Trelleborg

From Viking fortress to sleepy port - still keeping Danes at bay

A calm port town in southern Sweden with a medieval fortress along its coast. Locals swim at the beach in summer, and the market sells smoked herring and handmade crafts.

3.7
out of 5

Trelleborg is Sweden's southernmost town, where you can take a ferry to Germany or Poland across the Baltic Sea. Watch blacksmiths forge iron at the reconstructed Viking fortress Trelleborgen, swim at any of the sandy beaches along the 35-kilometer coastline, or examine life-sized Viking Age figures at the town museum. Look for the harbor statue at Smygehuk - a bronze figure modeled after Uma Thurman's grandmother - or walk along the palm tree-lined entrance road, an unexpected sight in this Swedish coastal town.

Viking Fortress Museum

At Trelleborgen Viking fortress in central Trelleborg, you can explore a reconstructed medieval farm, longhouse, and pit houses with an active blacksmith forge. From June to August, try Viking games, watch metalworking demonstrations, and practice archery daily between 10:00 and 17:00. During the July Viking festival, merchants sell traditional crafts while warriors demonstrate battle techniques. Adult admission costs 60 SEK, and children enter free.

Museums and Art

The Trelleborg Museum's "Öga mot öga" (Eye to Eye) exhibition includes life-sized reconstructions of Viking Age people, including a traveling merchant and the Queen from Vemmerlöv. You'll find sculptor Axel Ebbe's works throughout the town's squares and parks. At Trelleborgen, the "Borgen vid havet" exhibition displays archaeological items from the Vendel and Viking ages, with multimedia presentations explaining daily life during these periods.

Coastal Activities and Parks

Walk, swim, or sunbathe along the municipality's 35 kilometers of sandy coastline. The town has multiple sports fields and a golf club. Near the water at Smygehuk harbour, you'll spot the 1930 bronze statue of Birgit Holmquist against the Baltic Sea background. The western entrance road has a row of palm trees creating a Mediterranean feel - though local gardeners move them inside from October to April to prevent frost damage.

Ferry Connections to Europe

Take a ferry from the Continental Bridge terminal to Germany or Poland on any of six different ferry lines. This port, Sweden's second-largest after Gothenburg, handles more than 10 million metric tonnes of cargo each year. Passenger ferries have connected Trelleborg to mainland Europe since 1897, starting with the first steamer service to Sassnitz. During both World Wars, the port served as a transfer point for prisoners of war and wounded soldiers.

Average temperatures during the day in Trelleborg.
December
3°
Jan
2°
Feb
3°
Mar
6°
Apr
11°
May
17°
Jun
20°
Jul
21°
Aug
21°
Sep
18°
Oct
13°
Nov
7°

What people say about Trelleborg

3.7

Articles about Sweden

Image of Bucket list for Sweden - The places you have to visit
Image of Bucket list for Sweden - The places you have to visit

Bucket list for Sweden - The places you have to visit

October 2023,
Sweden is a beautiful country with plenty of unique experiences to offer. Here are some suggestions for your perfect bucket list for Sweden. This country really offers some unique experiences that wil
Image of National parks in Sweden, Nordic nature
Image of National parks in Sweden, Nordic nature

National parks in Sweden, Nordic nature

February 2024,
Interest in Swedish nature skyrocketed during the pandemic, with most nature tourism businesses quickly fully booked. Nature walks, forest bathing, and various courses where people spend time in natur
Image of Bucket list-worthy places in the Nordics
Image of Bucket list-worthy places in the Nordics

Bucket list-worthy places in the Nordics

December 2023,
The Nordics is a beautiful region in Northern Europe consisting of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Iceland. These five countries are some of the world's safest, most peaceful, and most prosperou
Image of The most beautiful national parks in the world
Image of The most beautiful national parks in the world

The most beautiful national parks in the world

November 2024,
National parks are unique in several ways, about 15% of all land and 8% of all water in the world is protected. National parks are protected pockets of nature that offers a unique opportunity for bot
Image of Where to see the Northern Lights: The ultimate guide
Image of Where to see the Northern Lights: The ultimate guide

Where to see the Northern Lights: The ultimate guide

October 2023,
Humbling experience Traveling to see the Northern Lights is worth every mile, every hour on the road or in the air. Imagine standing under the dark sky, surrounded by silence, when suddenly the black
Image of The 20 happiest cities in the world
Image of The 20 happiest cities in the world

The 20 happiest cities in the world

November 2024,
This is a list of the top 20 happiest cities in the world according the World Happiness Report which is based on data from 160+ countries. The Nordics and Oceania are heavily over-represented, but the
Image of The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe
Image of The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe

The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe

December 2023,
In the midst of European explorations, some cities remain less frequented by the throng of tourists yet hold an abundance of cultural wealth, natural beauty, and a compelling history. This guide aims
Image of The World’s Most Stunning Hikes
Image of The World’s Most Stunning Hikes

The World’s Most Stunning Hikes

October 2023,
Are you an avid hiker looking for a challenge? Look no further than some of the world's most incredible trails! From the breathtakingly beautiful landscape of Torres del Paine in Chile's Patagonia to
Popular on Humbo right now
Humbo™AboutVisitedBucket listSustainable travelPrivacyTerms