Tucked away in the verdant forests of northeastern Skåne, Wanås (also spelled “Wanas”) is a unique cultural destination that seamlessly blends contemporary art, historic architecture, and immersive nature experiences. It is not just a place for art lovers or history buffs—it’s a living, breathing landscape that welcomes families, curious minds, and casual wanderers alike.
With its iconic Wanås Slott (Wanås Castle), acclaimed Wanås Konst sculpture park and art center, and tranquil natural surroundings, this is a place that invites exploration and reflection. If you’re planning a trip to southern Sweden, here’s why Wanås deserves a top spot on your itinerary.
1. The Majestic Wanås Slott
The centerpiece of the estate is the magnificent Wanås Castle, a Renaissance-style manor house that dates back to the 15th century. With its pristine whitewashed facade, stepped gables, and red-tiled roof, the castle has the appearance of a fairy tale come to life. It stands as a proud testament to Skåne’s aristocratic past and plays an important role in the region’s cultural heritage.
The castle is privately owned and not open for interior tours, but it provides a stunning backdrop to the Wanås Konst sculpture park and is worth seeing from the outside. Surrounded by manicured gardens, blooming hydrangeas, and a reflective pond, the grounds are just as photogenic and atmospheric as the building itself.
2. Wanås Konst – World-Class Sculpture Park and Art Center
One of the most compelling reasons to visit Wanås is the Wanås Konst art center and sculpture park—an internationally renowned destination for contemporary art set within a beech forest. Founded in 1987, Wanås Konst has hosted more than 300 artists from around the world and continues to commission new works every year.
The park features site-specific installations scattered across the landscape, encouraging visitors to move slowly, look closely, and interact with the environment. Art is not confined to a gallery—it’s embedded in the trees, built into the landscape, and playfully woven into the surroundings.
For 2025, some highlights include:
- Yuyan Wang’s “Green Black / Grey Brown”
This thoughtful work explores color, nature, and sensory experiences, inviting visitors to reflect on how we perceive the world around us. - Jason Rhoades’ “Frigidaire (Cold Wind)”
A blend of industrial object and animal form, this sculpture adds a surreal twist to the landscape—blurring the line between organic and mechanical. - Atang Tshikare’s “Puruma”
A colorful and imaginative piece that draws from mythology and African traditions, giving the forest a vibrant energy.
These exhibits are open from April 5th to November 2nd, 2025, and the admission fee is reasonable:
- Adults: 180 SEK
- Students/Seniors: 160 SEK
- Under 19: Free
Wanås also offers a membership program with unlimited access, perfect for locals or regular visitors.
3. Interactive and Family-Friendly Experiences
Wanås isn’t just for adult art lovers—it’s a paradise for children too. Many of the installations are interactive and tactile, like the grand wooden staircase sculpture, which is part architecture, part playground. Kids are encouraged to climb, explore, and engage with the pieces, turning art into a sensory experience.
Nearby, paths wind through the forest, revealing surprising artistic encounters behind trees, underfoot, or in the form of natural mounds and shelters.
4. Nature, Silence, and Space to Breathe
One of the most magical aspects of Wanås is its peaceful natural setting. The forest is lush and green, particularly in summer, offering dappled light and cool air even on hot days. There are gravel paths for walking, wide open spaces for running or resting, and plenty of opportunities to slow down and be present.
In this image, a child in a pink dress stands alone on a quiet forest plateau—an image that captures the spirit of Wanås perfectly: space for curiosity, reflection, and freedom.
Whether you’re walking quietly through the woods or sitting by a small pond, there’s a feeling of timelessness at Wanås that’s hard to describe and even harder to find elsewhere.
5. Art that Blends with the Land
The true genius of Wanås Konst lies in how effortlessly the artworks integrate with the forest environment. Sculptures might appear suddenly as you round a bend in the trail. Others reveal themselves gradually as shadows shift. Some use natural materials—wood, stone, water—while others contrast sharply with the setting, creating striking juxtapositions.
Artists here are not just showcasing their work—they’re responding to the land. Every sculpture tells a story that is rooted in its location. The result is an ever-evolving dialogue between human creativity and the rhythms of the forest.
6. Accessibility and Practical Information
Wanås is located in Östra Göinge Municipality, in the northeastern part of Skåne County, Sweden. It’s around 1.5 hours by car from Malmö or just over 2 hours from Copenhagen, making it an easy day trip or a rewarding detour during a longer stay in southern Sweden.
The site includes a café, a bookshop, and a gift shop with artist-designed items. The facilities are family-friendly, with stroller access, clean restrooms, and places to eat a packed lunch or enjoy coffee under the trees.
Wanås is open seasonally from April 5 to November 2, 2025, and full details, including any special events or guided tours, can be found on wanaskonst.se.
7. Cultural Richness in Rural Skåne
Wanås is a brilliant example of how rural Sweden can foster cutting-edge, global artistic expression without sacrificing its local roots. The estate is still an operating organic farm, and the entire experience maintains a close connection with the land.
By combining heritage, agriculture, contemporary art, and ecological awareness, Wanås creates a powerful and inspiring visit. It’s a place where past and present are in constant conversation, and where guests are encouraged to engage with both their surroundings and themselves.
8. Why Wanås is Worth the Trip
To sum up, Wanås offers a rare blend of art, history, and nature that is deeply immersive, thought-provoking, and family-friendly. It’s a place where:
- You can admire centuries-old castle architecture.
- You can interact with contemporary art in a living forest.
- Children are encouraged to explore, touch, and play.
- Nature itself becomes part of the creative conversation.
- Time slows down—and silence becomes a guide.
Whether you’re an artist, a parent, a walker, a thinker, or just someone looking to recharge in beautiful surroundings, Wanås offers something extraordinary.
This is not just a place to see art. It’s a place to feel it.
And that makes all the difference.
🧭 Quick Tips for Visiting Wanås:
- 📅 Best Time: Late spring to early autumn (May–September)
- 🕓 Season 2025: April 5 – November 2
- 💰 Tickets: Adults 180 SEK, kids under 19 free
- 🌿 Don’t Miss: Yuyan Wang, Jason Rhoades, and Atang Tshikare’s works
- ☕ Fuel Up: Enjoy coffee and local treats at the café
- 🎒 Bring: Comfortable shoes, a camera, and curiosity!
If you’re seeking a day of discovery in the Swedish countryside, Wanås is not just worth a visit—it’s a destination you’ll want to return to again and again.