Sigtuna - Visiting the oldest town in Sweden

Join us in Sigtuna, Sweden's oldest city! Yesterday we woke up to blue skies and decided to take a trip. Where would we go? It was a trip to Sweden's oldest city. It's been many years since we were last there and Sigtuna is a wonderfully cosy town to stroll around in. And of course it's fun to take photos in a town with so many charming old houses!

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Sweden's oldest city

Sigtuna is actually the very oldest city in Sweden, of the cities that still exist. It was founded around 980 by Erik Segersäll, who was the father of the first Christian king of Sweden, Olov Skötkonung. Olof Skötkonung was born around 980, or slightly earlier, and ruled over Mälardalen and Västergötland. He was the first to mint coins in Sweden, which was done right here in Sigtuna.

Röda hus i Sigtuna, Sveriges äldsta stad

Remains from the Bronze Age and the Iron Age

Until the end of the 13th century, Sigtuna was the royal, ecclesiastical and commercial centre of Sweden. But the history of the site actually goes back much further! There are no less than 630 ancient remains from the Bronze Age (1800-500 BC) and the Iron Age (550 BC - 1050 AD). Fascinating!

St Olaf's church garden

We checked out St Olav's church ruin, located in the cemetery west of St Mary's Church in Sigtuna. Around 1100, the central chancel, chancel and transept were built, and later the nave was built. Right next to the church ruin is a spring that is probably connected to the cult of the church's patron saint, St Olav.

St Olovs kyrkoruin i Sigtuna, Sverige äldsta stad

St Olav lived around the year 1000, was King of Norway and was also the country's national saint. In the early 11th century, he travelled through Sigtuna several times. There are also a few other church ruins in the town, such as the St. Per's church ruin (west of the medieval town centre next to the vicarage) and the St. Lars church ruin (at Prästgatan).

St Olovs kyrkoruin i Sigtuna, Sveriges äldsta stad — St Olav's church ruin

Sigtuna in the 17th century - Suecia work

Sweden's oldest city today

Sigtuna is located on Lake Mälaren north of Stockholm. The town is home to just over nine thousand people, so its heyday is definitely over, but it is a very cosy place to visit. The town centre is filled with low, charming wooden houses painted in red, green or yellow.

Alleys and cafés

Walking among the colourful old houses feels almost like time travel, and as a tourist you can stroll up and down the charming little streets. There are small shops selling clothes, crafts and gadgets as well as cosy bakeries and patisseries.

Urmakeri och bageri i Sigtuna, Sveriges äldsta stad

Aunt Brun's coffee shop

One of the most famous cafés in Sigtuna is Tant Bruns Kaffestuga, located in a charming red wooden house on the corner of Stora Gatan and Laurentil gränd. The house that houses Tant Bruns Kaffestuga is the oldest of several houses around a courtyard, and is perhaps also the oldest house in all of Sigtuna.

During a repair in 1968-1969, the remains of netting and soil were found above the rafters, which means that the house is really old. A local man, Baron Gustav von Paykull of the Vallox Säby estate, bought the farm in the late 1960s, and according to him the house dates back to the end of the 17th century. Today you can sit down in the café for a cup of coffee and perhaps a pastry or a sandwich.

Tant bruns café i Sigtuna, Sveriges äldsta stad — Aunt Brun's coffee shop

READ MORE: Europe's oldest cities - top 10
READ MORE: Gustavsberg in Värmdö - in the footsteps of the porcelain factory

Promenade along Lake Mälaren

Sigtuna is located on Lake Mälaren and has a nice long promenade. We were content to walk along the water and look out at the frosty and beautiful view. When the ice is thick enough, it is also popular to walk on the ice or take a trip on long-distance skates here.

More things to see and do in Sweden's oldest city

For those who want to, there is of course more to see and do in Sigtuna! The city is full of old churches and other historical monuments, and if you want, you can experience the city on a guided tour. There are also four castles in the area that can be interesting to visit: Rosersberg Castle, Skånelaholm Castle, Steninge Castle and Wenngarn Castle. There are also several golf courses and a number of nature reserves.

Sigtuna is really a nice little town to visit, and it feels like there is more to see and experience than we had time for this time. We simply have to come back!

READ MORE: Rosersberg Castle - a royal castle in Sigtuna, Sweden
READ MORE: Wenngarn Castle - castle park, café and history

Have you visited Sweden's oldest city?

Have you been to Sigtuna? What is your relationship with Sweden's oldest city? Please tell us!

Bokkiosk - stängd just nu men öppnar 24 april — Book kiosk - closed for now but will open on 24 April

Info and facts about Sigtuna - Sweden's oldest town

Municipality: Sigtuna municipality
County: Stockholm County
Landscape: Uppland
Population: 9437 inhabitants (2018)
Areas: Pilsbo, Stan, Hällsbo, Prästgårdsängarna, Tvillingbackarna, Sjudargården, Munkholmen, Til, Brännbo, Aludden, Harberget, Björkbacka Strand and Malmen.
Tourist office: Destination Sigtuna, Stora Gatan 33

Travelling to Sigtuna

Car/caravan: It takes about 40 minutes to drive from Stockholm (4.9 miles). It takes about 5 hours to drive from Gothenburg (45.8 miles).
Trains: SJ trains run regularly both from Stockholm and from Uppsala, to Märsta station and/or Arlanda.
Bus: SL buses 570 and 575 run between Märsta and Sigtuna, connecting with commuter trains to and from Stockholm. UL buses run to and from Uppsala.
Boat: Throughout history, boats have been the traditional way to get to Sigtuna! If you have your own boat, you can dock at the guest harbour. Strömma kanalbolaget also organises guided boat trips to Sigtuna with M/S Evert Taube from Stockholm.

Restaurants in Sigtuna

Cafés and bakeries there are plenty! Check out Tant Bruns kaffestuga, Wenngarns bageri, Bistro & Café Valvet, Strandvillans café, Sigtuna Creperie or Våfflan Hamnkrog & Bar at Ångbåtsbryggan.
Restaurants there are also several to choose from.

Accommodation in Sigtuna

Hotels and cottages: There are several hotels to choose from, in different price ranges. There is also the possibility of staying in charming cottages or farms. Here you will find suggestions for accommodation.
Motorhome parking space: There are four 24-hour motorhome pitches in the guest harbour. The pitches cost SEK 200/day (2018), which is paid to Sigtuna Båtklubb. Toilets and restaurants are nearby.
Camping: Skokloster camping is located in Skokloster, about 20 minutes by car from Sigtuna. Other campsites in the area are Fjällnora camping, Rösjöbadens camping and Camp Nygård.

All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

READ MORE: Things to do in Uppland - sights and experiences
READ MORE: Church ruins in Sweden - 25 cool church and monastery ruins

Helena

25 March 2016 8:39

Sweden

history, culture, metropolis, Uppland, experiences in Europe

Helena

Administrator

36 Comments

Add yours →

Lennart says:

Truly a nice small town!

25 March 2016 - 9:02

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Lanclin says:

A small Swedish town just in my taste it seems! Have not been there what I can remember but probably I have to get a visit sometime 🙂 Thanks for the tip!
/Linnea

25 March 2016 - 9:20

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Anette says:

Very beautiful little town.
The streets look so empty but maybe it's because you're early in the morning.
Happy Easter

25 March 2016 - 9:28

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Alexandra, yes there was a visit to "your" municipality yesterday! 🙂 Very nice in Sigtuna! We did not see any Military training, but that was probably because it was not Wednesday 😉.

Lennart, we agree!

Lanclin, Sigtuna is worth a visit!

Anette, it was probably around 13 o'clock actually 😉 It's not a very big town, but there were some people on the streets anyway (sometimes I might try to take pictures when they are not too close to the lens)....

25 March 2016 - 9:51

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Alexandra says:

Well, did we have a nice visit in the municipality yesterday, I live in Märsta? Of course Sigtuna is cosy and there are many good cafés, we usually go there and walk a little along the promenade when we are bored. I train Military training once a week and it's in Sigtuna, so don't be surprised if you see a bunch of people running around and carrying logs and tyres and behaving a little strangely on Wednesday evenings in Sigtuna 😉.

25 March 2016 - 9:00

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Ruth in Virginia says:

Unfortunately, I have never been to Sigtuna, but I have heard about it.
Sigtuna boarding school, where the 'rich' and diplomats left
their children.

25 March 2016 - 10:06

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Åsa says:

Yep! Christmas market in Sigtuna was my first date with Sverker. I wonder if we had coffee at Tant Bruns Café? He had a blue camper van that he built on a bulky cap so it looked like a smurf and he had a pink Peruvian hat, so it went as it went!

25 March 2016 - 10:31

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Mrs Müller-Sandvik says:

It feels like Pippi Longstocking's city 😀.

Thank you, happy Easter!

25 March 2016 - 10:49

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Mr Steve says:

When I lived in Uppsala (1972-97), I often went to Sigtuna. Then it was a coffee at Tant Brun. I loved visiting the Christmas market. A wonderful city to just spend a day in, to just stroll around.

25 March 2016 - 9:58

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Steve, how fun that you used to have coffee at Tant Brun! 🙂 Sigtuna is really a cosy town!

I haven't actually heard of Ruth in Virginia, Sigtuna boarding school. But interesting to hear that that's how it worked!

Åsa, haha I understand, it must have been impossible not to fall for him! 🙂

Mrs Muller-Sandvik, yes, but isn't it? I thought of both the children in Bullerbyn and Kamomilla city 🙂 Happy Easter!

25 March 2016 - 11:30

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Inga M says:

Nice to see pictures from Sigtuna! I've never been there, a bit like Eksjö. Have a Happy Easter!

25 March 2016 - 11:35

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Goatfish says:

Thanks for the tip! I've never been there but it looks like a city that is right up my alley. I just love wandering around and photographing old culture.
Easter hugs 😀

25 March 2016 - 11:43

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Comsi Comsa says:

I love Sigtuna and would love to live there ....

Easter hugs ♥

25 March 2016 - 11:57

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Imelda says:

Oh how cosy it looks! Very nice pictures as usual! You have to take the opportunity to make excursions when the weather is nice and you are free.
Here in the house, the husband works all Easter and I am lying with a backache and feeling sorry for myself.
Happy Easter!

25 March 2016 - 12:05

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Inga M, interesting! I have never been to Eksjö 😉 Wishing Happy Easter!

Geddfish, in that case you will definitely like Sigtuna! Wishing you a nice Easter!

Comsi Comsa, I don't know if I would want to live there, but the houses are incredibly charming and some have a great location by the water! Wishing you a nice Easter!

Imelda, yes we thought it was best to take the opportunity because the weather forecast was not so positive ahead (and today it is grey...). Oh how boring with back pain! Really hope you get better soon! Wishing you a nice Easter weekend after all!

25 March 2016 - 12:40

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Biggeros says:

I grew up as a little girl in Märsta in the municipality of Sigtuna. There were many trips to Sigtunabadet by bus. Went back there two years ago a, so-called. Nostalgia trip. Still remember Sigtuna as it was then. Happy Easter my friend

25 March 2016 - 13:37

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Netti Starby says:

It really looks super cosy! Hugs

25 March 2016 - 13:37

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Ninny says:

What a cosy city!

25 March 2016 - 13:43

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Ditte says:

We visit Sigtuna quite often even now. When we lived in Upplands Väsby, we were probably there a couple of times a month because it is "next door". One of our daughters also went to school there for three years of secondary school and we were there a couple of times a week.
Aunt Brown is a favourite fig, especially when it is warm and you can sit outside.
The Stadshotellet is well worth a visit for lunch or dinner.
Lovely pictures in the beautiful weather that attracts me there.
I understand that you had a cosy day and the weather was really good for an excursion here.
(It is also nice to take the boat from Stockholm to Sigtuna when summer comes.)

25 March 2016 - 13:50

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Motorhome internship says:

Nice walk! You seem to have had it sunnier than what we have on the Riviera right now.... hope we get sunny weather both here and there in the Easter weekend!

25 March 2016 - 14:49

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Ruth in Virginia says:

Just checked prices for a year of secondary school at boarding school:

Hemmasvenskar - £262,000
Foreign nationals - DKK 340 000

Lovely spring weather here. All the flowering trees, magnolia,
the cherry trees in Washington, delicate dogwood trees stand
in full dress.

25 March 2016 - 15:29

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Alexandra says:

The boarding school that Ruth is talking about is the Sigtuna humanistic school, SSHL - one of the national boarding schools, where the King went?

25 March 2016 - 14:59

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Frankie & Co says:

Oh Sigtuna is on my to-do list - the one waiting for something good... you know?

Motorhome premiere this weekend, right now the whole country is raining away here on the west coast - but we hope for drier weather for the rest of Easter - Happy Yellow Easter to you ?

25 March 2016 - 16:19

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OnTrip.com says:

What a nice little town, it looks really cosy, we must definitely pass by when we one day come to those edges. Great with beautiful pictures in the sunshine 🙂

25 March 2016 - 17:07

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Biggeros, interesting to hear that you grew up in Sigtuna municipality and were in Sigtuna as a child! Wishing you a nice Easter weekend!

Netti Starby, Sigtuna is a cosy little town! Happy Easter!

Ninnie, it absolutely is! Wishing you a great Easter!

Ditte, interesting that you spent so much time in Sigtuna! I did not know that. Thanks for the great tips about Tant Brun, Stadshotellet and the boat trip!

Motorhome practice, oops, we wish you nicer weather soon! Here it has already clouded up again 😉.

Alexandra, I feel like I should have known about it! I didn't, but now I learnt something new. Thank you for that! 🙂

Ruth in Virginia, wow, those were not bad prices! It feels like I should have known about this boarding school, but you learn new things all the time! Absolutely fantastic with all the good, wise and general comments from you readers! 🙂

Frankie & Co, Sigtuna we can definitely recommend a visit to! Hope you get better weather soon and wish you a nice Easter weekend!

Ontripdk, Sigtuna is worth a visit if you are ever in the neighbourhood! Yesterday it was sunny and nice, but today it's overcast and grey again 😉.

25 March 2016 - 18:46

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Matts Torebring says:

Wow, that's awesome. Thanks for the tip, we must go there. It must be when we have more time than a weekend.

25 March 2016 - 20:19

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Susjos says:

Yes, of course it is cosy and nice in Sigtuna, I live in Sollentuna, not far from Sigtuna, but we are not so often there. Worked for a year in Märsta and then we went to Sigtuna and had lunch on a couple of occasions, so nice !!!!
I wish you a happy Easter!

25 March 2016 - 20:46

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BP says:

Sigtuna just like Norrtälje by the way is really nice. Perfect "summer villages" to walk around and have a coffee. Oh what a "culture clash" between terrible Märsta and beautiful Sigtuna!

25 March 2016 - 21:58

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Elisabeth says:

Sigtuna is a very nice town, which we have been to many times. I see it perhaps mainly as a summer town! Have a continued good Easter!

25 March 2016 - 23:26

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Lots of other stuff and some concrete says:

We sometimes go to Sigtuna, most recently last summer with the motorhome. A few years ago we were at their nice Christmas market. Cosy there all seasons.

Happy Easter!
Agneta

25 March 2016 - 23:41

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Matts, Sigtuna is definitely worth a visit!

Susjos, fun that you have also been in Sigtuna from time to time. Wishing a continued nice Easter weekend!

BP, you are right that Norrtälje is also nice! Maybe we should go there someday 😉 I've hardly been to Märsta ...

Elisabeth, it may be even nicer in summer, but it's nice in winter too! We were there in 20 degrees below zero with Dutch guests once. Cosy and many who skated on the ice!

A lot of other things and some concrete, where did you put the campervan?

26 March 2016 - 7:31

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Ama de casa says:

Sigtuna is really a cosy town! Made excursions there sometimes, but it became more rare when a couple of friends moved from there and settled in Nyköping instead. Which by the way is also a nice city 🙂

26 March 2016 - 11:12

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"LittleSister" says:

Looks very cosy! You have to make sure to stop there when the car goes north. Have a nice Sunday evening! =)

27 March 2016 - 18:40

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Maria says:

I have the impression that I was in Sigtuna as quite small, so unfortunately I remember almost nothing of that city isf. Did not know that it is Sweden's oldest city, cool! 🙂 Will possibly go to Stockholm in the spring, so maybe you could take the opportunity to go there in the same turn ðŸ™'

28 March 2016 - 11:38

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boris bergström says:

Have been there at the Christmas market, very nice

12 March 2022 - 16:51

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K.W. says:

Sigtuna is the town in my heart. I lived and worked at HUM 1959-1960. In the summer of 1960 I met my first great love, an artist from Spain. He had an exhibition at the then cafe, which was upstairs in the building opposite the old town hall. I was only 17 years old. Our romance lasted a couple of years, until my mother broke it off. I wasn't an adult (I was 21 at the time). I was naive, scared and ignorant. My mother scared me with the dictatorship in Spain and the dictator Franco. So everything ended up in chaos... But now, in my old age, we are in contact again - only as friends.

23 January 2023 - 13:50

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Sigtuna - Visiting the oldest town in Sweden

Sweden's oldest city

Remains from the Bronze Age and the Iron Age

St Olaf's church garden

Sweden's oldest city today

Alleys and cafés

Aunt Brun's coffee shop

Promenade along Lake Mälaren

More things to see and do in Sweden's oldest city

Have you visited Sweden's oldest city?

Info and facts about Sigtuna - Sweden's oldest town

Travelling to Sigtuna

Restaurants in Sigtuna

Accommodation in Sigtuna

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36 Comments

Lennart says:

Lanclin says:

Anette says:

admin says:

Alexandra says:

Ruth in Virginia says:

Åsa says:

Mrs Müller-Sandvik says:

Mr Steve says:

admin says:

Inga M says:

Goatfish says:

Comsi Comsa says:

Imelda says:

admin says:

Biggeros says:

Netti Starby says:

Ninny says:

Ditte says:

Motorhome internship says:

Ruth in Virginia says:

Alexandra says:

Frankie & Co says:

OnTrip.com says:

admin says:

Matts Torebring says:

Susjos says:

BP says:

Elisabeth says:

Lots of other stuff and some concrete says:

admin says:

Ama de casa says:

"LittleSister" says:

Maria says:

boris bergström says:

K.W. says:

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