Trelleborg on the Baltic Sea: History, Art and Coast

Trelleborg is regarded as a historic coastal town on the southern coast of Skåne on the Baltic Sea. The oldest parts of the town lie around Gamla Torget, while the harbour was expanded in the 1860s. The railway and the shipping connection with Germany later provided further impetus for the town’s development.

History and Culture

Trelleborgen is an open-air museum in the centre of Trelleborg. One quarter of the present-day fortress was built in the heart of the modern town at its original location. “The Fortress by the Sea” displays archaeological finds alongside reconstructed objects from Viking-era Söderslätt. Trelleborgen also offers guided tours and various events; during the activities available there, visitors can experience portrayals that convey what life was like for the Vikings.

The Trelleborg Museum dedicates its permanent exhibitions to the prehistory of Söderslätt and the industrial history of Trelleborg. It also presents temporary exhibitions focusing on art and cultural history. Axel Ebbes Konsthall displays studies and original plaster models by Axel Ebbe, as well as designs for public sculptures and monuments.

Historical buildings include Sandmöllan, Trelleborg’s only surviving windmill. It has been preserved as a post mill dating from the 17th century.

Events and Townscape

The Battle of Trelleborgen is a Viking event featuring a market, demonstrations, music, crafts and Viking games. Palmfestivalen has taken place on the last weekend of August since 1976. In summer, Palmtåget runs daily between Trelleborg’s attractions. The free hop-on hop-off train connects these stops during the warmer months.

The Konstvandra urban art walk leads to statues and works of art in Trelleborg’s streets and squares. Alongside the museums and historic sites, this also brings public art into the townscape.

Coast and Nature

Dalabadet is a seaside bathing area on the outskirts of Trelleborg. The beach area there includes a sandy shore and large lawns. Maglarps sandtag, a municipal nature reserve, is located in the surroundings of Trelleborg. Many solitary bees can be found there, and sand martins nest in the sand wall. A marked path leads to a viewing point for sand martins.

East of the harbour of Skåre, in the surroundings of Trelleborg, there is an underwater nature trail for snorkelling. Albäcksskogen has a lit 5-kilometre training track and several attractive paths.

Cycling Routes and Transport

The main route of the national Sydkustleden cycle path passes through Trelleborg. The Sverigeleden cycle path begins on Kontinentgatan opposite Trelleborg Central Station. Trains run from Trelleborg to Malmö, Lund and Helsingborg; during much of the day, services operate every 30 minutes.

Trelleborg can be reached by car, public transport or ferry.

Local Area

Trelleborgs badhus has a café where visitors can buy fika. The swimming facility also has a heated pool with an adjustable depth of up to 1.5 metres. In the surroundings of Trelleborg, Hallongården offers a farm shop with raspberry products and a café specialising in berry treats. In summer, visitors can pick their own berries there.

Other local destinations include Alstad, Böste Trelleborg, Anderslöv, Beddingestrand, Gislöv, Smygehamn, Trelleborg, Bosarp, Klagstorp and Svedala.

For the higher-level travel overview: Skåne.