Summary
Located southwest of Stockholm, the city of Södertälje is close enough to the capital to be considered a suburb and is conveniently connected by the Stockholm commuter rail network. Renowned for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, Södertälje also serves as a manufacturing center, housing the global truck manufacturer Scania AB. Visitors can explore the Scania Museum, along with a variety of other attractions including a traditional Swedish open-air museum and an interactive science center for children.
The city is situated along the Södertälje Canal, which historically linked the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren. Surrounding the area are numerous walking trails, serene lakes, bathing spots, and intriguing historical monuments.
Let us delve into the best activities in Södertälje:
1. Tom Tits Experiment
This innovative science center and amusement park is housed in a splendid 19th-century factory building, featuring a plethora of engaging activities and experiments tailored for children.
Inside, visitors can enjoy a diverse range of activities including making soap bubbles, experiencing visual illusions, riding in a gyroscope, experimenting with colors, navigating a mirror maze, or even controlling an elevator using their own body weight.
Additionally, a thrilling slide spirals down from the fourth floor to the ground.
The park is particularly lively in the summer months when visitors can ride an industrial robot (robocoaster) and experience a free-fall drop of 15 meters from the side of the building.
2. Torekällbergets Museum
This captivating open-air museum provides a fascinating glimpse into life in Södertälje and the eastern Södermanland region during the 19th century.
The museum is divided into an urban area (Staden) and a rural section (Landet), with its most notable feature being the Nora windmill (väderkvarn), which dates back to the 1770s and was relocated to the museum in 1929. As with many Swedish open-air museums, the historic buildings here have been salvaged from various locations and reconstructed, and unlike Stockholm’s Skansen, admission is entirely free.
In the Staden area, visitors can step back in time in the town square, where they can explore archaeological exhibits at the city museum and sample authentic pastries from a 19th-century café.
The rural section includes a 19th-century schoolhouse, a farmhouse, former soldiers’ quarters, and a petting zoo featuring horses, sheep, and rabbits.
3. Marcus Wallenberg Hall
Since its inception following a merger in 1911, Scania AB, a prominent Swedish truck manufacturer, has established its headquarters in Södertälje. Located at the main office, the museum chronicles Scania’s extensive history.
This establishment is named after one of the company’s early financiers and showcases a collection of vehicles spanning over a century.
While Scania is predominantly recognized for its freight trucks today, it has a rich history of producing tanks, half-tracks, 4x4s, motorbikes, bicycles, and buses—all of which are on display at the museum, restored to their original factory conditions.
In addition to exploring the company’s historical legacy, visitors can also contemplate Scania’s future initiatives concerning sustainable transportation.
4. Saltskog Gård
In the 1880s, industrialist Carl Fredrik Liljevalch den yngre acquired this farm situated outside Södertälje.
In addition to his successful business endeavors, Liljevalch was also a noted philanthropist and art patron, transforming the farm into a cultural hub.
He designed a beautiful park surrounding the farm and expanded the farmhouse into a luxurious residence.
In the 1960s, the city acquired the farmhouse, repurposing it for art exhibitions, which are held on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The adjacent park, featuring orchards and a variety of exotic trees, is open for public enjoyment, offering a delightful space for relaxation.
5. Biologiska Museet
Liljevalch played a significant role in funding the city’s Biological Museum, which relocated to its charming Art Nouveau building in 1911. The museum’s collections were established much earlier, making it the oldest museum in Södertälje.
The museum showcases taxidermies of over 100 species of animals and birds native to Södermanland.
While taxidermy may not appeal to everyone, the Art Nouveau architecture contributes significantly to its charm.
The dioramas still display the original paintings created by Kjell Kolthoff, the son of the museum’s conservator, in 1913.
6. Telge Hus
For an ideal stroll, consider venturing to the intriguing ruins of a medieval castle located beside the Södertälje Canal.
While it may require some imagination to visualize these stones as a fortress, this site has proven to be a substantial archaeological find.
Historical battles took place in this locale, leading to the discovery of numerous artifacts, including remnants of a 14th-century boat, arrowheads, horseshoes, and various pieces of armor.
Many of these discoveries can be viewed at the Torekällbergets Museum.
The castle was ultimately abandoned by the late 15th century and now exists as faint ruins within its picturesque surroundings.
7. Salems Kyrka
Heading east to the southern shore of Bornsjön lake, visitors will encounter a medieval church nestled among lindens, oaks, and birches.
This solemn Romanesque structure dates back to the 1100s, with its tower suggesting it might have served as a defensive location at one time.
While some of the church’s internal fittings have been transferred to Stockholm’s Swedish History Museum for preservation, there are still remarkable artifacts to discover.
Noteworthy are the 12th-century baptismal font featuring a primitive rope pattern at its base and a wooden crucifix from the 13th century that adorns the chancel arch.
8. Sankta Ragnhilds Kyrka
Located at Stortorget, in the center of Södertälje, this church commenced construction around the same period but has undergone a tumultuous history.
The oldest elements remaining are the 14th-century groin vaults in the nave.
Following fires in 1650, the church was remodeled with a Baroque façade and underwent restoration after a subsequent fire in 1881, although most of the damage sustained during that incident was superficial, preserving much of the exquisite interior design.
Among the prized pieces are the delicately carved altar and pulpit, crafted in 1656 and 1657, respectively.
Be sure to admire the gallery with its spectacular organ case designed in 1864.
9. Stortorget
On the square in front of the church, appearances can be misleading.
Unlike many medieval town squares globally, this expansive plaza was not intended as a marketplace for Södertälje’s residents.
Given the city’s geographical context, it was instead chosen as a meeting hub for traders from the Baltic Coast and around Lake Mälaren.
Aside from Sankta Ragnhilds Kyrka, the primary historical landmark in the square is the wooden Old Town Hall, dating back to 1734. This building was originally situated on the opposite side of the square but was relocated in 1982, now housing reception rooms and a café with a terrace.
10. Storgatan
Running north to south and parallel to the Södertälje Canal is the city’s pedestrian thoroughfare and main shopping district.
While Storgatan was modernized post-war, it still provides valuable insights into Södertälje’s character.
When Varuhuset Kringlan opened at the corner of Eksdalsgatan in 1965, it became one of Sweden’s first shopping malls and is now a listed building.
The stretch south of Stortorget is home to most high street retailers and major Swedish brands like Åhléns.
This is where Södertälje showcases its vibrant energy, with numerous cafés and restaurants lining the street.
11. World of Classics – Museum & Sales
For enthusiasts of classic American cars and retro memorabilia, this museum, located just east of Södertälje, is a true gem.
It houses Scandinavia’s largest collection of American vehicles, primarily from the 1950s and 60s, all in pristine condition and many available for purchase.
The diverse array of vehicles includes Plymouths, Pontiacs, Chevrolets, Fords, Oldsmobiles, Dodges, Chryslers, Cadillacs, and Buicks.
Additionally, the exhibit features various memorabilia from the era, such as vending machines, gadgets, pinball machines, gas pumps, jukeboxes, and furniture.
12. Tumba Bruksmuseum
A significant chapter of Sweden’s history can be explored at the Tumba Bruksmuseum, located a short distance to the east.
For 250 years, all of Sweden’s currency notes were printed at this paper mill.
The museum spans four buildings constructed between the 18th and early 20th centuries, all of which were renovated in 2005 to enhance visitor experience.
The main building, established in 1825, delves into the historical printing methods for banknotes and outlines the development of Sweden’s Riksbank.
Additionally, another building presents the history of papermaking, while the accommodations and schoolhouse provide insight into daily life in the mill setting.
The fire station, dating back to 1926 and equipped with mid-20th century firefighting apparatus, is also part of the museum.
13. SS Ejdern
During the summer months, visitors can experience a cruise aboard the world’s oldest steamboat that still retains its original engine.
The SS Ejdern was constructed by Gothenburg’s Götaverken company in 1880 and relocated to Södertälje in 1906, after serving for two decades on Lake Roxen.
It has received the Swedish cultural label and operates regular excursions to the Island of Adelsö on Lake Mälaren from May to September, with stops at Birka, an area known for its Viking historical significance.
14. Outdoor Recreation
Exploring the breathtaking surroundings by foot or bicycle is remarkably easy.
Adventurous souls may choose to sail to the verdant, historic islands scattered throughout Lake Mälaren or the southern archipelago of the Baltic.
However, on warm days, nothing quite compares to relaxing on a beach.
The region boasts numerous pristine bathing spots, with Farstanäsbadet in the south particularly noteworthy for its consistent Blue Flag status, which guarantees superior water quality and facilities.
For those seeking land activities, there are three golf courses—Viksbergs Golfklubb, Salems Golfklubb, and Vidbynäs Golf—each offering welcoming environments and breathtaking views of the deep forests and lakes.
15. Stockholm
By taking an SJ Regionaltåg train (regional rail), one can reach Stockholm Central Station in merely 20 minutes.
Once in the capital, options abound for shopping, nightlife, modern design, cultural experiences, family outings, and historical exploration, allowing you to customize your visit according to your preferences.
Among the historical treasures is the Vasa, a 17th-century warship that has been salvaged, meticulously restored, and is now exhibited at its namesake museum on Djurgården.
Families will find an abundance of activities at this island, with renowned museums like the iconic Skansen and amusement parks such as Gröna Lund.
This overview barely scratches the surface of what Stockholm has to offer; the old district of Gamla Stan still retains its medieval Hanseatic charm, while the northern slopes of fashionable Södermalm provide stunning views of the city across Lake Mälaren.
