To the south of Stockholm is Norrköping with its tree-lined avenues, outdoor cafés, 19th century canalscape, trams, and elegant architecture. Heading west of Stockholm towards Lake Mälaren’s bays and inlets, you come to idyllic Mariefred and the impressive Gripsholms Castle. Enjoy the charming towns and castles south and west of the capital of Sweden.
The main attraction in Norrköping is Kolmården Djurpark, Scandinavia’s wildlife safari, natural habitat and amusement park supreme.
South and West of the Capital of Sweden
Gripsholms Castle in Mariefred contains the royal portrait collections and a marvelous theatre from the late 1700s. Best of all is the architecture of this fortress, begun in the 1370s and continually updated. Around the edge of the moat is a collection of runestones carved with serpents, ships and inscriptions.
Related: Royal Parks and Gardens in Stockholm
Mariefred
Mariefred is a lazy summer lake town, with cafés and restaurants to suit all tastes, and ferry connections to and from Stockholm.
Related: King’s Garden in Stockholm
Further west
Further west around the lakeshore is Strängnäs, a delightful small town dominated by a magnificent Gothic cathedral. Next to the church at Boglösa 20km (12 miles) north, are hundreds of Bronze Age rock carvings.
Feature image (on top): Strängnäs
South and West of the Capital of Sweden, written by Tor Kjolberg