Things to do in Nyköping – 7 attractions and experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | Nyköping is a city that we love to return to. There is a medieval castle with one of Sweden's most dramatic histories, a beautiful river that winds through the city and an archipelago where you can walk between the islands on suspension bridges. We have visited Nyköping many times with our camper van and discovered that there is much more to experience than you might think.

Attractions in Nyköping – our best tips

Here are seven of our best tips for attractions and experiences in Nyköping and its surroundings.

1. Nyköpingshus – the castle where a royal banquet ended in death

There are many old castles in Sweden, but few can tell as dramatic a story as Nyköpingshus. This is where the Nyköping feast took place in 1317, when King Birger Magnusson invited his two brothers Erik and Valdemar to a feast that would end in betrayal, captivity and death.

The brothers had long fought for power in Sweden. A few years earlier, Erik and Valdemar had themselves had King Birger imprisoned during the so-called Håtunaleken. Now, according to the invitation, they were to put their conflicts behind them and reconcile over a festive Christmas table at Nyköpingshus.

But Birger had other plans. According to the medieval Erikskrönikan, he had his brothers arrested during the night and is said to have uttered the famous words: ”Minnens I Håtunaleken än?” Erik and Valdemar were locked up and died in captivity in 1318. The story also says that the king threw the key into the Nyköpingsån so that no one would be able to let them out. The key has become one of Nyköping’s most famous symbols, although it is not certain that this story is truly true.

When we visited Nyköpingshus, the King's Tower was closed due to the pandemic. But that didn't really affect our experience. We were able to walk around the walls, see the white tower, and read the information boards while trying to imagine what had happened here over 700 years ago.

And the story doesn't end with the bloody feast. In the 16th century, Duke Karl, who later became King Karl IX, had the old medieval castle rebuilt into a magnificent Renaissance palace. When he married Christina of Holstein Gottorp in 1592, a wedding was arranged that lasted ten days. According to Sörmland Museum, 71 oxen, 42 calves, four turkeys and no less than 4,014 eggs were served, among other things! It must have been one of the more extensive kitchen jobs in history.

In 1665, Nyköping was hit by a devastating fire that also destroyed the castle. It was never rebuilt to its former glory, and parts of the complex were later used as a prison, among other things. Today, the ruins and the King's Tower are one of the city's most important tourist attractions. It is a place where we find the history itself to be at least as fascinating as the buildings.

READ MORE: Nyköpingshus - the venue for Nyköping's guest house

2. Stendörren Nature Reserve – walk on suspension bridges between the archipelago islands

Stendörren Nature Reserve is one of our absolute favorite areas along the Swedish coast. Here you can experience the archipelago with cliffs, pine trees, small bays and open sea without needing your own boat. Four suspension bridges make it possible to hike from the mainland out to several islands, and just the walk over the bridges is an experience.

We have visited Stendörren twice and walked over all the bridges. For Peter, who grew up in the archipelago outside Norrtälje, the landscape is particularly familiar. The cliffs, pine trees and the smell of the sea are very reminiscent of childhood summers, and there is something special about experiencing this environment so close to Nyköping.

On our first visit, we were almost overwhelmed by how beautiful it was. The water shifted between green and blue, and behind every cliff a new view awaited. We tried to take a photo of ourselves together with the self-timer, but Peter barely had time to put his glasses on before the camera took the picture. This is what happens when you try to be both a photographer and a model at the same time!

The second time we brought our friends Henri and Michelle from South Africa, who were visiting Sweden for the first time. We did an 18-day road trip with the camper and wanted to show them some of our favorite places. During the three hours we walked between the islands, we think they exclaimed ”So beautiful!” at least ten times. In the end, we almost had to drag them away to continue the trip.

The great thing about Stendörren is that you can make your visit as long or short as you like. Bring a packed lunch, hike across the suspension bridges to Stora Krokholmen and Äspskär, sit on a sun-warmed rock or go swimming if the weather permits. We recommend setting aside at least two to three hours, but preferably longer.

READ MORE: Stendörren Nature Reserve – suspension bridges, islands and our best tips

3. Nyköpingsån – follow the River Walk through the city's history

One of the nicest things to do in Nyköping is to follow the Nyköpingsån through the city. The river promenade connects several of the most important sights and allows you to discover Nyköping at a leisurely pace, with the water as your company almost the entire way.

Here you pass old buildings, bridges and environments that tell the story of the city's history. The Nyköpingsån has been important for both transport and industry for centuries, and at Storhusfallet you can still feel the power of the water. It is easy to imagine how different the area must have looked when mills and other businesses used the power.

We like cities where you can discover a lot on foot, and Nyköping is certainly one such place. From the historic surroundings around Nyköpingshus you can continue along the river, make small detours to the city center and eventually come down towards the harbor. It's a walk that works just as well when you want to see the sights as when you just want to enjoy the city environment.

Please keep an eye out for the public art along the road and in the city centre. We were particularly drawn to Eva Fornåå's sculpture. Friends, where a dog and a duck have become friends. It's the kind of little work of art that makes you stop and smile. And isn't it wonderful when a city offers such unexpected encounters?

4. Nyköping Harbour – restaurants, boating and archipelago feel

Nyköping Harbour is one of the city's natural meeting places, especially during the summer when the outdoor cafes fill up and the boats line the quays. Here you can stroll by the water, have an ice cream, sit down at a restaurant or just watch the world go by.

We have returned to Nyköping many times with our camper van and find the location by the harbour to be one of the city's great advantages. It is close to Nyköpingshus, Åpromenaden and the city centre, while at the same time giving you that wonderful feeling of being close to the water. For us who travel frequently by camper van, this is exactly the kind of stop that makes us happy to come back.

From Nyköping there is also the opportunity to join boat trips and various cruises during the season. A shrimp cruise, for example, can be a nice way to combine food with an experience on the water. We have not done that particular trip in Nyköping, but we have been on similar cruises in both Stockholm and on Lake Siljan from Leksand and know how cozy it can be to sit on board, eat well and watch the landscape pass by.

If you have time, we recommend staying in the harbor even in the evening. When the pace slows down and the light falls on the water, the place takes on a different atmosphere. It's a nice end to a day of sightseeing in Nyköping.

5. Nynäs Castle – when the spring excursion turned into winter

Nynäs Castle is a beautiful historic estate between Nyköping and Trosa, surrounded by a large nature reserve with forests, lakes and hiking trails. During the summer you can visit the castle, walk in the castle park and discover the old buildings. But our visit turned out to be something completely different than we had imagined.

When we arrived at the campsite in Nyköping it was sunny and warm. The ducks were resting in the spring warmth and people were walking around in T-shirts. But the next morning we woke up to a real snowstorm! We decided to stay a few extra hours with the camper and wait out the worst before we continued towards Nynäs Castle.

When we arrived, the snow had stopped falling, but the ground was still white. The flowers in the castle park looked almost as surprised as we were, and the sheep looked at us in wonder as we walked by. We were actually the only visitors on this snowy April afternoon.

Nynäs dates back to the 14th century and the current castle building was built in the 17th century. We walked around the buildings and followed the signs that tell about the people who lived and worked here over the centuries. Not only the noble families, but also the coachmen, the millers, the servants and everyone else who kept the estate running.

We also looked at the beautiful orangery and the castle park, but the restaurant and shop had not yet opened for the season. There was no longer a hike in the nature reserve either. After the sudden snowfall, we were content to explore the area closest to the castle.

Despite the weather, it was a memorable visit. We would love to return on a summer day to experience the castle and nature reserve under completely different conditions. But it is perhaps the unexpected experiences that are remembered best.

READ MORE: Nynäs castle and nature reserve in Nyköping

6. Nyköping city center – small-town charm, history and culture

Nyköping is a city that is very well suited to exploring on foot. The city center is small enough to feel manageable, but there are still old buildings, shops, cafes and historical environments that make it nice to stroll around.

At Stora Torget you will find the yellow town hall from the 18th century and several other buildings that remind you of Nyköping's long history. We think it is precisely the mix of old environments and a lively city center that makes the city charming. You don't have to plan every step, but can let the walk take some time and make detours when something seems interesting.

Near the harbor is also Sörmlands Museum, which tells about the people, history and life in the landscape. We have passed the museum many times but have never actually gone inside, despite all our visits to Nyköping! For those interested in history and culture, however, it can be an interesting complement to Nyköpingshus, with exhibitions and activities for different ages.

This is also the kind of city we appreciate during our travels. You can start the day with a historic castle, walk through the city center and end by the water without having to use the car between each attraction.

7. Nävekvarn and Nävsjön – an excursion to the sea, forest and mill history

If you want to see more of the surroundings around Nyköping, Nävekvarn is a nice excursion destination. The small town is located on the coast and has a history as a mill community. There is a marina, proximity to the sea and great opportunities to combine a walk with a moment of relaxation by the water.

The area also includes Lake Nävsjön, which attracts visitors with its forests, nature and hiking. There is a hiking trail around the lake of approximately eight kilometers, and the area is perfect for those who want to get away from the urban environment and spend a few hours in nature.

Where to stay in Nykoping?

Central Nyköping is best if you want to be within walking distance of restaurants, shops and the city's historical attractions. The area around the harbor is also a good choice for those who want to live near the water and be able to easily walk to Nyköpingshus and Åpromenaden. If you prefer nature and coastal environments, you can instead look for accommodation outside the city along the Sörmland coast.

Nyköping with a campervan

We have stayed in Nyköping with our Freedom camper van about ten times, and it is one of the places we like to return to when we are on our way through Sweden. The parking area by the harbour is in a fantastic location for those who want to discover the city without having to move the camper van. From here it is easy to walk to Nyköpingshus, follow the river and visit the centre.

Nyköping is also a good base for excursions along the coast, for example to Stendörren Nature Reserve. Check current parking regulations, fees and service before arrival, as conditions may change. When it is full in Nyköping, we will head towards Oxelösund to Femöre and Femörefortet where there are many more parking spaces.

READ MORE: Oxelösund with camping sites, attractions and our best tips

READ MORE: Campsites and pitches in Södermanland

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