Discover Arboga: Old Town, Trails and Canal

Arboga combines a medieval town centre with varied trails, canal experiences and vibrant traditions. The city centre is one of the oldest in the country and preserves a medieval urban layout. At the same time, Arboga’s town centre is classified as an environment of national cultural-historical significance because of its small-town character with stone buildings and small-scale wooden development. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Arboga will therefore find a starting point for a trip where urban history and nature experiences stand side by side.

Cultural history in the town centre

One of the notable historic places is Västerlånggatan, one of Sweden’s oldest streets. In the courtyard at Västerlånggatan 1, Arboga’s Bykista lies underground. It was once the town’s prison and is opened to the public during special city tours or guided walks. Outside the public summer season, private historical city tours can be booked for groups. This makes it possible to learn about Arboga’s history on a walk, depending on the time of year and the preferred format.

Heliga Trefaldighets kyrka also offers remarkable details. It contains a Baroque pulpit carved in 1737 by court sculptor Buchard Precht. The wall paintings depict Saint Francis and his life. Arboga City Museum displays collections of silver, pewter and alwort, made by famous masters from Arboga. Öhrströms gård adds to the historic picture: the stone house, built in 1846 and renovated, has well-preserved interiors in the late Empire style.

Walks and hiking trails

For a shorter stay outdoors, Hälsans stig is a good option. The five-kilometre-long, well-marked and signposted walking loop is located in the centre of Arboga. The Ramstigen cultural and nature trail connects sights on both sides of the Arbogaån with paths, maps and information boards. Along the way, Ramstigen passes the Kalkugnsberget nature reserve, the frog ponds at Gärdselbäcken and the bird lake Gålsjön.

Those planning a longer route can choose the 13-kilometre-long Säterboleden. It runs from Säterbo Church via Lugnet along the Hjälmare Canal to Arboga’s highest point, Finnhäll. For a shorter hike, the Säterboleden can be started at Hjälmare Docka. Tjurlångsleden is ten kilometres long and leads around Lake Tjurlången. Along this trail there are three rest areas with wind shelters and barbecue facilities.

Canal, cycling routes and special experiences

In the area around Arboga, the Hjälmare Canal area offers nature trails, oak avenues and bathing spots. The Hjälmare Canal is 13.7 kilometres long in total and has nine locks. A marked cycle route almost 60 kilometres long also begins at Hjälmare Docka and leads to Notholmen, where the canal meets Lake Hjälmaren. In the surrounding area, paddlers can start at Kvarnsjön, rent a canoe there and paddle ten kilometres southwards without passing through any locks to the inlet of Lake Hjälmaren.

An unusual attraction is the Kägelbanan in Ahllöfsparken. Visitors can try out the old, fully manually operated wooden skittle alley. The same park is also home to a medieval herb garden. Alongside the well-known historic sites, such small discoveries give a stay in Arboga its own rhythm.

Traditions and getting there

Arboga Medeltidsdagar takes place every August with jousting, craft markets, music and lectures. On Walpurgis Eve, Ahllöfsparken hosts a traditional Valborg celebration with choral singing and a spring address. If you would like to plan your trip around an event, these dates offer different occasions to experience Arboga.

Arboga railway station is centrally located on Centrumleden; both trains and buses stop there. Arboga is served by rail via the Mälarbanan and Svealandsbanan, with train services operated by SJ. You can rent bicycles from Arboga Tourist Information. The tourist information is available year-round by email, telephone, by prior appointment, via its website and at six InfoPoints in Arboga.

When looking for accommodation, you can therefore choose between a stay focused on the old town and culture, active days on trails and canals, or a combination of both. Arboga offers historic impressions, specific routes and special local traditions for a travel plan that can be arranged flexibly.

For the overarching travel overview: Arboga.