What can you do in Sundbyberg? We have lived in Sumpan for many years, and even though we have now moved to the neighbouring municipality, we return often. Here are our top tips for activities and experiences in Sundbyberg.
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Sundbyberg
Sundbyberg is the smallest municipality in Sweden, but despite its small size there is a lot to see and do here. Sundbyberg offers a city feel and nice restaurants, but also culture, parks, nature areas and a bird lake. We liked Sumpan very much and would have been happy to stay, if it hadn't been for finding a houseboat in Solna.
Sundbyberg belongs to Stockholm County and is located just north-west of the capital. The municipality borders the city of Stockholm as well as Solna and Sollentuna.
What can you do in Sundbyberg?
So what can you see and do in Sundbyberg? All sorts of things actually! We have collected our best tips here in a list.
1. Coffee, food or beer in the centre of Sundbyberg.
Central Sundbyberg consists partly of Sturegatan, which at least in the past was the main centre, and partly of the area around Signalfabriken, which is on the other side of the railway. There are also shops and restaurants around Tulegatan. Sundbyberg is a cosy little town, and there are plenty of places to pop in for a bite to eat, a beer or perhaps a coffee.
If we're just having a beer, we like to pop into The Station, which is a cosy pub with good prices. As for restaurants, there are many to choose from such as Paul Taylor Lanthandel (read more below) and our old favourites Libaneza (great Lebanese meze) and Parma (don't miss their fettucine with shrimp, avocado and black caviar!).
It is also worth checking out the Signalfabriken, which houses a number of restaurants such as The Public, Phil's Burger, Pinchos and LivingRoom. Among the cafés in the city are Princess Konditori, Bageri Passion and the classic Konditori Boulevard.
2. Eat at the celebrity restaurant Paul Taylor Lanthandel.
If you want to eat at a really good restaurant, look up Paul Taylor Lanthandel, located at Spinnerigatan 7 in Sundbyberg. The restaurant is run by Paul Svensson and Tareq Taylor, who are known from such films as The chefs' struggle and Tareq Taylor's food journey on TV.
The restaurant has a sustainable focus and the food served is climate-smart and modern, with lots of greens. In one corner of the restaurant is a small farm shop, where you can buy things like fresh and pickled vegetables, oils, jams and recipe books.
3. Discover charming Duvbo.
Duvbo is a charming little neighbourhood in Sundbyberg with around 300 older villas and a small number of apartment buildings. The villas are extremely charming, often decorated with pinnacles and towers, bay windows and all kinds of craftsmanship details. It is a delight to walk around here and look at the beautiful houses.
Duvbo was even designated a residential area of national interest by the Swedish National Heritage Board in 1987. As you walk around here, you can check out Duvbo church and the so-called "Spruthuset". The building was erected as a storage place for fire equipment in 1903, but after the fire defence was moved to Sundbyberg municipality's fire department, the building remains a cultural monument. The artist Helga Henschen lived here until her death, and you can find a plaque about her writing in Solparken.
4. Hang out in the Tower Park
Tornparken is a pleasant park located on a hill in the centre of Sundbyberg. At the highest point of the park is a former water tower from 1912, designed by architect Ivar Tengbom. The tower now houses the Flatbread restaurant, which serves 'flatbread', a type of popular Neapolitan pizza. This is a nice place in Sumpan and from the outdoor terrace you have a nice view of the whole city. In Tornparken there is also a football pitch, a nice playground and a paddling pool.
5. See art in Marabou Park
The chocolate company Marabou set up a factory in Sundbyberg in 1916, and in 1930 it bought an adjacent plot of land from the city of Sundbyberg to create a park for its employees. As a condition of the purchase, the city demanded that the park be made available to all residents, which it did.
Marabouparken is today a leafy park with a large number of statues and an art gallery run by a foundation. The park has a restaurant and café and a large paddling pool for children, and is particularly popular with families with children.
6. Experience birdlife at Lötsjön and Golfängarna.
Lötsjön is a fine bird lake in Sundbyberg, where there are plenty of Canada geese or barnacle geese, mallards, coots, swans and lots of other birds. In spring and autumn, Lötsjön is a resting place for migratory birds, some of which come all the way from the Arctic or Africa. A large number of herons also come here, or to the neighbouring lake Råstasjön, every year, and during the summer months they live at the lake. Isbladskärret on Djurgården.
The large green areas around Lötsjön are called Golfängarna, and many people come here to have a picnic or play football. It's also popular to walk or jog around the lake, and you'll also find crazy golf, a playground and a relatively new and nice outdoor gym. At one end of the lake is the Green Cottage where you can take a break for food or coffee. If you want to walk further, you can continue to Råstasjön, which is located in Solna.
7. Walk along Bällstaviken.
Walking along Bällstaviken, from Sundbyberg towards Stockholm, is a really nice walk. The entire promenade runs along the water, and in some places you can see large and small boats moored. In some places, nice wooden bridges have been built a bit out in the water. You can also take the opportunity to look at the famous high-rise buildings here, which are built entirely of wood.
If you continue the walk towards the city centre, you will pass the Huvudstabadet, café Båthuset and more, Huvudsta farm, Augustendal 4H farm and Pampas marina in Solna before reaching Karlberg Castle or Hornsberg beach on Kungsholmen.
8. Discover Sundbyberg in literature
Sundbyberg has a lot of literary connections, which you can discover if you look up the 12 literary signs in the town. Each sign represents an author, and on each sign there is a quote that shows the connection to the town or the specific location.
Many of the signs are in the city centre or Lilla Alby, but some are also in Rissne and Hallonbergen. Authors include Stieg Trenter, John Ajvide Lindqvist, Hillevi Wahl, Stig Dagerman, Stieg Larsson, Agnes von Krusenstierna and Carl Michael Bellman. The signs provide an interesting insight into the life of the city through literature.
9. Hiking or jogging in Ursvik Forest and Igelbäck Nature Reserve
Igelbäckens nature reserve is located in Ursvik in Sundbyberg and here, at the Ursvik exercise area, there are plenty of clearly marked exercise trails of various lengths. There are also marked trails for mountain biking, an outdoor gym and the opportunity to ride or ski on ski trails that are occasionally covered with artificial snow.
The nature reserve also contains many ancient remains from the Bronze Age and Iron Age. There are burial cairns, stone settlements and a house foundation terrace, which together with signs tell us how people may have lived here in the past. You can also see an offering stone from the Bronze Age, which ancient farmers used to appease the fertility goddess to bring them a good harvest.
More things to do in Sundbyberg for those who like culture and history
There is of course even more to see and do in Sundbyberg. Here are some more tips and suggestions for those who like culture and history:
- Ahlby manor is a mansion built in 1624 and thus the oldest building in the city. Various cultural events are sometimes organised here.
- Sundbyberg Museum tells the story of Sundbyberg, with exhibits on the construction of the town since the 1860s. The museum also contains artefacts from Viking graves in the area.
- The cultural trail is an app to guide you to the city's outdoor art. The app features art tours based on different themes.
- Sundbyberg church is beautifully situated on a hill in Kyrkoparken in the city centre. The church is built in the Art Nouveau style and was inaugurated in 1911.
- Slice of crayfish and sour herring is organised every year in August on Sturegatan and the surrounding streets. Along with the long tables, there are usually stalls and stages with performances.
More things to do in Sundbyberg for nature and sport lovers
There is of course also more to do in Sundbyberg for those who like nature and sports. Sumpan is a town with many parks and sports facilities. Here are some tips:
- Tuvan Park is a nice park in the Lilla Alby neighbourhood, with statues and a playground. It was once the Solna Nursing Home, where three patients died in a fire and where author Agnes von Krusenstierna spent seven months.
- Quiet places are scenic places where you can experience tranquillity. The city has produced a guide to these places, which are Nötbacken in the Igelbäcken nature reserve, the northern slope of Ursvikshöjden, the rest area at the 7 km track in the Igelbäcken nature reserve, Utkiken in Duvbo and Tuleparken.
- Curling rink and ice rink is located at the Sundbyberg sports centre. There is also a swimming pool.
More to see and do near Sundbyberg
From Sundbyberg it is close to Solna, where you can visit the beautiful Haga Park with gazebo, pavilion and castle ruins, or Ulriksdal Castle with the beautiful castle park. It is also not too far to Bromma, where there are two fine nature reserves such as the Kyrksjölöten and Jewish forest.
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More tips for things to do in Sundbyberg?
Have you been to Sundbyberg? Tell us about your experiences and your relationship with the city! Do you have even more tips for things to see and do in Sundbyberg?
Facts about Sundbyberg
- Landscape: Uppland
- County: Stockholm County
- Slogan: where the city is at its best
- Population: More than 52 000 (2020)
- Areas: Central Sundbyberg, Rissne, Hallonbergen, Lilla Alby, Storskogen, Duvbo, Ör, Ursvik, Brotorp/Järvastaden.
- Read more: You can find more information at the city's website
Restaurants and cafés in Sundbyberg
- Libaneza (Lebanese), Tule Street 29
- Restaurant Parma (Italian), Tulegatan 56
- Good food (fish and seafood), Tulegatan 54
- Flatbread (Neapolitan pizzas), Bergsgatan 1
- The Public (European), Esplanaden 10
- Phil's Burger (hamburgers), Sundbybergs torg 1.
- Pinchos (small dishes), Sundbybergs torg 1.
- LivingRoom (Italian), Sundbybergs torg 1.
- The Station (pub), Landsvägen 55B
- Ristorante Matilde (Italian), Landsvägen 58
- Paul Taylor Lanthandel (organic), Spinnerigatan 7.
- Café Boulevard (café and pastry shop), Esplanade 17
- Princess konditori (pastry shop), Sturegatan 20
- Bageriet Passion (bakery), Landsvägen 45
Attractions and museums in Sundbyberg
- Sundbyberg church, Rosengatan 15
- Sundbyberg Museum, Fredsgatan 4
- Marabou Park Art Centre, Löfströmsvägen 8
Finding Sundbyberg
- Car: From Stockholm, take Klarastrandsleden and then Pampaslänken and continue on Storgatan. Then turn right onto Huvudstagatan and left onto Frösundaleden, and finally right onto Gränsgatan and Tulegatan.
- Bicycle: There are cycle paths so you can cycle from Stockholm or Solna, for example.
- Underground railway: The blue line of the metro goes to Sundbyberg. The station in the centre is called Sundbybergs centrum. Other stations in the municipality are Duvbo, Rissne and Hallonbergen.
- Commuter trains: Commuter trains stop in Sundbyberg, on the way between Stockholm and Bålsta.
- Cross-country railway: The Tvärbanan runs through Sundbyberg and stops at Bällsta Bro and Sundbyberg centre, on the way between Bromma and Solna.
- Bus: Many different buses stop in Sundbyberg. Check your journey on sl.se.
History of Sundbyberg
- Past tense: Viking graves have been found in the area, so people lived here early on. Finds from the graves are on display at Sundbyberg Museum.
- 1347: The farm name "Sundhby" is mentioned in sources from this time. "Sund" probably refers to a historical strait that existed at the mouth of the river Bällstaån.
- 18th century: Three homesteads in the area were merged into a manor house, owned by Z J Strandberg.
- 1775: The farm name Sundby gård was changed to Sundbybergs gård.
19th century
- 1869: Anders Petter Löfström (1831-1909) bought Sundbyberg farm together with Duvbo and Dufvebol farm.
- 1876: A railway was built across the grounds of the Sundbyberg mansion.
- 1878: Anders Petter Löfström had a chapel built.
- Late 19th century: In the late 19th century, Sundbyberg emerged as a suburb of Stockholm, thanks to the new railway.
- 1888: Sundbyberg became a municipality by breaking away from Bromma.
20th century
- 1909: Bromma parish was divided and Sundbyberg became its own pastorate.
- 1911: Sundbyberg Church, built in the Art Nouveau style, was inaugurated.
- 1916: Marabou acquired the site, which once belonged to the Sundbyberg farm.
- 1929: The town was granted town rights and became the town of Sundbyberg.
- 1935: Sundbyberg Farm was demolished to create the new office building and new laboratory building of the Marabou chocolate factory.
- 1939A 10-year-old girl named Gerd Johansson disappeared and eight days later she was found raped and strangled at Lötsjön, making headlines in the city.
- 1949: Duvbo was transferred to the city of Sundbyberg.
- 1954: The Lorry nightclub opened, which was a huge success. In the mid-1980s, the nightclub went bankrupt.
Solan says:
😊 What a comprehensive guide! Everything you need to know about Sumpan...
Excellent transport links too. When we pick up the motorhome from storage in Västergötland, we get on the train at Sundbyberg Station, change to the commuter train in Falköping and get off in Mullsjö.
Can't get any smoother! 🌍
13 March 2021 - 8:08
Helena says:
Agree that it's good communication. Good that you can take the train and travel that way, smoothly!!!
14 March 2021 - 9:17
Ditte says:
Sumpan is always nice! And there is a lot of everything here. Have lived in Solna for many years and then there were many rounds to "little sister Sundbyberg". Always nice. I think that today the charm of the city has been partly destroyed and too many new houses have been squeezed into the small area available.
Thank you for your visit. and nice and good tips.
In terms of cafés, I particularly like Princess and Boulevard, and on the restaurant side, a couple of favourites are "Lanthandel" and "Libaneza".
The golf meadows are also nice to visit when it's warm outside.
13 March 2021 - 14:22
Helena says:
Yes, Sundbyberg may be a little "little sister", and a nice one at that 😉 Nice to hear your favourites!
14 March 2021 - 9:17
BP says:
It wasn't so many years ago that Sundbyberg was voted the most popular municipality in Greater Stockholm with the most pubs/bars/restaurants and cafés. Sundbyberg is an incredibly likeable municipality that offers more than most "Stockholm suburbs".
You forgot the surströmming party on the last Thursday in August. But that party was cancelled last year and probably will be again this year unfortunately.
13 March 2021 - 17:06
Helena says:
I can understand that you choose Sumpan, very nice! I actually did not forget the surströmming party heeelt (mentioned it briefly under "more to do") 😉 We have passed it a few times and I want to remember that I read about it with you on occasion! 🙂
14 March 2021 - 9:19
Lena - good for the soul says:
I had no idea it was so nice in Sundbyberg, except for Duvbo which I have seen. Otherwise, I have only gone through by train and car and then it is mostly just grey high-rise buildings, kind of. Nice to have opened your eyes to a new city 🙂.
Hug Lena
15 March 2021 - 6:06
SnOwflake1888 says:
topstugan you forgot
at the top there are plenty of barbecue facilities and a good view over Bromma, often you see planes taking off/landing.
14 June 2023 - 5:43