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

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What to do in Trosa? We have visited this picturesque town many times. In fact, this is where we went the very first time we set off on a motorhome trip, and there have been many return visits since, most recently yesterday. Here we have now collected our best tips for experiences in Trosa.

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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.

Göra i Trosa - Trosaån

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.

Göra i Trosa

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.

Göra i Trosa - hänga i gästhamnen
Göra i Trosa - hänga i gästhamnen

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.

Göra i Trosa - strosa längs ån

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.

WIFI.se
Göra i Trosa

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.

Göra i Trosa - se kyrkan

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!

Göra i Trosa - läsa historiska skyltar
Trosa in the 17th century - Suecia work

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.

Göra i Trosa
Göra i Trosa

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.

Göra i Trosa - gamla rådhuset

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.

Göra i Trosa

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.

Göra i Trosa - låna böcker

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.

Göra i Trosa - hotell och restauranger

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.

Göra i Trosa - handla fisk

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.

Göra i Trosa - äta glass

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.

Tullgarns slott

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.
Göra i Trosa
Peter photographs our shadows while I (Helena) photograph ...

Where to stay in Trosa?

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

Stadshotellet

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.

Husbilen i Trosa

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

Trosa havsbad
Peter at the campsite 2013

See more around Trosa

From Trosa it is not far to Nyköping and Oxelösund. Here are some tips for nice and interesting excursions in the neighbourhood such as Stendörren nature reserve and Nyköpingshus.

Alla våra bästa tips om Södermanland
All our best tips about Södermanland. Click on the image!

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!

Facts about Trosa

  • Landscape: Södermanland
  • County: Södermanland County
  • Population: More than 14 000 (2020)
  • Areas: Östermalm, Ekensberg, Trosalund, Karlsborg, Nyängen and Tomtaklint.
  • Read more: You can find more information at the city's website and on Visit Sörmland.

Travelling to Trosa

  • Car: Follow the E4 motorway and exit onto road 218.
  • Trains: The town has no railway. The nearest railway station is in Vagnhärad.
  • Bus: There are bus connections with Vagnhärad, Nyköping, Gnesta, Södertälje and Stockholm.

History of Trosa

  • Early history: The surrounding area is rich in ancient remains in the form of rune stones. Tuna village is also home to Sweden's largest gold treasure, the so-called Tureholm Treasure, which weighed as much as 12 kilos and is believed to date from the Migration Period, around 400-550 AD.
  • 1229: The place is first mentioned in writings.

14th to 15th century

  • 1338: Trosa was described as a town and was then located at Trosa Landskyrka, about five kilometres northwest of its current location.
  • Early 15th century: The town was an important trading centre.
  • 1445: The village was burned by the Vitaly brothers under Erik of Pomerania.
  • 1454: Trosa was granted a town charter by King Karl Knutsson Bonde.

16th to 18th century

  • 1550s: The old Trosa had ceased to exist and a new trading centre and fishing village had begun to emerge at the mouth of the Trosa River.
  • 1610: The new location was granted town privileges and was called Trosa Åmyne (or Åminne), to distinguish the town from the previous one. The new town had fishing as its main industry. The privileges included fishing rights from Oxelösund to Södertälje.
  • 1719: The city was burnt down during the so-called Russian ravages. However, the church was spared.

19th century to present

  • 19th century: In the second half of the 19th century, steamboat traffic became important. The city also developed as a seaside resort.
  • 1930s: Smaller industries began to emerge.

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