Lund

Lund is a university city in Scania, the southern part of Sweden. Lund is one of the oldest cities in Sweden and has also played an important part in Danish history. It has a population of about 90,000 people, and is only a few minutes away from the larger city, Malmö and under an hour away from Copenhagen. The University of Lund is the second oldest and one of the largest in all of Sweden. The city also has many high-tech companies. This tradition of world class research and high tech infrastructure certainly played a role in the decision to put the European Spallation Source (ESS) into Lund. The ESS will be the strongest neutron spallation source in the world when it opens in stages between 2023 and 2025.

Understand

Unlike most Swedish cities Lund has preserved its medieval non-regular street pattern. Even though it is very charming it also makes it rather difficult to navigate through the city. Unlike many other cities Lund also lacks major natural boundaries like rivers to navigate by. One of the few boundaries to orient by is the railway which runs in a north-south direction west of the city. The cathedral can also be used as a landmark in order to find your way through Lund.

The first major settlement in the area was a Viking-era village known as Uppåkra, 4 km south of present day Lund. This area was supposedly a cultural and religious centre with a pagan temple. Unlike other comparable sites, like Old Uppsala and Hedeby, it is not mentioned in written sources.

Around 990 Uppåkra was abandoned and Lund is established. The founding of Lund is often considered to be an important step in the founding of a unified Danish state (much of what is now southern Sweden, was once Danish). It soon became a Christian centre and in 1103 the Archdiocese of Lund became its own ecclesiastical province, including all of the Scandinavian countries. At the same time Lund Cathedral was built; according to local legend by "the giant Finn". Malmö was founded as a port city for the Archbishop of Lund, but came to eclipse its mother city as a commercial centre during the 15th century.

In 1658 Scania and Lund were conquered by Sweden. As a step in the "Swedification" of Scania the University of Lund was founded in 1666. Although it is the second oldest university in present day Sweden, it was the fifth Swedish university. (Universities were founded in Uppsala 1477, Tartu 1632, Åbo 1640 and in 1648 Vorpommern with the already existing University of Greifswald was incorporated into Sweden.) In an attempt to re-conquer the Scanian provinces Denmark launched the Scanian war against Sweden in 1675. In December 1676 Sweden won a decisive victory at the Battle of Lund - one of the bloodiest in Nordic history - and Scania stayed Swedish.

Tourist office

Get in

By plane

Copenhagen Airport CPH IATA is the largest Airport in the Nordic countries and the major point of entry to the Öresund-region. Lund is connected to Copenhagen and its airport by direct trains (Øresundtåg). Malmö Airport MMX IATA serves 20 international flight operators and is 25 km from Lund. The airport shuttle "Flygbussarna" carry passengers from the airport to central Lund for about 100 kr.

By train
  • 🌍 Lund Central Station is 15 minutes and 50 kr by train from Malmö, and 50 minutes and 140 kr from Copenhagen and its airport. All trains (pågatåg, öresundståg) stop at Lund, including the X-2000 expresses from Gothenburg and Stockholm. There are also yellow regional buses from Malmö.

By motorcar

Lund is between the highways E6 and E22, which continue towards Malmö in the south. In the other direction the E22 carries traffic to Karlskrona and then follows the Swedish coast north. The E6 continues to Helsingborg and then follow the Scandinavian Western coast to Gothenburg, Oslo, and across Norway. In Helsingborg it connects with the E4, which is the fastest way towards Stockholm and Svealand or Norrland.

Get around

Lund is small enough to see most of it in an afternoon's walk. You can pick up a city map at the tourist office at Stortorget (adjacent to the Town Hall).

By tram

Over 120 years after the first proposal, Lund finally opened its first light rail line in 2020. It goes from the main train station to the European Spallation Source science complex.

By bus

The local Skånetrafiken buses can get you to most areas of town. The hubs are around the train station, Botulfsplatsen, and the University Hospital (Universitetssjukhuset). Tickets are 25 kr for as far as you want to go, if you're under 19 it's 15 kr. If you are traveling as a pair or family, ask for a Duo ticket (45 kr) to save a few kronor. The Duo ticket is valid for a maximum of 5 people where max 2 of those are over 19. Two children under 7 can travel for free with an adult.

As in the rest of Skåne, the buses do not take cash, so you have to tap your bank card on the reader, or buy your ticket in advance. You can do this with an sms (if you have a Swedish sim card) or at the Pressbyrån stores, there are three by the station and one by Botulfsplatsen. The yellow, regional, buses take credit cards.

By taxi

The best places to catch a cab is by the train station or by Botulfplatsen.

See
  • 🌍 Lund Cathedral (Lunds Domkyrka), Kyrkogatan 4. M-F 08:00-18:00, Sa 09:30-17:00, Su 09:30-18:00. Built in 1103, it is the second-largest cathedral of the Nordic countries. There's a free organ concert every Saturday morning at 10:00, and the elaborate astronomical clock (on your left after entering) puts on its show twice a day (12:00 and 15:00). This clock show is highly recommended even if you're not interested in the church, due to its nostalgic value. Free. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Ingvar Kamprad Design Centrum, Sölvegatan 26. Part of the Lund University LTH and home of the Industrial Design program; the building was funded by Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA. 
  • 🌍 University Hall (Universitetshuset), Paradisgatan 2 (In Lundagård garden). A grand classicist building inaugurated in 1882. (updated Oct 2017)

Museums
  • 🌍 The Historical Museum, Krafts torg 1, ☏ +46 46 222 79 44. Tu-F 11:00-16:00, Sa Su 12:00-16:00. Also owned by the university and was established in 1805. Has, among other things, many of the findings from Uppåkra, the nearby archaeological site of what was probably southern Sweden's biggest town during the Stone and Iron Ages. 
  • 🌍 Lunds Konsthall, Mårtenstorget 3, ☏ +46 46-35 52 95. Tu W F Su 12:00-17:00, Th 12:00-20:00, Sa 10:00-17:00. A modern art museum (temporary exhibitions). Free entry. 
  • 🌍 Kulturen, Tegnérsplatsen 6, ☏ +46 46-35 04 00. May-Aug: daily 10:00-17:00, Sep-Apr: Tu-Su 12:00-14:00. An open air museum founded in 1892, encompassing two blocks in central Lund. It contains a large number of old preserved houses from the middle ages to the 1930s, and some 20 exhibitions. May-Aug: 120 kr, Sep-Apr: 90 kr. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 🌍 Skissernas Museum – Museum of Artistic Process and Public Art, Finngatan 2, ☏ +46 46 222 72 83. Tu W 11:00-17:00, Th 11:00-21:00, F 11:00-18:00, Sa Su 12:00-17:00. Owned by the university and displays sketches for various works of public art, mostly by 20th-century Swedish artists. 80 kr. 
  • 🌍 Nasoteket, Sandgatan 2 ("Athen" in AF-borgen), ☏ +46 46-38 49 05. M-F 09:00-18:00 during university terms. Perhaps one of the strangest exhibitions in Sweden, Nasoteket is a collection of cast noses from several different famous Swedes. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 🌍 Uppåkra Arkeologiska Center (Uppåkra Archaeological Centre), Stora Uppåkravägen 101 (4 km south of Lund city centre), ☏ +46 70-825 49 60. Jun-Aug: W-Su 10:00-14:00; Sep: Tu-Sa 12:00-15:00. A historical museum by and about the Viking-era archaeological site Uppåkra. 50 kr. 

Parks
  • 🌍 Botaniska trädgården (Botanical Garden), Östra Vallgatan 20 (A few blocks east of the town center), ☏ +46 46-222 73 20. Mid Sep-Mid May: 06:00-20:00 daily; Mid May-Mid Sep: 06:00-21:30 daily. Greenhouses are open 11:00-15:00 daily. It's very nice for walks, and there are greenhouses which house many exotic plants. Good place to take kids. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Stadsparken (City Park), Svanegatan (On the south side of town). On Walpurgis Night (April 30), it's the place where people gather (about 20 000 people) to light a gigantic bonfire and revel through the night. (updated Sep 2017)

Do

Being a university town, Lund has good arts and entertainment for its size.

Buy
  • 🌍 Clemenstorget (By the train station). On this square there are often different shops and flea markets stalls. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 🌍 Hökeriet, S:t Annegatan 9, ☏ +46 46 35 04 00. Sa Su 12:00-16:00. A gifts and souvenirs shop reconstructed into a traditional store from the early 1900. It is run by the organization Kulturen. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 🌍 Nova Lund, Företagsvägen 10 (Some 3 km North of the city center). M-F 10:00-20:00, Sa Su 10:00-17:00. A large shopping mall. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 🌍 Saluhallen, Mårtenstorget 1. A market hall with plenty of restaurants and food stores, including a Systembolaget alcohol retail store. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 🌍 Världsbutiken Klotet, Stora Tomegatan 48, ☏ +46 46-14 11 14. M-F 11:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-15:00. A fair trade gifts and souvenirs store. (updated Oct 2017)

Eat

Budget
  • 🌍 Bellini Pizzeria, Getingevägen 50, ☏ +46 211 13 26. 11 AM to 10 PM. A nice little pizzeria on Getingevägen near the campus of Lund University. 100 SEK for pizza. (updated Oct 2023)
  • 🌍 Cyrus, Allhelgona kyrkogata 4, ☏ +46 46-15 07 70. M-F 11:30-22:00, Sa 16:00-22:00. This Persian restaurant is a little run-down, but their marinated grilled chicken pieces ("Juje kebab") are simple and delicious. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Govindas, Bredgatan 28, ☏ +46 46-12 04 13. Hare krishna vegetarian lunch restaurant. Unusual and often tasty food. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Lundafalafel, Stora Södergatan 5 (on the main street just south of Stortorget), ☏ +46 46-32 33 16. M-Th 11:00-22:00, F Sa 11:00-04:00, Su 12:00-22:00. A hole in the wall. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Mondo, Kyrkogatan 23 (Across from Lundagård), ☏ +46 46-14 81 58. This cafe serves great sandwiches, soups, and pie for reasonable prices. Crowded during lunch hours, although takeaway is available. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Pizzeria Portofino, Sofiavägen 3, ☏ +46 46-14 92 10. M-F 11:00-21:00, Sa Su 16:00-21:00. Friendly neighborhood pizzeria with delivery. 85 kr for a pizza. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Viggos Restaurang & Bar, Bangatan 1 (Located right next to the Central train station.), ☏ +46 46-15 91 49. M-Th 11:00-00:00, F Sa 11:00-01:00, Su 11:00-23:00. Without doubt the best and biggest burgers in town. You can even supersize them. Also offer beers. 75kr for a basic burger. Meals are 90-135 kr. (updated Sep 2017)

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Italia Il Ristorante, Lilla Fiskaregatan 11, ☏ +46 46-14 80 80. M-Th 11:30-14:00, 17:00-22:00, F 11:30-22:00, Sa 12:00-22:00, Su 13:00-21:30. Great atmosphere, great pasta and great service. Probably the best Italian restaurant in town. Mains 105-240 kr. 
  • 🌍 M.E.A.T., Kattesund 8, ☏ +46 46-12 78 65. M-Th 11:30-23:00, F 11:30-00:00, Sa 12:00-00:00. Serves a modern US-inspired steak house cuisine. Great relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff. Usually fully booked during weekends, and during many weekdays as well, but there is a bar for drop-ins. Mains 190-275 kr. 
  • New Delhi Tandoor, Bantorget 5A, ☏ +46 46-152561. Named the region's best Indian restaurant 2007 and 2008 by a local paper. Food served include a buffet. 149-169 kr. 
  • 🌍 Spisen, Kiliansgatan 15, ☏ +46 46-37 04 02. M Tu 11:00-23:00, W Th 11:00-01:00, F Sa 11:00-02:00, Su 11:00-23:00. Mid-range Swedish and Mexican. Mains 120-220 kr, pizzas 65-110 kr. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Stortorget, Stortorget 1, ☏ +46 46-13 92 90. M-Th 11:30-23:00, F Sa 11:30:01:00, Su 12:00-18:00. Reasonably priced good food. 120-220 kr. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Tatung, Bantorget 6, ☏ +46 46-211 15 06. M-Th 11:30-22:00, F 11:30-23:00, Sa 12:00-23:00, Su 13:00-22:00. Good, reasonably priced Chinese. Mains 100-130 kr. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 V.E.S.P.A, Karl XI Gatan 1, ☏ +46 46-12 71 27. M-Th 11:30-22:00 F Su 12:00-22:00. Trendy restaurant just north of the station. Pizza and pasta using fresh ingredients. Mains 100-150 kr. 

Splurge

Drink

The Student Nations

Ever since its founding the students of Lund University have organized themselves by geographical origin into Nations. Initially they worked as an extra family for the student, but today the 13 Nations are more oriented towards social activities such as bars and clubbing. They push alcohol prices to around half that of non-nation bars, but keep their activities exclusive to members and guests. As the Nations tend to crowd out non-nation nightlife, buying a nation card will greatly increase your bar options .

Anyone who has a valid student ID can buy a guest card. They cost 60 kr for a duration of 7 days, and can be bought at any nation during their office hours. It doesn't matter where you buy your guest card, as a guest card bought at any nation is valid at every nation.

Bars
  • 🌍 Bishop's Arms, Sankt Petri Kyrkogata 7, ☏ +46 46-287 11 00. M 16:00-22:00, Tu-Th 16:00-00:00 F Sa 16:00-01:00, Su 16:00-22:00. Expensive English pub with a good selection of British beers which are unfortunately often served ice-cold instead of the correct temperature. Good selection of whiskeys. Try the Röde Orm beer (78 kr), locally brewed in Lund. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 The John Bull Pub, Bantorget 2, ☏ +46 46-14 09 20. M-Th 11:30-23:00, F Sa 11:30-01:00, Su 11:30-22:00. English pub with an impressive but overpriced selection of draft beers. Features a live dixieland jazz band every Tuesday night, and a karaoke contest on Saturdays. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Rauhrackel, Stora Algatan 5, ☏ +46 46-14 37 27. M-Sa 17:00-00:00. Austria pub which serves lovely beer and nice, big sized, portions of mostly meat. Order a "meter of beer" to get a sample of some of the beers they offer. 

Cafés
  • 🌍 Cafe Ariman, Kungsgatan 2, ☏ +46 46-13 12 63. M 11:00-00:00, Tu-Th 11:00-01:00, F Sa 11:00-03:00, Su 15:00-23:00. Where the alternative crowd hangs out. Also has a bunch of oldtimers who spend their days playing board games. The best coffee shop, also has beer and club events on weekends. It serves also soups (53 kr) and sandwiches for lunch. Beers around 50/60 kr. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Coffee Break, Sankt Petri kyrkogata 3, ☏ +46 46-211 21 00. M-F 08:00-20:00 Sa Su 09:00-19:00. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 🌍 Graffiti Cafe, Stora Gråbrödersgatan 4, ☏ +46 46-32 82 70. M-F 10:30-21:00, Sa 10:00-19:00, Su 11:00-19:00. (updated Mar 2021)
  • 🌍 Martas Café, Sankt Petri kyrkogata 6 (In the City Library), ☏ +46 46-13 95 20. Sep-Apr M-F 08:00-19:00, Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 11:00-16:00, Apr-Sep M-Th 08:00-19:00 F 08:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-15:00. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 🌍 Mormors Bageri, Fältspatvägen 1A, ☏ +46 46-32 87 87. M-F 06:00-17:00, Sa 07:00-16:00. A pastry and cafe. (updated Oct 2017)

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Hotel Concordia, Stålbrogatan 1, ☏ +46 46-13 50 50. Good central location. Rooms are run down and way below its four star rating. Double from 1200 kr. 
  • 🌍 Hotel Djingis Khan, Margaretavägen 7, ☏ +46 46-33 36 00. A ways from the center, in a quiet residential neighborhood. Apartment rooms available for long-term stays. Doubles from 850 kr. 

Splurge
  • 🌍 Grand Hotel, Bantorget 1, ☏ +46 46-280 61 00. The oldest hotel in town, dating to 1899. Old fashioned European style, overlooking a small park. Doubles from 1440 kr. 

Learn

Stay safe

Lund is an extremely safe town by international standards and there is no need to avoid certain areas. Even late-night walks through the darkest and most desolate back streets are relatively safe and most local residents walk home at night without any second thought.

On weekend nights, you may encounter rowdy groups of drunk people (mostly students). However, they are seldom violent to third persons unless you engage them.

Other than rampant bicycle theft, crime is virtually non-existent.

The only violence you are likely to encounter is from night club/student nation bouncers, which are notoriously rough.

Connect

By web
  • The 7-Eleven on Lilla Fiskaregatan 5 has three workplaces for Sidewalk Express, an internet-point chain. You can pay with a credit card (30kr for 2h of surfing) and use your code in other towns too.
  • 🌍 Public Library (Lund Stadsbibliotek), Sankt Petri Kyrkogata 6, ☏ +46 46-35 59 90. M-Th 09:00-20:00, F 09:00-19:00, Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 13:00-17:00. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Tourist Information, Botulfsgatan 1A on Stortorget, ☏ +46 46-35 50 00. M-Th 08:00-16:30, F 08:00-16:00. has computers to use for 15 minutes. 

By mail
  • There's no more main post office, but most major convenience stores have post office branches inside where you can buy and send everything from postcards to bigger parcels.

Go next


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