Sprawling along the banks of the Svartån River, Örebro is a lively university city that received its Royal Charter in 1404. While it remained a small trade town throughout the following centuries, it flourished in the late 19th century as a hub for Sweden’s shoe-manufacturing industry.
Things to do in Örebro
Spend an afternoon wandering between the traditional wooden buildings of Wadköping, an open-air complex comprised of museums, exhibitions and shops. It’s named after a fictional city created by the Swedish author, Hjalmar Bergman, and includes buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. In the summer months, outdoor theatre performances and musical concerts are held at Wadköping.
Located on an island in the Svartån River is the Örebro Castle, a medieval fortification with a defence tower that dates back to the late 13th century. Since 1764, it has served as a residence for the county governor and today houses the Örebro County Museum. It explores the cultural and artistic history of the region, with exhibits that range from Middle Ages ironworks to modern paintings by Swedish artists.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss a visit to Gustavsvik, which is home to the largest water park in Northern Europe. In addition to its outdoor swimming pools, water playground and slides, there is an adult-friendly relaxation area and plenty of sun beds. Also nearby is the Örebro City Golf and Country Club, which is home to three golf courses, well-equipped practice facilities and two paddle courses.
Getting around Örebro
Örebro Airport is around 15 minutes’ drive from Örebro’s city centre and has flights to destinations across Europe. The much larger Stockholm Arlanda Airport is just over two hours away. Regular trains connect from Stockholm to the Örebro Central railway station and buses travel throughout the city.