Ystad is a Swedish town in the province of Skåne in southern Sweden. The earliest recorded history of Ystad dates back to the 12th century when fishing families began to settle at the mouth of the river Vassa, near where the Tourist Office is today. Herring fishing became the main source of trade. No other city in Scandinavia and few cities in Europe can boast such a complete and 'living' picture of bygone days as Ystad. Many of the 300 half-timbered houses date back as far as the 16th century. The Ystad Archaeological Society was formed in 1907 when the monastery was saved for coming generations. In 1936, Ystad arranged Fritiden (Recreation), a much talked about event all over the world. The town art gallery, Konstmuseum, was built as were playgrounds and cycle paths. Half-timbered Town became Recreation Town! In the middle of the 20th century ferries started to run from Ystad to Bornholm and Swinoujscie.

	Country:	Sweden
	Location:	South
	Country Code:	+46
	Population:	26,898
	Language:	Swedish
	Currency:	Swedish Krona (SEK)
	Time Zone:	GMT+1
	Train Station:	Ystad Station
	Tourism:	Ystad Tourism

By Car Ystad is just 45 minutes from Malmö and Simrishamn, 60 minutes from Lund and 80 minutes from the centre of Copenhagen, Denmark.

By Train There are frequent and direct train links from Copenhagen and Malmö and excellent local train services.

By Ferry The north Polish port of Swinoujscie is just 7 hours away and Rönne, on the Danish island of Bornholm, is just 70 minutes away. There are daily ferry services to Swinoujcie in Poland, and ferry and catamaran services to Rönne on Bornholm.

• Ales Stones
• St Maria’s Church
• Greyfriars Monastery and Museum
• Ystad Zoo
• The Houses of Ystad

Mystery hangs heavy in the air above Ales Stones. One legend speaks of a buried giant who you can still hear rumbling at night. Another tells of an unholy bishop’s grave. Perhaps the 58 stones, perched high on a cliff above the Baltic in the shape of a longship, were placed in honour of a Viking chief. St Maria’s Church has been added to continually since its original foundation in the fourteenth century. The red-brick interior displays heavy, decorative tablets lining the aisle walls and enclosed wooden pews - the end-pieces sculpted with flowers and emblems. Greyfriars Monastery and Museum was built in the 13th century, there is a display of local cultural and historical collections. Ystad Zoo has over 50 varieties of animals, there are also two cooling swimming pools for children and adults. The Houses of Ystad are in themselves tourist attractions with over 300 half-timbered house some well over 400 years old, you are always in for a treat when walking around town.