Sigtuna: City history and paths by Lake Mälaren

Sigtuna combines early urban history with church buildings, a historic centre and nature experiences by Lake Mälaren. The town is considered Sweden’s first town and was founded in 980 AD by Erik the Victorious. Stora Gatan still follows the route of the original main street. There are 30 notable rune stones within the town—clues to a long history reflected in a wide variety of places and themes.

City History and Buildings

The historic centre retains a fine, well-preserved collection of wooden houses from the late 18th and 19th centuries. The church ruins also tell different chapters of the story: S:t Pers preserves the remains of a church built in the 12th century and intended to serve as a cathedral. S:t Olof is the remains of an early Romanesque church from the late 11th century. Mariakyrkan was the only church in Sigtuna to survive the Reformation and is considered Sweden’s earliest monumental brick building.

Sigtuna Museum presents the town’s history and features current exhibitions. Vikingasilvret explains how silver came to Sigtuna during the Viking Age and covers mining, coin minting and long-distance trade. The exhibition programme may change; check what is currently on before your visit. Guided town walks explore Sigtuna’s thousand-year history and may include a visit to Mariakyrkan. Schedules and booking terms may vary, so it is worth checking in advance.

Other stops offer different perspectives: Completed in 1744, Sigtuna Rådhus is one of Sweden’s smallest town halls. It retains its council chamber and features an exhibition about the building’s history and the people associated with it. Lundströmska gården is a preserved bourgeois home and a small general store from around 1900. At Borgmästargården, an outdoor exhibition about the house’s architecture and the styles of its objects is open to visitors year-round.

Drakegården is a 300-year-old house associated with people who lived and worked in Sigtuna. Its garden is open to all visitors year-round; the permanent exhibition Sigtunahistorier continues in one of the rooms in the house. The Ruinen blommar project makes the floor plan of the former S:t Lars kyrka visible with tens of thousands of spring stars. It is an annual event celebrated with a spring festival. The flowers are seasonal, and the exact dates may vary.

Paths, Nature and Experiences by the Water

Sigtuna has hiking trails and paths through nature reserves, beech forests and old-growth forests, along the shores of Lake Mälaren and across open meadows. Ten nature reserves offer a variety of habitats and natural features. Near Sigtuna and Märsta is Rävsta, a municipal nature reserve and recreational area with a bathing spot, fitness trail and riding facility. The Upplandsleden trail passes through the nature reserve between the two towns. Conditions and access rules in protected areas may vary; check the guidance before setting out.

Two stages of the Ingegerdsleden also lead to Sigtuna stad: Stage four comes from Rosersberg, and stage five from Odensala kyrka. Destination Sigtuna provides a walking map for a self-guided tour of the town. A map guide to public art walks also includes routes that pass through Sigtuna. Those interested in rune stones can also go on a self-guided search in Sigtuna.

Sjudargårdsbadet is located by Lake Mälaren west of the centre and has a jetty, barbecue area, toilets and showers. Seasonal services may vary; check the latest information before your visit. For trips on Sigtunafjärden, an unmanned Kayakomat station rents out kayaks and SUP boards. Rentals are seasonal and subject to the operator’s terms. Skokloster is also nearby; its interiors from the mid-17th century are completely preserved.

Getting There and Choosing a Hotel Location

You can reach Sigtuna from central Stockholm by train, bus or boat. Check the timetables before your trip; boat services may be seasonal. If you are looking for a hotel in Sigtuna, first decide what you want to shape your stay: historic sites, nature trails or activities by Lake Mälaren.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Arlanda, Märsta, Sigtuna, Järfälla, Nykvarn, Björkö, Huddinge, Nynäshamn

For the broader travel overview: Stockholm.