Old Town
Wander streets lined with colourful houses and well-preserved half-timbered buildings.
Explore Ystad’s colourful old town, half-timbered streets and south-coast beaches, then use the busy ferry port for fast Bornholm crossings and services to Świnoujście in Poland.
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Ystad is one of southern Sweden’s most attractive small towns and a major Baltic ferry hub for Bornholm and Poland.
Ystad’s old town is a compact network of pastel-coloured houses, half-timbered buildings and cobbled streets. Stortorget and St Maria Church form the central focus, while smaller lanes reward slow exploration.
The town is internationally associated with Henning Mankell’s Wallander stories, and filming locations remain a draw for visitors. Even without that connection, Ystad’s scale and architecture make it an easy destination for a short coastal break.
The medieval Greyfriars Abbey and its gardens provide another historical highlight close to the centre. Beaches stretch east and west of town, offering long walks and summer swimming along the Baltic coast.
Ystad is well positioned for Österlen, a scenic corner of Skåne known for farms, galleries, beaches and small coastal communities. A car makes it easy to turn the ferry stop into a wider southern Sweden road trip.
The railway station sits close to both the centre and port, making Ystad unusually convenient for foot passengers. Direct rail links towards Malmö also simplify connections with Copenhagen and the Öresund region.
The ferry port handles two distinct networks: Bornholmslinjen’s fast Ystad–Rønne service to Bornholm and longer Poland crossings to Świnoujście operated by Polferries and Unity Line.
Ystad combines a photogenic historic centre with beaches and easy access to the rural landscapes of Österlen.
Wander streets lined with colourful houses and well-preserved half-timbered buildings.
Visit the medieval church overlooking Stortorget in the heart of Ystad.
Explore the monastery complex, museum and gardens close to the centre.
See streets and locations associated with the popular detective novels and television adaptations.
Walk or swim along the sandy Baltic coast east and west of town.
Drive through coastal villages, farms, galleries and countryside across southeast Skåne.
Browse Ystad walking tours, Wallander-themed experiences and Skåne coastal excursions to combine with your ferry journey.
Tours and activities displayed in this section are supplied through Viator. Availability, descriptions and prices are provided by the activity supplier and can change.
Because fast Bornholm ferries and longer overnight Poland sailings have different procedures, follow your operator’s terminal signs and check-in deadline. Foot passengers benefit from the port’s close proximity to Ystad station.
Bornholmslinjen operates the high-frequency Ystad–Rønne route, with the fast crossing taking about 80 minutes. Polferries and Unity Line also publish current 2026 Ystad–Świnoujście services between Sweden and Poland.
Ystad’s passenger-ferry port lies immediately south of the railway station and town centre. Different operators use dedicated check-in areas for Bornholm and Poland services.
Ystad is compact and highly walkable, with the railway station, old town and ferry port all close together.
The station, port and historic centre are within a short distance, making Ystad particularly easy for foot passengers.
Trains connect Ystad with Malmö and onward services towards Copenhagen and the wider Öresund region. Find Ystad rail tickets here...
A car is ideal for exploring beaches, villages, farms and galleries east of Ystad after arriving by ferry.
Central Ystad combines atmosphere with easy access to the ferry port, railway station and restaurants, making it convenient for early departures.
The passenger ferry port is immediately south of central Ystad and close to the railway station.
Current passenger routes include Rønne on Bornholm and Świnoujście in Poland.
Bornholmslinjen operates the Bornholm route, while Polferries and Unity Line operate services to Świnoujście.
Bornholmslinjen states that its fast Ystad–Rønne crossing takes about 80 minutes.
Yes. Both the Bornholm and Poland services carry vehicles, subject to capacity and operator rules.
Explore the old town, St Maria Church and Greyfriars Abbey, follow Wallander locations and visit the beaches.
Yes. Ystad has regular rail connections to Malmö, and the station is close to the ferry port.
Yes, especially for vehicles, summer Bornholm departures and overnight Poland sailings.
Check live sailing options, passenger fares, vehicle prices and onboard accommodation for your travel dates.