Sigtuna: History and nature by Lake Mälaren

When choosing a hotel in Sigtuna, it helps to first decide what you would like to focus on during your trip. Located by Lake Mälaren, Sigtuna combines historic wooden houses and churches with museums, trails, and outdoor activities. The differences between these places and offerings can help you plan your stay.

Wooden houses and the town hall

The historic town center has a well-preserved collection of wooden houses dating from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Sigtuna’s town hall also dates from the 18th century and is considered Sweden’s smallest town hall. The wooden houses represent a collection of historic buildings, while the town hall is a single building with a distinctive, carefully qualified record for its size. Those interested in architectural heritage can therefore explore Sigtuna’s secular architecture as well as its churches.

Churches and ruins from different centuries

Mariakyrkan is the oldest building still in use in Sigtuna. Originally the church of a Dominican monastery, it is also Sweden’s earliest monumental brick building. The church is open daily year-round for sightseeing and personal prayer. Check current visiting hours before your visit. Mariakyrkan thus illustrates both the building’s special place in Swedish architectural history and its present-day religious use.

The ruins of S:t Olof are the remains of an early Romanesque church from the late 11th century. S:t Per preserves the remains of a church built in the 12th century and intended to serve as a cathedral. At S:t Lars, the remains of the tower of an early 12th-century church built of grey stone have survived. The ruins therefore differ not only in when they were built: in S:t Per’s case, the intended function as a cathedral is also part of its history.

Museum and historic houses

The Sigtunahistorier exhibition at Sigtuna Museum explores life from the Stone Age to the present day. The museum’s collections are based on archaeological finds dating from the 9th century onward. The exhibition thus covers a broad span of time, while the collections add an archaeological perspective. Exhibition content may change over time. The tourist information office is also located at Sigtuna Museum and provides up-to-date tourist information and tips on attractions and activities; there is also a gift shop and restrooms. Seasonal details may vary.

Drakegården is a 300-year-old house associated with people who lived and worked in Sigtuna. One of its rooms continues the Sigtuna Museum’s permanent Sigtunahistorier exhibition. Drakegården’s garden is open to all visitors year-round; check for current information before your visit. The interior of Borgmästargården has been preserved as it was when its last owner, Mayor Gustaf Dahl, died in 1992.

Trails, water, and nature

Munkholmen Nature Reserve is right next to Sigtuna. For a hike, there are trails of different lengths and routes to consider: the 11-mile, easy-to-walk Ingegerdsleden runs from Storkyrkan in Stockholm via Mariakyrkan in Sigtuna to the cathedral in Uppsala. Askarestigen is 2.5 kilometers long and passes through pastureland. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Munkholmsbadet is a family-friendly swimming area with a wooden jetty, benches, ladders, and a large lawn. Facilities may vary seasonally. You can rent kayaks and SUP boards from an unmanned Kayakomat in Sigtuna; the equipment can be unlocked at any time, 24 hours a day. Booking and equipment details may change.

Festivals and seasonal events

The Ruinen blommar project at the S:t Lars church ruins includes an annual event with a spring festival. Meadows planted with a specially prepared seed mix of locally occurring species have also been created next to the ruins. The future event program may change.

Sigtuna’s traditional Christmas market takes place on the four Sundays before Christmas and features market stalls and traditional food. Dates and programs vary from year to year; check the latest information if the market is important to your travel plans. Sigtuna’s historic market day has its roots in a farming gathering held in 1912 and has been a local tradition for more than 50 years.

Discover more destinations: Arlanda, Märsta.

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