Ystad Ferries

The port of Ystad plays a key role in the ferry network of Sweden, offering a convenient, scenic, and often essential way to connect with nearby islands. With 2 ferry routes operated by 2 ferry companies, Ystad serves as a busy hub for both passenger and freight travel.

Ferries depart regularly from Ystad, with schedules varying seasonally depending on demand, weather conditions, and tourism activity.

Popular routes from this port include Swinoujscie - Ystad connecting Ystad with key coastal and island destinations. Depending on the route, crossings can range from quick local hops to longer overnight journeys, often with a choice between high-speed ferries and traditional vessels.

Operators such as Polferries, Unity Line run regular services from Ystad, offering a range of onboard amenities including comfortable seating, food and drink options, cabins, and vehicle transport. Ticket options vary by company and vessel type, with choices to suit solo travellers, families, and business passengers alike.

Whether you're island hopping, heading home, or starting a new adventure, Ystad offers a reliable and enjoyable gateway to the sea.

Ystad is well-connected to major Swedish cities, with direct trains from Malmö taking just 45 minutes and services from Stockholm requiring about 4.5 hours. If driving, the E65 highway provides convenient access from Malmö (about 55 km) and other parts of southern Sweden. International travelers can fly into Copenhagen Airport and take the train across the Öresund Bridge to connect to Ystad. The ferry terminal is centrally located, with local buses connecting the train station to the port in just minutes. For those arriving by car, ample parking is available near the ferry terminal, though booking in advance during summer months is recommended.

Nestled on the southern coast of Sweden, Ystad blends medieval charm with seaside tranquility. This picturesque town, with its cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses, serves as a vital ferry gateway to continental Europe. Visitors stepping off the ferry will find themselves immersed in a setting that seamlessly merges rich Swedish history with the refreshing atmosphere of the Baltic Sea.

Ystad shines brightest during the summer months of June through August, when temperatures hover pleasantly between 18-22°C and daylight stretches late into the evening. This peak season brings the town to life with outdoor cafés and the annual Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival in early August. Spring (April-May) offers fewer crowds and blooming landscapes, while September provides warm waters for swimming but with fewer tourists. Ferry services operate year-round but increase in frequency during summer, making connections to Poland and Germany more flexible. Winter visits showcase a quieter, more authentic side of Ystad, though some attractions may have limited hours.

Ystad serves as a key maritime gateway to several exciting destinations across the Baltic Sea. Regular ferry services connect to Świnoujście, Poland, with a journey time of around 6-8 hours, offering access to Poland's beautiful Baltic coast and a gateway to Berlin. The Polish port city combines beach resorts with fascinating maritime history. Travelers can also reach the German island of Bornholm in approximately 1.5 hours, where dramatic cliffside views and quaint fishing villages await. For those seeking longer adventures, connections to other Baltic ports can be arranged, making Ystad an ideal starting point for a comprehensive Baltic Sea exploration.

Ystad's enchanting old town invites wanderers to explore its more than 300 half-timbered houses, with Stora Östergatan street offering particularly well-preserved examples dating back to the 16th century. History enthusiasts shouldn't miss the 13th-century Greyfriars Abbey (Klostret) or the distinctive St. Mary's Church where the night watchman still calls out from the tower. Culinary adventures await at harborside restaurants serving fresh-caught Baltic fish, particularly the local specialty of smoked eel. The nearby Sandskogen beach area provides a perfect natural escape just minutes from the ferry terminal. Fans of crime fiction can follow in the footsteps of fictional detective Kurt Wallander, whose stories are set in and around Ystad.

Ystad holds the distinction of having Sweden's oldest operating movie theater, Biografteatern Scala, which has been showing films since 1913. The town's medieval heritage includes a tradition where a night watchman still calls out from St. Mary's Church tower every night between 9:15 PM and 3:15 AM, a practice that has continued uninterrupted since the Middle Ages. Ystad's ferry connection to Poland was established in 1964, making it one of the longest-running regular Baltic Sea ferry routes. The town gained unexpected international fame as the setting for Henning Mankell's Kurt Wallander detective novels, bringing literary tourists from around the world to this otherwise quiet coastal community.