Södermanland is a province of a thousand lakes and royal castles making it a peaceful destination for a countryside road trip. Soft hills and ancient oak groves define this landscape where the Baltic Sea reaches deep into the land through winding fjords. You can find a hidden castle around almost every corner or visit a quiet farm for a traditional fika by the water. The small coastal towns like Trosa are filled with art galleries and craft shops that line the narrow canals and historic harbors.
The scenery in Södermanland is a mix of manicured estates and wild forest paths where deer and elk roam freely. You can paddle through the labyrinth of the coast or follow the Sörmlandsleden trail as it winds past ruins and through deep green valleys. It is a peaceful escape where the water is always nearby and the pace of life feels perfectly in tune with the seasons. The light filters through the leaves of the old trees creating a green canopy over the narrow country lanes.
History is alive in the stone walls and the runestones that mark the crossroads of Södermanland. You can visit the royal palace of Gripsholm with its massive towers or explore the quiet graveyards of the medieval churches. The region is a favorite for those seeking a retreat from the city where the lakes offer a mirror to the sky and the fields are full of wild flowers. It is a landscape of quiet elegance and natural beauty that feels both royal and wild at the same time.
Södermanland highlights
- Gripsholm Castle Visit a royal fortress with massive round towers and deep red walls that houses the national portrait collection. The castle sits on the edge of a lake and is surrounded by a deer park and steam train tracks.
- Stendörren Nature Reserve Walk across suspension bridges that connect several small islands in the archipelago without needing a boat. It is the best place to find a private granite rock for swimming and watching the ships pass by.
- Trosa Harbor Stroll the "world’s end" at this charming coastal town where the canal is lined with historic wooden houses and boats. It is a favorite stop for sailors and road trippers seeking a classic seaside fika.
- Nyköping House Explore the ruins of a medieval castle that was the site of a famous royal banquet ending in a dark betrayal. The white tower still stands and the museum tells the story of the kings who fought for the crown.
- Sörmlandsleden Trail Follow sections of this massive hiking trail that winds past hundreds of lakes and through deep oak forests. Many of the best trailheads are easily reached by car and lead to quiet wilderness shelters.
- Sparreholm Castle Car Museum Visit one of the finest collections of classic cars in Europe located in the grand stable buildings of a lakeside manor. The collection includes royal vehicles and rare models from the early days of motoring.
- The Runestone Route Drive the country roads to find hundreds of Viking runestones standing in the fields and by the old bridges. This province has the highest density of these ancient markers telling stories of distant travels.
- Julita Manor Explore a massive agricultural estate that shows how a large Swedish farm functioned over the last few centuries. The grounds include historic gardens and the largest collection of apple varieties in the country.
- -Tullgarn Palace Visit the favorite summer residence of the old kings sitting right on the edge of a Baltic bay. The palace features a mix of royal luxury and cozy garden rooms surrounded by a park filled with ancient trees.
- Femöre Fortress Go deep underground into a Cold War nuclear bunker carved into the granite cliffs overlooking the sea. This hidden military site was once a top secret battery and now offers tours of the command center and big guns.
The local Four
History of Södermanland
Södermanland is a province of royal escapes and quiet elegance where the Swedish nobility built hundreds of manor houses along the winding lake shores. Because it was so close to the capital, it became the favorite backyard of the kings, a place for hunting in the oak groves and hosting grand parties in lakeside palaces. The massive red walls of Gripsholm Castle are a symbol of this royal history, housing a world famous collection of portraits that tell the story of the nation’s rulers.
The history of the province is also written in stone along the country roads. Södermanland has the highest density of runestones in the world, marking the spots where Viking families honored their explorers who traveled to distant lands. These stones tell stories of brave voyages and the deep connection the people had to the water. The landscape of fjords and lakes made it easy for ships to reach deep into the heart of the land, creating a wealthy and well connected society long before the modern era.
Exploring Södermanland by car takes you through a landscape of soft hills and shimmering water that feels incredibly peaceful. You can stop at a quiet farm for a traditional fika or wander through the historic harbor of Trosa. The roads lead you past ancient oak trees and grand estates that have been in the same families for generations. It is a region that perfectly captures the beauty of the Swedish countryside where the history of the Viking kings and the royal court is never far away.