Discover Simrishamn: Old Town, Coastal Hiking and Local Traditions

Simrishamn combines historical discoveries with varied coastal hiking and unique insights into the local food culture. In the well-preserved Old Town, cobblestone streets lead past pastel-coloured houses and carved doors. There are also museums, churches, historic buildings and activities that allow you to explore the town’s history independently. When looking for a holiday apartment in Simrishamn, it is therefore worth deciding first which travel experiences you are looking for: culture, hiking, seasonal activities or a combination of these.

Old Town and museum as a cultural focus

The medieval town centre gives Simrishamn a clearly recognisable historic character. A digital town tour allows visitors to discover the town’s history at their own pace. The apps from the Österlens Museum also build on this approach. They include a town tour, a climate walk through Simrishamn and a guide to the “Simrishamn 900 Years” exhibition. The apps can be downloaded free of charge from app stores, providing an additional way to get to know the town independently.

The Österlens Museum conveys the history of Simrishamn and its villages through exhibitions, event programmes and the museum magazine Garvaren. Since 1956, the museum has been housed in Hafreborg, a building constructed in 1848 as a grain store. 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 regional history will find several different perspectives here: urban development, trade and everyday life in the surrounding area.

Historical traces and independent discoveries

Another notable site is S:t Nicolai Church. It was first mentioned in writing in 1161 and contains a 12th-century baptismal font made of limestone. Details like these make Simrishamn’s historical dimension tangible without requiring you to limit yourself to a purely museum-based trip. The combination of the Old Town, church, Hafreborg and museum activities offers different focal points for planning your trip.

Skåneleden between Simrishamn and Kivik

For active days, Stage 5 of Skåneleden offers a specific choice: the 20-kilometre route leads from Simrishamn to Kivik. The stage runs along sandy beaches, rocky coastal meadows and wooded cliffs and includes Stenshuvud National Park. This allows you to distinguish between cultural moments in the town and a longer hike through a varied coastal landscape when planning your trip. Take the 20-kilometre distance into account when planning your day and choose your accommodation according to the focus of your trip.

Local traditions and seasonal experiences

Herring and regional culture take centre stage at Sillens dag. 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. Sillens dag is a popular tradition and a celebration for all age groups, featuring good food, culture and a stage programme. For families, this experience can show a different side of Simrishamn than a museum visit or hike.

Another seasonal option is Tobisviksbadet, which is open during the summer season. If you would like to include this seasonal activity in your plans, you can take the summer season into account when choosing your holiday apartment and planning your days. This creates a trip that combines cultural sightseeing, exercise along the coast, local specialities and a seasonal activity.

Places for further travel planning

If you would like to extend your travel plans beyond Simrishamn, you can also choose from the following places: Brantevik, Vitaby, Hammenhög, Skillinge, Sankt Olof, Borrby, Kivik and Vik.

To the higher-level travel overview: Simrishamn.