With under 20,000 people, it is surprising how far Ystad goes back. Founded in the 11th century as a herring fishing village it remains a popular tourist spot and a busy ferry port, as well as the site of Kurt Mankell's books about Kurt Wallander.

It is an old pirates' and smugglers' haunt, in which exotic traces of all parts of the world have been left by various voyagers. - August Strindberg

Ystads Teater

Ystad is known to have a long history of theatre thanks to the complaints of a rector, Måns Lacander, who wrote to the Cathedral in 1690 about the dancers employed by the City who performed on the Sabbath to a much larger audience than attended his services.

In 1801 the attic of the town hall officially became the first stage of Ystad, and a theatre was later built, which burned down in 1891 (as part of an insurance scam). The board commissioned Ystad's first city architect Peter Boisen to design and build a new theatre building at a cost of no more than 110,000 kronor. He travelled extensively in Sweden and Europe to familiarise himself with Theatre architecture, and ultimately the Ystad Theatre was modelled after Leipzig (which was destroyed in WWII). Finished in 1894, it exceeded the budget by 32,000 kronor, but remains standing and in use to this day. It has seating for 500, a unique stage design and one of Sweden's two preserved original side scenes.

The Latin School

One of Ystad's medieval brick buildings with stairwells and one of the oldest school buildings in Sweden.

Sankta Maria kyrka

The oldest church in Ystad and one of the oldest brick churches in Skane. Built in the 13th Century, since 1748 it has been defended by lurblåsaren (The Tower Keeper), who still signals the time.

Hans Raffns Gård

Named after the owner at the start of the 17th Century, the building is famous for its surviving carvings of angels, flowers and an old mans head on the facia, it is one of the most richly carved buildings remaining in Ystad.

It is also known as Änglahuset.

The Brahe House

Facing Hans Raffns Gård across an intersection, the house dates to the late 15th or early 16th century and was likely the main building in the Brahe Manor. The brickwork is particularly lavish for the time. It can be noted from the photos that the design of the gables is similar to Klosterkyrkan.

Jens Jacobsen's House

Originally a trading post from 1640, it is now a store selling local handicrafts.

Kemnerska Manor

A half-timbered house whose oldest parts date from the 16th century. Also known as the Karl XII House as the king was believed to have stayed here during his time in the city, a plaque saying this remains though the story is now known to be false.

Apothecary Manor

Facing onto Stortorget and richly decorated it also is known as the Potters House.

Birgitta House

From the 1500s, this was where the king actually stayed in Ystad during his visits in the 1700s.

Sankt Nikolai Katolska Kyrka

Inaugurated in 1989, it is a refurbished farm and trading manor from 1801.

Pilgrändshuset

Formed of two joined houses, originally dating back to the 1500s Pilgrändshuset is named after the alley that runs off of Stora Östergatan. A distinctive feature is that the upper floor is cantilevered, that is, it protrudes above the ground floor

Nya Rådhuset

The new city hall is towards the end of Stora Östergatan and backs onto a park. Built in 1814 for M.M. Lundgren as a trading hall, it was briefly a Secondary school before becoming the City Hall in 1914.

Per Helsas Gård

The most extensive and best-preserved half-timber building in Sweden. Botha trading post and the entire neighbourhood, its irregular shape outlines the old city walls.

Gamla Rådhuset

Located in Stortorget, which has been the centre of Ystad since the middle ages, the old City Hall's basement dates from the 15th century, but the majority of it was rebuilt in its current style in the mid 19th century.

Stortorget

The central square of Ystad, ringed by shops and restaurants, has been a part of life in Ystad since the middle ages, though the fountain only dates to 1928.

Klostret i Ystad

Founded in 1267, the Abby is home to the Cultural History Museum as well as still operating as a Church. It backs onto a lovely lake and has a small apple garden on its grounds.

Klostret i Ystad

Closed due to Corona, but a fantastic museum of the cities history.

Ystads Frivillige Bergnings-Corps

Closed due to Corona. Also known as Tanners Yard, an 18th-century building

Charlotte Berlins Museum

Closed due to Corona, but facing the charming B&B I stayed in.

Ystads Konstmuseum

Slowly reopening after the Corona lockdowns, the Ystad Art Museum is set over a couple of floors offering space for a permanent collection showcasing local talent and temporary exhibits. On display was Gert Aspelin whose work was inspired by the ever-changing natural landscape around him.

Also, pride of place was the work of an all-women local art collective whose members span the age brackets.

Norra Promenaden

Running parallel to Kyrkogårdsgatan, North Promenade is a shady park filled with paths and a stream. It retains its signature style from the early 19th century. Don't miss the statue of the Shoemaker Boy.

Fritidsparken

Established as a park as part of the Fritiden 1936 exhibition, it surrounds the sports hall.

Rådhusparken

A small park, mostly lawned, behind the new city hall.

Österportstorg

A small concrete square opposite the new City Hall.

Restaurang Marinan

Great place to eat, with views over the water. Surprisingly little fish on the menu given the location in the port, but the pork schnitzel was lovely.

Bröderna M

Italian restaurant with a good selection of pizza and pasta.

Loong Sching

Chinese restaurant, just off the main square with a huge range of dishes available, served on heated meta serving plates. Dark wood seating.

Cafe Lurblasuren

Charming cafe offering baked goods and good coffee.