Holiday apartment in Västerås: Culture, Nature and Lake Mälaren

Västerås combines important cultural sites with paths through forests and coastal landscapes, activities on Lake Mälaren and events that take place every year. The city and its surroundings offer a remarkable range: from archaeological remains and medieval buildings to museums, theatre, beaches and activities on the water.

Culture

Anundshög is one of Sweden’s most significant archaeological areas. Anundshög is also home to Sweden’s largest burial mound, which was built between 500 and 1050 AD. Visitor parking, toilets and a café are available on site. Västerås Cathedral contains 163 intact gravestones. Västerås Castle dates back to the 13th century and is one of the city’s oldest buildings.

The church ruins of Rytterne are attractions along the Tidö tourist route in Västerås and are among Västmanland’s oldest Christian monuments. An audio walk in Västerås presents the industrial history of Kopparlunden and its role in Sweden’s electrification process. Västmanlands Teater offers around 250 performances per year, half of them for children and young people.

Vallby Open Air Museum presents the cultural history of Västmanland through historical environments, cultivated plants and old breeds of domestic animals. The museum comprises around 50 buildings, including buildings from the 17th century. Västmanland County Museum is housed under the same roof as Vallby Open Air Museum and presents Västmanland in an interactive setting from prehistoric times to the present day. The collection of Västerås Art Museum consists of 20th-century Swedish art and contemporary art. Engsö Castle dates back to the 12th century and, together with the medieval Engsö Church, offers historical and cultural experiences.

Nature and Paths

Ängsö Nature Reserve comprises 23 islands as well as 222 islets and skerries in Lake Mälaren. The Badelunda Nature and Culture Trail begins at Anundshög, follows Badelundaåsen and passes through the old village of Tibble. The approximately 2.5-kilometre-long trail has information boards and an audio walk.

The five-kilometre-long Johannisberg Loop passes through deciduous forest by Lake Mälaren. Along the way, it passes the Önstenborg hillfort, Johannisberg Wetland Park, Lövudden and Johannisberg Nature Reserve. The nature trail on Björnön is approximately two kilometres long and leads to a ridge with extensive views over Hässlösundet.

Svartåstråket follows the Svartån River for several kilometres through urban and natural landscapes and offers opportunities for fishing as well as nature and cultural history experiences. Mälarpromenaden is a four-kilometre-long, fully lit waterfront route with gravel and paved sections. Along Mälarpromenaden, you can walk or cycle by the water.

Water

Aktivt Uteliv Björnögården rents out outdoor and leisure equipment and offers courses and guided tours. There are also mountain biking trails and prepared ice-skating rinks in winter. At Björnögården, kayaks, Canadian canoes and stand-up paddleboards are available for hire; kayak courses and guided paddling tours are also offered.

RIB tours, day trips and evening cruises on Lake Mälaren are offered from Västerås. Elbafärjan is Västerås’ hop-on hop-off boat and offers one-hour round trips as well as stops at Östra Holmen and Öster Mälarstrand. Stora Björnöbadet has a long sandy beach, toilets, a playground and a nearby kiosk.

Food and Drink

Västerås Street Food is an annual event where visitors can experience food cultures from around the world through food trucks. Vin i Västerås is an annual wine and delicatessen fair. Smakfullt is an annual food and beverage fair.

Other Places

Other linked destinations: Västerås, Skultuna, Harkie, Kungsör, Norberg, Strömsholm, Sala, Skinnskatteberg.

To the higher-level travel overview: Västmanland.