Norrtälje is a small town in the heart of Roslagen about an hour’s drive north of Stockholm. I grew up here and it’s safe to say that the town comes to life from the second part of May to late August.
The reason is that a lot of people from Stockholm have summer houses in Roslagen where they spend their time during summer vacations.
It gets busier but there’s also more to see and do. For example, there’s a motorcycle show in Societetsparken called Custom Bike Show in the beginning of june where people from all over the northern part of Europe come to visit Norrtälje and check out the custom-made motorcycles. Another popular event is American Car Show, which is a similar event but with American cars.
But if you prefer a quieter stay, aim to visit Norrtälje in late May or early June before the summer holidays start.
Exploring the Town Centre
The town centre in Norrtälje is full of low wooden houses where you find cosy cafés, local shops, and restaurants. It’s a sight to see on its own, and it’s nice to take a few hours to walk around, stop for a fika, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
Most of the shops sell home decor or local products. If you’re looking for souvenirs or local delicacies, I recommend stopping by Tullportsgatan 1 at Stora torget.
One thing you’ll notice when you’re walking around the town centre is the number of cafés. You’ll never have to go far before finding a spot to have a fika.
My favourite place is Café Hörnan, with a unique atmosphere and an old-style interior that makes it feel like stepping back in time. They are famous for their sourdough sandwiches and cinnamon buns.
If you head down towards the water, you’ll reach Norrtälje Harbour. A newly built area with two tall buildings and a nice walkway along the water.
It’s a bit more modern than the rest of Norrtälje and offers nice walks by the water, especially in the evening. The promenade is lined with a few restaurants that offer a great variety of food, with Den Gyllene Räven being one of the most popular choices among locals.
Things I Recommend Doing in Norrtälje
If you’re staying in Norrtälje for a few days, you’ll have time to explore the town beyond the town centre, which honestly you can see in just a few hours.
To make the most out of your visit it’s a good idea to plan a couple of activities or some of the local sights while you’re here.
Societetsparken
Societetsparken is the largest park in Norrtälje and a great spot to have lunch or just relax a bit on a sunny day.
It stretches along the water on the opposite side of the walkway with the restaurants, where you’ll find tennis courts, a playground, and sometimes even live music
Borgmästarholmen
If you follow the water along Societetsparken past the guest harbour and towards Kärleksudden, you’ll reach a small bridge that takes you out to Borgmästarholmen.
It’s a small island with open fields and some trails in the forest. It’s a nice option if you want to go for a walk and see a bit of nature just outside the town.
Pythagoras Industrial Museum
Pythagoras Industrial Museum is the most famous museum in Norrtälje and if you’re interested in history it’s definitely worth a visit.
It’s located just above Tullportsgatan in the middle of town so you can easily fit in a visit without it taking too much time.
Visiting Norrtälje with kids
Norrtälje is a popular destination for families with children and there are a few nice activities to try out when you’re visiting the town. Färsna Gård is a good option, especially if you want to combine seeing animals with being in nature. It’s located outside the centre and easy to get to by taking bus 651 from Norrtälje bus station.
A personal favourite is the arcade at Spel & Sånt near Lilla Torget, where you’ll find everything from shuffleboard to pinball. It’s not that big, but it can still keep you busy for a few hours and it’s a good indoor activity if it rains during your stay.
If you have access to a car and can drive outside the town centre, a popular day trip is to visit Samstorps Gård out on Rådmansö. It’s about 20 minutes from Norrtälje and offers a full day of activities.
You can meet the animals and play some mini-golf There’s also a restaurant where you can eat some lunch. The highlight is the wildlife safari where you can see wild boars, bison, and deer in their natural environment.
Day Trips from Norrtälje
One of the best things about Norrtälje is it’s location in the heart of Roslagen making it a great starting point to explore the sourrunding towns and villages. You can take boats to the archipelago just outside the town, so there’s a lot of choices if you want to make a day trip.
Take a day trip to the islands in the northern Stockholm archipelago
There’s a boat from Norrtälje harbour that you can take to get out into the northern part of the Stockholm archipelago. The route stops at Gräddö, Lidö, and Arholma. The boat stops at Arholma for 3 hours before heading back to Norrtälje.
It’s a great way to experience the surrounding islands without having to stay overnight. The ride itself is worth it just to see the Stockholm archipelago.
Visit Grisslehamn
Another popular day trip is to visit Grisslehamn in the northern part of Roslagen. The village sits right on the edge of the sea, about an hour from Norrtälje by car. It’s a nice little village with a few restaurants and cafés. Make sure to check out the Albert Engström Museum if you’re interested in local art and history.
There’s also a popular spa hotel Hotell Havsbaden, right next to the harbour where the ferries to Åland depart from.
Where to eat in Norrtälje
Norrtälje has a surprisingly good variety of restaurants for its size. If you’re looking for a nice terrace I’d recommend either Den Gyllene Räven down by the harbour or Åtellet, which has a quieter terrace facing the river. Both are good choices for lunch or dinner when the weather’s good.
But if you’re in the mood for something special, I’d have to recommend Dolce Bar. It’s a bit hidden and easy to miss, it’s located at Posthusgatan 6.
It’s a small place with just a few tables, which makes it more intimate, and the owner is really engaged. He explains the different dishes and helps you figure out what tapas to go for.
The food isn’t cheap, but the quality is high and the whole experience is very unique. They’re also known for their cocktails, so make sure to try one before the food.
My Top Hotel Pick in Norrtälje
If you’re looking for a hotel in Norrtälje my personal favourite is Åtellet. It’s the hotel I usually tell friends and family to stay at and the one I’d choose myself.
The reason is its ideal location in the city centre, right by the river and close to both the harbour and the town centre. The hotel has a good standard, a classic 4-star hotel with a good breakfast. It’s not that large so it’s not too busy and noisy. The restaurant is one of the most popular ones in Norrtälje with an outdoor terrace facing the water.
A lot of locals come here for after-work drinks or dinner, which adds to the atmosphere. That mix of setting, quality and local feel is why I think it’s the best hotel in Norrtälje.
Curious about where else you can stay? Check out my full guide to all the hotels in Norrtälje for more options.
Getting to Norrtälje from Stockholm and Uppsala
Getting to Norrtälje is pretty straightforward whether you’re coming from Stockholm or Uppsala.
There’s a bus from Tekniska Högskolan in Stockholm that goes straight to Norrtälje bus station and takes about one hour, depending on the traffic. If you go by car, you just drive north on the E18 towards Norrtälje.
If you’re coming from Uppsala, the best route is to take the E4 to Knivsta, then follow road 77 through Rimbo towards Norrtälje. The whole trip takes about an hour by car.
