The guide to Norrköping: what not to miss

If you're looking for a relaxing and luxurious hotel experience during your stay in Norrköping, The Lamp Hotel might be the place for you. They've combined a boutique hotel, restaurant, and spa in one well-designed package. The hotel offers several different packages that cater to both occasional visitors and Norrköping residents looking to treat themselves to a staycation.

This modern hotel is located in the heart of Norrköping and, in addition to 194 hotel rooms it offers four meeting rooms, a fresh gym, and a 'Barception' where you can chill, work, eat, or grab a drink. If you're travelling with the whole family, Comfort Hotel is a great option, as they have double rooms with connecting doors, two bathrooms, and two televisions, which can be booked as family rooms.

In the Kolmården forests just outside Norrköping lies Villa Fridhem, a historic boutique hotel that once served as a summer residence for Prince Carl and Princess Ingeborg. Nowadays, the place is a luxurious hotel with a restaurant, two bars, and one of Sweden's best-stocked wine cellars. They also offer a range of activities, such as a jacuzzi and gym. A fun fact is that it was at Villa Fridhem that the classic Swedish princess cake first saw the light of day.

The four-star Elite Grand Hotel has views of the Motala river, and it's just a few minutes' walk to Norrköping central station, shopping, and dining. The focus here is on providing a complete experience with excellent service and a homely atmosphere. The hotel is also environmentally certified.

At Hotel Strand, you're surrounded by well-preserved interiors details that speak to the building's storied history - details such as majestic four-poster beds, tiled stoves, and antique furniture. In recent years, however, modern amenities such as Wi-Fi and TVs with Chromecast have been added to the rooms. As several of the rooms are pet-friendly, the hotel is a great option if your four-legged family member is joining you on your trip.

Ànima draws its inspiration from Southern Europe's culinary culture, where mealtimes are a social experience to share with loved ones. The menu changes with the seasonal offerings, but always includes a range of dishes in both small and large formats, influenced by both the Mediterranean and Scandinavia. If you're in the mood for a surprise, you can let the kitchen choose their favourites to be served to the whole table.

Reading the menu at Urbane Goat is a bit like looking at a map of the whole world. The restaurant freely mixes flavours from Europe, Asia, and South America, served in the form of small dishes to share with one another. During the summer months, the elegant space is extended with a lush outdoor seating area in the courtyard.

Stadsvakten focuses on a meaty menu consisting of classic dishes made from ingredients sourced from nearby farms and farmers. Dry-aged meat takes centre stage here,  more often than not cooked on the grill, but you can also enjoy fish or vegetarian options, or simply drop by for a drink at the bar. On Fridays, live music is on the agenda in the orangery.

If you agree with us that pizza and cocktails are a hard-to-beat combination, you should check out Boca. At this charming bistro on Prästgatan, they've put their own spin on the Neapolitan pizza, topped with both classic and imaginative combinations of ingredients. You can also find substantial sandwiches and a sharing platter on the menu.

Inside the boutique hotel The Lamp, this restaurant offers a menu focused on well-prepared dishes from both Sweden and Asia. If you want to try a bit of everything, you can order a selection of small dishes to share across the table, but you can also create your own three-course meal with a starter, main course, and dessert. The understated interior adds a luxurious touch to the whole experience.

Classic dishes from Italy are what you can expect at Pappa Grappa – we're talking hearty pasta, freshly baked pizza, and desserts like tiramisu. Relaxed socialising is the order of the day here, whether you come for a whole family dinner or just an aperitivo with cocktails and a charcuterie board. In the summer, the terrace is an idyllic meeting place in the heart of Norrköping.

At Café Kuriosa, you can take a trip back in time, with vintage decor and counters filled with seven kinds of cakes, pastries, and other classic treats. There are also lunch dishes such as toast, jacket potatoes, and prawn sandwiches if you're in the mood for something more substantial. Don't miss the outdoor seating area in the summer.

At Café Täppan, you're welcomed into a cosy living room, with a mix of mismatched furniture and a friendly atmosphere. Everything is baked by hand and with a generous dose of love, and in addition to a solid selection of pastries that includes a fair amount of vegan and gluten-free options, they also serve simpler meals. The view of the Motala river enhances the experience. 

In Norrköping's most charming neighbourhood, Knäppingsborg, you'll find Tina's Café å Sånt. The counter here is full of homemade treats as far as the eye can see – we're talking cream cake, carrot cake, dammsugare marzipan pastries, and various seasonal cakes and pastries. During the colder months, you can snuggle up by the open fireplace with a hot chocolate or a cup of tea, while summer is spent on the outdoor terrace.

The two brothers behind Brödernas Kafé transformed their passion for fika into a cosy little oasis for all those with a sweet tooth. The selection is wide and consists of everything from pastries and ice cream to waffles, salads, charcuterie boards and smoothies. If you want to drink something delicious, they serve both fine coffee, cocktails and bubbles.

Enoteket is a true watering hole (or wine oasis?) for Norrköping's wine enthusiasts, and a must-visit if exciting and slightly unusual wines are your thing. The place is as much an Italian restaurant as it is a wine bar, featuring enomatic wine dispensers where you can pour wine according to your preference and taste. The selection is well-curated and includes everything from Sauvignon Blanc from Slovenia to Barbaresco from Italy.

At Puls, Östergötland's largest nightclub, you can expect a light and sound experience like no other. Let your hair down here every Friday and Saturday, and various themed nights and live performances are regularly on the schedule. Definitely a place for all party lovers to keep an eye on.

As the name suggests, Shotluckan has a particular fondness for shots, especially in completely unique, creative variations. How about Miss Piggy, Batman, or Traffic Lights? And it's not only the drinks that are imaginative, the presentation itself is a real show put on by the enthusiastic bartenders. If you want to start with some food, there's street food such as nachos and tacos available.

A visit to Kolmården is more or less a must when you're in Norrköping. The zoo is the largest in the Nordics, featuring animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, and dolphins. For the little ones, Bamse's World is a real highlight, where they can meet Swedish cartoon characters Bamse, Lille Skutt, and Skalman, as well as enjoy fairground rides. The park is a short distance outside the city and is perfect for a day trip.

Housed in the iconic building, Styrkjärnet ("the Iron"), is the Museum of Work, where you can hear people's stories from working life and everyday life across different eras. An interesting and educational activity for both young and old, which can be combined with some delicious food in the café or restaurant.

If you're looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity, you should check out Vildmarkskampen, a fast-paced adventure park just south of Norrköping. Paintball, quad biking, high ropes course, and sumo wrestling are just a few examples of fun activities you can engage in here. The park is equally popular with families, groups of friends, colleagues, and for hen and stag parties.

At the Visualisation Centre, Northern Europe's largest visualisation studio, you can experience the world like never before. Among other things, you can embark on a ship out into outer space or learn about the building blocks of human beings at the cellular level. A unique experience that combines business with pleasure.

Knäppingsborg, also known as the heart of Norrköping, is a charming neighbourhood with small alleys, unique craft shops, and pleasant restaurants and cafés. HStroll around and admire the beautiful buildings, take part in various cultural events, or simply soak up the feeling of warmth and community.

Just under ten kilometres southwest of Norrköping lies Löfstad Castle, one of Sweden's best-preserved 17th-century castles. In addition to guided castle tours, beautiful English gardens, a horticultural garden, and an inn where you can dine, various events such as music days, courses, and ghost walks are often organised.

Strömparken is one of Norrköping's most popular parks, located right next to the Motala ström river. Between spring and autumn, the place is popular for picnics and relaxed park hangs, especially during events when concerts are held. For the little ones, there's a play area with climbing frames and water play.

Walk past Carl Johan's park and check out the cactus plantation, which consists of 25,000 cacti that together form a specific motif. The motif is usually a tribute to a local association, organisation or business, and can be a monogram, emblem, or figures. This tradition has been around since 1926 and is now a popular attraction in Norrköping.