Adelsön: Hotels between World Heritage, nature and hiking trails

The island brings these themes together at its own points of interest: Hovgården, Adelsö Church, the Adelsö-Sättra Nature Reserve, and trails through forest and open countryside. The following details about places and activities can help you organise your interests as you plan your trip.

World Heritage and traces of the island’s history

The Birka and Hovgården World Heritage Site comprises Hovgården on Adelsö and 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. Visible archaeological features of the royal estate at Hovgården include monumental burial mounds, a burial ground, a harbour, a runestone and the foundations of Alsnö hus.

The ruins of the medieval palace Alsnö hus lie on the grounds of Hovgården, about 100 metres east of the so-called royal mounds. The palace was built in the 13th century by Magnus Ladulås and Valdemar Birgersson. The Adelsö local heritage museum houses a museum about Hovgården, its archaeological remains, medieval buildings and life during the Viking Age. Adelsön thus offers different ways to explore history side by side: the physical traces on site and the topics covered by the museum.

Adelsö Church also adds to this historical tour. It dates back to the early 12th century and 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 suggest that a royal estate was located here at an early date. The church burial complex also contains Skopintull, a large burial mound. Based on the finds, the grave is dated to the first half of the 10th century.

Forest, hiking trails and views

The Adelsö-Sättra area is characterised by old coniferous forest of varying ages, with spruce and pine, and has very high natural value. The nature reserve protects a distinctive, now threatened type of spruce forest on naturally nutrient-rich sandy soils. The rare presence of the bomb murkla fungus is an indicator of these soils. The area has a bathing spot, a fire pit, public transport, parking, a rest area and a hiking trail. Check current information about the facilities before your visit.

The Adelsö hiking trail passes through coniferous and deciduous forests, over burial mounds and hillforts, and along shores, fields and meadows. Blue markings on trees and stones indicate the trail, which is considered easy to follow. The route connects natural and cultural traces without the same landscape features having to dominate the entire way. The observation tower at Kunstaberget stands at Adelsö’s highest point, 54 metres above sea level. From there, you can enjoy a view over Lake Mälaren.

The Adelsö Hiking Day traditionally opens the trail every year on Ascension Day, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. On this occasion, local associations serve mead at the burial mounds near Kunsta and sell fish soup at Sättra. If you plan to attend the Hiking Day, check the specific event dates. For deciding when to hike and when to visit cultural sites, this recurring event offers a different framework from an individual visit.

Getting there and other places to visit

The Adelsöleden road ferry connects Munsö and Adelsö over a 1,000-metre route. The crossing takes six minutes and is free of charge. It is worth checking the current timetable before travelling. Bus route 312 runs from Brommaplan via the ferry to Adelsö and stops at Hembygdsgården; check the current route before travelling as well. The nature reserve car park is about one kilometre from the Sättravägen bus stop. From the car park, a roughly 400-metre forest path leads to the reserve boundary and the fire pit.

For a swim, Adelsöbadet is next to the Hovgården World Heritage Site, below the Adelsö sports ground. It has a sandy beach and a bathing jetty. The bathing spot in the nature reserve is a separate place to visit, with a different setting. When planning your stay, you can prioritise these places and the cultural sites according to your interests without treating them as a single area.

Discover more destinations: Ekerö, Färentuna, Stenhamra, Skå, Munsö.

Return to the main travel overview: Ekerö.