Holiday apartment in Simrishamn: Old Town, coast and culture

Simrishamn combines a well-preserved medieval Old Town with cobblestone streets, pastel-coloured houses and ornately carved doors. For centuries, the town was both a fishing village and a trading centre.

Culture

The Österlen Museum conveys the history of Simrishamn and the surrounding villages through exhibitions, programmes and the museum magazine Garvaren. The museum is open year-round; admission to the exhibitions and garden is free. The garden can be visited when the museum is open.

Hafreborg at Storgatan 24 was originally built as a granary and now houses exhibitions on floors 1, 2 and 3. Free apps from the Österlen Museum offer a town walk, a climate walk through Simrishamn and a guide to the “Simrishamn 900 Years” exhibition. In addition, a digital town walk through Simrishamn is available in Swedish, English and German.

The “Simrishamn 900 Years” exhibition covers the town’s history from the 12th to the 20th century. Autoseum also has its own focus areas: it includes a motorcycle museum focusing on motorcycles from the 1980s and 1990s, as well as L.A. TOYs, a toy museum featuring toys from earlier times.

History

S:t Nicolai Church was first mentioned in writing in 1161. Its nave was completed in the 13th century, and the vaults were added in the 15th century. The furnishings include a limestone baptismal font dating from the 12th century.

Getting around

The Vik–Simrishamn section of the Skåneleden trail runs along beaches, small paths and a cycle path. The fifth stage of the Skåneleden SL4 also starts in Simrishamn. In the vicinity of Simrishamn, the Hällristningsleden connects the Yxornas häll and Stenkilsristningen rock carvings. For longer cycling tours, the Sydostleden is a 270-kilometre national cycle route with stages between Växjö and Simrishamn.

Snurringen is Simrishamn’s local town bus route, and the journey is free. In the vicinity of Simrishamn, Tobisvik is served by buses 574 and SkåneExpressen 3; from there, it is a 750-metre walk.

Harbour and coast

Simrishamn’s tourist centre is located directly by the harbour in the Marint centrum. This is also where the culturally and historically protected ship T/S Sarpen is moored; it has been based in Simrishamn for more than fifty years. Visitors can take part in extended cruises, weekend trips and half- or full-day trips. Participants can learn to set the sails, steer, navigate, tie knots and cook on board.

In the vicinity of Simrishamn, Tobisvik has an approximately two-kilometre-long sandy beach.

Traditions

Sillens dag is a popular tradition and family celebration in Simrishamn. The event is connected to the long-standing importance of herring and herring fishing; the programme includes freshly fried Simrishamn herring and side dishes.

Market trading has taken place at Stortorget for more than 100 years. The flea market at Suckarnas gång takes place on Saturdays during the summer season and on five Sundays during the autumn season.

Other places

Other local pages: Gärsnäs, Borrby, Gladsax, Kivik, Rörum, Sankt Olof, Simrishamn, Skillinge, Vik, Brantevik, Tommarp, Vitaby, Hammenhög, Simrishamn V.

To the higher-level travel overview: Skåne.