Södertälje: Nature Trails, Coast and Culture

Södertälje is located where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. The municipality offers several themes to help you plan your stay: coastal and hiking landscapes, habitats for wildlife and plants, and cultural attractions and outdoor activities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Södertälje, you can use these themes to tailor your trip to your own interests.

Nature and Trails in Södertälje

The Sörmlandsleden runs along two parallel routes through Södertälje Municipality: a northern route runs between Grödinge and Gnesta, while a southern route follows the eastern municipal boundary via Mörkö. The Kustleden, by contrast, follows the coast through varied landscapes. These include open woodlands, coastal meadows shaped by grazing, rocky outcrops and viewpoints overlooking the fjärds.

The routes offer different experiences: the Sörmlandsleden highlights its two routes and their locations within the municipality, while the Kustleden focuses on the coastal landscape along the trail. This lets you choose between different types of scenery when planning your trip, without confusing the two routes.

The restored Lina lersjö bird lake is another special natural area. It provides a habitat for amphibians, including both larger and smaller newts, as well as many dragonfly species. Södertälje also has 24 nature reserves.

There are several fishing spots around Farstanäs. You can fish there year-round without a fishing licence. Fishing can therefore be included in your trip planning as a separate focus alongside hiking trails and nature watching.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

In central Södertälje, the open-air museum Torekällberget uses historic houses and farmsteads to show what life in Sörmland was like in the 19th century. The museum also has recreated gardens featuring plants typical of the period, and traditional Swedish farm animal breeds live in the enclosures. The historic buildings and gardens offer complementary ways to experience life in that era.

The outdoor area at Tom Tits Experiment offers activities such as cycling along a high-wire course, panning for gold, exploring a plant maze and taking part in various water experiments. These activities are available seasonally, so bear the season in mind if you plan to include them in your itinerary.

Another cultural attraction is Wendela Hebbes hus. From 1863 to 1888, the house was the summer residence of journalist and writer Wendela Hebbe. The museum in the house tells the story of her and her daughter Signe Hebbe, presenting both women as important pioneers of Swedish cultural life.

The Kanalmuseet is a signposted walking route along the west side of the Södertälje Canal. It runs from the lock past Wendela Hebbes hus to Gamla Flickskolan. Nine panels use text and images to describe features and surroundings along the canal; individual panels may be undergoing maintenance or being replaced.

Opened in 1992, Kulturhuset i Ytterjärna is a cultural centre with a varied programme and a concert hall. Marcus Wallenberg Hall offers a different perspective on culture and technology. It is privately owned but open to the public. Its exhibitions tell you more about Scania and the company’s vision for sustainable transport, connectivity and the environment. Specific displays may change; exhibitions may be temporarily limited during renovations or events.

Practical Information

Bus 751 runs uphill to Torekällberget from the bus stop at the commuter rail station. As bus details may change, check the timetable before your visit. The tourist information office in Södertälje Municipality provides maps, brochures and event tickets. If these materials are important to your plans, check the latest service information in advance.

Discover more destinations: Södertälje, Järna, Hölö, Mölnbo, Nykvarn, Sundbyberg, Drottningholm, Enhörna.

For the main travel overview: Stockholm.