Soulful Skåne: how local culture brings this Swedish province to life
Sweden's verdant southernmost province is a place where travellers can switch off and experience open-air living. Yet it’s the locals’ relaxed hospitality and welcoming spirit that really bring this destination to life.
Strolling on sandy beaches, wild camping under starry skies and foraging in the undergrowth for wild mushrooms: this is what friluftsliv — a Scandinavian term that loosely translates as ‘open-air living’ — is all about. This stress-free way of life is one of the main attractions of Skåne, a rosy-cheeked province in the south of Sweden. The fertile region is also one of the country’s culinary meccas, with an astounding variety of locally-grown produce and exciting dishes to try (think homemade smoothies made from foraged fallen fruits or ice creams flavoured with saffron). Yet, it’s the friendliness of the locals that makes this destination unforgettable.
Home to 249 miles of coastline, more than 100 lakes, two meandering rivers and rocky peninsulas, Skåne is a patchwork of dramatic landscapes. The region’s slow pace of life, abundance of outdoor activities and respect for the environment — it has one of the largest areas of protected woodland in Northern Europe — make it a haven for anyone looking to reconnect with nature. Practise yoga in a quiet forest, cycle along picturesque trails stretching for hundreds of miles, or go rock climbing by the sea. Whether you just want to relax or try your hand at high-octane activities, you’ll be spoilt for choice
Strolling on sandy beaches, wild camping under starry skies and foraging in the undergrowth for wild mushrooms: this is what friluftsliv — a Scandinavian term that loosely translates as ‘open-air living’ — is all about. This stress-free way of life is one of the main attractions of Skåne, a rosy-cheeked province in the south of Sweden. The fertile region is also one of the country’s culinary meccas, with an astounding variety of locally-grown produce and exciting dishes to try (think homemade smoothies made from foraged fallen fruits or ice creams flavoured with saffron). Yet, it’s the friendliness of the locals that makes this destination unforgettable.
Home to 249 miles of coastline, more than 100 lakes, two meandering rivers and rocky peninsulas, Skåne is a patchwork of dramatic landscapes. The region’s slow pace of life, abundance of outdoor activities and respect for the environment — it has one of the largest areas of protected woodland in Northern Europe — make it a haven for anyone looking to reconnect with nature. Practise yoga in a quiet forest, cycle along picturesque trails stretching for hundreds of miles, or go rock climbing by the sea. Whether you just want to relax or try your hand at high-octane activities, you’ll be spoilt for choice
