Things to do in Kristianstad – 13 attractions and experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | Kristianstad is a historic city in northeastern Skåne, with beautiful buildings, nice restaurants and a unique wetland landscape right next to the city center. There are also plenty of opportunities to make excursions to castles, waterfalls and charming coastal communities.

Things to do in Kristianstad – our best tips

We have visited Kristianstad several times – sometimes with a camper van or to meet friends and once on a press trip – and we are happy to return. Here we recommend 13 attractions and experiences, from the city's historic quarter and the exciting Vattenriket to Åhus, Ivön and other excursion destinations in the surrounding area.

1. Discover Kristianstad's historic city center

Kristianstad was founded in 1614 by the Danish King Christian IV, who wanted to build a strong fortified city in what was then Danish Skåne. The city was built with a regular street grid and was surrounded by fortifications and moats. It was not until 1658 that Kristianstad became Swedish, along with the rest of Skåne.

Today, Kristianstad is a pleasant city to walk in, with wide boulevards, squares and historic buildings. For example, start at Stora Torg and continue at random through the city center. Although much has changed since the time of Christian IV, traces of the city's history still remain.

2. Visit the Holy Trinity Church

One of Kristianstad's most impressive buildings is the Church of the Holy Trinity, which was built on the initiative of Christian IV and inaugurated in 1628. The church is usually considered one of the Nordic countries' foremost examples of Renaissance architecture.

We think the church is well worth a visit, not least for the bright and spacious interior. There are beautiful details and a magnificent organ facade from the 17th century. The church is also located right in the center, so it is easy to peek in during a city walk.

3. Experience Naturum Vattenriket

Naturum Vattenriket is one of our favorite places in Kristianstad. The special building stands on stilts out in the water, right next to the city center, and the location alone makes the visit a little different.

Inside Naturum there are exhibitions about nature, animals and life in Kristianstad's Water Kingdom. When we were here we tried out Opteryx, an experience where the visitor can take a virtual journey through the landscape. A visit here is simply a fun way to get to know the area and understand why the wetlands are so special.

4. Stroll in Tivoli Park

Right next to the Helge River is Tivoli Park, one of Kristianstad's green oases. There are large trees, lawns, walking paths and beautiful plantings. It's a nice place if you want to take a walk or sit on a bench for a while.

The park also houses Kristianstads Teater, a grand building from the early 20th century. The theater is still used for various performances and events.

5. Explore Kristianstad's Water Kingdom

Kristianstad's Water Kingdom is considerably larger than Naturum itself. It is a varied landscape with wetlands, lakes, streams and coastal meadows, and the area was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2005.

There are several opportunities to discover nature on foot. A shorter walk is the Tivolirundan, about 1.8 kilometers, which goes through Tivoli Park and along the Helge River. Those who want to hike longer can choose the Linnérundan, a loop of about six kilometers through the wetland landscape towards the Lillö castle ruin.

Along the trails there are great opportunities to experience birdlife and the special nature. Just keep in mind that water levels can affect accessibility on some sections.

6. Discover Kristianstad's museums and art

For those interested in history and culture, there are several places to visit in the middle of Kristianstad. At Stora Torg is the Skåne Regional Museum, where you can learn more about the history of the city and the region.

Adjacent to the museum is Kristianstads Konsthall, which shows contemporary art. Another option is the Film Museum, which tells about the early history of film in Sweden and Kristianstad's importance for Swedish film production. We haven't visited all of these museums ourselves, but they can be interesting alternatives, especially if the weather doesn't invite outdoor activities.

7. Enjoy good food at Borgmästargården

A nice restaurant memory from Kristianstad is our visit to Borgmästargården, which is centrally located at Stora Torg. When we were here we enjoyed a really good dinner together with good friends. A simply wonderful evening!

The restaurant has an international focus and now offers à la carte and small dishes suitable for sharing. It is a good option for those who want to end a day of sightseeing and city walks with a good dinner.

8. Discover charming Åhus

Åhus is located on the coast, about 20 km from Kristianstad, and is one of our favorites in this part of Skåne. It has a charming old town center, a lively harbor, long sandy beaches and plenty of opportunities to eat ice cream.

We especially enjoy walking among the old houses, watching the people at the harbor and enjoying the proximity to the sea. Åhus is also known for its ice cream tradition and for Absolut Vodka, which has its roots and is produced here.

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

9. Get to know the fishing culture of the Åland Coast

Along the coast south of Åhus there is an old tradition of eel fishing. Here are eel huts that were previously used by fishermen, and eel feasts have long been a part of the local food culture.

We visited Tvillingboden ourselves and spoke to eel fishermen about their work and traditions. It was an interesting encounter with a culture that has characterized the Skåne coast for a long time.

Today, the European eel is critically endangered and fishing is strictly regulated. The eel coast is therefore primarily interesting as a cultural-historical landscape, where you can learn more about the history of fishing, the eel huts and the old traditions.

10. Take an excursion to Ivön

In the middle of Lake Ivösjön lies the small island of Ivön, and you can get there by a free road ferry called Karna. A little extra fun for me, because my mother's name is Karna – and that's not the most common name in the world! We took a trip here and appreciated the rural environment with small roads, farms and beautiful nature.

One of the island's most interesting places is the nature reserve Ivö Klack, where lime and kaolin were previously mined. Here you will also find the Ugnsmunnarna, cave-like formations in the rock that have been created by erosion. Ivön is a good place for a quiet excursion with nature, walks and nice views over the lake.

SOLVE MORE: Ivön and Bäckaskog Castle in Skåne - the hunt for the horse grave

11. Visit Bäckaskog Castle

Bäckaskog Castle is beautifully situated between Lake Ivösjön and Lake Oppmannasjön. The castle has a long history and was originally a monastery, before later becoming a palace and royal summer residence.

Today there is a hotel, restaurant and a beautiful castle park. We have walked in the park and at the same time dedicated ourselves to a somewhat unusual mission: to try to find the grave of one of King Charles XV's horses! It was an excursion with both history, beautiful surroundings and a bit of detective work. Even without horse grave hunting, Bäckaskog is a nice place to visit.

12. Experience Forsakar waterfall

At Degeberga, south of Kristianstad, lies the Forsakar nature reserve with a deep ravine, beech forest and two waterfalls. It is one of the most dramatic natural environments in this part of Skåne.

When we were here, we were fascinated by the dramatic setting of the gorge and the lush greenery. The lower waterfall has a combined drop of just over ten meters, while the upper one is just over seven meters high. There is a marked circular trail of just under two kilometers along the upper edges of the gorge, with a viewing platform where you can see the lower waterfall.

Good to know: The County Administrative Board currently advises against walking down to the bottom of the ravine due to the risk of falling trees, branches and rocks. Instead, follow the marked trail above the ravine.

13. Enjoy dinner at Pia's Kitchen

One of our most memorable dining experiences in the area is dinner at Pia's Kitchen in Nyehusen, not far from Åhus. When we visited the restaurant, it was a very small and personal establishment with room for only a few guests.

We had a fantastic seven-course dinner with well-composed dishes and seasonal ingredients. It almost felt like being invited to someone's home, while the food was of an impressive standard.

This is a restaurant experience we will happily look back on. Please check current schedules and booking options before visiting, as the operation is small-scale.

READ MORE: Pia's Kitchen in Nyehusen – one of Sweden's smallest restaurants?

Where can you stay in Kristianstad?

When we visited Kristianstad we stayed at First Hotel Christian IV, a central hotel in a beautiful old building near the train station. The hotel is now called Home Hotel Christian IV and is conveniently located for those who want to discover the city's attractions on foot.

Another option is to stay at Bäckaskog Castle, where you get a historic environment with proximity to both lakes and nature.

We have also tried a much more different accommodation at Cocoon Meetings at Degeberga. When we were there we stayed overnight in a simple cocoon-like building without electricity or running water, in the middle of nature. It was a special experience! The business has changed over time, so check what accommodation options are offered today.

More experiences in northeast Skåne

There is of course even more to discover in the surroundings. At Degeberga we have visited the old mill environment. Blåherremölla, with its traditional buildings and beautiful surroundings. We have visited the café here before, but it is wise to check for any current activities before a visit.

In the area there are also Vittskövle Castle, an impressive Renaissance castle that we have seen from the outside. The castle is privately owned and not open to regular visits, so for those who want to experience a castle environment up close, we would rather recommend Bäckaskog Castle.

Kristianstad and its surroundings are perfect for a trip where you want to combine city life with nature, history and good food. And with Åhus and the sea so close, there are plenty of reasons to stay a little longer.

Read also – more experiences nearby

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