Hostels in Scania

Scania, or Skåne, is a traditional province in Sweden and the southern-most county known for its history, fields and beaches. The climate is warm in Scania, though considerable changes in temperature are not unheard of at times. The best time to visit this region is during late spring and summer when it is sunny. The winters are quite gloomy and harsh even to the point where it becomes rare to see the sun. There are plenty of budget hostels and youth hostels in Scania, scattered throughout the province. Most of the hostels are open throughout the year. Though not required, it is recommended to call the hostels in advance for reservations.

Scania boasts of a scenic landscape filled with farmlands, forests, lakes and gardens with many castles, manors and museums. It is one of the richest farming districts in northern Europe and has plenty of flat, wide horizons and open fields. You can find a beautiful blend of long white beaches and farmlands in the south, hills and grooves in the west, and rocky coasts and leafy forests in southwest Scania. Belonging to the Viking era, Scania is also abundant with Renaissance-style villages and medieval churches. You can find almost 300 castles and gardens featuring 12th- to 19th-century architecture. Scania is famous for dairy products, goose, eel, shellfish, venison and fresh farm foods.

Helsingborg is a great place to visit in Scania. You can enjoy the seaside air along the many beaches at Helsingborg. Stroll through Helsingborg Castle overlooking the harbor. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even climb the rectangular tower from the 14th century that is on the top of the bluff. Visit the 19th century Sofiero Castle which faces the ocean and has widely famed gardens that house local and foreign plants. If you visit during early summer, you can enjoy the colorful sight of beautiful Rhododendrons blooming all over the gardens. The Sofiero Castle also has a modern art gallery that is open to visitors. In addition, Helsingborg houses Sweden’s two oldest churches dating from the 12th and 14th centuries.

A visit to Scania should definitely include a visit to Malmö, which is the home to the Øresund Bridge that connects Sweden to Denmark. If you love cycling, then Malmö is the place for you with its well developed bike path infrastructure and guided bike tours in summer. You can rent a modern bike at an affordable price and cycle through the city. Malmö contains three squares in its center that are filled with markets, restaurants, skating rinks, galleries, design shops and clothing stores. If you visit Malmö during August, don’t miss the 8-day cultural festival that is known for culinary and cultural experiences.

If you love arts and culture, then visit Lund, which is famous for its university, museums, theaters, parks and cathedrals. You can enjoy the free organ concert every Saturday morning at the Lund Cathedral. There is also an elaborate astronomical clock show at the cathedral which should not be missed due to its nostalgic value. Book your hostel in Scania ahead of time so that you have a base from which to visit the many nooks and corners in this region that is a traveler's dream come true.

Handwritten by local expert for Scania hostels Joy Barboza