Wallander's Ystad
Through Henning Mankell’s novels and the many film adaptations, Ystad has transformed into a real stage for film and fiction. For those who want to explore Wallander’s world for real, the journey of discovery starts here.
A small town in the spotlight of the World
Crime success, film classics, and Ystad's place on the international film map
The Character Kurt Wallander
In Henning Mankell’s crime novels, we follow one of Sweden’s most well-known fictional detectives – Inspector Kurt Wallander of the Ystad Police. He’s not particularly polished, but more of an everyday hero. Perhaps even something of an anti-hero. He sleeps poorly, drinks too much, never exercises, and often carries a sense of not quite being enough. But maybe that’s exactly what makes him so easy to like – he’s human and far from a superhero.
Wallander shows emotion, doubts himself, and sometimes fails at his job. At the same time, he has sharp intuition and an impressive persistence, which often lead him in the right direction in the complex investigations he takes on. He moves in the space between order and chaos, between everyday calm and the brutality of crime. Maybe that’s why he has become so beloved.
Through twelve novels and over 50 films, Kurt Wallander has become more than just a character – he has become a part of Ystad, and Ystad a part of his story.
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The Author Henning Mankell
Henning Mankell made his debut as a writer in 1973 with Bergsprängaren (The Quarry), but his major breakthrough came nearly two decades later with Mördare utan ansikte (Faceless Killers), the first book about Detective Kurt Wallander. The novel was awarded the Swedish Crime Academy's prize for the best Swedish crime novel and marked the beginning of a series that would reach readers worldwide.
Mankell wrote a total of twelve books about Wallander and became one of Sweden's most widely read authors, with over 30 million books sold in more than 40 countries. However, his literary work extended far beyond the crime genre - he also wrote novels, children's books, and plays, always driven by a strong commitment to social issues.
The stories of Wallander take place in real settings in Ystad - along the harbor, among half-timbered houses, and cobblestone streets. Mankell himself described Skåne as a borderland, a place where Sweden both ends and begins. It was in the meeting between the idyllic and the troubled that he found stories worth telling.
New Wallander films to be filmed in Ystad
Since Henning Mankell introduced the book series about Kurt Wallander in the 1990s, both Ystad and the character have been put on the world map. Now the story continues – in the fall of 2025, filming will begin on new Wallander movies with Gustaf Skarsgård in the lead role. The production not only marks a new chapter for Wallander but also presents an opportunity to further strengthen Ystad’s role as a film city.
Discover Wallander's World
Solve a murder mystery with Kurt Wallander
Step straight into a murder mystery with Kurt Wallander - right in the heart of Ystad’s historic city center. In this self-guided tour with audio, animations, and interactive puzzles, you’ll follow the trail of a mysterious murder of a local photographer. Start at St. Knuts Square and let the app guide you to well-known locations from Wallander’s world.
Wallander on Tour
Book a guided city walk through Kurt Wallander's Ystad and experience the locations where both the books and films take place. Wallander on Tour combines exciting stories with local knowledge, led by knowledgeable guides from Ystad Studios Visitor Center. Hear about the filming locations, the scenes, and the people behind the successes.
WallanderGuide
With the WallanderGuide on your mobile, a whole world opens up for you who want to explore Kurt Wallander's footsteps in real life. The app shows the way to over 100 locations in Ystad and the rest of Skåne - from crime scenes to cafés and alleys where scenes were filmed. Whether you’re strolling through the city center or heading out on a road trip through the landscape, you’ll always have the guide close at hand.
Ystad Studios Visitor Center
At Ystad Studios Visitor Center, you can step straight into filming environments such as Wallander's home and office - and gain a unique insight into how the productions were created. There is a room dedicated to Henning Mankell, where you can dive deeper into his authorship and career. Sit down, let the tranquility take over, and enjoy stories from Mankell's publisher Anneli Höier.
