Lund: the cultural centre in the Swedish South

In the university city of Lund in southern Sweden, the past is omnipresent: the city looks back on almost 1000 years of history. Today, it is a cultural centre and university town. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll through narrow streets, a trip to one of the many museums or a visit to the annual humour festival – there’s always something to do in Lund. Here you can find out what you shouldn’t miss in Lund and how and when to get there.

Why should you travel to Lund?

Lund was founded almost 1000 years ago by the Danish Viking king Sweyn Forkbeard and, together with Sigtuna, is considered the oldest city in Sweden. A trip to the historic old town centre is impressive proof of this. But it’s not just history buffs who get their money’s worth here. The university with its 40,000 students from Sweden and all over the world gives the city a lively and youthful flair, so there is always something to experience. Numerous cafés, parks and museums are just a short walk from Lund.

But a trip outside the city is also worthwhile. Away from the charming houses and alleyways, picturesque plains, idyllic beech forests and extensive rapeseed fields await – the nature of Skåne invites you to spend a day outdoors.

Where is Lund?

Lund is located in the southernmost Swedish region of Skåne, close to the Öresund. The port metropolis of Malmö is less than 20 kilometres from Lund, while Denmark’s capital Copenhagen is about 60 kilometres away. The distance to other Swedish regions and major cities is greater due to Lund’s location in the far south-west of the country; Stockholm, for example, is about 600 kilometres away.

Lund: weather

Located close to the coast, Lund has an ocean climate with an average annual temperature of 10° Celsius. The best time to visit is from May to September, when temperatures are mild and there is little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. The warmest months are July and August with average temperatures of 21° Celsius, while in winter temperatures barely reach more than 2° Celsius. The month with the least rainfall is April.

Sights in Lund: culture and history

Lund Cathedral

Lund Cathedral (Swedish: Lunds domkyrka) is the oldest cathedral in Scandinavia. Construction began in 1104 and it was consecrated in 1145. It is built in the Romanesque style. The cathedral is located in the centre of the medieval town centre, in the immediate vicinity of the main university building.

Particularly worth seeing are the two 55 metre high towers, which were only decorated in the 19th century, as well as the astronomical clock inside the church, which was installed at the end of the 14th century. The clock has a hand for the phases of the moon, a sun hand and a hand for the signs of the zodiac, as well as several wooden figures.

Admission to the cathedral is free, but guided tours and information material are available for a small extra charge.

Skissernas Art Museum

The art museum “Skissernas Muesum” is home to the world’s largest collection of sketches, models and other preparatory works by Swedish and international artists. The focus here is not on the finished work of art, but on its creation and the creative process behind it. A wide variety of sketches can be viewed in a total of seven galleries. The museum is just a few minutes’ walk from Lund Central Station.

Open-air museum “Kulturen”

Up to 20 exhibitions can be visited in the open-air museum “Kulturen” in the centre of Lund. The museum, with its historic buildings, lovingly landscaped gardens and an ancient farm, extends over two city districts and introduces visitors to life in southern Sweden from the Middle Ages to the 1930s. The exhibitions cover topics such as folk art and medieval history, but you can also learn something about modern topics here. A visit with the whole family is a great idea, especially in summer.

Botanical garden

The botanical garden in Lund attracts visitors with over 7000 different plant varieties. It has been part of the local university since the 17th century. Nowadays, it is also a popular destination for non-students, as you can take a walk and marvel at the splendour of the plants and the large goldfish in the pond before observing small quail families in the greenhouse.

There is a whole range of ecological projects in the park, most of which are aimed at students, but schoolchildren and normal visitors can also get involved.

The botanical garden is open all year round, from mid-September to mid-May between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., and in the summer months its gates are even open until 9.30 p.m.

Stadsparken Lund

Another recommended park in Lund is the city park. With around 16 metres of green space, it is the largest park in Lund and has been the most important recreational facility for the city’s residents since 1911.

It boasts a varied programme – the sections are laid out in different garden styles with a diverse selection of plants. The centre of the park, for example, is more classically French or German, while the rest of the park is reminiscent of an English landscape garden with winding paths, lush green areas and groups of trees. In addition to classical sculptures, 650 trees, countless flowers and shrubs, there are many picnic areas, sports fields and equipment as well as a large playground and a café.

Accommodation in Lund

Hotels in Lund

If you want to be right in the centre of things, you should look for a hotel in Lund. The advantage is that you have a central location and the hotspots can be reached quickly. Further, you don’t have to worry about much or anything at the hotel. In Lund there is a large selection of hotels in different price categories.

Holiday flats in Lund

If you want to live centrally but still be independent, you can rent a holiday flat in Lund. This is particularly suitable for families with children and larger groups, as a holiday flat often offers more space. There are also cooking facilities so that you can easily cater for yourself.

Camping in Lund

Although there are no campsites in Lund itself, there is plenty on offer in the surrounding Skåne region. If you don’t have a problem with travelling a little further, but want to stay in the countryside at a slightly lower price, then camping in Sweden is just the thing for you. From the campsites, you can easily plan various excursions throughout the region. Another alternative is wild camping in Sweden, which is completely legal here.

Travelling to Lund

Travelling by car

Due to its location in southern Sweden, Lund is quite easy to reach by car from central Europe. You can take ferries to Malmö or Trelleborg, for example. From there, it is only a few kilometres by car to Lund. Alternatively, you can also take the overland route via Jutland. You then continue to Copenhagen, where you cross the Öresund tunnel and bridge and thus the Danish-Swedish border. Once you are in southern Sweden, Lund is quickly reached.

Travelling by train

If you want to travel in a relaxed way and even get to know Scandinavian landscapes better, you should consider travelling by train. The railway network to Lund is very well connected, with the X2000 express train, which runs regularly from Copenhagen or Malmö to Stockholm and stops in Lund, only taking around 15 minutes.

Travelling by plane

If you want to travel to Lund quickly and easily by plane, you can choose between the airports in Copenhagen and Malmö. Malmö Airport is only around 25 kilometres from Lund and can be easily reached by bus. There are a number of direct flights from UK to Copenhagen Airport, which is a little further away. You can then simply continue your journey to Lund by train or rental car.