Things to do in Åhus – 10 tips for attractions and experiences

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | Åhus in northeastern Skåne is a charming little town with medieval quarters, fine sandy beaches and a very own ice cream history. The world-famous Absolut Vodka is also produced here, and along the coast old traditions of eel fishing and eel feasting live on. We have visited Åhus on several occasions and discovered both the city's attractions and the lovely beaches in the surroundings.

Things to do in Åhus – our best tips

Åhus is located at the mouth of the Helge ås river, about twenty kilometers southeast of Kristianstad. The town is a popular destination in the summer, but the old town center is also worth a visit at other times of the year. Here are our tips for things to see and do in Åhus, with some excursions along the coast.

1. Stroll through Åhus's old quarter

One of the nicest things to do in Åhus is to stroll through the old town center. Here you will find cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, old brick buildings and small alleys that remind you that Åhus has a long history.

We visited the center on a sunny day in May and really enjoyed the small-scale environment. It's the kind of place where you can wander around without a specific plan, looking at the buildings and discovering details along the way.

A somewhat unexpected part of Åhus' history is tobacco farming. Tobacco was once grown in many places in the area, and in Åhus there is still an old tobacco barn that reminds us of that time.

2. Visit St. Mary's Church

In the middle of Åhus lies the Church of St. Mary, one of the town's most important historical buildings. The oldest parts of the church date back to the Middle Ages, and it is well worth a closer look.

We went into the church during our visit and were captivated by the richly decorated altar. There is also an interesting mix of old and new, with elements of modern art and design from the area. The church is located right next to the square and is therefore a good place to visit during a walk through the city center.

3. Discover Åhus' medieval history

Åhus is one of Sweden's best preserved medieval towns. During the Middle Ages, the town was an important trading post, and there are still traces of the town's former importance today. At Stora Torg, Åhus Museum is located in the old medieval town hall. There is a city history exhibition with archaeological finds that tell the story of life in Åhus in the past. The museum is open in the summer and admission is free.

There are also remains of the city walls, a monastery ruin and other medieval remains to discover. For those who want to delve into history, there is a special walk through medieval Åhus. Although we especially enjoyed strolling around among the old houses, it is fascinating to think about how much history is gathered in the small town.

4. Stroll along the harbor and quay

Åhus is located where the Helge River flows into Hanö Bay, and the harbor is a natural part of the town's life. There are boats, restaurants and ice cream parlors, and during the summer there can be plenty of people walking along the quays.

When we were here in May, the spring sunshine had brought out many people. We walked along the water, looked at the boats and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. The harbor area is also a good place to sit for a while, perhaps with an ice cream in hand.

5. Eat ice cream in Åhus

Åhus is truly an ice cream place! Ice cream has been made here since the mid-20th century, and the local ice cream history lives on through Otto & Glassfabriken. The company has its roots in the former Åhus Glass, and Otto Albrektsson started his own ice cream business in 2002. Ottoglass is known for its cream ice cream and freshly baked waffle cones, among other things.

However, we chose to eat ice cream at the Ice Cream Boat in the harbor, which serves Engelholms ice cream. Sitting on a big boat and eating ice cream in the sunshine felt just right at that moment! The Ice Cream Boat has become something of an institution in Åhus, and next time we will make sure to try the local Otto ice cream as well.

6. Enjoy the sandy beaches of Åhus

Åhus is also a classic seaside resort with long sandy beaches along Hanö Bay. One of the most well-known is Carpet beach, which is located close to the community and attracts many bathers during the summer. On the other side of the river mouth is Aspen, where the beach environment has a calmer character. There is also a nature reserve with pine forest and rich bird life.

We have also explored the beaches further south, when we visited friends who live in New houses. There are fantastically beautiful sandy beaches, and our friends also took us to a more secluded spot with large sand dunes. It was truly a wonderful beach! But since our friends seemed to want to keep their favorite spot to themselves, we won't reveal exactly where it is. Some secrets have to be respected!

7. Get to know Åhus as the hometown of vodka

Åhus is known far beyond Sweden's borders thanks to Absolut Vodka, which is produced here. The town has a long tradition of spirits production, and Absolut has become one of Sweden's most internationally known brands.

For many years, visitors could learn more about the production and the history of the brand at the Absolut Home visitor center, which hosted guided tours and cocktail experiences.

However, Absolut Home closed to the public in 2024, so it is no longer an attraction that you can book a regular tourist visit to. The connection between Åhus and Absolut Vodka is still an important part of the town's history and identity.

We have visited the former Absolut Home visitor center ourselves and followed a guided tour, cocktail workshop and factory visit. Please read our report from Absolut Home, which we have saved as a historical document.

8. Discover the eel fishing and eel guild of the Ål Coast

Åhus is located on the so-called Ålakusten (Eel Coast), which stretches along Hanö Bay south towards Stenshuvud. Eel fishing has been an important part of life here for many generations.

Along the coast are traditional eel huts, where fishermen used to store their gear and work with their catches. The local culture also includes eel feasts, festive meals where eel is served in several different ways. The eel feasts have become a well-known Skåne tradition, and the special eel fishing culture along the coast is included in Sweden's list of living cultural heritage.

At the same time, the European eel is now critically endangered. Recreational fishing for eel is prohibited in Sweden, and commercial fishing is subject to special permits and restrictions. The eel coast is therefore not only a story about food and fishing, but also about a cultural heritage that needs to be related to today's nature conservation.

9. Go to a flea market in Åhus or Yngsjö

A somewhat unexpected experience during one of our summer stays in the area was a visit to a flea market in Skåne. We have of course been to flea markets before, but never really experienced anything like this!

There was a set start time and a gate that would open on the dot. When the time came, people started running towards the flea market tables to be the first to find the bargains! We were quite surprised, but of course we thought it was a lot of fun to be a part of this. And we managed to capture the excited start on film!

Flea markets seem to be a popular phenomenon in the area. Among other things, Lions organize flea markets in Åhus, and Yngsjö IF has regular flea markets at the sports field. So if you like to find a bargain, it might be worth keeping an eye out for a flea market during your visit. But we can't promise that all flea markets will start with the same rush!

10. Experience summer life and beach events in Åhus

There is a lot going on in Åhus during the summer. The town is particularly known for its major sporting events on the beach, including Åhus Beach Handball and Åhus Beach Football.

During the events, parts of the beach area are transformed into a lively meeting place with matches, spectators and activities. Even for those who are not participating, it can be fun to experience the atmosphere.

There are also concerts, markets and other events in Åhus throughout the year, so anyone planning a visit should check the local events calendar to see what's going on.

Excursions near Åhus

There is also much to discover outside Åhus itself. South along the coast lie Yngsjö and Nyehusen, where we have enjoyed the beautiful beaches and visited friends, among other things.

In Nyehusen there is also the small restaurant Pia's Kitchen, which we have visited before. It is a very special restaurant experience, with limited seating and an ambitious menu. You need to book in advance.

Another excursion is Kristianstad, about twenty kilometers from Åhus, where you can discover both the city's attractions and the nature of Kristianstad's Water Kingdom. If you want to experience more nature, there is also Forsakar at Degeberga, with its deep ravine and waterfalls. Check which trails and viewpoints are available before your visit.

Read also – more experiences nearby

• Ivön and Bäckaskog Castle
• Cocoon meetings
• Kronovall Castle