Båstad in General
Båstad is a small village on the south-western part of Sweden, in the region known as Bjäre. Bjäre is a peninsula which extends into the straight of Kattegat. It is known as a summer resort town, and has a permanent population of about 5,000. The main street has plenty of quaint shops, and good dining. In the harbor, you have the main hotel of the town, and plenty of restaurants, as well as the Tennis Stadium. This is where the Swedish Open in Tennis is played each Summer and has attracted international stars such as Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal.
The former Swedish King, Gustaf V, was an avid Tennis player and fan, and in the 1920s as "Mr. G" in an attempt to maintain some anonymity, although most Swedes knew who he was and respected his privacy when he played. There is a small Tennis Museum across from the main square in the town which has some information on the King and Tennis.
Sights in Båstad
The three biggest sights in Båstad are the Church, also known as St. Mary's Church, Norrviken Gardens, and the Harbor area, which include the Tennis Stadium.
St. Mary's Church is very typical of the Skåne Region of Sweden. It is a Church of Romanesque style from the 15th century. Inside there are Gothic murals from the 15th century, and a wooden Madonna holding an baby Jesus. It is a Lutheran Church and is part of the Church of Sweden under the diocese of Lund.
Norrviken Gardens is a Garden just outside of Båstad at about 3km. It was an experimental horticultural garden, founded by Carl Rudolf Zacharias Abelin, and also served as his home. Since the late 1980s it has been run by the Norrviken Gardens Foundation. In 2006 it was been voted the most beautiful garden in Sweden, and the second most beautiful in Europe. Norrviken Gardens is also home to the Båstad Classic Car Show, which brings in about 15,000 car enthusiasts. If the timing is off, this can coincide with the Swedish Open in Tennis.
The Harbor area is home to Båstad Harbor. It is a small fishing harbor with some pleasure sailing craft as well. The small fishing shacks are usually open during the summer and you can buy freshly caught fish and crabs directly from the fishermen. Next door to the Harbor is the Tennis Stadium. The Swedish open, which is part of the WTA and ATP tours, attracts about 20,000 people per year, quadrupling the population of the town for a week.
Where to stay in Båstad
Hotel Skansen is the most popular, mainly due to its proximity to the Tennis Stadium and Harbor. It is a fairly modern hotel with a good restaurant and bar. The hotel abuts the beach where you can swim during the summer months, and enjoy a nice walk in the Spring and Autumn. Getting a room here during peak season is difficult, and I would recommend working with a Travel Advisor to ensure you get one if you plan on visiting.
Hotel Riviera Beach has the feel of a resort hotel. It is further down the beach and tends to be more family oriented. This hotel is more like a suite hotel, with the rooms being akin to small apartments. It is also in close proximity to the beach.
There are some additional hotel options in the neighboring villages, all which have their own quaint charm.
Recommendation
This village is quintessential Sweden. It is relaxing and a nice place to spend a week. You might even run into a celebrity or two here as many celebrities have discovered this well kept secret gem of Sweden and regularly visit. Båstad should be on your list of places in Sweden to spend a few days, if nothing else to just relax and let your stress melt away.
If you are looking for some help in planning your perfect getaway, please feel free to reach out.
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