Several top national players, such as Björn Borg, Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg, have played tennis in Båstad.

The town borders the shore, whereafter the terrain raises until the dense vegetation of the ridge takes over.

Båstad is known for its tennis tournament Swedish Open on the ATP Tour, held each summer since 1948.

The tournament boasts the largest number of courts in the country, and has fostered many internationally successful tennis players, such as Magnus Larsson.

Since 2009, the women's WTA tournament, previously held in Stockholm, also is played in Båstad as part of the Swedish Open.

It is a Romanesque church, and contains several wall paintings from various centuries; a madonna image; and a Danish altarpiece, among other things.