impressively preserved buildings represent both rural and urban culture at various periods from 1720 to the 1960s.

Gathered here are churches, schoolhouses, manor houses, shops, mills, workers' homes, artisan's shops (including a book bindery, print shop, shoemaker, tinsmith, comb maker, and glassworks), a bakery, a funicular railroad, a Sami camp with reindeer, and a number of complete farmsteads.

These homes, farms, and workshops are inhabited by costumed interpreters who carry on the everyday work, demonstrating the crafts and skills as well as doing household and farm tasks. A zoo includes animals native to Sweden, as well as sections for exotic animals and a children's zoo.

Skansen is located in the huge urban Djurgården Park, a favorite place for locals, especially in the summer. Throughout are traditional cafés, restaurants, snack bars, and even hotels. Canoe and bicycle hire are also available if you're feeling energetic. You will also find Abba the Museum here, along with the Gröna Lund amusement park.

To get here, you can catch a ferry from Gamla Stan or Slussen or take a tram or bus from Norrmalmstorg. Alternatively, the park is a pleasant 15-minute walk from the city center. Stop by the Djurgården Visitors' Center for more information.

Address: Djurgårdsslätten 49-51, 115 21 Stockholm

Steeped in medieval history and brimming with ruined churches, the rose-entwined, walled town of Visby, on the island of Gotland , is a huge draw for visitors from around the world.

Quaint cobblestone streets snake about the town, and when exploring, it's all too easy to lose your sense of being in the modern world. Adorned with stepped gables, many medieval trading houses remain, as well as some timber buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Clearly, Visby's reputation as 'the pearl of the Baltic' and UNESCO World Heritage Site status are both well deserved. A self-guided or guided sightseeing tour of the magnificent walls, which date back some 700 years, is a must. Built into the structure are some 44 defensive towers, and the walls still bear the scars of attack in the form of two breaches.

Direct flights are available from Stockholm and several other Swedish cities, as well as excellent ferry links.

One of Sweden's most famous buildings, Stockholm City Hall (Stockholms stadshus) was built between 1911 and 1923, using an astonishing eight million bricks. It is considered one of the finest examples of National Romanticism, designed by the architect Ragnar Östberg. The 106-meter-tall tower is topped by three crowns.

A very informative tour recounts some of its history, as well as information about the Nobel Prize, which is presented here each year. On the tour, you'll see the Blå Hallen, the Blue Hall, where the Nobel dinner is held, and the Gyllene Salen, the Golden Hall, lined by 18 million gold mosaic tiles.

Those who want to travel even farther back in history can visit the Royal Palace ( Sveriges Kungahus ), located on Queen's Island ( Drottningholm ). After a scenic ferry ride, tourists can explore this 18 th -century Baroque palace, which has more than 600 rooms. It is also home to several museums, including the Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) Museum , the Museum of Antiquities , the Armoury , and the Treasury . Be sure to time your visit to catch the daily changing of the guard.

Address: Hantverkargatan 1, Stockholm

Liseberg is one of the most popular places to visit in Sweden, and each year, the park lures more than three million visitors. It has a huge range of attractions, from children's carousels and a fairy-tale castle to adrenalin-pumping rides for speed demons, bumper cars, and four roller coasters.

The park stages concerts in summer, too, and it's a real favorite with both Swedish families and visitors from abroad. At Christmas, the park hosts an excellent market. There are plenty of places to eat and beautiful flowers in bloom during the summer. For the best views in Gothenburg take a ride on the Big Wheel.

Address: Örgrytevägen 5, 402 22 Göteborg

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Gothenburg

Located across the Oresund strait from Denmark's Helsingor (Elsinore), the town of Helsingborg is full of historic sites.

Its most prominent feature and famous landmark is a massive brick tower called Kärnan (The Kernel) , originally built in the 14 th century as a lookout turret for the town's fortress. It stands at the head of the market square ( Stortorget ), looming 35 meters above. Ambitious tourists can climb its 190 steps to get stunning views of the town below, as well as the Oresund Bridge and Denmark .

After exploring the city's historic center, head to the Fredriksdal Open-Air Museum & Botanical Garden (Friluftsmuseum) for an authentic look at Swedish daily life in centuries past. In addition to visiting the living history at a working Skåne farm, visitors can tour the Fredriksdal Mansion , a beautiful Botanic Garden , and visit the Grafiska Print Museum and a Music Museum.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Helsingborg

From Malmö city center, a 15-minute drive takes visitors to the magnificent Oresund Bridge. Famous throughout the world since opening in 1999 and several decades in the planning, the structure has gained further notoriety through the hit Danish/Swedish TV drama 'The Bridge."

This incredible engineering feat now links Sweden to Denmark, and in turn, the continent of Europe. The bridge is both rail and road, and on the Danish side, merges into a tunnel so as not to impact aircraft at Copenhagen airport.

Take a trip across the bridge and through the tunnel to neighboring Denmark, and if you like, spend some time exploring the attractions of Copenhagen .

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Malmö

The Uppsala Cathedral is the crowning jewel of this city, originally built around 1270. Over the centuries, it has acquired additions, each era leaving its own influence. Its most striking exterior features are neo-Gothic spires added in the late 19 th century, as well as stained-glass windows from the same remodel period.

Inside, take note of the details in the Baroque pulpit, which was carved in 1707, and be sure to visit the north tower's Silver Chamber, home to a gold brocade robe worn by Queen Margaret (circa 1400), as well as the final resting place of King Eric IX (St. Eric) whose rule ended in 1160.

Uppsala's medieval university, Uppsala Universitet, operates a museum (Gustavianum) , which sits just across from the cathedral. It houses a wide variety of artifacts, ranging from Viking weapons and jewelry to Egyptian relics, including several mummies. It also has exhibits about Sweden's cultural history and an art collection.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Uppsala

Famous as being Sweden's first-ever town and founded in 980 CE, the last century of the Viking era, the idyllic village of Sigtuna nestles alongside Lake Mälaren in the lush green landscape of Uppland, north of Stockholm. Sigtuna's amazing history is to be found in the medieval churches, ruins, rune stones, and buildings that remain to this day.

Along Storgatan, which has stood for more than a thousand years, are clusters of interesting little boutique shops selling fashion, designer items, and handicrafts. By car, Sigtuna is just 45 minutes from Stockholm, 30 minutes from the medieval university town of Uppsala, and just 20 minutes from Arlanda airport.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Uppsala

Stockholm is often referred to as the "Venice of the North." Water is everywhere, and around 30,000 islands lie in Stockholm's wondrous archipelago (skärgården). Distinctive red and yellow timber summerhouses occupy some islands, while others remain totally unspoiled.

A trip on the water, either in and around the city or to one of the islands, should be top on your list, whatever time of year you visit (cruises operate year-round). Many tours include lunch or dinner, and all give a unique vantage point of the city. Hop-on, hop-off options are available, too. When downtown, the distinctive Stromma boats are impossible to miss.

In summer, this is the Land of the Midnight Sun with 24-hour daylight lasting several weeks. Abisko National Park is some 77 square kilometers in size and is famous for its pristine natural beauty and Nordic wildlife. It's a great place to visit for Scandinavian winter adventures and long summer hikes.

Abisko is situated approximately 100 kilometers west of the town of Kiruna and is more than 200 kilometers inside the Arctic Circle within the auroral oval, an area that is considered to be one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights .

Regular flights operate to Kiruna from Stockholm, and bus, train, or taxi transfers are available to the park. Weather permitting, make sure you visit the spectacular Aurora Sky Station .

This is Sweden's most visited cathedral and one of the most visited sites in the southern province of Skåne. You'll understand why when you stand in front of the imposing Roman structure with its magnificent twin towers. Lund Cathedral (Lunds domkyrka) was founded around 1080 by the Danish King Canute IV and is the oldest and finest Romanesque church in Sweden.

The present building dates from the 12th century. Over the altar is a magnificent 14th-century carved reredos, the work of a north German master.

The crypt is the oldest part of the cathedral. Its roof is borne on carved stone pillars, with figures that are traditionally believed to represent a mythical giant, Finn, who is said to have built the cathedral.

In the aisle is the famous 14th-century astronomical clock with figures of the Three Kings, which emerge twice daily at noon and 3pm on weekdays and 1pm and 3pm on Sundays.

Address: Kyrkogatan 6, Lund

Read More: Top-Rated Day Trips from Copenhagen

If you simply enjoy the upbeat and carefree tones of Mama Mia or are an Adam-Whitely-level super-fan, the ABBA The Museum in Stockholm is an exciting place to visit.

Exhibits begin with a look at the personal histories of each member, complete with letters, costumes, and instruments, most of which are displayed in re-creations of the actual settings they frequented.

One of the neatest exhibits is the museum's replica of the Polar Studio, complete with almost entirely original equipment, where you can feel, see, and hear what it was like to be in the studio with them. Tourists can also see a full range of ABBA memorabilia, from trinkets to gold record awards.

If you really want to be immersed in the experience, take advantage of the museum's virtual performance space, where you can "try on" costumes and even perform onstage alongside holograms of Agnetha, Benny, Björn, and Frida.

Address: Djurgårdsvägen 68, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden

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