This coastal town in eastern Sweden has a 17th-century naval history and a wooden church from 1685. Local fishing boats still dock at its small harbor.
Söderhamn stretches along Sweden's eastern coast, where fishing boats dock at wooden piers and cargo vessels navigate the Gulf of Bothnia. Walk through the Trollharen fishing village to watch fishermen sort their daily catch, or catch a professional bandy match at the indoor Helsingehus Arena. In winter, you can join public skating sessions at the arena or explore the coastal trails along the Granön peninsula.
Winter Sports at Helsingehus Arena
You'll find professional bandy matches at Helsingehus Arena from October through March, where the local team Broberg/Söderhamn Bandy competes in Sweden's top division, Elitserien. The arena welcomes visitors for public skating sessions several times per week. Check the arena's schedule at the entrance for youth hockey tournaments and community events that take place throughout the year.
Maritime Life and Port Operations
Watch cargo ships maneuver through Söderhamn's port channels as cranes load and unload goods at the 1,615-meter quayside. The port handles 500,000 tons of cargo annually, with ships up to 47,000 DWT arriving daily. From November to March, ice-breakers clear paths for smaller vessels, creating a unique winter spectacle.
Coastal Communities and Fishing
Walk along the docks of Trollharen, where fishing boats return with catches of herring, salmon, and cod. This village, dating to 1850, sits on the Granön peninsula, surrounded by 25 hectares of coastal land. You can swim at the public beaches during summer months when water temperatures reach 66°F, or watch fishing boats navigate the icy waters in winter when temperatures drop to 32°F.
Arts and Sports
Listen to recordings of jazz pianist Jan Johansson at the town library, or catch local football matches at the town stadium where Söderhamns FF and Stugsunds IK play their home games. The municipal sports center runs daily programs for visitors interested in trying various sports, from indoor basketball to track and field.
