Att göra i Västmanland - 20 sevärdheter och upplevelser

Text and photo: Peter Bergström

Updated May 2026 | What can you do in Västmanland? Historic small towns, royal castles, ancient remains, impressive rock formation history and beautiful nature experiences await you here. We have traveled in Västmanland ourselves and collected our best tips for sights, excursions and stops that are perfect for a road trip or a long weekend. In this guide you will find our 20 best tips and a complete itinerary for 2–4 days.

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Västmanland

Västmanland is a beautiful landscape that offers everything from castles to museums and nature experiences. Among our favorites are Kyrbacken in Västerås, Sala silver mine and the nature in Bergslagen.

Peter and Helena from FREEDOMtravel at Anundshög, Västmanland.

Top attractions in Västmanland

Sala Silver Mine – Mining environments, guided tours and a fascinating story about life underground await you here.
Anundshög – Sweden's largest ancient burial mound and one of the country's most important archaeological sites.
Västerås – Västmanland's largest city offers history, views of Lake Mälaren, old quarters and pleasant walking paths.
Strömsholm Castle – One of Sweden's royal castles and one of Västmanland's strongest attractions.
Vallby open-air museum – One of the best stops in Västerås if you like cultural history and old environments.

Read also: All our guides to Sweden's landscapes

This guide is part of our large collection of guides for Sweden's 25 provinces. There you will find more tips on attractions, nature experiences, small towns, coastal gems and road trips around the country.
Read the guide here: Sweden's landscapes - our best tips from 25 landscapes

1. Discover Västerås – Västmanland's largest city

Västerås is the natural hub of Västmanland and a really good city to start in. Here you can combine history, city life, Lake Mälaren, old quarters and several of the province's strongest attractions in the same day. For many, Västerås is also the best base for exploring the rest of Västmanland.

2. Visit Västerås Cathedral

Västerås Cathedral is one of the city's most important historical sights and well worth a stop. The church has a long history and strong connections to both Gustav Vasa and Swedish church history. For those who like culture, history and classic urban environments, this is a must-see.

3. Walk or cycle by the eastern harbor and Lake Mälaren

Västerås has a nice waterfront location, and a walk by the Eastern Harbor is one of the easiest ways to experience the city. Here you get boats, restaurants, open views and a more modern side of Västerås. Perfect for a break, a coffee or a quiet evening walk.

4. Walk on Djäkneberget and enjoy the view over Västerås

Djäkneberget is one of Västerås' most popular walking spots, with leafy walkways, historical statues and several fine viewpoints over the city and Lake Mälaren.

5. See Anundshög – Sweden's largest ancient burial mound

Anundshög is one of Västmanland's strongest tourist attractions and an obvious stop on a journey through the landscape. Here you will find Sweden's largest burial mound, shipwrecks and an area that was important already in ancient and medieval times. It is a place that really gives the feeling of standing in the middle of Swedish history.

6. Discover Vallby Open Air Museum

Vallby open-air museum is one of the best stops in Västerås for those who like cultural history. Here you can see old farms, buildings and environments that show what life was like in the past in Västmanland and Mälardalen. It is a nice stop that fits nicely as a complement to the city center.

7. Take a trip to Björnön outside Västerås

Björnön is a really nice place if you want to combine Västerås with nature and outdoor activities. There are walking trails, swimming opportunities and the feeling of quickly getting out into calmer environments by Lake Mälaren. It's perfect if you want to mix city and nature in the same day.

8. Visit Tidö Castle

Tidö Castle is a special castle in Västmanland and a really good excursion destination near Västerås. Here you will find a magnificent castle environment, beautiful surroundings and during the season the opportunity for tours. For many this will be one of the most memorable stops in the entire landscape.

9. See the bicycle and motorcycle museum at Tidö Castle

At Tidö Castle there is also a popular bicycle and motorcycle museum that makes the stop even more complete. This is an extra plus for those who like vehicles, nostalgia or just want a little more variety than a classic castle visit. The combination of castle and museum makes the place unusually easy to recommend.

10. Discover Ängsö Castle and the legends surrounding the castle

Ängsö Castle, or Engsö Castle, is a nice castle visit in Västmanland. There is history, old stories and an environment that feels both beautiful and a little mysterious. It is a perfect stop for those who like castles with a little more personality and a sense of legend.

11. Walk in Ängsö Nature Reserve

Around Ängsö there are also beautiful natural environments that make you want to stay longer than just for the castle itself. Here you can combine culture with walks, a waterfront feel and a calmer pace. This makes Ängsö one of the most complete excursion destinations in Västmanland.

12. Visit Strömsholm Castle

Strömsholm Castle is one of Sweden's royal castles and one of Västmanland's major attractions. The castle is beautifully situated and offers classic surroundings, history and a sense of royal heritage. This is an obvious stop if you want to experience the more grandiose side of Västmanland.

13. Go down into the Sala silver mine

Sala silver mine is one of Västmanland's strongest tourist attractions and a sight that really stands out. Here you get a unique insight into mining history, hard work and one of Sweden's most famous historical industrial areas. For many, this is one of the most memorable stops in the entire landscape.

14. Discover Sala – a nice small town in Västmanland

Sala is not only a silver mine, but also a nice small town that is a great stop on the way. It has a small town feel, a slower pace and a city center that works well for a coffee or lunch. It's a good way to get a little more completeness in your visit.

15. Take a trip to Norberg

Norberg is an interesting stop for those who want to see more of the classic mountain village feel in northern Västmanland. Here you will find mill environments, industrial traces and a landscape that clearly bears the history of mining and iron handling. This is a good stop if you want to broaden your view of Västmanland beyond Lake Mälaren.

16. Discover the working environments and eco-museum Bergslagen

Västmanland has several environments where you can really feel the history of rock formations in the ground. Old mills, miners' environments and cultural reserves make the landscape extra interesting for those of you who like Swedish industrial history. These are not always the most famous stops, but often very rewarding if you want to travel a little deeper.

17. Stroll in Arboga – one of Sweden's oldest towns

Arboga is one of those cities that often surprises positively. Here you will find older neighborhoods, a historical feel and a city center that is perfect for a leisurely walk. For those who like small towns, Arboga is one of the very best stops in Västmanland.

18. Discover Kungsör and the environments by Lake Mälaren

Kungsör and the areas around Lake Mälaren can be a nice stop if you want to see another side of Västmanland. Here you will find a waterfront feel, quieter roads and several natural environments that are well suited for shorter detours. This is a good complement to the larger sights.

19. Enjoy nature in Kloten in Bergslagen

Kloten is one of the strongest nature tips in Västmanland and a completely different kind of experience than Västerås, castles and small towns. Here you will find forests, lakes and that real Bergslag feeling that many are looking for. Kloten is perfect for those who want to hike, paddle or just enjoy the tranquility.

20. Walk a section of the Bruksleden trail or discover the nature in northern Västmanland

Bruksleden is one of the best tips for those who want to experience the more natural side of Västmanland. You don't have to go far to get forests, lakes, silence and the feeling of Bergslagen. It's a perfect way to end a journey through the landscape if you want to swap castles and cities for nature and peace.

Itinerary Västmanland (2-4 days)

Are you planning a trip to Västmanland? Here is a ready-made suggestion for those who want to see the best of the landscape during a long weekend or a shorter road trip. Västmanland is very suitable for 2–4 days, as you have time to combine Västerås, historical sights, castles, small towns and nature experiences.

DAY 1 – VÄSTERÅS AND ANUNDSHÖG

Morning: Start in Västerås – Stroll on Kyrkbacken, visit Västerås Cathedral and take a walk by the Eastern Harbor
Afternoon: Drive out to Anundshög and Badelundaåsen. End the day with dinner or an evening walk by Lake Mälaren.

DAY 2 – TIDÖ, ÄNGSÖ AND MÄLAREN

Morning: Start the day at Tidö Castle. See the bicycle and motorcycle museum if it is open.
Afternoon: Continue to Ängsö Castle and take a walk in Ängsö Nature Reserve. Enjoy a peaceful day with castle, nature and Lake Mälaren.

DAY 3 – SALA AND MOUNTAINS

Morning: Start in Sala with a visit to the Sala silver mine. Have a coffee or lunch in Sala.
Afternoon: Continue north if you want to see more rock formation history, such as Norberg. Discover mill environments and the industrial historical feel.

DAY 4 – STRÖMSHOLM, ARBOGA OR KLOTEN

Option 1: Castles and history – Visit Strömsholm Castle and walk through the royal castle grounds. Make a stop in Köping or Kungsör on the way.
Option 2: Small town and charm – Stroll in Arboga. Stroll along the Arbogaån River and experience the old quarters. Enjoy a quiet small town day with coffee and walks.
Option 3: Nature and Mountains – Drive to Kloten. Experience nature by hiking or perhaps canoeing.

Where can you park your campervan in Västmanland?

You can camp in several nice places in Västmanland, and there are both campsites and motorhome sites that are well suited for a round trip through the landscape. Many are also located close to water, nature or city centers. Here are some good starting points to highlight in the guide.

Vasteras: Camping or motorhome site in Västerås with a good location near Lake Mälaren.
Sale: Motorhome parking or camping near Sala if you want to combine city and silver mine.
Arboga: Campervan space in Arboga or nearby for those who want to experience small-town charm.
The globe: Camping or cottage accommodation in Kloten for those who want nature and outdoor activities.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about Västmanland

WHAT IS VASTMANLAND FAMOUS FOR?

Västmanland is known for Västerås, Anundshög, Sala silver mine, royal castles like Strömsholm and a strong history of Bergslagen. There are also nice small towns, Mälarnatur and forest areas in Bergslagen. It is a landscape that is well suited for both cultural trips and nature excursions.

WHAT CAN'T BE MISSED IN VASTMANLAND?

Some of the most famous sights in Västmanland are Sala silver mine, Anundshög, Västerås, Strömsholms slott, Tidö slott, Ängsö slott and Arboga. If you have more time, Kloten and the nature in northern Västmanland are also very nice stops. The best thing is to mix city, history and nature.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN VASTMANLAND?

Two days is enough to see some of the biggest sights, especially if you focus on Västerås, Anundshög and the castles around Lake Mälaren. Three to four days is much better if you also want to take in Sala, Arboga and the nature of Bergslagen. Västmanland is perfect for a long weekend by car or camper.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO VASTMANLAND?

Late spring, summer and early autumn are the best times to experience Västmanland. That's when the castles, small towns, Lake Mälaren and nature are at their most enjoyable. Summer is best for road trips, excursions and stops near the water, while spring and early autumn are often perfect for quieter trips.

IS VASTMANLAND SUITABLE FOR A ROAD TRIP?

Yes, Västmanland is very suitable for a road trip. The distances are reasonable, the sights are varied and it is easy to combine Västerås, castles, small towns, mining history and nature during the same trip. This makes the landscape unusually grateful for 2–4 days by car or camper.

More landscape guides nearby

Want to discover more of Sweden? Here are more guides to nearby landscapes that we have visited and that are perfect for more excursions, road trips and holidays at home.

Things to do in Västmanland – 20 attractions and experiences