Simrishamn: Old Town, Coastal Trail and Maritime Culture

Simrishamn combines a well-preserved medieval town centre with a varied coastal landscape.

Discover the Old Town and its history independently

Simrishamn’s Old Town is characterised by cobblestone streets, pastel-coloured houses and carved doors. A digital town tour allows visitors to discover the history of Simrishamn independently. The Österlens Museum app also offers a town tour, a climate walk through Simrishamn and a guide to the “Simrishamn 900 Years” exhibition. The museum’s apps can be downloaded free of charge from app stores. This provides various digital ways to explore the town, depending on whether you are interested in local history, climate-related topics or Simrishamn’s development.

Österlens Museum presents the history of Simrishamn and its villages through exhibitions, event programmes and the museum magazine Garvaren. A prominent historical landmark is S:t Nicolai Church, first mentioned in writing in 1161. Inside is a 12th-century baptismal font made of limestone. These details make a tour of the town more than a succession of beautiful façades: they show how far back Simrishamn’s documented history extends.

Hafreborg and maritime traditions

Hafreborg also combines architectural history with the development of the town. The building was constructed as a granary in 1848; since 1956, it has housed Österlens Museum. The well-preserved surroundings of Hafreborg tell the story of the extensive grain trade and shipping that shaped Simrishamn in the 19th century. Those interested in maritime culture will therefore find a tangible historical connection here between the building, trade and seafaring.

Another aspect of this tradition is shown by Sillens dag. The popular event is a festival for all age groups, with good food, culture and a stage programme. Visitors can enjoy herring prepared in traditional and new ways, learn how to fillet fish and smoke herring, buy local products and go aboard the schooner Sarpen. In this way, the region’s fishing and seafaring tradition is not merely displayed but can be experienced in a variety of forms.

Skåneleden between Simrishamn and Kivik

For active travellers, Stage 5 of the Skåneleden offers a clearly defined route: the 20-kilometre trail leads from Simrishamn to Kivik. The stage runs along sandy beaches, rocky coastal meadows and wooded cliffs and includes Stenshuvud National Park. This makes it possible to combine the choice of destination with a longer coastal hike. The landscape alternates between open stretches of beach, rocky meadows and wooded cliffs, while the national park is an explicitly named element of the route.

Another seasonal attraction is Tobisviksbadet, which is open during the summer season. Together with the historic Old Town, the museum offerings, Hafreborg and the Skåneleden, Simrishamn offers a range of options that place local history, maritime culture and coastal experiences side by side, without being limited to a single travel theme.

Rörum, Kivik, Borrby, Hammenhög, Gladsax, Skillinge and Simrishamn V.

For the overarching travel overview: Simrishamn.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Simrishamn Kivik.