To the east of the town is Ystads Sandskog; this forest was planted in the first half of the 19th century to protect the town from sandstorms. Today the forest is dotted with summer cottages, cafés and eateries.

During the recreation exhibition of 1936, the forest was used as a parade ground. The beach with its jetties and offshore rafts is enjoyed by many as are the  beachvolley and boule courts and the children’s playground.

There is also a 3 km beach pro-menade, something one normally associates with more southerly climes.

On a sunny Sunday winter after-noon, the promenade is almost as popular with locals and tourists as it is during the summer months.

To the east, the beaches run along the coast to Sandhammaren. Sometimes the beaches give way to sand hills like those at Hammars Backar and Kåseberga where they rise majestically out of the sea, and sometimes they lie hidden by deciduous forests as they are at Backåkra.

Wherever you are, you’ll nearly always find a ribbon of sand between you and the Baltic.

There are naturist beaches to the west of Nybrostrand and in the Hagestad nature reserve west of the river Tyge.

Swimming baths
The heated seawater pool at Nybrostrand is open all summer and Ystad swimming pool, Fritidsbadet, is open all year.

The zoo at Skårby, Ystad Djurpark  boasts two outdoor swimming pools, both are open all summer. 

Safe swims