Enköping: Parks, Art and Medieval History

Enköping can be explored through two very different themes: medieval traces and a diverse park landscape. If you are planning a stay, you can start by choosing the experiences you want: would you rather spend your time in parks and on walks, or focus on churches, exhibitions and the city’s history? Cycling and nature experiences are also options in their own right.

Parks, Art and Walks

There are around 20 parks in central Enköping. Each has its own character and vegetation. You can explore the park landscape on foot, going from one park to another. It ranges from smaller pocket parks to larger areas suited to playing and picnicking. This offers a choice of different kinds of green spaces, rather than relying on a single park to represent the whole city.

One specific example is Åpromenaden: this beautiful park path runs along the Enköpingsån river and is also an art walk about two kilometres long. The public artworks can be viewed year-round, around the clock and in all weather. The approximate length provides a guide for planning your walk; the art also gives it a theme of its own.

Drömparken offers another example of a designed park landscape. Piet Oudolf designed the park, which was completed in 1996. Its perennials are planted in large, dense and irregular groups to imitate nature. Those interested in garden and landscape design can explore a specific planting concept here, alongside the diversity of the parks.

Medieval Traces and City History

Vårfrukyrkan is the only surviving one of five known medieval churches in Enköping. Construction began as early as the 12th century. The ruins of St Ilians church mark another medieval period: they are all that remains of a church built in the late 13th century. The dates distinguish the two periods without conflating the churches’ construction histories.

Enköpings museum also offers a broad historical perspective: its exhibitions range from the Stone Age to the present and include both permanent and current exhibitions. This brings together several different periods in one place. For cultural planning, medieval buildings and a museum covering a much broader historical period are therefore options side by side.

Bahco Museum tells the story of two tools: the pipe wrench and the adjustable wrench laid the foundation for a brand known around the world. Guided visits are available for groups by reservation; check the arrangements for visiting before you travel.

Another trace of local history is Westerlundska gården in central Enköping. It was once the home and workplace of Dr. Ernst Westerlund.

Cycling and Nature Experiences

If you would like to include a cycling route in your travel plans, a section of Cykelleden Uppland between Enköping and Bredsand runs on car-free cycle paths. This is distinct from a mountain biking trail in a nature area in Enköping. These are two different cycling options: a named route section on car-free cycle paths and a mountain biking trail.

For another perspective on nature, there is a birdwatching tower at the southern end of Dyarna. Together with the park paths, the artworks along Åpromenaden and the cycling options, this gives you a range of ways to spend your stay, from city walks to outdoor activities.

Discover more destinations: Ekolsund, Örsundsbro, Lillkyrka, Grillby, Edsta, Fjärdhundra.

Return to the main travel overview: Enköping.