Located 30km south of Stockholm, this industrial city maintains its small-town character with a 17th-century fortress, medieval cathedral, and lively immigrant neighborhoods.
Södertälje sits 30 kilometers southwest of Stockholm, where its canal connects Lake Mälar to the Baltic Sea. In this industrial city, you can conduct experiments at Tom Tits science museum, watch craftspeople work with traditional tools at Torekällberget museum, or taste the local pretzels that bakers have made here since the 1800s. The city has grown around Scania's truck manufacturing plant and maintains strong connections to both Swedish and Finnish cultures.
Getting to Södertälje
Regional trains connect Södertälje to Stockholm Central Station in 20 minutes. Three airports serve the region: Stockholm-Arlanda (53 km), Stockholm-Bromma (26 km), and Stockholm-Skavsta (61 km). You can walk to most places in the center, with main points of interest along Storgatan and Järnagatan streets.
Tom Tits Experiment Science Museum
A converted 19th-century factory building contains hundreds of interactive science exhibits across four floors. You can mix chemicals, build electrical circuits, and test physics principles through hands-on experiments. During summer, the outdoor area adds 50+ experiments including water projects and mechanical contraptions.
Exploring Torekällberget
This open-air museum shows daily life in 1800s eastern Södermanland. You'll walk through original buildings moved from nearby towns, see vegetable gardens planted with period-accurate crops, and meet craftspeople making items using 19th-century methods. The Södertälje Stadsmuseum inside the complex chronicles the area's development from medieval times through industrialization.
The Canal and SS Ejdern
The Södertälje Canal, completed in 1819, creates a vital shipping route between Lake Mälar and the Baltic Sea. From June to August, you can cruise on the SS Ejdern - the world's oldest steamboat still running with its original 1880 engine.
Local Food Culture
Bakers in Södertälje have made their distinctive pretzels (Södertäljekringla) since the 1800s. These treats became popular when the city served as a resort in the early 19th century. Several local bakeries still make them using traditional recipes.
Sports in Södertälje
At Sydpoolen swimming complex, you can swim in Olympic-sized pools or watch national swimming competitions. The Södertälje Kings basketball team plays home games at their arena, having won multiple Swedish championships. At Scaniarinken, Södertälje SK competes in the HockeyAllsvenskan league.
Industrial History
The Marcus Wallenberg Hall at Scania's headquarters displays trucks and buses from 1911 onwards, showing how vehicle manufacturing shaped Södertälje. You can see restored vintage vehicles and learn about the company's role in transforming this small canal town into an industrial center. AstraZeneca's research facilities further strengthen the city's manufacturing base.
