Not a surprising question; In Sweden’s Town Centre of the Year 2007 you’ll find shops that sell everything from Stetsons and Beaufort cheese to James Bond’s favourite car, the Aston Martin.

 Sometimes, your skin needs a break from the sun and a shopping spree to the shops and boutiques of Ystad can be just what the doctor ordered. Many of the great designer names of the world can be found alongside unique arts & crafts and other items and that are produced by local companies and craftsmen.
 

The main shopping centre of Ystad encom-passes Stortorget, Hamngatan, and Stora Östergatan -  the pedestrian street.

Stortorget, is the heart of the town

The map of Ystad from 1753, will still guide you round town, and even in those days Stortorget (the big square) was the centre of trade and commerce.
 

People have been selling their wares at the foot of St Maria church and the old town hall since time immemorial. The shops are many and various and include a stylish children’s clothes shop, as well as a number of coffee shops, restaurants and pubs – the square is also home to traditional market stalls.

Hamngatan

On Hamngatan, it runs between Stortorget and Hamntorget, there are a number of smaller shops selling more exclusive items, there are also a few eateries and many of the town’s banks.

Stora Östergatan – the pedestrian street

This is where people meet, shop, stroll, eat and chat. The street, which is lined with modern buildings and ancient half-timbered houses, runs between Stortorget and Österports torg. The inhabitants of Ystad think nothing of buying the latest fashions in a boutique housed in a 16th century building!

Fashionable shops selling clothes, gifts, and furnishings and fittings share the street with every type of eatery. And don’t hesitate to take a detour into the many side streets where you’ll find an exciting choice of small boutiques.

Österportstorg – the events square

Österportstorg is the town’s east “gate”.  This is the square where many of the town’s events are held. These include the "little Montmartre", the monk market and visiting fairs.

Österportstorg is also the home of the new town hall and the town’s upper secondary school and college.

Regementet, the “new” district!

Regementsgatan, which leads to Regemen-tet (the old garrison) on the east side of the town, is lined with shops selling provisions etc as well as cafés and eateries. The Ystad Studios and Cineteket, the film centre, are to be found in the centre of this new district which also includes apartments and various educational centers.

Modern shopping centres

Ystad likes things to work in harmony so it will come as no surprise to learn that super-markets and low-price chains compete with the more traditional shops.

There are a number of shops and boutiques on the perimeter of town where bigger items can be bought; these included DIY shops, electronics and white ware as well as hyper-markets and furniture and interior design shops.

Most makes of car can also be bought from authorised dealers and classic car show-rooms.

And if it is other forms of wheeled transport that is required you’ll find shops selling an extensive range of bikes, motorbikes, prams and scooters.

Farm shops

Even outside the town you’ll find opportunities to browse through exclusive shops in cottages, castles, harbours and greenhouses selling everything you can imagine from wellingtons for rain days to designer clothes.
And there are also farm shops stocked with fresh fruits, vegetables and fish; many even sell cups of coffee with homemade cakes in cosy cafés!