Brantevik – Fishing Villages, Harbour and Nature

Historic Fishing Villages by the Sea

Brantevik consists of the two historic fishing villages of Norra Brantevik and Södra Brantevik. Those looking for a place with maritime history and tangible traces of the past will find several distinct points of interest here during their stay. In the western part stands a Dutch windmill built in 1886. Sjöassuransföreningen Hoppet was founded in 1871 as an insurance association for ships from Brantevik. The Hoppet Foundation, Stiftelsen Hoppet, continues to run a maritime museum.

The Jakten Hoppet is also part of the town’s maritime character. It usually departs from Brantevik; departures are also possible from other harbours along the east and south coasts. The trips are open to everyone, regardless of their sailing experience. This means that seafaring here can be experienced not only as a historical subject but also as a hands-on experience.

Hiking, Cycling and Nature

The surrounding area offers different types of routes for active days. The Signaturled Österlen includes a 13-kilometre day-hike stage to Brantevik’s fishing harbour. The Sydkustleden passes through Brantevik. In addition, paved cycle paths lead from Brantevik to Simrishamn and Skillinge. The options differ in terms of both route and mode of transport: the day-hike stage ends at the fishing harbour, while the Sydkustleden passes through the town. Bus line 321 also connects the two towns via Brantevik. This places a defined hiking stage, a route passing through Brantevik and a connection between two coastal towns alongside one another. When choosing accommodation, it is therefore particularly relevant whether you are looking for a place with local maritime history, hiking routes or a connection between several coastal towns.

South of Brantevik lies the hiking area known as “Grönet”. From there, you can walk through nature to Gislövshammar, approximately 4 kilometres away. This approximate figure is intended as a guide to the distance. More than 120 bird species have been observed around Brantevik, so nature observation can be a focus in its own right alongside hiking.

Harbour, Geology and Swimming Area

Brantevik combines a maritime landscape with remarkable traces of the Earth’s history. Near Brantevik, ripple marks in the rock bear witness to wave movements on an ancient seabed. Trace fossils of the species Psammichnites gigas are also displayed at the harbour. They were found in Lower Cambrian sandstone and are approximately 540 million years old. Trace fossils do not document an animal’s body, but rather movement or other traces of life left behind in the rock.

Vejakåsen is Brantevik’s swimming area. This means that different interests can guide your choice of location: you can focus on maritime history and the harbour, a swimming area, hiking days, cycle tours or geological features, without these themes having to be experienced in the same way. For excursions in the surrounding area, bus line 321 connects Simrishamn and Skillinge via Brantevik.

You can find more local pages from this selection under Vik, Gladsax, Rörum, Sankt Olof, Hammenhög, Kivik, Gärsnäs and Borrby.

For the higher-level travel overview: Simrishamn.