Ystad Saltsjöbad is the long sandy beach east of town, backed by low dunes and a stretch of pine. The beach extends for kilometres and gets a thin scatter of swimmers and walkers even in high summer — by Mediterranean standards it is almost empty. The water is calm and shallow but cold by Swedish-summer norms.
A coastal path runs from the harbour along the beach. The historic Ystads Saltsjöbad hotel and spa, opened in 1897, anchors the western end. Free public access.