Things to do in Sigtuna – 9 tips in Sweden's oldest city

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | What is there to do in Sigtuna? Sweden's oldest preserved town offers colorful wooden houses, medieval church ruins and nice walks along Lake Mälaren. We have visited Sigtuna both on our own and together with our Dutch friends, who wanted to discover a different Swedish city than Stockholm. Here we have collected tips for a trip to this charming small town.

Sigtuna – a small town with a long history

Sigtuna is located on Lake Mälaren, about 50 km northwest of Stockholm. It is a small and walkable town where you can combine history with small shops, coffee and a moment by the water.

The city was founded by King Erik Segersäll at the end of the 10th century. Around 995, his son Olof Skötkonung had Sweden's first coins minted here. During the Middle Ages, Sigtuna was an important place for the monarchy, the church and trade.

Today, it is primarily the mixture of small-town surroundings and ancient remains that makes Sigtuna a pleasant excursion destination. You don't have to be particularly interested in history to appreciate the alleys and the promenade, but those who want to delve deeper have a lot to discover.

What can you do in Sigtuna?

Here are our tips for sights and experiences in Sigtuna. Many are close to each other, so it's easy to discover the city on foot.

1. Stroll along Stora gatan

Stora gatan is a natural starting point for a walk through Sigtuna. Here you will find colorful wooden houses with small shops, cafés and restaurants.

The street has had the same layout for over a thousand years. The houses that stand here today, however, are considerably younger – most of them date from the 18th and 19th centuries. So it is the old city plan that you follow when you walk through the city center.

We think this is one of the most enjoyable parts of a visit to Sigtuna. Take it easy, look in the shop windows and let the walk take some time.

2. Discover the alleys and wooden houses

Don't forget to turn off the main street! In the small alleys you will find more nice houses, gardens and details to stop at. During our visit in 2016, the sun shone over the red, yellow and green facades. It was one of those days when the camera had to work hard, even though we had really only planned to do a fairly simple excursion.

The small environments are a big part of Sigtuna's charm. You don't always have to look for a particular attraction – sometimes it's enough to follow an alley and see where you end up.

3. Walk along Lake Mälaren

From the city center it is just a short walk down to Lake Mälaren. Here you can follow the promenade, sit on a bench and look out over the water.

When we were here in 2016, frost and ice remained on the beach, while the sun gave a hint of spring. It was a very nice walk, and the beach environment was one of the things we appreciated most. A moment by the water is a good break between shops and historical remains. Feel free to bring something good and make room for a break.

4. Visit Sigtuna's church ruins

Sigtuna has three medieval church ruins: S Olof, S Per and S Lars. They are located in different places in the old city center and can be combined during a walk. According to the parish, the ruins are open during the day.

We stopped in particular at the ruins of St. Olof, which is located next to St. Mary's Church. The strong stone walls make it easy to imagine what an impressive building this once was.

S Per is located west of the city center and also has large preserved parts. Of S Lars, on Prästgatan, only a fragment of the tower remains. All three tell something about the time when churches had a very prominent role in Sigtuna.

5. Peek inside St. Mary's Church

Next to the ruins of St. Olof is the Church of St. Mary, which, unlike the ruins, is still in use as a church. The brick church was built in the 13th century as part of a Dominican monastery. Much of the medieval building remains, making it an interesting complement to the ruins.

The church is normally open daily, but visits can of course be adjusted to church services and other activities.

6. Look for runestones

In Sigtuna, there are runestones in several places, including near the churches. They provide another connection to the city's early history.

Looking out for runestones can also add a little extra substance to your walk. The tourist information office has materials for those who want to go on a special runestone walk and learn more about the inscriptions. This is great for those who want to discover history in the urban environment.

7. See the small town hall

At Stora Torget is Sigtuna Town Hall, a small building from 1744. The municipality describes it as one of Sweden's smallest town halls.

It is worth stopping by and looking at the building even when it is closed. During the summer and on special occasions, it is possible to visit the inside of the town hall. The square is also a natural stop during a walk along Stora gatan.

8. Coffee in a small town setting

Sigtuna is a city where it makes perfect sense to spend part of your trip having a coffee. One of the most famous coffee shops is Aunt Brown, which is located in a red wooden house on Laurentii alley. We saw and photographed the coffee shop during our visit, but did not have coffee there ourselves. Therefore, it must be a tip to investigate, rather than a review from us about the coffee and pastries.

There are also other cafes and eateries along Stora Gatan and in the surrounding area. Feel free to choose a place where you can sit for a while and enjoy the environment.

9. Learn more at Sigtuna Museum

If you want to understand more of what you see during the walk, you can visit Sigtuna Museum on Stora Gatan. The museum tells the story of the area's history, from ancient times to today's Sigtuna, including archaeological finds. It is open all year round, but opening hours vary with the season.

This is a supplementary tip – we have not visited the museum ourselves during our excursions. There is also the tourist information office here, where you can get maps and suggestions for walks.

Excursions to nearby castles

If you want to see more in the area, there are several castles to combine with Sigtuna.

Wenngarn Castle is located close to the city and has a castle park that is open to visitors. For tours and dining, it is a good idea to check what is on offer when you plan to go there.

Rosersberg Castle is a royal castle with large park areas by Lake Mälaren. During the visiting season, guided tours inside the castle are available.

Sigtuna in one day – suggested walks

For a first visit we would start with The main street and the small alleys, and stop at the town hall. Then continue to St. Mary's Church and the ruin of St. Olof.

After lunch or coffee, it goes well with a walk along Lake Mälaren. If you want to add more history, you can visit the museum or continue to the S Per ruin.

It will be a good day trip with space to both look around and take it easy. For us, the walks and the small town environment are a big part of the reason to go to Sigtuna.

More to see and do in Uppland

There is of course more to see and experience around Uppland. Here you will find more reports and tips:

• Things to do in Norrtälje
• Skoklosters Castle
• Things to do in Uppland