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22 August 2020 / 24 Comments

Things to do in Norrtälje - 11 tips for the capital of Roslagen.

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What to do in Norrtälje as a tourist? Norrtälje is an idyllic archipelago town with beautiful old wooden houses, charming alleys, cosy cafés and a whole range of museums. Around it are plenty of nature reserves and archipelago islands.

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Visiting Norrtälje

We have been to Norrtälje many times. Especially Peter has been here a lot, as he spent a lot of time growing up on Blidö, which is in the municipality of Norrtälje.

Last weekend we took the motorhome to Norrtälje to "tour" a bit. We know that Norrtälje is a fantastic summer town! We have now compiled a bunch of tips, both based on last weekend's visit and previous experiences.

Göra i Norrtälje

Norrtälje is 20 miles north-east of Stockholm and is sometimes referred to as the 'capital of Roslagen'.

What can you do in Norrtälje as a tourist?

Yes, what can you do in Norrtälje as a tourist? Here are our best tips. Feel free to add a comment!

1. Stroll through charming neighbourhoods

The centre of Norrtälje is incredibly charming with beautiful old houses. At Stora Torget is the Town Hall, a beautiful yellow wooden building with a bell tower on the roof. The city's first town hall was burned down by the Russians in 1719. A new town hall was built in 1730, but had to be dismantled due to rot. The building was rebuilt in 1792 and renovated in 1988.

You can also take a look at different alleys. For example, we looked in where it says "Dahlinska gårdarna". On a sign you can read that these have been owned by the Dahlin family since 1919, when Adelbert Dahlin opened a meat and charcuterie shop at Posthusgatan 6.

Göra i Norrtälje - charmiga kvarter

There are a lot of shops with, for example, clothes and other items. Peter recognised the toy shop from when he was little, and it is still in the same building.

2. Hang out in pubs and restaurants

There are also plenty of restaurants, cafés and bakeries in Norrtälje. The oldest café in the town is called Café Hörnan and is located in, well, a corner. On a sign you can read that the café is 108 years old.

Norrtäljes äldsta café

We did not have coffee this time, but instead chose to eat sushi at Rollin' Balls. Here we got a really nice and good sushi, with several exciting vegetable accessories.

Göra i Norrtälje - äta sushi

3. Walk along the river - and look at art

When you are in the centre of Norrtälje, it is natural to walk along the river, and you should definitely do so. It's beautiful here, and you can see beautiful old wooden houses and charming bridges reflected in the water.

There is an exhibition called 'Art in the river'. Every year, different exhibitions are presented and in 2020, art was displayed on the theme "Anthropocene - the age of man". If we understand correctly, this year's exhibition ended on 16 August and may no longer exist. In any case, a nice initiative that makes walking along the river even more interesting.

Göra i Norrtälje - konst i ån

4. Take a stroll in Societies Park

Societetsparken is a green park located along the Norrtälje bay in the centre of Norrtälje. The park was created in the 19th century when Norrtälje was a popular seaside resort for society, and bathers needed a park for relaxation and recreation. Today various events are organised here, such as the Custom Bike Show, American Car Show and Norrtälje Jazz Days.

We paused at a small sauna bench, a gift to the Swedish-Finnish minority from the art group Stadsröra. There is also Finland's national tree, the spring birch.

Göra i Norrtälje - Societetsparken

Since the park is on the waterfront, you can watch all the boats chugging by, or perhaps stopping to refuel at the small petrol station.

Tanka båten

5. Take it easy at Kärleksudden and Borgmästarholmen.

At Kärleksudden there is a nice little bathing area, which seems to be popular. The restaurant Kärleksudden is also located here, with a nice view of the water.

Göra i Norrtälje - Kärleksudden

Right next to Kärleksudden is Borgmästarholmen, which is connected to the mainland by a small bridge. Here you can walk on nice green paths and visit the cows in the cow garden.

Why is the island called Borgmästarholmen? We were told a story about a mayor who had lent money. When he didn't get it back on time, he went to the home of the man who owed the money. The pregnant wife was home alone, and when the mayor couldn't find the man, he became so angry that he hit the woman in the stomach with a stick. The woman lost the baby and the mayor was charged with the offence. In his eagerness to escape the long arm of the law, he hid on an island, which was later named Mayor's Island.

6. Go up to the viewpoint and the aerial lighthouse

There is a viewpoint in Norrtälje and signs show how to get there from several directions. At the top of the site there is a stone lookout, but no one has bothered to trim the trees, so it is difficult to admire the view from there. If you stand right next to it, however, you can look out over Norrtälje.

Not far from the viewpoint is the aeronautical lighthouse in Norrtälje. An aerial beacon is a light beacon used for aerial navigation. In Sweden, aerial beacons were mainly used in the 1930s. Today, there are only three lighthouses left in the country and the only one standing in its original location is Lighthouse 143, which stands on top of the water tower in Norrtälje. If you shop in Norrtälje's large supermarket ICA Flygfyren, you now understand where it got its name.

Flygfyren

7. See ignition ball engines at the Pythagoras Industrial Museum.

The Pythagoras Industrial Museum is an interesting museum that takes you on an exciting journey through time. The machinery, office equipment and caretaker's house are still there as they once were, and you can walk around with a guide or audio guide and understand what life was once like for those who worked here. At certain times, one of the factory's spark plug engines is also fired up.

Göra i Norrtälje - Pythagoras Industrimuseum

8. Visit Penningby castle and Linneladan

Just outside Norrtälje is Penningby Castle. The sturdy stone house is one of Sweden's oldest non-ecclesiastical buildings, dating back to the 15th century. In 1673, it was converted from a defensive fortress to a castle, a conversion that was completed in the 1730s. The castle is open to the public at certain times during the summer.

Göra i Norrtälje - Penningby slott

Right next to the castle is a large gift shop called Linneladan. This is a really charming place where you can find everything from clothes to interior design.

Göra i Norrtälje - Linneladan

9. Experience the Viking Age in the Viking village of Storholmen.

If you like history and the Viking Age, you should definitely visit the Viking village of Storholmen during the summer weeks when it is open to tourists. This open-air museum showcases Viking environments and contemporary crafts. Dedicated enthusiasts bring history to life for all interested parties, but perhaps especially for families with children.

Göra i Norrtälje - Vikingabyn Storholmen

10. Enjoy nature in all nature reserves

Norrtälje has a large number of nature areas and nature reserves. We have visited two of these, Norr Malma nature reserve, which is located right next to Lake Erken and the Viking village of Storholmen, and Riddersholm nature reserve, which is adjacent to Kapellskär campsite.

Sjön Erken och Norr Malma naturreservat
Norr Malma nature reserve

11. Take boat trips and visit archipelago islands

Norrtälje is an archipelago municipality with lots of islands. There are many different boat trips you can take. For example, you can go with Blidösundsbolaget to Norröra, i.e. Tjorvens Saltkråkan.

There are also islands that can be visited by car, such as Yxlan, Blidö and Väddö. Peter spent his childhood summers on Blidö and we still go there sometimes, as he has relatives there. This year his brother's wife and niece have started up the Haraldsgård hostel and the cosy garden café Amalia. Don't miss out if you're passing by!

Old Grissle Harbour on Väddö

More to do in Norrtälje

There are plenty of museums in Norrtälje. Most have limited opening hours, so you have to check the opening hours carefully if you want to visit them. Here are some more museums in Norrtälje, in addition to those mentioned above:

  • Norrtälje Air Defence Museum
  • Norrtälje art centre
  • Torsten Nordström's museum - a bourgeois home from the first part of the 20th century
  • Roslagsmuseet (currently closed for renovation)

Other things to do in Norrtälje include boat hire, kayaking, cycling, Icelandic horse riding and golf.

Göra i Norrtälje

Pitches and campsites in Norrtälje

Norrtälje camping is located just outside the centre of Norrtälje. When we last visited Norrtälje with the camper van, we stood in a car park right next to the bridge to Borgmästarholmen. There are no services here, but you can stand nicely by the water and there are public toilets nearby.

Norrtälje municipality is large and there are also other campsites around the municipality. For example, we can recommend Kapellskärs camping, which is well run and close to nature.

Norrtälje campsite
Ställplats i Norrtälje
Parking next to Borgmästarholmen, where you can park your camper van

More to see and do near Norrtälje

Of course, there are not only things to see and do in Norrtälje, but also in the neighbourhood. For example, you can go to the beautiful Grisslehamn or fine Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm.

Göra i Uppland
All our top tips for holidays in Uppland

More tips for things to do in Norrtälje?

Have you been to Norrtälje? Maybe you have more tips to share? Please tell us?

Facts about Norrtälje

  • Municipality: Municipality of Norrtälje
  • County: Stockholm County
  • Landscape: Uppland
  • Population: Around 63 000 in the whole municipality (2020)

Norrtälje's history in brief

  • 1296: Norrtälje was first mentioned in writing, as Tälje by
  • 1409: The town was named Norr Tälje.
  • 1622: Gustav II Adolf founded the town of Norrtälje.
  • 1719: Large parts of the city were burned by the Russians.
  • 19th century: Norrtälje was one of the Baltic Sea's most popular seaside resorts, known for its healthy mud.

Travelling to Norrtälje

  • Car: From Stockholm, take the E18 motorway towards Norrtälje.
  • Bus: Bus 676 runs from Danderyd Hospital to Norrtälje.

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22 August 2020 6:00
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12 Comments

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  1. Annah says:

    I have been in Norrtälje very much as both grandmother & grandfather and grandmother & grandfather lived here (they are now buried in Norrtälje cemetery all ☹) and now I live here ?. Have always loved this city, we also have a tradition in my family to go to the Norrtälje market every year, which is the first Wednesday in October (do not know if it will happen this year due to Corona).

    22 August 2020 - 8:35

    Reply

    • Comment by post author

      Helena says:

      Oh, glad you live in and have roots in this great city! Thanks for the tip about the market, although I realise it may be different this year.

      22 August 2020 - 9:04

      Reply

      • Kerstin Rabenius Borgargatan says:

        You forgot! Lilla Torget Wallinska gårdarna that Vilhelm Moberg once helped save (from demolition!) /KR

        28 April 2021 - 5:24

        Reply

  2. Helena from Finland says:

    Wonderful city! Can you park somewhere close to the centre with your motorhome? There used to be a parking space behind the warehouses, but there are now high-rise buildings there, right?

    22 August 2020 - 8:44

    Reply

    • Comment by post author

      Helena says:

      The car park where we stood at Borgmästarholmen is quite close to the centre. Nice place by the water! (A regular car park, several motorhomes found it when we were there...).

      22 August 2020 - 9:03

      Reply

  3. Ama de casa says:

    We have spent a lot of time in Norrtälje. Anders was born there and firmly claims that he is not a Northerner but a rosy-cheeked one. But considering that he moved to Skellefteå when he was three and stayed there until we moved to Stockholm when he was twenty-three, what the heck... 😉?
    It's really nice in Norrtälje, although it's been a long time since we were there now.

    22 August 2020 - 9:22

    Reply

  4. Lena in Wales and Spain says:

    Thank you for a very nice trip to Norrtälje!
    I was there about two years ago, but it was in March and winter cold, nice, but not the same experience as in summer clothes. A lot was also closed then.
    Have a nice weekend!

    22 August 2020 - 11:40

    Reply

  5. BP says:

    Custom Bike Show, American Car Show we usually visit and then eat and have coffee on the charming main street. Like the artworks in the river, that idea must have been stolen by Norrtälje municipality from Örebro A great idea.

    22 August 2020 - 20:13

    Reply

  6. Monet says:

    Next time you have to get in touch! We live almost in the middle of the city but have a nice courtyard where you can park the motorhome. What a nice report you made about the city! Very fun to see and read.

    Come here again - there is much more to see and experience. The new harbour area that is emerging in the old slummed and dilapidated is and will be absolutely fantastic. Housing (a bit of a shame with high-rise buildings, we think, but there used to be two ugly tall silos here, so many people think it's ok to have tall buildings in the harbour), restaurants on the quayside, the charming boat Norrtelje, an incredibly nice quayside promenade with imitation archipelago rocks and eventually a new marina and bathing area - it will be a new city in the city and the homes with charming courtyards and large balconies will be quickly consumed!

    When my French family with little boys were here last year, we had lunch out here and they said in unison and surprise that it felt like sitting at one of their cosy beach restaurants down by the Mediterranean!

    25 August 2020 - 10:13

    Reply

  7. Lena - good for the soul says:

    Norrtälje is very cosy. Although I have only been there a couple of times and for a short time, I realised that it was a cute coastal town.

    Hug Lena

    26 August 2020 - 6:07

    Reply

  8. Annette says:

    We live half an hour by car from Norrtälje, I went to high school there and now our oldest daughter is in her first year at Rodengymnasiet in Norrtälje. However, Norrtälje has never been the city we go to for shopping, as it is the same distance to Uppsala and only 60 kilometres to Stockholm, so we prefer to go to those cities. Norrtälje has become a city we go to very rarely, except for Bella who studies there. But it's beautiful, especially in the warmer seasons. I long for summer when I see your pictures, and almost think that I have photographed almost all the motifs that you have included in the post, no wonder when Norrtälje is so idyllic. Rollin' balls has good sushi, but the best and freshest is in little Rimbo at Hem Sushi (yes, they have spelled it that way...). We eat sushi everywhere we go, and still we all think that Rimbo's is the best. A tip 🙂

    05 January 2021 - 8:10

    Reply

  9. BengtE says:

    Färsna farm, 2 km north of Norrtälje is worth a visit. Rural environment with animals in the pastures, Tractor Museum. Farm café, Systrarna Matjod with green kitchen and ingredients from plots on the farm. färsna.se

    17 July 2023 - 12:21

    Reply

12 Pingbacks

  1. Grisslehamn in Roslagen - charming on Väddö | FREEDOMtravel
  2. Free camping at Lake Erken and Norr Malma Nature Reserve | FREEDOMtravel
  3. Kapellskär Camping in the Riddersholm Nature Reserve | FREEDOMtravel
  4. Norrtälje - walk along the river | FREEDOMtravel
  5. Öregrund in Roslagen - an idyll by the sea | FREEDOMtravel
  6. City guides to Swedish cities and towns | FREEDOMtravel
  7. Vikingabyn Storholmen - outdoor museum in Roslagen | FREEDOMtravel
  8. Pythagoras Industrial Museum in Norrtälje - step into history | FREEDOMtravel
  9. Albert Engström Museum in Grisslehamn, Roslagen | FREEDOMtravel
  10. Salsta Castle in Uppland - castle café, guided tours and ghosts | FREEDOMtravel
  11. Kapellskär - quiet weekend camping | FREEDOMtravel
  12. To Åland with Finnlines - new motorhome adventures | FREEDOMtravel

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