This coastal town on Sweden's southeastern shore has been a key apple-growing region since the 1800s. Local orchards and the annual apple market draw visitors each fall.
Kivik sits along Sweden’s southeastern coast in Österlen, where stone carvings from the Bronze Age share space with apple orchards and fishing boats. Walk through a 3,000-year-old burial site, taste cider made from fruit grown in local farms, or explore summer markets selling smoked herring and handmade pottery. Stenshuvud National Park has trails leading to a hilltop with clear views of the Baltic Sea, and outdoor art installations dot the fields near the village. Fishermen still unload their catch daily at the harbor, and archaeologists continue to uncover new details about the area’s ancient past. Compact enough to explore on foot, Kivik connects Sweden’s history with its present through tangible experiences.
The King’s Grave: Bronze Age Mysteries in Stone
North of Kivik, the King’s Grave rises 75 meters wide as Sweden’s largest burial site from the Bronze Age. Step inside the reconstructed stone chamber to see ten upright slabs forming a narrow passage, where carvings of ships, horses, and human figures cover the walls. Archaeologists found fragments of bronze tools and textiles here in the 1930s, along with a second burial chamber now known as the Prince’s Grave. Recent laser scans revealed additional carvings previously hidden by lichen, deepening questions about the site’s purpose. A five-minute walk leads to the Ängakåsen Grave Field, where a stone arrangement resembling a ship and remnants of an ancient path suggest this area held ceremonial significance.
Kivik Market: July Festivals and Local Trade
For one week each July, Kivik’s central square fills with vendors selling smoked fish, apple products, and handmade goods—a tradition started in 1743. Farmers bring crates of Jonagold and Ingrid Marie apples, while fishermen offer barrels of salted herring prepared using methods unchanged for centuries. Pottery stalls display mugs and bowls glazed in earthy tones, and woodworkers demonstrate traditional carving techniques. The market began as a place to trade livestock and grain, evolving into a social event where locals share stories over plates of pancakes topped with cloudberry jam. Arrive before noon to try warm cardamom buns from bakeries set up near the church.
Stenshuvud National Park: Forests, Beaches, and a Hilltop Vista
Stenshuvud National Park, 5 kilometers south of Kivik, protects a 97-meter-high hill with sweeping views from its summit. A 5-kilometer trail loops through beech forests and open heathlands where purple gentian flowers bloom in May. Rare dwarf cork trees grow here due to the park’s unique microclimate, alongside over 600 types of fungi documented by biologists. At Hällevik beach, a sheltered cove with fine sand provides a spot for swimming after hiking. Stone foundations near the shore mark the location of a 5th-century fortification used to monitor sea traffic.
Kivik Art Centre: Photography Exhibits in Rural Settings
The Kivik Art Centre displays large-scale photography installations within a landscape of fields and orchards. Two concrete structures act as frames, directing your gaze toward specific views of the surrounding hills and sea. Inside the main gallery, temporary exhibits rotate between Nordic photographers and sculptors, with themes often tied to nature. Outside, weathered steel boxes screen-printed with abstract images create playful contrasts against the grass. The center’s layout changes periodically, with new pavilions added to reflect collaborations between artists and architects.
Local Food: Apples, Herring, and Emerging Wineries
Kivik’s apple orchards produce over 50 varieties, pressed into juices and ciders at farms like Kiviks Musteri. Sample sweet-sour Julmust cider in autumn, or try apple ice cream made fresh at roadside stands. Herring remains a staple—look for it smoked over juniper wood at harbor-side stalls, served on rye bread with pickled onions. Nearby vineyards grow Solaris and Rondo grapes, producing white wines adapted to Skåne’s climate. Several farms host tastings in renovated barns, pairing wines with local cheeses.
Family Visits: Animals, Playgrounds, and History Tours
The Kivik Zoo keeps native Scandinavian species like moose and red deer, with daily feeding sessions where children can hand-feed carrots to goats. A museum near the harbor displays fishing nets, wooden boat models, and tools used in apple farming since the 1800s. At the waterfront playground, kids climb replica Viking ships made from treated pine. Guides at the King’s Grave offer 45-minute tours for families, explaining Bronze Age life through replica artifacts. Don’t miss the 13th-century church, where medieval frescoes of saints peer through layers of whitewash.
Kivik Harbour: Fishing Boats and Summer Events
Kivik’s harbor mixes working fishing vessels with pleasure boats, all moored along a floating dock installed in 2018. Watch crews unload crates of herring, later grilled over open fires at nearby restaurants. A gravel path winds past storage sheds to a pebble beach popular for sunbathing in July. Every summer, the harbor hosts a weekend seafood festival with live fiddle music and all-you-can-eat shrimp served on paper plates. For a quiet moment, sit on the breakwater at sunset as gulls circle above the masts.
