Exploring Enköping can begin with outdoor art and lead into the city’s early history. Åpromenaden takes you to public artworks; an archaeological excavation uncovered a paved street dating back to the early 11th century. Garden events, natural areas and museums add other points of interest.
Gardens, swimming and water
Trädgårdsdagen takes place every year on the first Saturday in September in Enköping’s parks and city centre. Admission is free. The programme combines themes such as gardening, health, food and crafts with activities for all ages. These include markets, talks, exhibitors and workshops; individual programme items may vary from year to year.
Pepparrotsbadet has lagoons, water currents, an infinity pool and a diving tower. It also features a waterslide more than 100 metres long, a climbing wall and a children’s area with a Viking ship, a runestone and a treasure hunt. Operating arrangements and individual offerings may change; check the latest information before your visit.
Nearby, five kilometres south of Enköping city centre, Bredsandsbadet has a long sandy beach, a diving tower, jetties and a beach volleyball court. A kiosk adds to the facilities. Seasonal services and swimming conditions may change. From Bredsand, you can launch a kayak or canoe to explore Lake Mälaren and the islands of Skarpan and Gröneborg. Water conditions and equipment availability vary by season. Kayaks can be rented in Bredsand or at the harbour; stand-up paddleboards are also available to rent at the harbour. Check the provider’s latest information.
Natural areas and trails
At Korsängen, Vattenparken combines recreation with the treatment of much of Enköping’s stormwater. The nature area also provides a habitat for birds. Nearby, Haga ekbackar is within cycling distance; there you’ll find lake views, oak groves and hazel copses.
Hjälstaviken also offers opportunities for birdwatching. Around 265 different bird species have been observed there. A birdwatching tower in Hårby and a hide in the reeds at the foot of Kvarnberget provide additional places to watch birds. At Gröngarnåsen, close to the centre, there is a circular trail of about three kilometres and a birdwatching tower. Himlabacken offers views over Dyarna. In northern Dyarna, a 1.7-kilometre round-trip accessible route starts at the car park on Nyängsvägen and leads to a viewpoint by the river and the pasture.
A circular walk along the approximately two-kilometre-long Åpromenaden takes you to public artworks. The route can be visited year-round, at any time of day and in all weather. Allow about 50 to 60 minutes for the art walk at a leisurely pace, with short stops; it starts and ends at Drömparken. A Volvo PV can also be seen along Åpromenaden. For a longer cycling route, the 80-kilometre Cykelleden Uppland runs through the Mälaren landscape between Enköping and Bålsta via Örsundsbro. By contrast, the Mountainbikeleden in Gånsta is four kilometres long, marked blue and starts at the obstacle course in Gånsta. In summer, Parktåget offers a guided city tour through several parks, with a stop and the option to get off at Drömparken. Check the latest operating information and booking conditions.
City history in buildings and collections
Several places reveal different periods of history. Vårfrukyrkan on Kyrkåsen was built from the 12th century onwards and served as a church for a larger area at the time. Below Kyrkåsen are the ruins of St Ilians kyrka, built in the late 13th century. Red-painted granaries from the late 18th century stand at the harbour. Wallinska gården on Kryddgårdsgatan is a typical example of what much of the city’s buildings looked like just over a hundred years ago.
Enköpings museum is located in the former town hall, built in 1783. It presents the municipality’s cultural history from the Stone Age to almost the present day and, alongside permanent exhibitions, hosts temporary exhibitions on various topics. Check the current exhibition programme before your visit. Westerlundska gården is a museum in the former home and practice of Doctor Westerlund.
The Bahco Museum focuses on industrial history, tracing the journey of J. P. Johansson’s adjustable wrench from local innovation to global success. Exhibits include machines, films and objects from the company’s history, among them a spring hammer, lathes, special-purpose machines and items from the company’s industrial fire brigade.
Getting there and getting around
Enköping station is located at Enköpings resecentrum. According to UL’s route list, buses run from there to Västerås on route 874 and to Uppsala on routes 774 and 804. The train journey from Stockholm Central Station takes about 40 minutes. Check the latest train and UL information before travelling, as timetables and stops may change.
Enköping can also be reached by boat via Lake Mälaren; several harbours have guest moorings. In addition to the granaries, Enköping harbour has a guest harbour with ten berths and parking spaces for motorhomes. Harbour services, availability and fees may vary seasonally.
Discover more destinations: Örsundsbro, Enköping, Lillkyrka, Ekolsund, Edsta, Fjärdhundra, Grillby, Heby.
For the broader travel overview: Uppsala.
