Founded in 1614 by King Christian IV of Denmark, Kristianstad is a historic garrison town in southern Sweden. It was originally designed to protect the Danish province of Scania from Swedish raids and has developed into a vibrant commercial city, as well as an administrative hub for the Skåne Regional Council.
Things to do in Kristianstad
A short walk from the Kristianstad railway station is the Naturum Water Kingdom Visitor Centre, which is perched atop stilts overlooking the river. It houses exhibits about the biosphere reserve and an Opteryx simulator that takes you below the water’s surface. On the second floor is a laid-back bistro boasting views across the meadows.
Kristianstad makes an excellent base for visiting Bäckaskog Slott, which is surrounded by a castle park on the shore of Ivö Lake. It was originally built as a monastery in the 13th century and was converted into a castle in 1640. Enjoy a fine-dining meal in the on-site restaurant before stretching your legs along one of the scenic trails that wind through the Kjuge Kull nature reserve.
If you’re a fan of vodka, you can visit Absolut Home, which is housed within the Åhus Villa. It tells the story of how a vodka from southern Sweden became one of the world’s largest spirit brands, with the help of its founder, L.O. Smith. Learn how different production methods affect vodka’s quality and taste before trying your hand at making vodka cocktails.
Getting around Kristianstad
Kristianstad Airport is a 15-minute drive from the city centre and has regular flights to Stockholm. The much larger Malmö Airport is just over an hour away. Regular trains connect to the Kristianstad railway station and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Kristianstad can easily be explored on foot.