Nykoping Mini Guide
What can you Tell me About Nykoping?
There are signs that people have lived in and around Nykoping for over 4,000 years. The city was an important royal city from the start of the 11th century with many important episodes in Swedish history taking place in or around the city including the infamous Nykoping Banquet. In more recent times the city became highly industrialised in the 19th and 20th centuries and ultimately the home of Saab Motor Company. Today the city is attractive for tourists with many historic sights and delightful walks around the city and its river.
How can I get to Nykoping?
Stockholm-Skavsta Airport is actually very near Nykoping and ideal for access to the city. Ryanair is by far the biggest carrier with several daily flights from
UK airports. From the airport to the town is a fifteen minute journey which can be undertaken by bus, taxi or hire car.
What is There to See and Do in Nykoping?
From its days as a royal city, Nykoping has two fabulous castles to visit. Nynas is 20 miles outside of Nykoping on the coast and has great exhibits, an informative museum and a super café and gift shop located in the old orangery. In the city, the Nykopinghus Castle is a 12th century fortress that has watched over the fortunes of the city for centuries. In its tower is a museum dedicated to the history of Nykoping. Outside of old monuments, there’s a great river walk that can be taking along the banks of the Nykoping River with part of the stretch being classified as an outdoor museum charting life in the city across the centuries.
What is Shopping Like in Nykoping?
Storgatan is the main shopping street where, as well as many European chains, you’ll find small boutiques and gift shops selling unusual items. At popular times of year the area around the harbour is crowded with little stalls selling all kinds of local handicrafts.
What Could I be Eating in Nykoping?
Nykoping is typical of all Scandinavian coastal cities in its heavy reliance on fish. As elsewhere, dried or salted fish appears in many restaurants and whilst sounding unappealing, the Swedish chefs make some excellent and delicious meals from it. For meat lovers there are the ubiquitous meatballs served with potato and vegetables.
What do People do for Entertainment in Nykoping?
There are a number of bars and clubs around Nykoping and with a young population, the night life is exciting. You’ll find that people in Nykoping are very welcoming and consider themselves to be amongst the friendliest Scandinavians. It’s not unheard of for tourists to be asked to join groups of similar aged people on nights out and you should welcome the opportunity as a chance to make new friends and to find out more about the lives of people living there.
Nykoping has endured the whims of kings and princes for centuries but has gained in return from magnificent buildings and protecting castles. It’s very proud of its history and takes every opportunity to show it off including in the outdoor museum that runs along the Nykoping River.
The area is popular with mountain bikers and walkers with some easy trails and others that will challenge the fittest. For those that prefer shopping to pedalling there is a great shopping street with famous names as well as local exclusive boutiques. Don’t miss the regular markets by the harbour either.