What to do in Trosa - 9 tips for a picturesque gem

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated May 2026 | What to do in Trosa? We have visited this picturesque town many times. It was actually here that we went the very first time we set off on a motorhome trip, and since then there have been many return visits, most recently yesterday. Here we have now collected our best tips for experiences in Trosa.

Trosa

Trosa is a picturesque and charming little gem with beautiful wooden houses, cosy fish restaurants and the beautiful Trosa River running through the town. People come here to sit on outdoor terraces, eat ice cream or just enjoy the environment.

Once a fishing village, Trosa became a seaside resort in the 19th century, attracting high society and eventually providing a regular steamship service to Stockholm. Today, the small town is still a place that attracts tourists, although of course much has changed.

Trosa is located in Södermanland, between Södertälje and Nyköping, about seven kilometres southwest of Stockholm.

What can you do in Trosa?

So, what can you see and do in Trosa? This gem is a very nice town that offers a holiday feeling almost all year round. Here are our top tips on what to see and do in Trosa.

1. Hang out at the guest harbour

Hanging out at the guest harbour in Trosa on a sunny day is very nice. Here you can stay overnight by boat or caravan, and here you will also find the restaurant Kölsvinet. At this cosy and popular restaurant, you can eat luxurious pizzas with ingredients such as hand-shelled shrimp or truffle salami.

2. Walk along the Trosaån river

Trosaån flows through the entire town, from Lake Sillen to the Baltic Sea, right next to the guest harbour. A walk along the river offers great views with small boats, bridges and beautiful wooden houses in bright colours.

There are many strollers along the river, but also many people fishing.

As you continue past the centre, you pass charming residential areas that are so picturesque that they remind you of a storybook. Here you can see a lot of carpentry, and we also saw a nice "multi-family house" for small birds.

3. Stroll through historic neighbourhoods

Stroll in Trosa! The historic neighbourhoods of this small town are wonderfully charming. Here you can see small red wooden houses, often a bit crooked and windy, reminiscent of bygone times.

Other houses are beautifully decorated with balconies, pinnacles and towers.

If you want, you can also take a look at Trosa town church. The church was built between 1694 and 1710, and there have been churches on the site before that.

4. Learn about history through signs

One thing that Sörmland is really good at is putting up interesting information signs. The signs are marked with red flags and in Trosa they can be found along the river and in the town centre. On the signs you can read about tourism and holidays in the past. Really interesting!

5. Discover Garvaregården

Garvaregården is a craft farm dating back to the 18th century. In the summer, this local community centre houses a café, craft shop and the Trosa City Museum. During July there is also a summer theatre. When we were here in early May, however, we could only peek over the fence.

6. Visit Trosa Tourist Centre - in the old town hall

The old town hall is a beautiful building found on Östra Långgatan in the centre of town. Today it houses the Trosa Tourist Centre.

The square is also very charming and reminiscent of small towns from the past. Here you will find the town's fine bookshop and other small shops.

The old telephone booth no longer functions as a telephone booth, but if you want to borrow a book, you can pop in here. In return, you can leave a book that you no longer need.

7. eat seafood (or buttered bread)

Even though Trosa is a small town, there are plenty of restaurants, especially those serving fish and seafood. Here you will find restaurants such as Kölsvinet, Trosa sjökrog, FinaFisken, Bomans, Punschkällaren, Ankaret and Trosa stadshotell.

If you prefer sandwiches, good beer and schnapps, check out the Two Little Pigs restaurant, where you can choose from things like Grandma's herring, gubbröra, calf's liver Anglais or chevre chaud.

The small "Smoked fish" stall was closed when we were here, but it was so cute that it was included in the picture. For those travelling by camper van, it is of course an option to buy fresh or smoked fish and cook/serve it yourself in the camper van.

8. Coffee and ice cream

When you are in Trosa, you can take the opportunity to have coffee or ice cream, depending on the weather. There are plenty of cosy cafés and ice cream parlours.

9. Experience castles in the neighbourhood

Another thing to do in Trosa is to see castles, although the castles are welcoming to tourists to varying degrees.

Stensund Castle was built between 1918 and 1920 on behalf of shipowner Emil Löfgren. Today the castle is used by Stensund Folk High School, where you can study to become a health coach or a boat builder. According to the website, there is also a restaurant, but it was closed. However, the view of the water was fantastic!

Tureholm Castle has its origins in the 14th century. In the 1640s, a castle similar to the present building was built, but this was burnt down during the Russian raids in 1719. Ten years later, Thure Gabriel Bielke began rebuilding the castle. Today's castle is privately owned by the Bonde family, and has been shown to the public on rare occasions.

Tullgarn Castle is located in the municipality of Södertälje, but not far from Trosa. This castle has been a royal pleasure palace ever since the 1770s when the state handed it over to Duke Adolf. The last royals to spend summers here were King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria, until the beginning of the 20th century. If you visit the castle during the summer months, guided tours are available.

READ MORE: Tullgarn Castle - in the footsteps of kings and tsars

More to see and do in Trosa

What else can you see and do in Trosa? Here are some additional suggestions:

• Berg's farm includes accommodation, restaurant, farm shop, hiking and mountain biking.
• Cycling excursions with different themes, such as visiting apple orchards.
• Harbourfront offers glamping in safari tents and activities such as cycling, forest bathing and more.
• Crow's nest and other islands in the Trosa archipelago.
• Spa at Trosa city hotel and spa.
• Sörmland Trail goes through the city.
• Trosa park golf offers adventure golf for all ages, with 12 different courses.
• Åda Wild Boar are running and hiking trails of 6 and 12 kilometres respectively.

Where to stay in Trosa?

There are many different hotels and accommodation options, such as Trosa stadshotell & spa, Bomans hotell and Två små svin.

If you come with a motorhome, there is a pitch in the guest harbour. You pay via the website campingspot.com and then have access to electricity (some sites), toilets and grey and black water drainage.

In Trosa there is also the campsite Trosa sea baths. We have been there once (albeit eight years ago) and offer an archive picture!

See more around Trosa

Near Trosa you will find more nice places to visit:

• Things to do in Nyköping
• Oxelösund with a campervan
• Stendörren nature reserve
• Nyköpingshus

More tips for things to do in Trosa?

Have you been to Trosa? Have you eaten at any of the restaurants? Do you have more tips on what to see and do in Trosa? Tell us about your experience!

FAQ – vanliga frågor om Trosa

Vad får man inte missa i Trosa?

Första gången i Trosa skulle vi framför allt promenera längs Trosaån, strosa genom de historiska kvarteren och fortsätta ner mot gästhamnen. Det är egentligen kombinationen av ån, de gamla trähusen, små broarna, restaurangerna och hamnlivet som gör Trosa så charmigt. Vi har varit här många gånger och tröttnar fortfarande inte på promenaden genom staden. 

Hur lång tid behöver man i Trosa?

Trosa passar utmärkt som dagsutflykt och du hinner uppleva mycket av den lilla staden på en dag. Vill du äta gott, ta det lugnt längs ån och kanske göra någon utflykt i omgivningarna är det däremot trevligt att stanna över natten. Vi har själva återvänt till Trosa många gånger – ibland behöver en plats inte vara stor för att man ska vilja komma tillbaka. 

Kan man besöka Trosa över dagen från Stockholm?

Ja, Trosa ligger cirka sju mil sydväst om Stockholm och passar därför bra som dagsutflykt. Med bil kör du via E4 och väg 218. Trosa saknar egen järnvägsstation, så om du reser kollektivt får du kombinera tåg eller buss med lokal bussförbindelse till Trosa. 

Kan man åka tåg till Trosa?

Inte hela vägen. Trosa saknar järnvägsstation och närmaste station ligger i Vagnhärad. Därifrån kan du fortsätta med buss till Trosa. Kommer du med bil ligger staden lättillgängligt från E4 via väg 218. 

Var kan man stå med husbil i Trosa?

I Trosa gästhamn finns ställplats för husbilar på promenadavstånd från centrum. Det är dessutom en plats som betyder lite extra för oss – Trosa var destinationen på vår allra första resa med husbil. Sedan dess har det blivit många fler husbilsresor och många återbesök i Trosa. Det finns även camping vid Trosa havsbad.

READ MORE: Campsites and pitches in Södermanland

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