Sigtuna lies on Lake Mälaren and offers several ways to explore local history: well-preserved wooden houses, an early brick church, church ruins and a museum covering topics from the Stone Age to the present day. Trails, a bathing spot and recurring events are also possible highlights. If you’re looking for a hotel in Sigtuna, you can first decide whether architecture, museum history, trails or seasonal events will shape your stay.
Wooden Houses, Church and Ruins
The historic town centre has a well-preserved collection of wooden houses dating from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Mariakyrkan is the oldest building in Sigtuna still in use. It was originally the church of the Dominican monastery and is also considered Sweden’s earliest monumental brick building. It is open daily throughout the year for visits and personal prayer. Check the latest opening information before your visit. Pilgrims can also come here to seek quiet and peace.
The church ruins tell of different building projects and periods. S:t Olof is the remains of an early Romanesque church from the late 11th century. The remains of a 12th-century church intended to serve as a cathedral can be seen at S:t Per. At S:t Lars, the tower of a church built from grey stone in the early 12th century still stands. Comparing these sites offers a glimpse of different periods in architectural history, as each ruin tells its own story.
The town hall offers its own perspective on the town’s architectural history: it dates from the 18th century and is considered Sweden’s smallest town hall. At Borgmästargården, the interior has been preserved as it was when the last owner, Mayor Gustaf Dahl, died in 1992. Both sites complement the churches with civic and residential evidence of the past.
Museum and Drakegården
The Sigtuna Museum’s collections are based on archaeological finds dating back to the 9th century. The permanent exhibition Sigtunahistorier explores life from the Stone Age to the present day. The museum exhibition continues in a room at Drakegården. The 300-year-old house is associated with people who lived and worked in Sigtuna; its garden is open to all visitors year-round. As visitor arrangements and exhibitions may change, it’s worth checking the latest information before planning your visit.
The tourist information office is also located in the Sigtuna Museum. There you can get up-to-date tourist information and tips on sights and activities; there is also a souvenir shop and toilets. This can be useful when finding your way around, especially if you want to divide your time between cultural sites, trails and events.
Trails and Nature Around Sigtuna
The rune stone trail leads to ten rune stones. At 2.5 kilometres, Askarestigen offers a different distance and setting, passing through pastureland. Ingegerdsleden is 11 miles long and easy to walk: it runs from Storkyrkan in Stockholm via Mariakyrkan in Sigtuna to the cathedral in Uppsala. Check current trail conditions before setting out; the routes differ considerably in length and course.
Munkholmen Nature Reserve lies right next to Sigtuna. Beside the church ruin of S:t Lars, meadows have been established using a specially composed seed mix of locally occurring species.
For activities on the water, kayaks and SUP boards can be rented from the unstaffed Kayakomat in Sigtuna; the equipment can be unlocked around the clock. Rental and equipment details may change, so check them before making plans. Munkholmsbadet is a child-friendly bathing spot with a wooden jetty, benches, ladders and a large lawn. Facilities may vary by season.
Events Throughout the Year
At the S:t Lars church ruin, the Ruinen blommar project includes an annual event with a spring festival. The programme may change; check the latest dates before travelling. A historic market day has its origins in an agricultural meeting in 1912 and has been a local tradition for more than 50 years; its dates may also vary from year to year. Sigtuna’s traditional Christmas market takes place on the four Sundays before Christmas and features market stalls and traditional food. The three events offer different seasonal highlights, so they cannot all be experienced in a single visit.
Discover more destinations: Märsta, Arlanda.
Return to the main travel overview: Sigtuna.
