Söderköping - 9 tips for things to see and do

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated May 2026 | Looking for things to do in Söderköping? This cozy city offers locks, charming houses and ice cream. Here are the best sights, tips and a complete itinerary for 2 days.

Söderköping

Söderköping is a real gem, where we would love to return. We have been here several times with our camper and like to just stroll around the neighborhood, or maybe enjoy an ice cream.

Planning more trips? Don't miss our guides to  Linköping and Nyköping

9 things to do in Söderköping

Söderköping is one of Sweden's most idyllic cities. Here are 9 things we can recommend in Söderköping.

1. look at the locking of the Göta Canal

The Göta Canal runs through Söderköping and provides a cosy atmosphere, with all the large and small boats passing through the town. Several old lock buildings remain, such as the lock keeper's house built in 1869-1870. We looked at some locks, really fascinating!

READ MORE: Göta Canal by motorhome - big guide with tips

2. Admire the artwork Rabbit Crossing

At the canal in Söderköping you can see the artwork ”Rabbit Crossing”. The artwork was created by Eva Fornåå in 2005 and, according to the artist, is about crossing to the other side.

3. Eating ice cream in Söderköping - Smultronstället and others

When we started asking for tips about Söderköping, we quickly heard about ”Smultronstället”. How is it possible that one and the same ice cream parlour gets so much publicity? A bit exciting!

It became even more exciting when some readers thought that we should not be "fooled" by the massive advertising but instead visit "the better ice cream parlour at Rådhustorget". Now we were curious! We simply decided to try both places. But wow, what a queue there was at the famous Smultronstället!

We ordered a cup of two balls - chocolate and strawberry without a seated table because the queue was probably 100 metres long. Our verdict? Very good! Especially the chocolate was really good and flavourful.

A little later, it was time to find the ice cream parlour at Rådhustorget. Here they sell homemade ice cream, and you get a generous portion in nice cups. We ordered chocolate and strawberry again, to compare.

The strawberry ice cream was fantasticand was definitely a winner. When it came to the next bullet, they listened a little badly, or misunderstood, and it was nougat instead of chocolate. Difficult to compare, then.

Anyway, both places are good! There is also an ice cream parlour on the canal called "Göta glass", which also has good ice cream, according to what we have heard. So you don't have to worry about being without ice cream in Söderköping!

4. Stroll in the cosy Drothem quarter

After eating your ice cream, you can take time to stroll around Söderköping, which we did. On the way to the old "Drothemkvartern" we passed fantastic charming houses in lovely pastel colours, with tall beautiful flowers in front. So Fine!

Drothemskvarteren in Söderköping are old neighbourhoods that give a sense of what Söderköping might have looked like in the Middle Ages. In these neighbourhoods, the houses are small and the alleys are narrow. Fantastically charming!

5. Check out the churches of Söderköping

There are several churches in Söderköping, and we looked at two of them. The first church we checked out was St Laurentii Church. This church was consecrated around 1200, and was rebuilt after a fire in the 1490s.

We also looked at Drothem's church. Already in the 1000s there was a wooden church here. The current Drothem church is from the late 13th century, with, among other things, a medieval altar cabinet.

6. Climb Ramunderberget

After lunch we decided to take a walk up Ramunderberget, which is both a mountain and a nature reserve, and is located in the centre of Söderköping.

There are stairs all the way so it is easy to walk, but it is many steps. When you reach the top, you are rewarded with a great view of the city from 70 metres.

7. Sample beer at a microbrewery in Söderköping, Sweden.

After the walk up and down the mountain, we thought we had earned a beer. We found our way to the Lock, Hop & Barrel Brewery Restaurant. This is not only a restaurant but also a microbrewery, and we tried their own pilsner. In addition, we tried a double IPA from Linköping. Both were really good!

8. Go on an excursion to Stegeborg.

Stegeborg is located about two kilometres from Söderköping, and here you will find an exciting castle ruin from the 13th century. A great deal of interesting history has taken place here, including people like Magnus Ladulås and Gustav Vasa. I Stegeborg there is also

• A marina
• A harbourside tavern
• A garden hotel
• A caravan park for motorhomes
• An airfield if you have your own small plane

9. Cycle along the Göta Canal - perhaps to Mem.

Cycling along the Göta Canal is popular, and if you start in Söderköping, you can cycle to Mem, for example, which acts as the Baltic Sea gateway to the Göta Canal.

It was here that the entire famous canal was once inaugurated. Today it is a pleasant little town where you will find a lock, a caravan park and a restaurant.

READ MORE: Mem - The Baltic Sea Gateway to the Göta Canal

Want to extend your trip? Combine with a weekend in Mariefred and Trosa

More to do in Söderköping

There is of course even more to do in Söderköping. For example, you can visit Husby Estate which offers a beautiful castle setting, and where you can eat, stay overnight or participate in various events.

Another famous place is Söderköping Well where you can stay, but also enjoy a spa or golf. Another tip we received is Fröö farm, which has a farm shop with natural pasture meat. There are also many cosy cafés and coffee shops in Söderköping.

Where can you stay or park your camper in Söderköping?

Best areas to stay and explore

• Centre of Söderköping - Perfect location near the canal, restaurants and attractions.
• By the Göta Canal - For a cosy environment with boating and walking paths.
• Ramunderberg - For nature, views and a slower pace.
• Söderköping well - For spa, relaxation and historical setting.

Pitches and campsites

So, where were we with the camper then? Well, we headed to ”Ställplats Göta kanal”, which is located by the canal, in central Söderköping.

More city guides nearby

Planning more trips in the neighbourhood? Here you can find more guides with tips on things to see and do:

• Things to do in Nyköping
• Things to do in Örebro
• Things to do in Mariefred
• Things to do in Trosa
• Things to do in Norrköping
• Things to do in Linköping

Facts about Söderköping

WHAT IS SÖDERKÖPING MOST FAMOUS FOR?

Especially the Göta Canal, the ice cream parlour Smultronstället and its charming small town environment.

HOW TO GET TO SÖDERKÖPING?

Söderköping is close to Norrköping and is easily reached by car or bus from there.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SÖDERKÖPING?

Summer is by far the busiest time of year along the canal, but spring and early autumn are quieter and just as cosy.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN SÖDERKÖPING?

1-2 days is enough to experience the best, but it also fits perfectly as a stop along the Göta Canal.

READ MORE: Campsites and pitches in Östergötland

READ MORE: Things to do in Östergötland - sights and experiences