What to do in Lund, Sweden!

Welcome to lovely Lund. Lund, located in Sweden’s southern region, is one of my favorite cities in all of Sweden. But I might be biased because it is where I completed my Master’s program!

While there are plenty of things to do in Lund, the city centers around the university. The campus is large – spread over a good chunk of the city and housing over 40,000 students annually (including 20% that are international students like me!). Because the campus is so large, the best way to see it is by renting a city bike or taking the bus (Skånetrafiken). Be sure not to miss the University Library, the Lund Observatory, the Universitetshuset, and the buildings around the Psychology Department (Gamla kirurgen). See all of Lund University’s campus highlights here.

The university is the highest ranked university in Sweden in the QS Rankings 2021 and is consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. Needless to say, it is the city’s crown jewel.

Perhaps because of the university, Lund is also one of Sweden’s innovation hubs. There are tons of businesses here that have a reputation for cutting edge research – like Tetra Pak. You’ll also find Sony, Axis Communications, and many others in the IDEON Science Park.

After you have toured around the university buildings, you’ll want to visit the university’s botanical gardens (Botaniska Trädgården). They are small but beautiful. This is a perfect place to pass an hour or two in the sun, and you will see many Swedes having a picnic or working on their tan. The gardens has been there since 1690 and there are over 7,000 species on 8 hectares / 20 acres.

Right next to the university you will find Lund Cathedral. Built in 1145, this cathedral is gorgeous and somewhat haunting. Be sure to visit the crypt in the basement!

Now that you have been walking around all day, you are doing to need some food:

• Burger joints are everywhere in Lund! You can’t go wrong with Tugg, Shady, or Surf Shack.
• And of course you have to stop for a fika in Lund! I love Broder Jakobs, Love Coffee, and Pâtisseriet (read more about fika here!)
• For dinner, VED is my favorite. Their pizzas and cocktails are incredible.
• Still not sure? Try out the Saulhallen (a food hall) for tons of options all in one place!

You can easily see all that you want in one day! But if you want a more relaxed time (and to try more food!) I would recommend spending one night in town.

• Lund has a population of ~92,000 as of 2018.
• Lund has been dated back as far as 990.
• The Cathedral was built in the 12th century after the Danish city of Lund had become the seat of the Archbishop of Scandinavia.
• Kungshuset (the King’s House) was completed in 1584 and was originally the residence of the Danish king’s sheriff. At the end of the 17th century Kungshuset became the university’s main building for 200 years.
• According to the botanical garden’s website: “This botanical garden was in operation for 110 years. By then the university had expanded and the orangery doubled as a lecture hall for anatomy as well as a student prison.” Um, what?!

• Make sure you take a stroll past the Lund University Library (Universitetsbiblioteket). This gorgeous building is covered in ivy and is so pretty! Fall is my favorite time to see it. (See my other tips for Sweden in the Fall here).
• Don’t miss the greenhouse when visiting the botanical gardens! Their hours are Monday – Sunday at 11:00 – 15:00.
• Lund Cathedral hosts services in English every Sunday at 17:00 and has free tours during the summers.

• Lunds Kommun
• Lund
• Lund University
• Lund University Library
• Botanical Gardens
• Lund Cathedral