Southern Sweden Coast & Islands Self-Drive Loop

Depart from Copenhagen and loop through Österlen, historic naval towns, Öland, and Kullaberg

A long summer self-drive route in Southern Sweden. Cross the Öresund Bridge and head east along the coast to see megalithic monuments, apple orchards, the naval port of Karlskrona, and the World Heritage sites of Öland. Return to the west coast via the Kingdom of Crystal, and take the ferry from Helsingborg back to Denmark. Spend two nights in most towns for a leisurely pace, with the ninth day being the longest drive. Perfect for self-driving couples and families, bypassing Gothenburg and the inland lakes.

Öland is crowded from June to mid-August; May and September are much quieter.

Day by day

Day 1 · Cross the Sea to Malmö & Ystad

Copenhagen（Øresund Bridge、Malmö (Sweden)） → Ystad & Österlen（Smygehuk、Ystad Old Town）

Pick up your car and cross the Öresund Bridge (approx. 30 minutes). Drive via Malmö to the southernmost tip, then to Ystad (approx. 2 hours total).

Credit cards are accepted at the bridge toll station. Pay attention to cross-border terms when renting a car.

Stay: Ystad Old Town

Day 2 · Ales Stenar & the Southeast Coast

Ystad & Österlen（Kåseberga、Ales Stenar、Sandhammaren、Glimmingehus、Simrishamn）

Drive from Ystad to Kåseberga (approx. 30 minutes), follow the coast to the sandy beaches, and continue to Glimmingehus and Simrishamn (approx. 40 minutes).

Ales Stenar is an uphill walk of about 750 meters from the harbor.

Stay: Simrishamn

Day 3 · Stenshuvud & Apple Country

Ystad & Österlen（Stenshuvud National Park、Kiviks Musteri、Haväng）

Drive from Simrishamn to Stenshuvud (approx. 25 minutes), then head north to Kivik and Haväng beach. Short drives all day.

Stay: Simrishamn

Day 4 · Along the E22 to the Historic Naval Town

Karlskrona（Ronneby Brunnspark、Stortorget, Trinity Church & Fredrik Church、Admiralty Church & Rosenbom）

Drive from Simrishamn to Ronneby (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes), then to Karlskrona (approx. 30 minutes).

Stay: Stortorget, Trossö

Day 5 · Naval Base & Archipelago Cruise

Karlskrona（Swedish Naval Museum (Marinmuseum)、Stumholmen、Blekinge Archipelago Boat Trips）

Walk to Stumholmen in the morning to visit the Naval Museum. In the afternoon, take an archipelago cruise from the pier (approx. 2–3 hours).

Archipelago ferry schedules are most comprehensive in summer; check the weekly timetable first.

Stay: Stortorget, Trossö

Day 6 · North Along the Coast to Kalmar

Karlskrona（Kristianopel） → Öland & Kalmar（Kalmar Castle、Kvarnholmen & Stortorget、Kalmar Cathedral）

Drive from Karlskrona to Kristianopel (approx. 45 minutes), then to Kalmar (approx. 1 hour).

Stay: Kalmar Kvarnholmen

Day 7 · Southern Öland World Heritage Site

Öland & Kalmar（Öland Bridge、Gettlinge Gravfält、Eketorp Ringfort、Ottenby Nature Reserve、Långe Jan、Stora Alvaret）

Cross the 6 km bridge and head south. It takes about 1 hour to reach the southern tip of the island. Stop by the Stora Alvaret limestone plateau on the way back.

Ottenby is a hotspot for birdwatching in spring and autumn. Do not stray from the marked paths on the Alvaret.

Stay: South Öland

Day 8 · Windmills & Castles to Borgholm

Öland & Kalmar（Ismantorp Fortress、Himmelsberga Open-Air Museum、Lerkaka Windmills、Solliden Palace、Borgholm Castle）

Drive north along the island, with 15–30 minutes between stops (approx. 1 hour total driving time). Stay overnight in Borgholm.

Solliden Palace is only open in summer and may close when the royal family is in residence.

Stay: Borgholm

Day 9 · Across the Kingdom of Crystal to Mölle

Öland & Kalmar（Kosta Glassworks） → Helsingborg（Mölle）

Drive from Borgholm to Kosta (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes), then to Mölle (approx. 3 hours). Total driving distance is about 360 km.

This is the longest driving day of the trip. Start early and watch the speed limits.

Stay: Mölle

Day 10 · Hiking the Sea Cliffs of Kullaberg

Helsingborg（Kullaberg Nature Reserve、Kullen Lighthouse、Nimis）

Drive about 8 minutes to the nature reserve and walk to the lighthouse, then drive about 20 minutes to the Nimis trailhead.

The descent to Nimis is steep; wear non-slip shoes and exercise caution after rain.