Södermanland lies on the southern shore of Lake Mälaren. Its landscapes range from large lakes and lake systems to rivers, forests and farmland, as well as coastal archipelagos. There are also beaches, deep forests and meadows. Its historical attractions are just as varied: castles, manor houses, museums and a long-distance hiking trail take you through different chapters of the region.
Hiking Through Landscapes and History
The 1,000-kilometre Sörmlandsleden trail passes through varied natural and cultural landscapes and by historic monuments. Along the trail are circular routes of different lengths, ranging from hikes of about an hour to full-day excursions. This means you can plan time for either a short walk or a longer hike. Most stages are easy to reach by car, bus or train. Transport connections can change, so check the details before you travel. Many of the hiking trails in Sörmland start at a train station or bus stop.
At Stendörren, several suspension bridges connect the mainland to the nearest archipelago islands. You can go hiking there. From Naturum Stendörren, an accessible ramp leads to a picnic area with a fire pit by the sea. Travelling by bus is also an option: bus 554 from Nyköping or Trosa stops at Stendörren. Bus services can change, so it is worth checking the details before you set off.
Castles, Workshops and Museum History
Construction of Gripsholm Castle began in 1537. The castle houses one of Europe’s best-preserved 18th-century theatres. It is also home to the Swedish State Portrait Collection, the oldest national portrait gallery in the world. Today, it comprises around 5,000 works, with more than 800 portraits on display in the castle. The theatre and the collection offer two different perspectives on the castle: its history as a building and the portrait art on display there.
Rademachersmedjorna is one of Sweden’s best-preserved 17th-century settings. Several well-preserved buildings date back to Sweden’s first forge manufactory, founded in the 1650s. Rademachersmedjorna is also home to businesses practising traditional crafts, as well as several outdoor exhibitions. These are open around the clock all year; craft and exhibition offerings may vary.
Nyköping Castle is best known for the Nyköping Banquet of 1317. In the Kungstornet, exhibitions by Sörmlands Museum explore the castle’s history in the 14th and 16th centuries. The museum has a museum house in Nyköping and operates throughout Södermanland. Its programme includes exhibitions, guided tours, courses, workshops, lectures and talks; the programme changes over time.
A Manor House with Gardens and Collections
Julita Gård shows what a large estate in Södermanland looked like and how it operated in the early 20th century. The estate grounds contain almost 360 buildings. Around 290 fruit trees grow in the park, which also features living collections of cultivated plants. The buildings, orchard and plant collections each offer a different focus: you can explore the historic estate as well as the plants that are part of its park today.
Julita Gård has a shop, a café and an inn offering seasonal aromas and local flavours. Food and drink options vary by season. There are around 400 castles and manor houses in Södermanland for visitors to discover.
Journeys and Routes to Help Plan Your Trip
The Östra Sörmlands Järnväg heritage railway runs between Mariefred and Taxinge-Näsby, stopping at Läggesta. It offers rides on real steam locomotives that are more than 100 years old. Timetables and services can change, so check the details before your journey. In summer, the S/S Mariefred steamboat runs on the Stockholm–Mariefred and Mariefred–Taxinge-Näsby routes. It is also a good idea to check seasonal sailing dates in advance.
Road 223 between Nyköping and Mariefred is known as “Utflyktsvägen.” In the Södermanland archipelago, you can take canoe and kayak trips among thousands of islands and skerries. This gives you a choice of hiking trails and excursions on the water for exploring the outdoors.
Discover more destinations: Strängnäs, Trosa, Vingåker, Nyköping, Flen, Katrineholm, Eskilstuna, Gnesta, Enstaberga, Oxelösund, Stigtomta.
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