South Sweden Road Trip: Malmö to Denmark for double the fun

Difficulty

530+ km

Distance

8+

Recom. Days

Culture

Trip type

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Cora Harrison

Freelance writer for Indie Campers, currently trying to find herself in Indonesia but without much luck. Enjoys exploring weird and wonderful world cuisine — the less identifiable, the better.

South Sweden Road Trip Itinerary: Malmö Round-Trip

Sweden road trip map itinerary

Google Maps

This South Sweden road trip is the best of both worlds. Or, rather, the best of both countries. While you’ll start and end in Malmö, Sweden, you’ll also pop over in Denmark’s Sjælland not once, but twice. How’s that for having your cake and eating it?

A cultural road trip first and foremost, you’ll get your fill of galleries and museums, beginning with an exploration of multicultural Malmö, where you’ll also enjoy a cheeky detour into Copenhagen.

Up next, the medieval town of Ystad, followed by the historic naval base of Karlskrona. Then back across Sweden to Helsingborg — with a stop in Denmark’s Helsingør just across the water.

But it’s not all cultural. You’ll also drive your campervan through rolling fields, pull up at sandy shores, and find yourself falling in love with idyllic coastal cottages.

This itinerary really is double the fun: two countries in one. Because life’s too short to settle for less.

Swedish woman in traditional clothing in front of the Marsvinsholm Castle in Ystad on a South Sweden Road Trip

Pick-up in
Malmö Depot
1

Sweden meets Denmark in Malmö

The ancient and ultra modern rub shoulders in the first stop on your South Sweden road trip. Malmö is an exciting mix of tradition and contemporary creativity .

Imagining yourself a medieval fisherman is easy as you wander its historic streets. But then you’ll turn your head and catch a glimpse of a glittering skyscraper and remember that this is indeed a 21st-century city.

Yet what makes Malmö extra special is that just a short drive over the Öresund bridge is another famous metropolis. Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, is emblematic of everything that makes Scandinavia so cool.

RV rental in Malmo

But begin with Malmö. Stortorget is the city’s largest square. Next, visit Malmöhus Castle, the site of lengthy battles with the Danes.

Folkets Park, the oldest public park in the world, is also worth a stop. Then fast-forward in your time-machine with a visit to the Turning Torso skyscraper.

Done with culture? We did promise some nature after all. Ribersborg Beach, great for swimming or sunbathing, is walkable from the city centre. And have you checked out where we recommend camping?

Visiting

Malmö

2

Recom. Days

Main route

15.5 miles

from Malmö depot

25min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

El Jakriborg

Mock medieval town built in the 1990s.

Lund

Sweden’s second-oldest city.

Copenhagen

Capital of Denmark, a short train ride away.

Signal

Eat at

Malmö Saluhall

$$

Food market with a range of stalls.

Johan P

$$$

Traditional seafood in the shopping district.

Kockeriet

$$

Michelin-starred, a good lunchtime option.

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Parking

Stortorget

$$$$$

Uncovered parking in the city-center.

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Stay at

Falsterbo Camping Resort

$$$

Idyllic camping on the Swedish Riviera.

2

Wander into the past in Ystad

Time to say goodbye to Malmö and set off in your campervan along the coast to the next stop on your South Sweden road trip, Ystad. Fans of Kenneth Branagh and the British police drama, Wallander, may already be familiar with this picturesque town. Never heard of it? Well you’re in for a treat.

Ystad is certainly movie-set pretty with its half-timbered houses in various pastel shades. Sitting in a landscape of rolling fields, it’s also home to some of Sweden’s best beaches. We particularly recommend the white sands of Sandhammaren.

Typical building on a corner in Ystad on a South Sweden Road Trip

But start with the town’s historic centre. St Knut’s square is worth a stop while at the Church of St Mary, which dates from 1240, a night watchman still marks the passing hours with the sound of his horn.

Then hop in the camper and drive south-east to Österlen. This stunning part of the country attracts more artists per capita than anywhere else in Europe.

And while you’re here, you might fancy a splash in the water at Rörum. This beach looks like something swiped from far more tropical shores.

Visiting

Ystad

2

Recom. Days

Main route

37 miles

from Malmö

50min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Ale’s stenar

Megalithic standing stones in the shape of a boat.

Österlen

Ridiculously pretty region in the south-east.

Stenshuvud National Park

Hiking over cliffs, along beaches, and through orchards.

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Eat at

Store Thor

$$$

Atmospheric dining in the old town hall.

Sandskogens Värdshus

$$$$$

Upscale restaurant in an ancient mansion.

Maltes Mackor

$$

Great sandwiches.

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Parking

Kv. Johan

$$

Uncovered parking not far from the center.

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Stay at

Fredriksbergs Kursgård

$$

10-minute drive from Ystad.

3

Naval glories of yesteryear in Karlskrona

Next, you and your campervan hug the coast as you make your way to the next stop on your south Sweden road trip. Karlskrona is part of an archipelago that numbers 1,650 different islands , islets and skerries — some with only a single inhabitant.

UNESCO-listed Karlskrona itself is on Trossö. With its beautiful Baroque architecture and location among the scattered islands of the Blekinge archipelago, the city fulfills the dreams of culture and nature lovers alike.

Bicycles parked in front of a blue house in Karlskrona on this South Sweden Road Trip

Check out the Kungsholms Fort, built in 1680 when Karl XI founded the city as the base for the Swedish Baltic fleet. Meanwhile, the Marinmuseum has reconstructions of battle decks in wartime. Or you might want to visit Brändaholm with its adorable and quintessentially Swedish red cottages.

Next, hire a kayak and head out onto the blue waters. Fancy something more high-octane? Hop on a speedboat to the Utklippan islands. If you’re lucky, you might spot the seal colony.

Visiting

Karlskrona

2

Recom. Days

Main route

118 miles

from Ystad

2h20min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Drottningskärs Kastell

Fortified citadel on the island of Aspö.

Blekingeleden trail

25km hiking path starting at Boafall.

Utklippan

Most south-easterly Swedish islands.

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Eat at

Restaurang Utkiken

$$

Great views of the city and archipelago.

Nivå Bar & Stek

$$

Well-priced steakhouse with vegetarian options.

Sjörök Fisk & Vin

$$

Family-run restaurant by the sea in Karlskrona.

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Stay at

Karlskrona Stadsmarina

$$$

Campervan parking by the marina.

4

Two cities for one in Helsingborg

Back now to Sweden’s west coast and on to your final south Sweden road trip destination. In Helsingborg, as in Malmö, you get double bang for your buck. Because just across the water is Denmark, and, within clear view, the city of Helsingør.

But linger for a moment longer on Swedish shores. Check out the main sights of charming Helsingborg, which has great bars and restaurants around the harbour, some fabulous turreted buildings, and a ruined castle too.

Port in Helsingborg during sunset on this South Sweden Road Trip

Pay a visit to Dunkers Kulturhhus, a culture centre with art and interesting debates on all sorts of topics. Fredriksdal Museer is an open-air museum in an 18th-century manor with gorgeous botanical gardens. And the garden of Sofiero is also worth a stop, with its exceptional views of the Sound and beautiful forest.

When you can’t hold off any longer, hop on the ferry over to Denmark and Helsingør where you can explore cobbled streets and the city’s huge castle, Kronborg Slot — famously the inspiration for the castle in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Visiting

Helsingborg

2

Recom. Days

Main route

136.5 miles

from Karlskrona

2h35min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Helsingør

Danish town across the water, famous for its castle.

Kullaberg peninsula

Dramatic cliffs and hiking in a nature reserve.

Hornbæk Strand

Beautiful beach, 20-minute drive from Helsingør.

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Eat at

Sofiero Slottsrestaurang

$$$$$

Exclusive dining in stately home.

Ebbas Fik

$$

Retro restaurant with 1950s memorabilia on sale.

Rådmand Davids Hus

$$

Local food in historic house in Helsingør.

RV icon

Parking

Nordsjællands Camping & Cottages

€€€€

13-minute drive from Helsingør.

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Stay at

Nicolaiskolan

$

Uncovered parking short walk from center.

Drop-off in
Malmö Depot

65km

From Helsingborg

50min

drive