Things to do in Strängnäs – 13 attractions and our best tips

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | A magnificent cathedral, charming red-light districts, historic buildings and lovely walks along Lake Mälaren await you here. We have visited Strängnäs several times by train, car and camper. Here are our best tips for sights in the city and four excursions in the surrounding area.

Strängnäs – a historic small town on Lake Mälaren

Strängnäs is one of those cities that we love to return to. We enjoy walking through the old quarters, discovering little historical details and settling down by the water. What's more, the sights here are so close together that you have time to experience a lot on foot.

1. Visit Strängnäs Cathedral

Strängnäs Cathedral is perhaps the city's most important attraction. The large brick church is located high on Kyrkberget and is visible from several parts of the city. Strängnäs was already a bishop's seat in the 12th century, and around 1260 construction began on the cathedral we see today.

We think the church is impressive both from the outside and inside. Here you will find magnificent altarpieces made in Brussels, the tomb of Charles IX and several other historical objects. In the outer church wall you can also discover a runestone embedded in the wall.

Strängnäs also has an important place in Swedish history. It was here that Gustav Vasa was elected king on June 6, 1523, a date that hundreds of years later became Sweden's national day. The combination of historical significance, the mighty church and the old quarters make this an obvious place to start your visit.

2. Stroll through the red light district and Lillgatan

West of the cathedral lies the red light district, which is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Strängnäs. Here, small streets wind between old wooden houses, farms and planks, and it almost feels like traveling back in time several hundred years.

One of the streets is Lillgatan, which is considered to be the oldest street in Strängnäs. We especially like to just stroll around here without any set plan and discover new details along the way. It's easy to see why these neighborhoods are among the most photographed areas in the city.

The area largely escaped the city fire of 1871, which explains why so many older buildings have been preserved. Several of the city's other attractions are also located here, including Grassagården and the windmill on Kvarnkullen.

3. Coffee at the historic Grassagården

In the middle of the red light district lies Grassagården, one of Sweden's few preserved manor houses that still stands in its original location. The oldest buildings date from the early 17th century, and the farm provides a nice picture of how people lived and worked in a small Swedish town in the past.

Here you will find both historical environments and the opportunity to sit down for a coffee or a lighter meal when the service is open. It is precisely the combination of old buildings, courtyard and small-town feel that makes Grassagården so special.

We think Grassagården is a perfect stop during a walk through Strängnäs' old quarter. It's also an attraction that works well together with the cathedral and the windmill, as everything is located within a small area.

4. Discover Strängnäs windmill on Kvarnkullen

On Kvarnkullen stands Strängnäs' old windmill, which, together with the cathedral, is one of the city's most prominent landmarks. There have been windmills here since the 17th century, but the mill that stands on the site today was built in 1855.

The mill is of a Dutch model and is beautifully situated above the old quarter. We think it is particularly nice to photograph together with the red houses and the view towards Lake Mälaren.

During the summer, tours are sometimes offered, but even when the mill is closed, it is worth seeing from the outside. A visit here is well worth combining with a walk through Lillgatan and a stop at Grassagården.

5. Stroll along Västerviken and swim at Visholmen

Västerviken is one of the places where we often start our visits to Strängnäs. Here is a sheltered bay with small boats, a guest harbor, restaurants and a nice view of the city. We have also parked our camper here, which made it easy to go out and discover Strängnäs on foot.

Right next door is Visholmen, a green and popular spot in the middle of the city. Here you can find swimming facilities, a playground and mini golf, and on warm summer days it's easy to see why many people flock here.

We like the contrast between the historic quarters up on the hill and life down by Lake Mälaren. In a short time you can walk from the cathedral and the old houses to the piers, boats and swimming. That's one of the things that makes Strängnäs so nice to visit.

6. Discover Roggeborgen and the history of Gustav Vasa

Right next to Strängnäs Cathedral is Roggeborgen, a historic building that was built in the late 15th century as a bishop's palace. The name comes from Bishop Kort Rogge, who had an important role in Strängnäs during this time.

The building is also associated with the election of Gustav Vasa as king in 1523. According to some accounts, the election may have taken place in Roggeborgen's Rikssal, although the exact location is disputed. It is fascinating to think about the importance this small town has had in Swedish history.

Roggeborgen was later used by Strängnäs Gymnasium and has since been given a new role in library operations. Even if you only see the building from the outside, it is worth a stop, especially since it is located so close to the cathedral.

7. Enjoy the view from the Echo Temple

On Nabbkullen in Strängnäs there is a small temple-like building with pillars called the Ekotemplet. It almost looks like something that belongs in Greece rather than in a small Swedish town on Lake Mälaren.

The original building was built in 1819 as a gazebo, inspired by an ancient temple. The temple that stands here today is a later reconstruction. You climb the hill via a staircase and are rewarded with a really nice view over the water and towards the cathedral.

We think the Eco Temple is a fun and slightly different stop in Strängnäs. It's not a major attraction, but the unexpected architecture and view make the place worth discovering.

8. Climb the King's Tower – if you dare!

Kungstornet is one of Strängnäs' best viewpoints and is located on Långberget behind the Travel Center. The tower is approximately eleven meters high and was built in 2018. From here you can look out over the city, Lake Mälaren and the surrounding area.

We actually had a bit of trouble finding it. When we followed the GPS we ended up on the wrong side of the railway at first, and once we got across we thought the signage was quite unclear. But in the end we found the right one.

I (Helena) am hysterically afraid of heights, so Peter had to climb the tower on his own. I myself stayed safely on the ground. Luckily, there is a nice view even from the foot of the tower, since the whole place is high on the mountain.

This is one of the sights that we really remember from our visit to Strängnäs. And for those who don't suffer from a fear of heights like me, it's of course even better to go all the way up!

There is much more to discover in Strängnäs municipality than the sights in the town itself. We have traveled around the surrounding area with our camper van and visited several castles, historical environments and charming small towns. Here are four excursions that we would like to recommend.

9. Discover Mariefred and Gripsholm Castle

Mariefred is one of our favorites among the Swedish small towns. Here you will find charming wooden houses, small shops, cafes and nice walks along Lake Mälaren. During the summer you can also experience the museum railway and the classic steamship S/S Mariefred.

The big attraction is of course Gripsholm Castle, which began construction on the initiative of Gustav Vasa in 1537. We have walked around the courtyards, seen the old cannons Galten and Suggan and discovered the exciting runestone at the castle. When we visited the castle during the pandemic, the interiors were closed, but there is, among other things, a well-preserved 18th-century theater and a large portrait collection to discover during an interior visit.

Also nearby are Gripsholm's deer park and the ruins of Kärnbo Church. When I needed to have a digital work meeting in the camper, Peter took the opportunity to explore the church ruins on his own.

Read more from us: What to do in Mariefred - 17 tips for a charming gem

Read more from us: Gripsholm Castle - royal castle on Lake Mälaren

10. Visit Mälsåker Castle and discover Selaön

On Selaön, the largest island in Lake Mälaren, lies the magnificent Mälsåker Castle. The castle was built in the 17th century and has a history that includes bankruptcy, Norwegian resistance fighters and a devastating fire.

During World War II, the castle was used for training Norwegian resistance fighters. One cold night in 1945, it was set on fire so badly that the roof caught fire. The fire and the efforts to extinguish it caused extensive damage, and it took a long time before the building could be restored.

When we visited Mälsåker we were fascinated by the grand building and the beautiful location on Lake Mälaren. The island also has Åsa Graveyard, a large burial ground from the Late Iron Age with, among other things, a shipwreck.

We also took a trip to Tynnelsö Castle, which is located on its own island. It looks almost surreal with its pink five-story building in the middle of Lake Mälaren. We drove the camper to the crossing, but since we didn't have a boat, we had to make do with looking at the castle from a distance.

Read more from us: 4 castles in Strängnäs – and a fortress

11. Hike on the Sörmlandsleden trail – nature and old mill environments

If you want to get out into nature, there is the Sörmlandsleden trail with its forests, lakes and historical environments. We have hiked part of the trail ourselves and think it is a great way to discover a different side of Södermanland than the cities and castles.

An interesting stretch begins in Åkers styckebruk, an old mill dating back to the 16th century. From here, stage 16:1 heads towards Harsjöhult, a hike of approximately eleven kilometers through old mill environments and forests where people have worked in mining and coal mining for several hundred years.

Of course, you don't have to hike the entire length to have a great nature experience. Choose a route that suits your time and energy, and check the trail map before you set off. For us, it's the mix of nature, history and small discoveries along the way that makes the hike so enjoyable.

12. Visit Parken Zoo in Eskilstuna – an outing for the whole family

Parken Zoo in Eskilstuna is located about a half-hour drive from Strängnäs and is a nice excursion destination for families with children. Here you will find animals from different parts of the world, a funfair with carousels and the opportunity to swim during the summer season. It is an excursion that offers something completely different from the many castles and historical buildings in the area.

Peter actually visited Parken Zoo with his children about 35 years ago. At that time, there were white tigers in the zoo, but the strangest memory is of a man walking around in his own enclosure while visitors stood and watched him. Around the man were old car tires, garbage and other debris. The exhibition was called ”The World’s Most Dangerous Animals” and the message was that humans, through their environmental destruction, were more dangerous than all other animals.

The strange exhibition is now history, but Parken Zoo is still a popular excursion destination. Here you can combine animal experiences with play and activities, making the park a good option if you are traveling with children. Check current opening hours and which parts are open before your visit.

13. Visit Skottvång mine and the old mining environment

Skottvångs mine is one of the more unusual excursion destinations in the area. Mining operations date back to the 16th century and continued into the 20th century. Today there are several preserved buildings and a mining museum that tells the story of the site.

But for us, the visit was not just a historical experience. We came here on a Friday evening and were lucky enough to end up in the middle of a dinner with Sörmland specialties and locally produced ingredients.

The menu included wild boar with mushrooms, pate on Mälargädda, pie with cherry cabbage and stinging nettle, pickled radishes and barley groats with pork. It was both exciting and really delicious to try so many local flavors. It is unexpected experiences like these that we think make a trip extra memorable. Skottvångs mine was therefore much more than a quick stop at a historical attraction.

Where to stay and park your camper in Strängnäs?

Central Strängnäs is best if you want the cathedral, the red light district, restaurants and shops within walking distance. The area by Västerviken and the harbor is a good choice for those who enjoy water views and walks along Lake Mälaren. Mariefred is a nice alternative if you want to combine your stay with Gripsholm Castle and more excursions.

Strängnäs by motorhome

We have visited Strängnäs several times with a camper van and have stayed at the Västerviken campsite. From here it is easy to walk into the city centre and on to most of the city's attractions. We particularly appreciate the location by the water and the proximity to restaurants and harbour life.

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