Our Wandering Chapter

Just around an hour from Stockholm, Sigtuna feels surprisingly far removed from the capital. One of Sweden’s oldest towns, it combines centuries of history with pretty streets, colourful wooden houses and a peaceful setting beside Lake Mälaren. We have visited Sigtuna in different seasons, and it is the kind of place that works particularly well as an easy day trip from Stockholm. There is enough to explore without needing a packed itinerary, while the journey itself is straightforward using public transport.

Getting to Sigtuna from Stockholm

Getting to Sigtuna without a car is simple. We took the commuter train (pendeltåg) from Stockholm to Märsta and continued by bus to Sigtuna. Once there, we explored entirely on foot as the historic centre is compact and many of Sigtuna’s main sights are within easy walking distance of one another.

From St Olof’s Ruins to Mariakyrkan

Our day in Sigtuna began at St Olof’s Church ruins, just a short walk from the bus stop. Set within the cemetery, the weathered stone walls and old brick arches offered an atmospheric first glimpse into Sigtuna’s medieval past.

We walked through the ruins, exploring the surviving archways and small passages before continuing through the church grounds.

Close by stands Mariakyrkan (St Mary’s Church), a striking contrast to the ruins we had just explored. Its red-brick exterior gives way to a beautiful interior, with high vaulted ceilings and brick columns.

We spent some time inside before stepping back out and crossing the lawns towards the centre of Sigtuna.

Wandering Through Sigtuna’s Historic Centre

Across the road, we found ourselves in the heart of Sigtuna’s historic centre. Around Stora torget, we passed the little yellow Sigtuna Rådhus before wandering onto Stora Gatan, lined with colourful wooden houses, small shops and old-fashioned signs.

Rather than following a fixed route, we simply followed the street, stopping whenever something caught our attention. Reminders of Sigtuna’s past appear everywhere, from plaques telling the stories of the old town quarters to tucked-away courtyards and traditional wooden houses. Tant Bruns Kaffestuga, tucked into one of these old red buildings, made an especially charming photo stop.

Towards the end of Stora Gatan, we reached Sigtuna Museum. Nearby was another small discovery we loved, the Bokkiosk, an old telephone kiosk transformed into a tiny outdoor library filled with books.

Along the Shores of Lake Mälaren

After the narrow streets of the old town, reaching the waterfront felt wonderfully open.

We followed the shore of Lake Mälaren, passing jetties and moored boats around Sigtuna’s small harbour and stopping along the way to enjoy the views. In the afternoon light, the lake and harbour made a peaceful final stretch of our day before we made our way back.

Returning to Sigtuna Before Christmas

We returned to Sigtuna in the weeks before Christmas, this time for its traditional Christmas market (Julmarknad). Winter had transformed the town: Lake Mälaren was beginning to freeze, bare trees framed the waterfront and the familiar wooden houses along Stora Gatan were dressed in lights and greenery.

Glowing lanterns and Christmas decorations brought warmth to the old streets, while the market added a festive buzz to the historic centre. Seeing a familiar place take on such a cosy, wintry character made the return visit feel completely different.