This small Swedish municipality, located 10 kilometers east of Malmö, has grown from a farming village into a residential area with 25,000 inhabitants since the 1960s.
Staffanstorp sits 10 kilometers east of Malmö and 20 kilometers west of Lund in Sweden’s Skåne County. Over 27,000 people live here, with grocery stores, schools, and parks spread across its residential areas. The town center, rebuilt in the 1990s, includes brick buildings with steep rooflines inspired by older Scanian farmhouses. From here, you can see Malmö’s Turning Torso skyscraper to the southwest and the decommissioned Barsebäck nuclear power plant to the north. Summer temperatures hover around 21°C, perfect for walking or biking through the flat farmland that stretches toward the Øresund Strait.
Staffanstorp's Town Center: 1990s Redesign Inspired by Scanian Architecture
Start your visit in the town center, where 1960s buildings were updated three decades later using New Urbanism ideas. Architects added timber accents, extra floors, and brick facades to mirror the style of traditional farmsteads from southern Sweden. Wide sidewalks connect shops selling everyday goods, with enough space for seasonal markets or small festivals. You’ll notice fewer crowds here compared to Malmö or Lund, creating a quieter atmosphere. Take time to spot details like the patterned brickwork on storefronts or the steeply angled roofs designed to shed snow.
Housing Exhibitions and Suburban Growth
In 1970, Staffanstorp organized Sweden’s first Housing Trade Show, attracting 100,000 visitors to tour 43 model homes. The event highlighted single-family houses with private gardens, shaping suburban development trends nationwide. A second exhibition in 1997 displayed 25 homes with updated layouts and energy-efficient designs. These projects helped establish the town as a place for testing new housing ideas. Today, neighborhoods like Hjärup, 4 kilometers west, consist mostly of detached houses with compact yards and tree-lined streets.
Education and Local Facilities
Three schools operate in Staffanstorp. Baldersskolan, located near the town center, teaches children aged 6 to 15 and changed its name in 2013. Hagalidskolan partners with Malmö FF, a professional football club, to run a sports-focused program. The Internationella Engelska Skolan opened in 2022, teaching 450 students in both Swedish and English. Public playgrounds and soccer fields are easy to find, but you’ll need to travel to Malmö for bike repairs or rentals. Buses run regularly to Malmö Central Station, taking about 20 minutes.
Nearby Cities and Transportation Links
Malmö lies 15 minutes southwest by car. There, you can visit Malmö Konsthall’s modern art exhibits or take photos of the twisting Turning Torso tower. Head northeast to Lund for its 12th-century cathedral and university libraries dating to the 1660s. The Øresund Bridge to Denmark is a 30-kilometer drive west, while ferries from Germany dock in Trelleborg, 45 minutes south. Regional trains connect Staffanstorp to Malmö’s central station, with buses departing every 30 minutes during peak times.
Weather and Year-Round Visits
Summer days here rarely exceed 21°C, with July and August being the warmest months. Bring a jacket for cooler evenings, even in summer. In winter, temperatures often drop below freezing, and light snowfall can cover the ground from December to March. Local ponds sometimes freeze enough for ice-skating, though conditions vary. The flat landscape works well for short bike rides, but you’ll need to rent bicycles in Malmö or Lund.
Visitor Resources and Accommodations
Check the town’s official website for event schedules and public service updates. Overnight options are limited—consider staying in Malmö or Lund, where hotels are more plentiful. Some residents list spare rooms or garden spaces for tents on hospitality platforms. Free Wi-Fi is available at the library and community center, which also has showers and laundry machines. Payment cards work at most businesses, but carry some Swedish kronor for small vendors. In medical emergencies, drive to Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, 20 minutes away.
