Upplands Väsby: Culture, Trails and Swimming Spots

Upplands Väsby is a Swedish destination for travellers who want to combine trails, lake landscapes and cultural history. When choosing your accommodation, you can consider whether you primarily want to use your stay for walks, historical sights, art or days at the beach. Around the railway station, the lakes and the cultural attractions, there are different focal points to consider when planning your trip.

Trails and historic landscapes

A practical starting point for exploring is Järnvägsparken: it is located directly by the railway station and has walking paths along the Väsbyån. From there, Gunnes gård can be reached through Smedbyskogen forest via a footpath of about 2.5 kilometres. Gunnes gård is an open-air museum in the Smedby district. A farm from the beginning of the 11th century has been reconstructed there; the surroundings and life on a farm from the later Iron Age, known as the Viking Age, are also recreated.

Below Gunnes gård, in the lower animal pasture, the Fornslingan begins. Those who prefer longer hikes can also consider the Upplevelsestråken. This trail system in Upplands Väsby is about 40 kilometres long in total and is divided into several stages. Edda adds to the historical range: the site is a large cult and burial site from the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age.

Churches, runestones and art

Several churches provide additional historical points of interest in the area. 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 present rendered grey-stone church, Hammarby kyrka, was built around 1200; among its oldest furnishings is an oak altar from the 1460s.

At Fresta kyrka, fifteen runestones have been preserved either whole or in fragments in the masonry, or erected in the churchyard. The church’s Baroque organ is also part of the area’s history: it came to Fresta in 1788. When planning your visit, you should take access arrangements into account. Eds kyrka is usually closed, but may be opened for personal devotion after contacting the parish, provided staff are available. Fresta kyrka is not always open to visitors. Those interested in art can see art at Väsby Konsthall.

Swimming spots and seasonal activities

There are several destinations to choose from for days at the beach. Kairobadet is a beach by Lake Mälaren. Bus route 532 connects Upplands Väsby railway station with the Kairo stop at Kairobadet. There is also an accessible bathing jetty for wheelchair users. Fysingenbadet is a natural bathing spot behind Löwenströmska Hospital on Lake Fysingen; a gravel cycle path leads there.

Sättrabadet is a small swimming spot on Lake Mälaren in western Upplands Väsby. The Sättra Gård nature reserve is located in the same landscape, with a cultural landscape surrounding Sättra farm. During the winter months, Vilundaparken may be of interest: it has two ice rinks that are open to the public for skating at specific times during the skating season. This allows you to plan your trip to Upplands Väsby around culture, activity, water and seasonal pursuits.

For the main travel overview: Upplands Väsby.