Holiday apartment in Vikbolandet between archipelago, nature and history

Vikbolandet is a peninsula east of Norrköping. It combines open landscapes with fertile farmland; to the north it borders Bråviken, and to the south Slätbaken. The landscape also includes the sea and forests with wild animals as well as mushrooms and berries.

Nature

One particularly extensive coastal area is the Bråviken marine nature reserve. It covers a large part of the Arkösund archipelago and includes around one hundred islands and skerries. The islands can be reached by private boat or kayak. Arkösund also has rocks and sandy beaches for swimming. On the mainland, a hiking trail just over four kilometres long begins in the Bråviken nature reserve.

The Svensksundsviken nature reserve also represents the natural side of Vikbolandet: more than 230 bird species have been observed there. Paths totalling around 1.5 kilometres lead to a viewing hill or a birdwatching tower; the path to the birdwatching tower runs over boardwalks. The area can be reached by bus from Norrköping, Östra Husby or Arkösund.

In the nearby Norrkrog nature reserve, a marked hiking trail of around three kilometres begins at the car park of Stegeborgsgården, with views of Slätbaken and Eknön. Old pines and oaks grow there on steep slopes. The high-level paths offer views of Stegeborg and Slätbaken.

History

Stegeborg Castle Ruin reaches far back into the history of the peninsula. In the Middle Ages, the complex was one of Sweden’s most important fortifications and a royal castle until the 17th century. The site is open to visitors every day throughout the year. You can explore it freely, climb the round castle tower, and visit the surrounding park and the herb garden by the water.

Another historic site is Dalmyra gruva, an old mine in a scenic location on Vikbolandet that was probably already known in the Middle Ages.

Churches and cultural heritage

The churches of Vikbolandet reflect different periods and architectural contexts. The church surroundings of Dagsbergs kyrka are an essential part of the area of national interest at Dagsberg. Furingstads kyrka has 15th-century murals depicting scenes from the life of Mary and her Assumption. At the same time, it is the municipality’s only fully preserved medieval church.

Konungsunds kyrka was built in 1801–1802 as a replacement for the medieval church and designed by Olof Tempelman. A Romanesque granite baptismal font from the 13th century has been preserved there from the medieval church. Kuddby kyrka is a typical 19th-century church and is widely visible in the agricultural landscape. Tåby kyrka dates from the 18th century and stands in a church village. Östra Stenby kyrka is characterised by the numerous manor houses that were located in the parish.

Västra Vikbolandets församling presents its seven churches to visitors and provides information about services and other activities in a calendar.

Local products

The region’s diversity also includes farms with their own produce. Visitors to Sänkdalens gård can visit the new ice cream factory. The farm produces its own rapeseed oil and ice cream. Vikbolandsstruts keeps around one hundred ostriches in outdoor enclosures; its farm shop sells its own ostrich meat. The farm shop at Visätter kalkongård sells turkey products.

More destinations

For the next step, you can continue exploring this page’s direct destinations at a glance: Vikbolandet (first destination), Rönö, Vikbolandet (second destination).

For the higher-level travel overview: Östergötland.

More travel destinations

More places under the same destination:

Boxholm, Mjölby, Vadstena, Finspång, Norrköping.