Kristianstads Vattenrike has 21 visitor sites with bird towers, boardwalks and open-air museums. You can get to know the landscape from different perspectives: from a tower, along boardwalks or on an outdoor visit. Naturum Vattenriket is the gateway to the biosphere reserve. As a centre for nature interpretation and learning, it stands on stilts in the water. At the Opteryx simulator, three journeys take you either beneath the water’s surface or high above the Vattenriket landscape. The annual programme also offers a range of ways to explore: it includes around 500 activities, including qigong and bat safaris.

Birds and Coastal Landscapes

Just south of the harbour in Åhus, the Äspet nature reserve lies along the coast. Its shallow lagoon attracts many nesting and resting birds. Two bird towers and the Äspet Outdoor Museum are located beside the Snickarhaken car park. If you enjoy birdwatching, you’ll find several specific places to visit in this coastal area.

Kristianstad Municipality has 42 kilometres of coastline, eight sea bathing sites and eight bathing sites at inland lakes. In Åhus, long sandy beaches are part of the townscape, alongside a medieval town centre, a well-equipped guest harbour and numerous cultural heritage sites. This combination of coast and history gives the town a different character from the wetlands of Vattenriket.

Exploring on Foot and on the Water

At Degeberga backar, the landscape is shaped by calcareous sandy grassland, which provides a habitat for specialised plants and animals. Two hiking trails are 1.2 and 2.2 kilometres long. This lets you choose a route to suit the distance you want to cover. Features described along the trails include the viewpoint at Söndre klack and a path alongside Forsakarsbäcken. Another natural setting is the Forsakarsravinen nature reserve: this popular excursion destination is a fairytale-like valley shaded by beech trees, with one of the highest waterfalls in Skåne.

The Skåneleden SL6 Vattenriket is 190 kilometres long in total and runs from Simontorp in northeastern Skåne to Brösarp on Österlen. Within Kristianstad Municipality, it passes through or close to 18 nature reserves, 14 of which are in Vattenriket. The distinction between trails that pass through a reserve and those that run nearby is important. Nature-oriented day trips by canoe or kayak are also offered on the Helge å, taking you through urban landscapes, wet meadows and coastal waters.

There’s plenty of choice for cycling too: Kristianstad Municipality has seven local cycling routes. They mostly follow car-free cycle paths and quiet country roads. Check the latest route information before setting out.

Art, Film and Local History

Kristianstads konsthall presents solo and group exhibitions of contemporary art, often accompanied by talks and activities with artists. The art gallery is housed in a former post office dating from 1917, designed by architect Erik Lallerstedt. The building’s former purpose and its present-day use as an exhibition space bring together architectural history and contemporary art.

Filmmuseet preserves Sweden’s first film studio, restored and retained in its original condition from 1909. The exhibition focuses on events and people from Kristianstad who shaped the early history of feature films, and displays historical cameras and other film equipment. At Åhus museum, numerous archaeological finds offer insights into medieval life in Åhus. Järnvägsmuseet Kristianstad presents railway history and gives an impression of rail travel and railway settings from earlier times.

A Swimming Pool as Another Option

Kristianstads badrike has training pools, a diving pool with a diving tower, a large family pool with slides and a relaxation area with several types of sauna. The facility is in southern Näsby, about 1.4 kilometres from Kristianstad centre, and can be reached on foot, by bicycle, bus or car. As facilities and transport connections can change, check the latest information before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Arkelstorp, Degeberga, Fjälkinge, Färlöv, Gärds Köpinge, Kristianstad, Tollarp, Yngsjö, Åhus, Önnestad, Barum, Linderöd, Maglehem, Vånga, Huaröd, Everöd, Östra Sönnarslöv.

For the main travel overview: Skåne.