Discover Ancient Sites of Southern Sweden

It is the iconic 8-kilometre combined rail and road bridge, connecting Denmark and Sweden. The unique double-decker bridge, with trains passing on the level below the cars, is the longest of its kind in Europe.
It is worth seeing and capturing a breathtaking picture, even if you didn't drive over the bridge during the trip. So make a stop at the famous viewpoint to take in the best view of the bridge before you continue your drive.

Use this car park in Ystad, which provides a convenient location to park your car for a couple of hours while exploring the city. Greyfriars Abbey and Sankta Maria Kyrka are both within a short walking distance. You will also have lunch in this lovely city.

The Abbey in Ystad is a fantastic attraction that takes you through its gardens of roses and other magnificent plants and trees, immersing you in the sights, smells, and sounds of the Middle Ages.
For nearly 300 years, from the 13th century onwards, Franciscan monks walked through these gardens, living a peaceful and devoted life. Today, the Abbey is one of the best-preserved monasteries from medieval times in Sweden.
Note that the Abbey is not open to the public all year, except for guided visits for groups, so it's best to contact them in advance to check if you can visit. Even if it's closed, you can still appreciate its beauty from the outside and explore the charming town of Ystad.
Check their official website for up-to-date information and contact details to book a tour.

Head for lunch at one of the most succulent gems in Ystad. This cozy little café will wrap you in the sweet scent of coffee and their homemade freshly baked goods. But they also serve a whole lot of healthy, tasty lunch food that will keep you going for the rest of the day. Yet, you should get a takeaway of sweet treats to enjoy later on the road.

Before you leave Ystad, you cannot miss out on the main church and the oldest building in the town. Even though the church has undergone several rounds of restoration since the beginning of the 1200s, you will feel the history once you step into the Sankta Maria church.
An interesting fact about this church is a tradition that started in the 1700s and still lives today. There is a night watchtower guard blowing a horn 4 times each night from the tower to signal that everything is calm and secure.

Leave your car in this coastal car park to take a short walk to the mysterious monument and admire the delightful scenery.

Ale's Stones is one of the most impressive megalithic sites in Sweden. Walking along the 67-metre-long stone ship featuring 59 grand boulders differing in size – larger at the ends is an otherworldly experience.
Imagine how these 5-tonne stones were placed there back in the early Iron Age. You can easily see the same spiritual connection as you do at Stonehenge in England. Also here, the sun rises and sets at specific places around the stone ship, and it is believed that it was used as a calendar.
Ale's Stones is free to visit and is easily a place for meditation and mindfulness.

Walking into the largest burial ground in Sweden, dating back 3400 years, you cannot feel anything but appreciation and respect for the ancestors that built this to praise their people.
Being 75 metres in diameter and 3.5 metres tall, it is also called the Kings' Grave (Kungsgraven). Inside, you will see gravestones with engraved figures of ships, animals, and other things. They also found a large coffin that was over 3 metres long and a metre wide.
Imagining how this place was built and the love and care that would be put into every piece of work is just amazing.
You can find updated information on their social media.

After taking in so much ancient history, head to Simrishamn where you will spend the night.
Simrishamn, a charming coastal town, offers a variety of excellent and cosy restaurants to choose from, making it the perfect place to end your first day on a road trip. Take a stroll along the town's cobbled streets and stop in for dinner at one of your favourite places.

Head to your cosy Bed & Breakfast early to check in and relax for the rest of the night in the idyllic outdoor space or the homely rooms. Alternatively, stay a bit longer in Simrishamn to go for an evening walk and a drink before calling it a night.