This medieval Swedish town along the Göta Canal is known for its 13th-century stone church, traditional ice cream parlors, and well-preserved wooden houses from the 1700s.
Söderköping lies at the endpoint of the Göta Canal in eastern Sweden. You can walk through streets dating back to the 1300s, climb the town's granite walls, or watch boats navigate the canal locks. In summer, locals gather at Smultronstället ice cream parlor by the canal, while September brings medieval performers and craftspeople to the annual Söderköpings gästabud festival.
Getting to Söderköping
Buses run every 30 minutes between Norrköping and Söderköping, with a 20-minute journey through farmland and forests. You'll find the bus station in the town center, making it convenient to explore the town on foot.
Along the Göta Canal
The Göta Canal, completed in 1832, flows through Söderköping's center. You can walk the canal banks, watch boats pass through the three-step locks, or join a boat tour in summer. Wooden benches and small cafes line the waterway, where people often sit with ice cream or coffee while watching the boats.
Medieval Streets and Churches
The Church of St. Lawrence, built in 1497, has hosted two royal coronations and still holds regular services. Walking down Munkebro Street, you'll pass wooden houses and stone buildings from the 1300s and 1400s, when Söderköping was an important Baltic trading port.
Climbing and Nature Activities
The granite walls in the town center have 15 marked climbing routes, ranging from beginner (grade 4) to advanced (grade 7). A 2-kilometer hiking trail leads to an observation deck 70 meters above town, where you can see across to the Sankt Anna archipelago. In the archipelago, you'll find kayak rentals and hiking paths across the islands.
Seasonal Events and Activities
Canal boat tours run daily from June through August, departing every two hours between 10:00 and 16:00. During the Söderköpings gästabud festival in September, medieval musicians play in the streets while craftspeople demonstrate traditional skills at the market square. From October to April, most restaurants close at 18:00 on weekdays and many shops only open Thursday through Sunday.
