Playing host to the Swedish Open tennis tournament, Båstad is a coastal town overlooking the sheltered bay of Laholmsbukten. Once forming part of Denmark, it was conquered by the Swedes in 1658 and flourished as a commercial and handicraft hub, with traditional wooden clogs among the town’s most famous products.
Things to do in Båstad
In the heart of Båstad is the 15th-century Saint Mary’s Church, which was constructed in a Romanesque style and is topped by a brick tower. It is decorated with Gothic murals depicting the martyrdom of Saint Erasmus and the emblems of the Evangelists, as well as a wooden Madonna holding baby Jesus. Outside the church is a statue honouring the celebrated Swedish soprano Märta Birgit Nilsson.A short drive from Båstad is the Norrviken Gardens, which was founded by horticulturist Carl Abelin as an experimental family garden. It has since been selected as the most beautiful park in Sweden, with meticulously clipped hedges, a koi-filled pond and resident peacocks among its attractions. Admire the artwork on display in the ornate Villa Abelin and feast on sweet treats from the on-site chocolatier.
Coincide your visit with the Swedish Open to sit court-side at the Båstad Tennis Stadium, which was originally established in 1907. Throughout the year, you can learn about the town’s links to professional sport at the Föreningen Sveriges Tennismuseum, which was inaugurated in 1997 by Stefan Edberg. In addition to being home to the Swedish Tennis Hall of Fame, the museum exhibits personal belongings from some of the country’s greats.