Island Ven🏝️ Day trip from Malmö

May 29, 2024

Island Ven🏝️ Day trip from Malmö

A little spectacular island Ven near the Swedish coast of the Öresund Strait is a must-see when you are traveling around Skåne. All the charm and beauty of small Swedish villages and southern Scandinavian nature are concentrated in one place. It is a popular destination among Swedes with many picnic spots, cozy harbors, and places for family holiday activities. If you need more tips about what to do, when to visit, and how to explore Ven, here is my little guide to this beautiful island.

View of Ven from the Bäckviken harbour.

The first time I visited this charming island last spring when I combined it with my first visit to Landskrona to see Selma Lagerlöf's monument when I was preparing my article about "The wonderful adventures of Nils" - the book that in some way influenced my decision to move to Sweden. Today, I can imagine how Selma Lagerlöf, working as a teacher in Landskrona, could probably also travel to Ven with her pupils and enjoy the same simple things: wonderful nature, cycling, and ice cream. Times change, but certain things in Sweden remain the same.

Ven is located between Sweden and Denmark, right in the middle of the Öresund Strait. A few centuries ago, the territory of southern Sweden (Skåne), along with the island, belonged to Denmark. Today, there are a lot of Danish flags in the island's harbors, and you can hear the Danish language as often as Swedish.

The most exciting time to visit Ven is the spring when all the fields are bursting with rapeseed flowers. But even after that, the nature on the island remains just as charming: pheasants proudly walking through the fields, hares running across the paths and roads, the cries of seagulls, and the aroma of the sea - all those things we miss in big cities.

Transportation

Getting to Ven takes about 20 minutes by ferry from Landskrona. You can book your trip online or get a ticket at the ticket office. During the high season, there is even an additional boat so rest assured: everyone gets their seat. And of course, fika is served onboard! 🙂 All the traveling across the water creates a unique summer vibe with beautiful views of Landskrona and Ven.

While staying in Malmö, you can easily get to Landskrona by Skånetrafiken's bus or train. Install their app and choose what suits you best. There is also the Öresund train that goes from Copenhagen to Landskrona every 30 minutes. So, plenty of options are available, once again proving how developed the public transport in Sweden is.

If you are the lucky owner of your own boat, there are two harbours to dock in.

Ven by bike

The most exciting (and convenient) way to get around the island is by bike. You can rent one at Ven's Bike near Bäckviken's harbour. I recommend booking it in advance on their web-site.

Besides the paths and gravel roads with picturesque views, there are several main asphalt roads on the islands as well as buses and cars. So you have options. But don't miss the chance to experience the best of Ven by riding along the island's coastline and enjoying the fresh air and gentle sunshine.

Ven's bike station above Bäckviken harbour.

Activities

Let's be honest: more do you need in summer besides ice cream on a beach? Well, you can find that here. Though the sea around the island is shallow and cold (it's Öresund, after all), the coast and views of the passing ferries are still amazing. The main road leads from one harbour to another, and after the trip across the island under the warm sunlight, you can enjoy sunbathing on the soft sand among the wild roses on the beach.

For those interested in Swedish (and Danish) history, there is the Tycho Brahe Museum. Tycho Brahe was a Danish scientist who built his own observatory on Ven in the 16th century. The project was sponsored by a Danish king who had very ambitious plans to develop science in Denmark.

Of course, there are also many places on Ven to eat and drink serving dishes made with locally sourced rapeseed oil and offering whiskey from the local whiskey distillery, Spirits of Hven. Like in any other tourist spot in Sweden, you can be sure to find charming, children-friendly restaurants and cafes and won't go hungry.

You can visit an old church, explore the art gallery, or play golf - there are different types of activities for the whole family! There are also various options for overnight stay, from campings to hotels and cottages.

I hope that those who need a calm and relaxing holiday in the beautiful nature of a little Scandinavian island will find it on Ven. It's a place with a unique, subtle charm that brings harmony and peace, making you want to come back and experience it again.