Stora Gatan still follows the route of Sigtuna’s original main street; 30 significant runestones stand in the town. Sigtuna was founded in 980 by Erik the Victorious and is considered Sweden’s first town. As you explore, you’ll encounter layers of history—from runes and early churches to the wooden houses of the late 18th and 19th centuries.
Alleys, Houses and the Town’s History
The historic centre preserves a remarkable, well-maintained collection of wooden houses from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Lundströmska gården is a preserved bourgeois residence and small general store dating from around 1900. At Sigtuna Rådhus, you can trace the history of a small public building: it was completed in 1744 and is one of Sweden’s smallest town halls. The council chamber has been preserved, and an exhibition tells the story of the building and the people associated with it. At the 300-year-old Drakegården, the Sigtunahistorier exhibition continues in one of the rooms. Its garden is open to all visitors year-round. Borgmästargården offers another perspective on architecture and design: an outdoor exhibition about the house and the different styles of its objects is open year-round.
Churches and Medieval Traces
Mariakyrkan is the only church in Sigtuna to have survived the Reformation and is considered Sweden’s earliest monumental brick building. The ruins of S:t Olof and S:t Per take you back to even earlier building phases. S:t Olof is the remains of an early Romanesque church from the late 11th century. S:t Per preserves the remains of a church built in the 12th century and intended to serve as a cathedral. Guided town walks introduce Sigtuna’s thousand-year history and may include a visit to Mariakyrkan. Dates and booking conditions may vary.
Exhibitions and a Spring Project
Sigtuna Museum explores the town’s history and presents current exhibitions; the programme may change. The Vikingasilvret exhibition traces the journey of silver to Sigtuna during the Viking Age and covers mining, coin minting and long-distance trade. Alongside the visible traces in the townscape, the exhibition also explores the exchange that took place.
The Ruinen blommar project marks the outline of the former S:t Lars kyrka with tens of thousands of glory-of-the-snow flowers; flowering times vary by season. Ruinen blommar is an annual event celebrated with a spring festival. Exact dates vary.
Paths Through Town and Countryside
Sigtuna has ten nature reserves with a variety of habitats and natural features. Hiking trails and paths lead through protected areas and beech forests, along the shores of Lake Mälaren, through old forests and across open meadows. The municipal Rävsta conservation and recreation area is in the vicinity of Sigtuna and Märsta. Its facilities include a bathing area, a fitness trail and an equestrian centre; the Upplandsleden trail passes through the area. Conditions on individual paths and access rules in protected areas may vary.
The Ingegerdsleden route sections also offer a specific reference point: Stage four runs from Rosersberg to Sigtuna stad, and stage five from Odensala kyrka to Sigtuna stad. Destination Sigtuna provides a walking map for exploring Sigtuna stad independently. A map guide also covers public art walks that include Sigtuna. If you want to seek out the runestones, you can follow a self-guided route in Sigtuna.
Out on Lake Mälaren
Sjudargårdsbadet is on Lake Mälaren, west of Sigtuna centre. The bathing area has a jetty, barbecue area, toilets and showers; seasonal services may vary. An unstaffed Kayakomat station rents kayaks and SUP boards for trips on Sigtunafjärden. Availability is seasonal and depends on the operator. This gives you two different ways to enjoy the waterfront: a bathing area with the facilities listed above and a seasonal paddling option.
Sigtuna is reachable from central Stockholm by train, bus or boat. Check timetables before travelling, especially for seasonal boat services.
Discover more destinations: Arlanda, Märsta, Sigtuna, Tyresö, Huddinge, Solna, Sundbyberg, Enhörna.
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