There’s Something Special in Skåne Sweden
Coastal Torekov is a Town Worth Your Time
(Originally posted June 2015, updated September 2018)
Slated with a day off from work and school, we as proper Gustafsons of some long forgotten Swedish heritage, took to the road and headed straight for our Scandi neighbor – beautiful Sweden. We are lucky to have friends from Oregon that live in the little beachy town of Torekov on the water in the lovely Skåne region of southern Sweden.
It wasn’t our first trip to Torekov, our first back in January when it was a little colder and darker. Like most Scandinavian summer towns, Torekov is quiet and sleepy in the winter. Shift forward five months, add a powerful dose of extended daily light growing quickly towards midsommer celebrations late June and you’ll find fields full of brilliant yellow rapeseed and trees flaunting fresh verdant foliage against blue blue blue skies. Suddenly, southern Sweden is the place to be.
HOW TO GET TO TOREKOV
From Copenhagen, Torekov is an easy two hour drive. We choose to drive north to Helsingnør (home of Hamlet’s castle) for the quick Scandilines ferry across to Helsingborg, Sweden. Only twenty minutes for the passage. Barely enough time to head up to the passenger deck for a quick treat or duty-free stop, before disembarking.
NOTE: Buying tickets online will save money on the crossing. Plan your return ahead of time and save a little more.
The town of Helsingborg on the Swedish side tempts us as we drive through – the perfect mix of castles and class and I vow to myself that, next time I will build in a Swedish fika stop at one of those cute outdoor cafes on the water! But we’re keeping on and in under an hour from Helsingborg, we arrive in cute little Torekov. As popular with visitors by sea as it is by land, Torekov’s harbor fills up with boats and tourists at the peak of summer. Tourism has not hit full stride yet, but being a sunny day in early June, it was a perfect contrast to our winter’s day excursion earlier this year.
GET OUT ON THE WATER IN TOREKOV
To take advantage of the water and get out on our own boat (of sorts) we grabbed tickets for the boat ride on the M/S Nanny from Torekov to Hallands Väderö – a wee island nature preserve. Buy your tickets right on the Torekov Harbor.
In 2018, the boat runs from 2 July to 28 October.
2 July – 12 August 2018
Boats daily:
Torekovs Harbor: 09.00* (*min 8 pers), 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 15.00, 16.00
Sand Harbor (Väderö): 10.20, 11.20, 12.20, 14.20, 15.20, 16.20, 17.20
13 August – 2 September 2018
Boats daily:
Torekovs Harbor: 10.00* (* minst 8 personer), 11.00, 12.00, 14.00
Sand Harbor (Väderö): 11.20**, 12.20, 14.20, 16.20
8 September – 28 October 2018
Boats depart: Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
Torekovs Harbor: 10.00, 12.00
Sand Harbor (Väderö): 12.20, 15.20
TICKETS:
Adults: 140 SEK
Children 6-14: 70 SEK
Dogs: FREE
There is a little kiosk café open on the island only when summer crowds are larger, so it was lucky that we had packed a picnic lunch. Everyone was happy with fresh local bakery rolls filled with various deli meats, cheese, plus snacks, Swedish cookies, apples and some saft (a juice drink concentrate that you mix with water common in Scandinavia.) The boat trip takes about as long as the Helsingør-Helsingborg ferry crossing, but on a pristine day after months of grey and rain and dark, it is delightful and you will witness many faces turned toward the sun filling up on much coveted Vitamin D.
WHAT TO DO ON THE ISLAND
Still being relegated to crutches, I was grateful for my husband’s resourcefulness in fashioning a “rickshaw” of sorts out of one of the free-to-borrow carts at the boat let off. The island is well-known for bird-watching and nature hikes, but we didn’t stray far from the shore, carving out a perfect spot in the sun for our picnic, stone skipping and Swedish crabbing. Fun for the kids and reminiscent of our Oregon roots (we regularly crab on the Oregon Coast for delicious Dungeness crabs).
RELATED: CRABBING ON THE OREGON COAST
The Swedish technique, a little different, requires plastic clothespins tied to a length of string. Pinch the bait (we used Swedish meatballs of course) in the pin and gently lower it down near the rocks or sea grass – when the wee rock crabs emerge and can be seen nibbling your bait, slowly and carefully pull them up! It’s all catch and release, but good fun for the kids. I couldn’t help but be reminded of my outings with cousins on the South Carolina shore off Hunting Island – using chicken bits tied to string and luring crabs in to scoop them up in our net. I was about the same age as my daughter and happy that she is forming her own water-logged memories here in Sweden.
“We could drive out to the ocean and just stare in awe.”
– Swedish Folk Duo First Aid Kit
The M/S Nanny makes a return voyage every couple hours – make sure you don’t miss the last one back or you will be camping on the island or swimming! While the wee lass and her friends did brave the Baltic waters, I am waiting for a little warmer day’s motivation for my dip. As you putter back to the Torekov Harbor, the classic white church steeple rises pristine above the town like a beacon beckoning you back.
Still craving the kiosk ice cream that we missed on the island, the little harbor offers several outdoor options sure to please littles and adults alike. A cold beer or glass of rosé in the sun watching the people go by and happy that children, faces still smacking of melty sweet goodness, are comfortable exploring the harbor’s landlocked ship or pulling shrimp from the water. Mouthwatering smells of slow-smoked barbeque emerging from Moby’s Shack definitively sell a return visit to sweet wee Torekov harbor. Good friends and good weather always a bonus! Cheers from Sweden!
Moby’s Shack | Torekov Harbor
SOAK UP THE NEARBY NATURE
One of the best things about visiting the Skåne region is the access to nature. From the coast to the forests, there is something for everyone. Sweden has a law called Allemansrätten that gives the right of public access to every man, woman and child. Everyone. Directly translated, it means everyman’s right. More familiarly known here as outdoor access rights or freedom to roam. Roam where you want to, as long as it doesn’t invade private space or agricultural lands. That means that you have the right to walk, hike, bike, ski or camp on any land in Sweden. That is cool. For more details where you can hike, picnic and roast hot dogs or marshmallows – outside – read this related post:
READ MORE: FALL IN SOUTHERN SWEDEN AND EVERYMAN’S RIGHT TO ROAM
DRIVE UP THE ROAD TO BÅSTAD | HOME OF THE SWEDISH OPEN
Pronounced like “boa-stah” in Swedish, Båstad is another harbor town and home to the Swedish Open. Bjorn Börg is big here as you can imagine. You can stay here and explore Torekov or vice versa. I prefer the quieter charm of Torekov, but Båstad is a little more bustling. Just a little. Especially when it’s time for tennis. And you aren’t interested in court activities, steer clear come mid-July when tons and tons of tennis lovers are in town.
Where to eat in Båstad
Fiskekajen
Hamnplan, 269 33 Båstad, Sweden
Order and eat outside on the harbor. Delicious fish soup, classic Swedish meatballs and crispbread (called knäckebröd) bigger than your head.
WHERE TO STAY IN TOREKOV/BÅSTAD
We have been lucky enough to stay with friends as well as tested the self-catering cottages at First Camp Torekov. Clean, modern and charming with activities for the kids, a snack shop and bicycles to rent.
Torekov Hotell
Själaviksvägen 2, 26978 Torekov, Sweden
Well-regarded modern hotel and spa right in town.
First Camp Torekov
Flymossavägen 5, 260 93 Torekov, Sweden
Self-catering clean and cozy cottages walking distance to the beach and town.
Hovs Hallar Hotel
Hovshallavägen 160, 269 91 Båstad, Sweden
Between Torekov and the nearby Båstad, a Best Western “Sure Hotel,” Hovs Hallar sits near the water.
Hotel Riveria Strand in nearby Båstad
Rivieravägen 33, 269 39 Båstad, Sweden
For something a bit more swanky, but still family-friendly – Hotel Riveria Strand offers spa and Baltic bathing.
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I really, really love Sweden! Can’t wait to go back. Geoff is 100% Swedish and I’m about 50% give or take!
I have NO idea why my comment posted from Megan. This is Amy Anderson!
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The shades of blue in these photos are just amazing 🙂 You obviously were very lucky with the sunny weather!
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Looks beautiful. We are planning a trip to Sweden his summer so on the look out for inspiration! Thanks for providing some #mondayescapes
Sweden is beautiful in the summer! I am dying to make a trip through the archipelago near Stockholm too! Thanks for reading – cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
So many gorgeous places to see there ! X
I visited Stockholm this year:) Sweden’s got a lot more interesting places, I’d love to see more:) nice post! #monday escapes
Thanks for reading Tanja! Sweden is amazing. Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
I haven’t yet visited south Sweden but your photos remind me that I should be planning a trip there. Beautiful country!
It really is beautiful! Especially in the summer! Thanks for stopping by and following Oregon Girl – cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
Ooh Erin – I need your help (again!). I am wanting to plan a 2 week scandinavian road trip for around this time next year. How to fit it all in? This all looks fabulous and I do love how you describe the “swedish technique” for crabbing.
Yes – let’s chat! You thinking Sweden? Norway? Some Denmark I hope too? All of it is amazing this time of year! Cheers, Erin
All of the above! I shall need to prioritise ?
The town and its surroundings look very charming. I would love to experience those Scandinavian long summer days. This summer I want to visit as many National Parks as possible but I guess I have to leave room for the beach.
Ruth – thanks for stopping by! I can highly recommend taking advantage of those long Scandinavian summer days – in Denmark, Sweden or Norway! Enjoy the National Parks this summer – where are you heading to? We adore Zion N.P., Arches N.P. and Mesa Verde N.P. – great year to do it with the NPS 100th Anniversary! Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
What a fantastic spot! #MondayEscapes
Kate | http://www.petiteadventures.org/
I so want to go to Sweden! You’re so lucky it’s not too far from you! Stunnign – Torekov looks like what I imagine Sweden to be like! Love your rickshaw 🙂 Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes
Yes – I do feel lucky we’ve been to Sweden several times! It is lovely! Cheers – Erin
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Looks like a beautiful area to visit when there is extended daylight and warmer weather! Sad to hear you were in crutches! What happened? Thank goodness you have a handy-dandy husband! #FarawayFiles
Haha! I broke my ankle when we first moved here – welcome to Denmark – and had to have three surgeries and was on crutches for three months!! Yes – thankful for handy husband indeed!
Omgosh, well thank goodness you’re fine now! Never let a good traveler down!
Sounds like I need to take my kids to Sweden. They love to just roam free. Torekov looks and sounds lovely. #farawayfiles
The Swedes now how to raise their kids – lots of focus on outdoor time, foraging and exploring. I love it!
You had me confused with the whole crutches thing, til I noticed that dates of the replies. Every time I go to Kronborg the ferry is just leaving, and we kick ourselves for not remembering our passports. Have not made it to Sweden but now yo have given us a destination. Another beautiful article Erin, thank you for sharing on #farawayfiles
Looks like a really peaceful relaxing place. I’ve never visited Sweden, I really should give it more thought, I’m sure my boys would enjoy the lifestyle, as I would! #farawayfiles
Looks beautiful – what a lovely part of the world to be in #farawayfiles
Looks like a beautiful weekend. Loving that makeshift rickshaw. We have yet to make it to the Scandinavian countries, but hoping to make it this summer as we are planning an extended stay in Europe. #farawayfiles
Scandinavia is Fantastisk in summer (that’s Danish for fantastic!)
I’m sure you realise by now how much I’d absolutely LOVE to visit here! What a wonderful idea for a day trip. I really must go to Sweden one day. I really fancy it. #FarawayFiles
What a lovely weekend! I love that you went crabbing with meatballs! The crispbread looks a lot like a round piece of matzoh. The more I read about your Scandi life the more I feel I need to get to this part of the world.
I was considering visiting Skåne late spring this year, but realised I had too little time for a short break from Oslo. Will head over there one day 🙂 #farawayfiles
Torekov looks beautiful, lovely place to escape to. I used to enjoy crabbing when I was a kid as well, great memories.
The fish stew looks delicious #farawayfiles
I LOVE those Swedish meatballs. No other nation has quite nailed the meatball like Sweden has. I love those knäckebröd too! Looks like it was a great weekend, I really need to see more of that part of the world. #farawayfiles
My friend lives in Lund and I absolutely will visit her one day! I couldn’t see exactly where Torekov was on the map but it sounds like a great place to visit and I’m guessing isn’t that far away. Might wait for summer though! #farawayfiles
Lund is really cute too! Torekov is a little over an hour north.
Torekov looks so pretty and it’s surprisingly close to Denmark! Pinning for inspirations & our next summers, loving the crabbing and the looks of that fish soup and crispy bread! #farawayfiles
It’s super family friendly!
What a beautiful time of year to visit – it’s everything I imagine Sweden to be in the summer! It’s great that it’s so close to visit from your home. Thanks for sharing the crabbing process! It’s not something I’ve ever done myself but have read about in your blog so it’s good to understand how you do it! I just love Scandinavia so much – especially these gorgeous wee fishing towns that fill up with boats in the summer. #farawayfiles
Torekov looks idyllic – indeed a place to enjoy a good summer weekend, to forget one’s worries for a while but enjoy sweet moments with good friends, good food and natural Vitamin D! 🙂 #FarawayFiles
What a great place to have friends to stay with! 😉
Looks like a lovely little place, I wonder if my other half would take me around in one of those little carts too! #FarawayFiles
Haha! It wasn’t as lush as it looked. 😉 A little bumpy on the bum!
I really need to visit more of Sweden other than Stockholm #farawayfiles
I live in Torekov during the summer and in Florida during the winter. Hovs Hallar is mentioned and that is where I eat. In Florida I eat at a place called Crabby Bill’s. Helsingborg is also mentioned and that is where I am born. I enjoyed reading this.
Lucky you Lars! What a lovely place to spend your summer. We love little Torekov! Thanks for your comment and cheers from Copenhagen.
That you very much. I live at Kabyssgränd in Torekov, come and see me.