Ekerö between World Heritage and nature

Ekerö brings together traces of very different periods: Ekerö Church was built in the late 12th century as the estate church of Askanäs, while Birka and Hovgården tell stories of trade and power. There are also cultural offerings in the centre, trails through forests and historic landscapes, and activities on the water. You can therefore tailor your stay to a wide range of interests.

World Heritage and history

The municipality of Ekerö includes two World Heritage Sites: the Drottningholm Palace area, and Birka and Hovgården. Between around 750 and 980 AD, Birka was one of the most important trading towns in Northern Europe. Activities in Birka were organised and directed from the royal residence at Hovgården. The visible remains give an impression of the different sites: Birka includes a hillfort, town fortifications, burial mounds and a Viking Age settlement site. At Hovgården, visible remains include monumental mounds, a cemetery, a harbour, a runestone and the foundations of Alsnö hus.

The Drottningholm World Heritage Site preserves the palace, the palace theatre, the Chinese Pavilion and the gardens. Several runestones, created around the year 1000, offer another glimpse into the municipality’s history. Stenhuggarbyn is a well-preserved industrial settlement that tells the story of life in the late 19th century. Ekerö Church also has its own historical connection: it stands on the northern shore of Ekeröfjärden, near a steep bank.

Cultural offerings in the centre

The Kulturhuset in the centre of Ekerö brings together a library, cinema, theatre hall and gallery. The Erskinesalen, an assembly and theatre hall with 218 seats, hosts theatre performances, concerts, lectures and film screenings. Gallery Utkiken shows contemporary art and themed exhibitions. Around four exhibitions are planned each year; occasional guided tours with the exhibiting artist and workshops related to the exhibitions are also held. The programme may vary.

The library also offers a special resource for culture enthusiasts: in the centre of Ekerö, it has a genealogy research room with a computer for family history research. The cultural offerings range from exhibitions and stage events to opportunities to explore your own family history.

Trails, landscapes and water

In Ekerö, kilometres of hiking trails wind through wooded areas and historic landscapes. Two route details help you compare length and what to expect along the way: the first section of the Ekerö-Munsö Trail is 18 kilometres long and passes, among other places, a swimming area and Skytteholm. The hiking trail on Adelsö is 16 kilometres long; prehistoric burial grounds and a lookout tower with views over Lake Mälaren lie along the route. The distances provide a concrete point of comparison, while the destinations give each route its own character.

The Lovö Nature Reserve also includes Kärsön. There are several trails there, some of which are accessible by wheelchair and with a pushchair; accessibility may vary depending on conditions. Swimming spots in Ekerö include jetties, beaches, places for forest bathing and individual rocks. There are downhill and cross-country mountain biking trails; conditions on individual routes may change.

There are also various ways to get out on the water: kayaks and canoes can be rented at several locations. Friluftsfrämjandet offers guided kayak and canoe tours at different difficulty levels. SUP boards can be rented for paddling on Lake Mälaren. If you are planning a guided tour or rental, check current dates and availability in advance.

Swimming and local apple-growing traditions

Ekerö Badhus has a modern 25-metre pool for swimming, playing, exercise and training. Facilities also include a pool with an adjustable floor, a teaching pool, a relaxation pool, a children’s pool, a sauna and a café. As facilities may change, it is worth checking the latest information before your visit.

Ekerö is particularly well known for its apple orchards. The park at Ekebyhov Palace is home to Sweden’s northernmost self-regenerating beech forest; the Ekebyhov apple gene bank comprises around 50 varieties associated with Uppland and central Sweden. Seasonal opportunities to pick your own fruit and vegetables are available around Ekerö. Rosenhills gårdsbutik is an organic-focused farm shop with a café; visitors can have apples pressed into juice there.

The Adelsö Öl Festival is a recurring annual event that offers beer tastings. Check the latest edition before travelling. You can reach Ekerö by bus, car, boat, ferry and bicycle. SL commuter ferry line 89 runs between the centre of Ekerö and Klara Mälarstrand; travel times may change, so it is a good idea to check the current timetable before your journey.

Discover more destinations: Ekerö, Färentuna, Stenhamra, Skå, Munsö, Adelsön, Solna, Haninge.

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