In the Hilleshögs dalar nature reserve, gently rolling hills and steep sandy slopes descend towards the Öresund. From there, you can enjoy views of the Sound and the island of Ven. The formation of the valley is also remarkable: a dead-ice depression probably formed during the Ice Age, while other parts were likely shaped by soil creep after the ice retreated.
Hiking and observing nature
The Sandbergen loop is 3.2 kilometres long and passes through grazed sand hills and green valleys in the nature reserve. A longer hike on the Skåneleden covers 13 kilometres: it leads from Landskrona through Hilleshögs dalar and Glumslövs backar to Rydebäck. You can choose between a shorter circular route and a longer trail that starts and ends in different places.
At LundĂĄkrabukten, you can watch birds from the birdwatching tower all year round. The gently flowing SaxĂĄn is rich in fish; species found there include perch, pike, ide and trout. These nature experiences offer different perspectives: here, the focus is on birds, while there it is on the water and its fish species.
GrĂĄen also brings nature and history together. The artificial island off Landskrona was created in the late 18th century to protect the harbour from military attacks. Today, only the powder tower from the early 19th century remains. The northern part of GrĂĄen has been a nature reserve since 1952; its ponds and ditches are home to grey herons and cormorants, among other species. To protect the birdlife, access to the nature reserve is prohibited from 15 March to 1 August. Check the current signs before your visit.
Museums, gardens and local history
At the Landskrona Museum, the exhibitions take you far back into the region’s history. “Människor som vi” features finds from excavations at the Tågerup settlement to show people who lived on the Swedish coast of Skåne 8,000 years ago. The “1413” exhibition uses archaeological finds, maps, music and an animated film to tell the story of how Landskrona came into being and what life in the town may have been like in the 15th century.
Citadellet offers a different historical perspective. Christian III of Denmark had it built between 1549 and 1559. It is considered the best-preserved 16th-century castle in the Nordic region and Sweden’s only surviving earthwork fortress. The grounds include a large playground, a café, studios belonging to local artists and an antiques shop.
At Citadellkolonierna, you’ll find historic cottages, green gardens and paths such as Lavendelstigen and Kärleksstigen. The cultural landscape reflects both Sweden’s defence history and the development of the allotment garden movement. Another distinctive feature is Rothoffska kolonin, Sweden’s only museum allotment. Its house, dating from 1903, is one of the area’s oldest surviving cottages and is furnished as it would have been in the early 20th century; a small exhibition tells the story of the allotment and the Rothoff family.
You can also discover art outdoors: the sculpture park by Landskrona Konsthall features 20 works by 19 artists. The Konsthall’s atrium courtyard is also home to a Japanese garden created by Ulla Mohlin in 1989. At the Kaptensgårdens sculpture park, you can stroll among the works in the green surroundings of Slottsparken. A printed and a digital map show the locations and names of all the artworks.
More discoveries along the way
On Ven, the Tycho Brahe Museum stands on the site of Tycho Brahe’s late 16th-century research centre, which included a castle and an underground observatory. The museum offers a guided tour of Uraniborg, Stjärneborg and the surrounding castle garden, with replicas of instruments and original objects. Check the current tour times before your visit. The museum also includes a reconstructed Renaissance garden featuring 200 known 16th-century garden plants.
Ven is accessible by ferry from Landskrona. After arriving, you can rent various types of bicycles, including tandems and bikes with trailers or child seats; models with different numbers of gears are also available. Check ferry connections and bicycle availability before travelling. For cycling routes on the mainland, the Sydkustleden passes through central Landskrona; the route between the town centre and the fishing village of Borstahusen runs right by the sea.
Saxtorpsskogen has trails ranging from 0.5 to 5 kilometres. Two short circular trails have been designed especially for children, combining play with nature experiences. The nature reserve is also open for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. On stage 9 of the SkĂĄneleden SL5 Ă–resund, the trail passes through Saxtorpsskogen and by a shelter that is suitable for a rest or an overnight stay. The range of trail lengths and activities gives you specific pointers when deciding what kind of nature experience suits your interests.
Discover more destinations: Härslöv, Glumslöv, Sankt Ibb, Landskrona, Kyrkbacken, Annelöv, Häljarp, Höganäs.
Back to the main travel guide: SkĂĄne.
