Things to do in Norrköping – sights, activities and weekend ideas

Left photo: Alvi Bashford Amnéus
Right photo: Visualiseringscenter C

Discover more of central Norrköping

Wander through Knäppingsborg and the city centre

A few streets from Motala ström, Knäppingsborg offers a different glimpse of the city’s past. Buildings dating largely from the 18th century surround lanes and courtyards that are now home to independent shops, cafés and restaurants. Come to browse, stop for coffee or simply take a detour while walking through the centre.

From here, continue through the city centre past Norrköping City Hall, with its 68-metre tower and imposing brick-and-granite façade, and towards Carl Johans Park near the railway station. In summer, the park is known for its elaborate cactus display, planted in a new design each year.

Photo: Norrköpings kommun

Swedish art at Norrköpings Konstmuseum

Norrköpings Konstmuseum brings another side of the city’s cultural life. Its collection spans Swedish modernism and contemporary art, with works by artists including Sigrid Hjertén, Isaac Grünewald and Lena Cronqvist alongside changing exhibitions.The permanent collection is free to visit.

Photo: Norrköpings Konstmuseum

Along Motala Ström to Himmelstalund

For a longer walk, head west through Åbackarna — Norrköping’s lush green parkland hugging the riverbanks. Follow the path along the south bank past the historic red wooden houses of Färgargården, then cross Motala ström via the Femöresbron footbridge to the north side. From here, the trail leads straight into Himmelstalund, home to over 1,600 Bronze Age rock carvings.

Adventures outside Norrköping

If you have more time, Norrköping also makes a useful starting point for exploring more of Östergötland. To the east, the Norrköping archipelago, particularly Arkösund, offers rocky shores, islands and summer days on or beside the water, with cafés and restaurants adding an easy stop for lunch or dinner by the coast.

Arkösund. Photo: Norrköpings kommun

The Göta Canal, a 190-kilometre waterway running from the Baltic Sea to Lake Vänern, begins at Mem. From there, you can follow the canal inland towards Norsholm, where locks, boats and towpaths shape the landscape.

Kolmården Wildlife Park

Photo: Kolmården/Rickard Monéus

Around half an hour from Norrköping, Kolmården Wildlife Park is the largest zoo in the Nordic region and easily fills a day. Its Safari cable car carries you above the animal enclosures, while Wildfire adds a wooden rollercoaster to the experience and Bamses Värld is designed with younger visitors in mind.

Opening days, rides and activities vary throughout the year, so it is worth checking the current programme before you go.

Photo: Kolmården/Rickard Monéus

Kolmårdens Tropicarium

Just outside Kolmården’s main entrance, Tropicarium takes you indoors to tropical environments inhabited by sharks, rays, lemurs, monkeys, alligators and other species. You can watch some of Sweden’s largest sharks glide through the coral reef aquarium or get closer to the animals as you move through the jungle environments.

Tropicarium is open throughout the year and has its own admission and opening hours, making it an option both alongside Kolmården and as a separate activity when the weather favours staying indoors.