Köping: Town History, Museums and Riverside Paths

A woodworking shop with almost all of its original equipment, historic vehicles and a church with works of art from the early 16th century give Köping a rich cultural profile. There are also paths through Gamla stan, riverside parks and the Romboleden pilgrimage trail. For a hotel stay, you can choose to focus on town history, walks or hiking.

Museums spanning crafts and technology

The collections of Köping Museum moved into a former brewery in 1972. The building was constructed as a distillery in the 18th century. The museum itself was founded in 1887 by the town of Köping, on the initiative of rope-maker Per Alfred Dandernell. A malt house built in Köping in 1761 now forms the eastern part of the museum building. A Viking Age rider’s grave is also on display there; the presentation may change.

Discover traditional crafts at Nyströmska gårdens snickerimuseum. It preserves Köping’s only surviving ågård, a farmstead dating from the 17th century that served as a carpenter’s workshop for three generations from 1870 onward. The workshop retains almost all of its equipment; the machines and tools can still be used. Bil- och Teknikmuseet offers a different perspective on technology: on display are cars and motorcycles from the 1910s to the 1930s, restored by Bertil and Curt, including Bugatti cars and the supercharged 1929 Mercedes-Benz SSK racing car. Around 50 other vehicles and technically interesting objects are also displayed in period settings.

The exhibits at Köpings Brandmuseum include firefighting equipment from the 18th century, a fire engine from 1901 and a fire truck from 1932. Another facet of local heritage is presented by Köping-Uttersberg-Riddarhyttans Järnvägsmuseiförening, with an exhibition about the Köping-Uttersberg-Riddarhyttans railway.

Church art and historic townscapes

Today’s Köpings kyrka is the work of architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger and was inaugurated in 1706. Its altarpiece comes from northern Germany and was probably made around 1520. The church also has a sandstone baptismal font created in Upper Sweden in the early 16th century. Both works of art therefore predate the consecration of the present church building.

Gamla stan gives an impression of what Köping looked like before the great town fire. The Åpromenaden runs along wooden walkways through the old town, past the vicarage, Dammbron and Nyströmska gården. A map is available for a self-guided historic town walk; historical guided tours can be booked for groups. Tingshuset was built by Theodor Dahl in 1893.

Parks, waterways and activities

In Nyckelbergsparken, Valstaån and Kölstaån flow together to form Köpingsån. A Japanese bridge connects the park to a bird island, where many ducks gather. Kvarnparken has a different character: its walking path follows Kölstaån, which forms a small ravine with rapids and swirling eddies there.

Agda Östlunds park has a wheeled sports park for kick scooters, skateboards, inline skates and wheelchair skateboards. There is also a nature discovery trail, three disc golf baskets and two stages for events and spontaneous activities. At Gammelgårdens friluftsmuseum, drinks, ice cream and waffles are served among historic buildings; the café is seasonal, so it’s worth checking the current opening days. The seasonal program offers activities almost every day for all age groups, including wood-fired baking, blacksmithing, and trying carding and wool spinning. Check the current summer program before your visit.

Near Köping, Malmön on Lake Mälaren has a sandy beach with changing rooms, a toilet, a barbecue area and a small playground. Seasonal conditions and facilities may change; check the details before your visit.

Romboleden and practical information

The Romboleden pilgrimage trail starts in Köping and continues to the Norwegian border. It is 1,000 years old and consists of numerous stages of varying difficulty. There are suitable sections for beginners and experienced hikers alike. You can include a section of the trail in your travel plans to suit your preferred hiking level.

Trains and buses stop at Köping station. It takes about 7 to 10 minutes to walk from there to the town center. VL buses connect Köping with Kolsva, Västerås, Eskilstuna, Skinnskatteberg and Arboga; check the timetables before travelling. You can rent bicycles, children’s bicycles and a child bike trailer at the station. As availability may change, it’s a good idea to enquire in advance. The E18 passes Köping between Stockholm and Oslo; two exits lead to the town center.

When looking for a hotel, you can first decide what you want your stay to focus on: museums and architectural history, walks around the town and its parks, or a section of the Romboleden. This lets you plan around the visits you want to make time for in Köping.

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