What to do in Trosa - 9 tips for a picturesque gem

What to do in Trosa? We have visited this picturesque town many times. In fact, this is where we went the very first time we set off on a motorhome trip, and there have been many return visits since, most recently yesterday. Here we have now collected our best tips for experiences in Trosa.

Table of contents

Trosa

Trosa is a picturesque and charming little gem with beautiful wooden houses, cosy fish restaurants and the beautiful Trosa River running through the town. People come here to sit on outdoor terraces, eat ice cream or just enjoy the environment.

Once a fishing village, Trosa became a seaside resort in the 19th century, attracting high society and eventually providing a regular steamship service to Stockholm. Today, the small town is still a place that attracts tourists, although of course much has changed.

Trosa is located in Södermanland, between Södertälje and Nyköping, about seven kilometres southwest of Stockholm.

What can you do in Trosa?

So, what can you see and do in Trosa? This gem is a very nice town that offers a holiday feeling almost all year round. Here are our top tips on what to see and do in Trosa.

1. Hang out at the guest harbour

Hanging out at the guest harbour in Trosa on a sunny day is very nice. Here you can stay overnight by boat or caravan, and here you will also find the restaurant Kölsvinet. At this cosy and popular restaurant, you can eat luxurious pizzas with ingredients such as hand-shelled shrimp or truffle salami.

2. Walk along the Trosaån river

Trosaån flows through the entire town, from Lake Sillen to the Baltic Sea, right next to the guest harbour. A walk along the river offers great views with small boats, bridges and beautiful wooden houses in bright colours.

There are many strollers along the river, but also many people fishing.

As you continue past the centre, you pass charming residential areas that are so picturesque that they remind you of a storybook. Here you can see a lot of carpentry, and we also saw a nice "multi-family house" for small birds.

3. Stroll through historic neighbourhoods

Stroll in Trosa! The historic neighbourhoods of this small town are wonderfully charming. Here you can see small red wooden houses, often a bit crooked and windy, reminiscent of bygone times.

Other houses are beautifully decorated with balconies, pinnacles and towers.

If you want, you can also take a look at Trosa town church. The church was built between 1694 and 1710, and there have been churches on the site before that.

4. Learn about history through signs

One thing that Sörmland is really good at is putting up interesting information signs. The signs are marked with red flags and in Trosa they can be found along the river and in the town centre. On the signs you can read about tourism and holidays in the past. Really interesting!

5. Discover Garvaregården

Garvaregården is a craft farm dating back to the 18th century. In the summer, this local community centre houses a café, craft shop and the Trosa City Museum. During July there is also a summer theatre. When we were here in early May, however, we could only peek over the fence.

6. Visit Trosa Tourist Centre - in the old town hall

The old town hall is a beautiful building found on Östra Långgatan in the centre of town. Today it houses the Trosa Tourist Centre.

The square is also very charming and reminiscent of small towns from the past. Here you will find the town's fine bookshop and other small shops.

The old telephone booth no longer functions as a telephone booth, but if you want to borrow a book, you can pop in here. In return, you can leave a book that you no longer need.

7. eat seafood (or buttered bread)

Even though Trosa is a small town, there are plenty of restaurants, especially those serving fish and seafood. Here you will find restaurants such as Kölsvinet, Trosa sjökrog, FinaFisken, Bomans, Punschkällaren, Ankaret and Trosa stadshotell.

If you prefer sandwiches, good beer and schnapps, check out the Two Little Pigs restaurant, where you can choose from things like Grandma's herring, gubbröra, calf's liver Anglais or chevre chaud.

The small "Smoked fish" stall was closed when we were here, but it was so cute that it was included in the picture. For those travelling by camper van, it is of course an option to buy fresh or smoked fish and cook/serve it yourself in the camper van.

8. Coffee and ice cream

When you are in Trosa, you can take the opportunity to have coffee or ice cream, depending on the weather. There are plenty of cosy cafés and ice cream parlours.

9. Experience castles in the neighbourhood

Another thing to do in Trosa is to see castles, although the castles are welcoming to tourists to varying degrees.

Stensund Castle was built between 1918 and 1920 on behalf of shipowner Emil Löfgren. Today the castle is used by Stensund Folk High School, where you can study to become a health coach or a boat builder. According to the website, there is also a restaurant, but it was closed. However, the view of the water was fantastic!

Tureholm Castle has its origins in the 14th century. In the 1640s, a castle similar to the present building was built, but this was burnt down during the Russian raids in 1719. Ten years later, Thure Gabriel Bielke began rebuilding the castle. Today's castle is privately owned by the Bonde family, and has been shown to the public on rare occasions.

Tullgarn Castle is located in the municipality of Södertälje, but not far from Trosa. This castle has been a royal pleasure palace ever since the 1770s when the state handed it over to Duke Adolf. The last royals to spend summers here were King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria, until the beginning of the 20th century. If you visit the castle during the summer months, guided tours are available.

READ MORE: Tullgarn Castle - in the footsteps of kings and tsars

More to see and do in Trosa

What else can you see and do in Trosa? Here are some additional suggestions:

Berg's farm includes accommodation, restaurant, farm shop, hiking and mountain biking.
Cycling excursions with different themes, such as visiting apple orchards.
Harbourfront offers glamping in safari tents and activities such as cycling, forest bathing and more.
Crow's nest and other islands in the Trosa archipelago.
Spa at Trosa city hotel and spa.
Sörmland Trail goes through the city.
Trosa park golf offers adventure golf for all ages, with 12 different courses.
Åda Wild Boar are running and hiking trails of 6 and 12 kilometres respectively.

Where to stay in Trosa?

There are many different hotels and accommodation options, such as Trosa stadshotell & spa, Bomans hotell and Två små svin.

If you come with a motorhome, there is a pitch in the guest harbour. You pay via the website campingspot.com and then have access to electricity (some sites), toilets and grey and black water drainage.

In Trosa there is also the campsite Trosa sea baths. We have been there once (albeit eight years ago) and offer an archive picture!

Trosa havsbad — Peter at the campsite 2013

See more around Trosa

From Trosa it is not far to Nyköping and Oxelösund. Here are some tips for nice and interesting excursions in the neighbourhood such as Stendörren nature reserve and Nyköpingshus.

More tips for things to do in Trosa?

Have you been to Trosa? Have you eaten at any of the restaurants? Do you have more tips on what to see and do in Trosa? Tell us about your experience!

Facts about Trosa

Landscape: Södermanland
County: Södermanland County
Population: More than 14 000 (2020)
Areas: Östermalm, Ekensberg, Trosalund, Karlsborg, Nyängen and Tomtaklint.
Read more: You can find more information at the city's website and on Visit Sörmland.

Travelling to Trosa

Car: Follow the E4 motorway and exit onto road 218.
Trains: The town has no railway. The nearest railway station is in Vagnhärad.
Bus: There are bus connections with Vagnhärad, Nyköping, Gnesta, Södertälje and Stockholm.

History of Trosa

Early history: The surrounding area is rich in ancient remains in the form of rune stones. Tuna village is also home to Sweden's largest gold treasure, the so-called Tureholm Treasure, which weighed as much as 12 kilos and is believed to date from the Migration Period, around 400-550 AD.
1229: The place is first mentioned in writings.

14th to 15th century

1338: Trosa was described as a town and was then located at Trosa Landskyrka, about five kilometres northwest of its current location.
Early 15th century: The town was an important trading centre.
1445: The village was burned by the Vitaly brothers under Erik of Pomerania.
1454: Trosa was granted a town charter by King Karl Knutsson Bonde.

16th to 18th century

1550s: The old Trosa had ceased to exist and a new trading centre and fishing village had begun to emerge at the mouth of the Trosa River.
1610: The new location was granted town privileges and was called Trosa Åmyne (or Åminne), to distinguish the town from the previous one. The new town had fishing as its main industry. The privileges included fishing rights from Oxelösund to Södertälje.
1719: The city was burnt down during the so-called Russian ravages. However, the church was spared.

19th century to present

19th century: In the second half of the 19th century, steamboat traffic became important. The city also developed as a seaside resort.
1930s: Smaller industries began to emerge.

READ MORE: Campsites and pitches in Södermanland
READ MORE: Things to do in Södermanland - sights and experiences

Helena

04 May 2021 6:00

Sweden

city guide Sweden, history, Motorhome holidays Sweden, attraction, Södermanland

Helena

Administrator

24 Comments

Add yours →

Daniel on FlyingDryden says:

Haven't been there other than rolling past down by the lake in the car this summer. We didn't take the time to stop but we will next time. Looks really picturesque. Nice post!

04 May 2021 - 8:52

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Trosa is definitely worth a stop! Not least in fine weather, very charming! Glad you like the post, thanks!
  
  04 May 2021 - 15:22
  
  Reply
Ama de casa says:

It is really super nice in Trosa! We had intended to camp on a lawn outside the guest harbour many years ago when my brother and his wife had docked their boat there. But when it started to pull together to set up the tent, there was the world's sea and drunkenness on the lawn, so we chose to sleep in the boat instead. It went well too. Probably better that night 😉

Wonderful pictures - you are good at making a wonderful and enticing advert for the places you visit 🙂.

04 May 2021 - 9:46

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Oh, yes, maybe it felt calmer with the overnight stay in the boat 😉 And thank you, glad you like the pictures! 🙂
  
  04 May 2021 - 15:24
  
  Reply
Role o Carina says:

Of course we have been there, with our 1st Motorhome, a Knaus 580C and then we stood across the street.
restaurant Fina Fisken we think it was, nice place Trosa even then!

Take care....

04 May 2021 - 9:53

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you were here, and that you also liked Trosa! 🙂
  
  04 May 2021 - 15:25
  
  Reply
  - bmlarstravellingblog says:
    
    We visited Trosa our first motorhome summer, 2012, so it is probably time for a return visit to the cosy little town. Very nice, tempting pictures!
    
    04 May 2021 - 16:31
    
    Reply
    - Comment by post author
      
      Helena says:
      
      Nice to make return visits! It was a bit like that for us too. We were here a lot at the beginning of our motorhome life, and now we have returned.
      
      05 May 2021 - 12:31
      
      Reply
    - Anonymous says:
      
      Thanks for the title. Great information. Ar pa besok fran USA . Ska med 8 voksne 3 barn spendera 4 dagar bloende pa Bergs Gard. Looking forward to visiting Trosa and some of your suggestions.
      
      03 July 2022 - 14:09
      
      Reply
Anette Åhnbrink says:

We were to Trosa in early March this year, it was cold! But we have been there before and had a little nicer weather😎can really recommend Two little pigs! Super good butter bread, they should be in Årsta too, I have understood!

04 May 2021 - 17:07

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Understand that it was cold then! We have heard about two small pigs, sounds both good and completely in our taste! 🙂
  
  05 May 2021 - 12:31
  
  Reply
Jeanette says:

Longing has only been on a short visit .
Thanks for all the tips!

04 May 2021 - 17:37

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I'm glad you like our tips Jeanette!
  
  05 May 2021 - 12:32
  
  Reply
BP says:

In Trosa, time has stood still. I was last there 10 years ago, and it looks exactly the same now as then. I like that:-) Oh Bomans is still there - of course:-)

04 May 2021 - 18:46

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We also recognise Trosa a lot from when we were here at the beginning of our motorhome life (just over 10 years ago). Much is really similar! But especially around the parking space in the harbour, much has changed and been digitised 😉.
  
  05 May 2021 - 12:34
  
  Reply
Liniz+Travel says:

Love Trosa!

The city hotel is magical!

Hugs

05 May 2021 - 8:59

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Of course it's cosy! Glad to hear that Stadshotellet is so good! 🙂
  
  05 May 2021 - 12:34
  
  Reply
Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Oh, how I would love to visit Trosa. It's on my wish list.
Looks so beautiful and interesting.
Thanks for nice post!

05 May 2021 - 9:04

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Trosa is really charming! Recommended!
  
  05 May 2021 - 12:34
  
  Reply
Lena - good for the soul says:

Would really like to return to Trosa. Was there far too short a time. Very keen to stay over at Bomans. There I looked in and walked a lap. Soooo crazy delicious!

Hug Lena

05 May 2021 - 20:41

Reply
Eva says:

This summer, two outdoor padel courts will open in Trosa down by the harbour.

06 May 2021 - 9:11

Reply
Maria's Memoirs says:

It looks incredibly cosy and walkable! It looks especially nice around the small river 🙂 Have probably not realised how nice a place that is, have mostly thought that it is a place in Sweden with a slightly strange name 😉.

06 May 2021 - 10:22

Reply
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

I love Trosa and have been there many times. When I still lived in Vetlanda and travelled to Stockholm a few times each year, a stop in Trosa and a coffee at Tre Små Rum was always mandatory. Great pictures!

07 May 2021 - 9:10

Reply
Mr Axel Ketilsson says:

What a charming town. You must visit. The restaurant Two sma svine is outstanding.

27 August 2021 - 11:55

Reply

What to do in Trosa - 9 tips for a picturesque gem

Trosa

What can you do in Trosa?

1. Hang out at the guest harbour

2. Walk along the Trosaån river

3. Stroll through historic neighbourhoods

4. Learn about history through signs

5. Discover Garvaregården

6. Visit Trosa Tourist Centre - in the old town hall

7. eat seafood (or buttered bread)

8. Coffee and ice cream

9. Experience castles in the neighbourhood

More to see and do in Trosa

Where to stay in Trosa?

See more around Trosa

More tips for things to do in Trosa?

Facts about Trosa

Travelling to Trosa

History of Trosa

14th to 15th century

16th to 18th century

19th century to present

You might also like:

Subscribe to our newsletter

24 Comments

Daniel on FlyingDryden says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Role o Carina says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

Anonymous says:

Anette Åhnbrink says:

Helena says:

Jeanette says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Liniz+Travel says:

Helena says:

Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

Eva says:

Maria's Memoirs says:

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Mr Axel Ketilsson says:

3 Pingbacks

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

ABOUT FREEDOMtravel

CONTACT US

Social media and newsletters

SEARCH AND FIND ON FREEDOMTRAVEL

Categories

Archive