One of Sweden’s best-preserved 17th-century sites and a museum where visitors are allowed to climb into historic vehicles: Eskilstuna combines industrial history with a range of discoveries. There is also art, a historic district and routes along the Eskilstunaån. You can choose between museums, history in the urban landscape and outdoor activities during your stay.
Forges, city history and art
Rademachersmedjorna is one of Sweden’s best-preserved 17th-century sites. At Jutemarks Smide in Rademachersmedjorna, visitors can book a blacksmithing course to try their hand at the craft. This also makes the site interesting for travellers who want not only to learn about the history of the craft, but to try it out for themselves.
In Gamla Staden, the historic character of the city can be explored across an entire district and along a specific street: the district is one of the oldest and best-preserved parts of Eskilstuna. Cobblestoned Köpmangatan is lined with 18th-century cultural buildings and runs along the river. Those who prefer to explore history through a district rather than a museum collection will find a different perspective here from the one offered by the city’s exhibitions.
The Eskilstuna konstmuseum spans a broad period with its collection, which includes works from the 17th century to the present day. The collection consists mainly of Nordic and Northern European art, with a focus on 20th-century Swedish painting. Guided tours of current exhibitions offer an additional way to engage with the works on display. The Munktellmuseet, by contrast, focuses on a different theme: it presents more than 190 years of Swedish industrial history.
The Eskilstuna stadsmuseum also explores the city’s history. It is a museum for all ages. In the interactive space Faktotum, children and adults can experiment independently with magnetism, electricity and centrifugal force. This makes the visit different from an exhibition where looking at the displays is the main activity. An unusual addition to the museum offerings is the Utedassmuseet, Sörmland’s only outdoor privy museum.
Get hands-on or head outdoors
At the Munktellmuseet, visitors are allowed to sit in historic vehicles. With a VR headset, they can also try driving a dumper truck in a quarry and operating a mini excavator. Along with the blacksmithing course at Rademachersmedjorna, these offer hands-on ways to explore crafts and industrial history, each with a different focus.
For time outdoors, there are two routes with different lengths and uses. Ă…strĂĄket is a 20-kilometre walking route along the EskilstunaĂĄn, from Skjulsta in the south to Ă„ngsholmen in the north. The route can also be used for cycling and paddling. Lejonrundan is a 14-kilometre, family-friendly cycling route through varied natural landscapes and Eskilstuna city centre. When choosing between the two, the activity you have in mind and the route itself are just as useful to consider as the distance: Ă…strĂĄket offers several ways to get around, while Lejonrundan is described as a cycling route.
At Parken Zoo’s Lilla Zoo, visitors can get close to farm animals such as sheep, goats, miniature pigs, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. This is a separate reason to visit, in addition to the city’s museums and historic sites. For a family outing, Faktotum is also a specific option, where adults and children can experiment together independently.
Nearby additions
About an eight-minute drive from central Eskilstuna, ReTuna Återbruksgalleria is considered the world’s first reuse mall. It sells only reused, recycled, organic or sustainably produced goods. The site adds a shopping experience with a clearly defined range of products to the cultural and historical attractions.
Skjulstabastun is about four kilometres from Fristadstorget. Its facilities include a large and a small sauna, as well as a private jetty. If you plan to visit during your stay, it is a good idea to check the visiting arrangements that apply to your chosen date.
Discover more destinations: Näshulta, Kvicksund, Västra Näshulta, Stora Sundby, Ärla
Return to the main travel overview: Eskilstuna.
