Sandhammaren in Österlen is one of Skåne’s most popular beaches. It has won several awards for being Sweden’s best beach, because of its dunes and long stretch of fine white sand pushing out west and east along the cape towards the horizon.
It’s the perfect place for playing, bathing on hot summer days, or walking along the dunes and inland pine forests in any season.
Sandhammaren is at the southernmost point of Sweden, so currents can be dangerous. Be careful when you swim here – maybe walk out and swim back?
Sunken wrecks
There was a time when Sandhammaren was known as the area where ships most often ran aground when sailing around Sweden’s southernmost tip. Today it’s possibly the largest graveyard for ships and boats in Sweden. Which is why there is a lighthouse dating from the 1860s, and Sweden’s oldest lifeboat station from 1892. Guided tours of the lighthouse are available during summer months. If you’re hungry you can buy food at the kiosk.
Good to know
Parking spaces can be hard to find if you come on the busiest days in July. As a tip, head for the western beach at Tyge Å. Turn off the coast road towards Backåkra, and follow the road down to the beach. Note that there is an unsigned naturist spot at Hagestad.
If you’re feeling energetic after sunbathing and swimming, then walk through the nature reserve that has a wealth of wildlife and birds, as well as Sweden’s most southerly elk population, just north of the beach.
