Discover Upplands Väsby

Upplands Väsby combines traces of history, walking trails and bathing spots on a variety of bodies of water. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in the municipality can tailor their trip to their own interests: with a visit to an open-air museum, a walk along the Väsbyån, a visit to historic churches or a day of swimming at Lake Mälaren.

History and culture among farmsteads and churches

A notable starting point for cultural and historical discoveries is Gunnes gård in the Smedby district. The open-air museum reconstructs a farm from the beginning of the 11th century and recreates the surroundings and life on a farm during the later Iron Age, also known as the Viking Age. Fornslingan begins below Gunnes gård in the lower animal pasture. From Upplands Väsby station, Gunnes gård can be reached through Smedbyskogen forest via a footpath of approximately 2.5 kilometres.

The churches in the surrounding area also explore a range of historical themes. The oldest parts of Eds kyrka date from the middle or latter half of the 12th century; its vaults were painted in 1487 by Albertus Pictor. The church is usually closed to visitors, but can be opened for personal prayer after contacting the parish, provided staff are available. The present plastered grey-stone church, Hammarby kyrka, was built around 1200. Its oldest furnishings include an oak altar from the 1460s.

At Fresta kyrka, fifteen rune stones have been preserved either whole or in fragments in the masonry, or placed in the churchyard. Its Baroque organ also came to Fresta in 1788. The church is not always open to visitors. In addition, Väsby Konsthall offers an opportunity to see art. Edda takes you even further back: the site is a large place of worship and burial dating from the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age.

Walking trails, lakes and active days

Järnvägsparken is located directly beside the station and is ideal for walks. Trails run along the Väsbyån there. The Upplevelsestråken trail system is approximately 40 kilometres long overall and is divided into several stages. A section of the Upplandsleden trail in Stockholm County also runs through the municipalities of Järfälla, Upplands Väsby and Sigtuna. This means you can consider short walks and longer stages as different travel ideas without having to commit to just one type of outing.

Those who want to include water-based activities in their plans will find several different locations. Kairobadet is a beach on Lake Mälaren; bus route 532 connects Upplands Väsby station with the Kairo stop near Kairobadet. There is also an accessible bathing jetty for wheelchair users. Fysingenbadet is a natural bathing area behind Löwenströmska Hospital on Lake Fysingen, reached by a gravel cycle path. Sättrabadet is a small bathing spot on Lake Mälaren in western Upplands Väsby. Sättra Gård Nature Reserve encompasses a cultural landscape around Sättra Farm on Lake Mälaren.

For an activity independent of the weather, Vilundaparken has two ice rinks. During the skating season, they are open to the public for ice skating at certain times. Birgittavandringen adds a spiritual walking option to the selection: it has twelve stations with reflection material inspired by the life of Saint Birgitta.

Which location suits your trip?

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide which focus should shape your stay. A location near the station is interesting if you would like to include Järnvägsparken, the connection to Kairobadet and the footpath to Gunnes gård in your plans. For cultural and historical days, the churches, rune stones, Edda, Gunnes gård and Väsby Konsthall are the main attractions. Those who prefer nature and physical activity can consider the Upplevelsestråken trails, the Upplandsleden, the paths along the Väsbyån or the bathing spots on Lake Mälaren and Lake Fysingen.

For the broader travel overview: Upplands Väsby.