Fans of the writer Henning Mankell will know this town well but it’s an interesting place even if you aren’t obsessed with bloody mystery novels. Resplendent half-timbered houses are all around and beguiling little art boutiques will lure you in. The Klostret i Ystad has engrossing exhibits about medieval monastic life while the Ystad Konstmuseum specializes in modern art. Only 50 minutes by train from Malmö, you can see the main sights on a half day trip. But if you decide to linger a bit longer, you can appreciate even more of Ystad’s allure.