The charming Swedish town of Lund, perhaps best known for its world-renowned university, is located in the southern part of Skåne, making it a quick train trip from both Malmö and Copenhagen. The small town is the country’s most popular study location; half of its 80,000 inhabitants are students!
Walking through the crooked cobblestone streets with their colorful cottages is as relaxing as it is scenic. Lund is not as big and hectic as its neighboring cities, which makes discovering this medieval town all the more enjoyable.
If you’re planning to visit Lund, here are some of the best hotels, restaurants and places to explore to make the most of your stay:
Where to stay in Lund
Lund has an abundance of accommodation options, but best known is Grand Hotel. The imposing building located in the centre is, apart from a popular wedding and events venue, a luxury hotel. With a rich heritage dating back to 1899, Grand Hotel is worth a visit even if you’re planning to stay somewhere more affordable.
Grand Hotel Lund
Bantorget 1
221 04 Lund
If you want to live more like a “Lund local” an authentic Lund cottage or a light city apartment in the heart of Lund might be something for you!
Where to get coffee in Lund
The coffee culture is thriving in Lund much thanks to its student population. The popular café Love Coffee has one location (soon to be two) in the town centre. With a courtyard and views across to the Cathedral, Love Coffee is a must-visit for coffee-lovers. Down the road, in an old timber framed cottage, you’ll find Coffee Break. Apart from the coffee, Coffee Break serves delicious cakes and sandwiches.
Love CoffeeKlostergatan 1L Opening Hours: | Coffee BreakS:t Petri Kyrkogatan 3 Opening Hours: |
Det lilla caféet på hörnet (The Little Coffee Shop on the Corner) is newer but has already made a name for itself in the coffee circles. If you happen to be on the other side of town, near Mårtenstorget, Hoppipolla Café is a typical student hang-out worth a visit for those who want to immerse themselves in Lund’s university culture.
Det lilla caféet på hornetKyrkogatan 17 Opening Hours: | Hoppipolla Café LundKilliansgatan 17 Opening Hours: |
Where to eat in Lund
Lund’s food scene is best described as heaven for vegetarians and vegans. From Ebbas Skafferi (Ebba’s Pantry) and TrueFood Lund to The Herbivore, the options are not only plentiful, but tasty too.
TrueFood LundVästra Mårtensgatan 7 Opening Hours: Ebbas SkafferiBytaregatan 5 Opening Hours: | The HerbivoreBredgatan 2 Opening Hours: |
If you’re looking for a more traditional sandwich spot, Inkognito has quality paninis for affordable prices. For those of you in the mood for beers and burgers (with meat or without) Tugg Burgers has an extensive selection, best enjoyed in their heated courtyard.
InkognitoLilla Fiskaregatan 23 Opening Hours: | Tugg BurgersKlostergatan 9 Opening Hours: |
But you can’t visit Lund without trying the famous falafel shed, Lundafalafel: one of the best falafels in Skåne! Make sure to get there early as there’s often a line.
Lundafalafel
Stora Södergatan 5
222 23 Lund
Opening Hours:
Mon – Thu 11:00 – 10:00 pm
Fri – Sat 11:00 – 4:00 am
Sun 12:00 – 10:00 pm
Where to drink in Lund
Café Ariman is the soul of Lund. This unique café/pub is laid back, fun, and has a great range of beers available. Another popular pub in the center of the city is Inferno. Set in a timbre-framed cottage, it has a large heated outside space and an excellent drinks menu.
Café ArimanKungsgatan 2C Opening Hours: | InfernoParadisgatan 1 Opening Hours: |
If you’re on the look-out for a watering hole with tasty pub meals, The Bishops Arms (also a hotel) is the place to go.
The Bishops Arms
S:t Petri Kyrkogata 7
222 22 Lund
Opening Hours:
Tue – Thu 4:00 – 11:45 pm
Fri – Sat 3:00 – 01:00 am
Sun – Mon 4:00 – 10:00 pm
Where to shop in Lund
The locals love “loppis shopping” (second-hand shopping) and the city is full of garage sales, pop-ups, and second-hand boutiques. Fyndkällaren Loppis has a large selection of furniture, homeware, and paintings. Check out their social media to see what they have happening at the moment.
Erikshjälpen is another popular second-hand destination. They also sell furniture and homeware, but they have a big selection of clothes and accessories too.
Fyndkällaren LoppisDrottensgatan 2 Opening Hours: | Erikshjälpen LundStora Södergatan 25 Opening Hours: |
What to see in Lund
There’s always something to marvel over in Lund. Lund Cathedral is undoubtably the town’s main tourist attraction. The church’s distinct exterior has remained the same since it was renovated by architect Helgo Zettervall (who also designed the neighboring Universitetshuset) at the end of the 1800s.
After visiting the cathedral, take a walk through the quiet, beautiful North Cemetery, which has an alley lined with trees that offers a charming vista.
Of course there’s the famous Lund University, with its grand buildings and stretches of perfect lawn. There’s always something happening on campus, but it’s also just a wonderful place to explore and take in the collegiate atmosphere. Pop your head into the incredible Lund University Library while you’re there – book lovers will eat it up!
Lund also has a lovely selection of parks and green spaces, the most impressive being The Botanical Gardens and Stadsparken, each with their own café for fika.
In Kulturen (The Culture House), an open-air museum, you’ll find gardens and cottages open to the public all year around – a fun way to learn about Lund’s medieval history!
For those interesting in architecture, Jakriborg housing estate just between Lund and Malmö is a real treat: a wonderful example of New Classical architecture blended with traditional Swedish architecture, these colorful houses were built in the 1990s. Take a stroll around and marvel at the quaintness!
Looking for more to do in Sweden? Check out our guides to brunch in Malmö and Stockholm, and things to do in Helsingborg and Gothenburg.