Monumental burial mounds, a burial ground, a harbour, a runestone and the foundations of a palace are among the visible archaeological features of Hovgården. The site on Adelsö is part of the Birka and Hovgården World Heritage Site, which also includes Birka on the neighbouring island of Björkö. Hovgården was considered a centre of power, with an aristocratic residence from which a king controlled, among other things, the nearby Viking Age trading centre of Birka.
Hovgården and the history of Adelsön
The ruins of the medieval palace of Alsnö hus lie on the grounds of Hovgården, about 100 metres due east of the so-called King's Mounds. The palace was built in the 13th century by Magnus Ladulås and Valdemar Birgersson. Adelsö hembygdsgård houses a museum about Hovgården, with information on the archaeological remains, medieval buildings and life during the Viking Age.
Adelsö kyrka also offers a unique perspective on the island's history. Its roots date back to the early 12th century. It was originally built as a nave with a narrower, lower choir to the east, ending in a semicircular apse. Three large burial mounds north of the church point to an early royal estate. Skopintull, a large burial mound, is part of the burial complex by the church. Based on the finds, the grave is dated to the first half of the 10th century. At selected graves in the cemetery, you can take a self-guided tour using pre-recorded audio guides and QR codes.
Hiking trails, forest and views
The Adelsö hiking trail passes through coniferous and deciduous forests, over burial mounds and hillforts, and along shores, fields and meadows. Its blue markings on trees and stones are considered easy to follow; check the markings on site before setting out. For a different kind of overview, visit the observation tower on Kunstaberget: at 54 metres above sea level, it stands at Adelsö's highest point and offers views across Lake Mälaren.
Other archaeological sites include Skansbergets fornborg, which measures 110 × 80 metres. Near Stenby, an Iron Age burial ground lies behind a 500-metre-long stone wall. It is dated from the Migration Period to the Viking Age. The landscape thus brings together traces from different periods: the hiking trail passes burial mounds and hillforts, while the dating of the burial ground at Stenby provides its own timeframe.
The Adelsö-Sättra area is characterised by old coniferous forest of varying ages, with spruce and pine, and has very high natural value. It protects a distinctive, now threatened type of spruce forest on naturally nutrient-rich sandy soils; the rare presence of the Bombmurkla fungus is an indicator of this forest type. The nature reserve has a bathing area, a barbecue site, public transport access, parking, a rest area and a hiking trail. Facilities may change; check the latest information before your visit.
Plan your visit: ferry, bus and hiking day
The Adelsöleden car ferry connects Munsö and Adelsö over a 1,000-metre route. The crossing takes six minutes and is free of charge. Check the current timetable before travelling. Bus route 312 runs from Brommaplan across the ferry to Adelsö and stops at Hembygdsgården; as the route may change, it is also worth checking the latest connections.
The nature reserve's car park is about one kilometre from the Sättravägen bus stop. From the car park, a forest path of roughly 400 metres leads to the reserve boundary and the barbecue site. These distances refer to two separate sections: first to the car park, then onwards through the forest.
Every year, the Adelsö Hiking Day traditionally marks the opening of the Adelsö hiking trail on Ascension Day, between 10 am and 1 pm. During the event, local associations serve mead at the burial mounds near Kunsta and sell fish soup at Sättra. If you are visiting specifically for the Hiking Day, the time window and the locations mentioned are useful points of reference.
Swimming at Adelsöbadet
Adelsöbadet is next to the Hovgården World Heritage Site, below Adelsö's sports field. The bathing area has a sandy beach and a bathing jetty. So, alongside the historic sites and hiking trail, there is also a designated swimming spot to choose as a separate activity.
Discover more destinations: Munsö, Stenhamra, Skå, Färentuna, Ekerö.
Return to the main travel overview: Ekerö.
