Vik – Coastal Paths, Beach and Fishing Village History

Vik lies on a narrow strip of beach below high sand dunes and is surrounded by orchards. Coastal scenery and an agricultural landscape sit side by side here. To decide whether Vik is right for your trip, the walking trails, beach and local history offer different points of interest. If you are looking for a hotel in Vik, you can plan your stay around whichever of these aspects of the village interests you most.

Walking trails between the coast and inland areas

Stage 5 of the Skåneleden trail passes through Vik. Near Vik, the route turns inland and passes hills and cultivated land. Another option is the Skåneleden route from Vik to Simrishamn, which follows the coast along beaches, small paths and a cycle path. When planning, it is helpful to distinguish the inland stage from the coastal walk to Simrishamn, rather than treating the two routes as if they follow the same landscape.

The Linnéleden trail also offers a specific point of interest in the village: Afrodite Hamnkiosk is located along this trail and offers a beautiful view of Stenshuvud. Vik thus connects different walking themes with a clearly defined coastal and landscape setting, without all the trails following the same route.

Beach and rock formation south of Vik

The beach at Viks Fiskeläge, south of Vik, is a few hundred metres long and consists of fine sand. Prästens badkar is another coastal highlight: this unique, rose-shaped rock formation lies on the cliffs south of Vik. There are 20 parking spaces at Prästens badkar.

Traces of history

Vik’s history dates back to the Mesolithic period. During its final phase, a group of people lived on a hill in what is now Vik. The surviving area of the Vik settlement was not washed away by the sea and lies above the highest shoreline. These prehistoric traces belong to a different period from the village’s later history: Vik was a combination of fishing village and farming village, and is considered the oldest of Österlen’s seven fishing villages. Viks Fiskeläge is mentioned in written sources from 1613. The historical record thus stretches from a settlement on a hill to a written mention of the fishing hamlet.

Golf and art in the area

Lilla Vik is a classic, green parkland golf course; many of its holes run along the Baltic Sea coast. Golf was played on Vik’s beach meadows before Österlens Golf Club was founded in 1945. The club’s founding and the earlier history of golf in the area should therefore be distinguished chronologically.

Tjörnedala, near Vik, is another cultural highlight. It has been known as an art centre since the 1990s. The Östra Skånes Konstnärsgille (ÖSKG) operates there, with an art gallery, a café and a shop. Alongside walks and coastal attractions, golf history and art offer different interests to consider when planning your trip.

Plan your journey

Bus route SkåneExpressen 3 serves the “Vik Kanikevägen” stop; from there, it is about a 2 km walk. Factor this approximate walking distance into your plans and check the timetable for your travel day. If you are travelling by car, the 20 parking spaces at Prästens badkar provide a specific reference point.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Vitaby, Borrby, Gärsnäs, Hammenhög, Gladsax, Rörum, Simrishamn V, Brantevik.

Back to the main travel overview: Simrishamn.