Things to do in Norrköping in summer: water and industry

1. Walk through Industrilandskapet

Let the river lead you into Norrköping’s old industrial district. Factory buildings, bridges and the yellow Holmentornet give you plenty to look at before you step inside a museum. In summer, make this the unhurried part of your day rather than just the route between entrances.

Good to know

• Use the downloadable Visit Norrköping brochure to identify the buildings along your route.
• Start around Holmentornet, then continue towards Strykjärnet and the museums.
• Keep Arbetets museum as your indoor stop; it is right here on Laxholmen.

2. Step inside Arbetets museum

After looking at the factories, spend some time with the stories of the people who worked in them. Arbetets museum explores working life and everyday experience inside Strykjärnet, the distinctive building surrounded by water. It is a useful change of pace when you want a break from walking or summer rain catches up with you.

Good to know

• Admission is free; check current summer and holiday hours on the museum website.
• Look up Lilla Arbetets and Kreativa verkstan if you are visiting with children.
• There is a café and a restaurant inside, so you can combine your visit with fika or lunch.

3. Follow Åbackarna

Trade the factory walls for trees along the same river. Åbackarna follows Motala ström between central Norrköping and Himmelstalund, passing wooded banks and Rhododendrondalen. You do not need to turn it into a long outing: a short walk and a pause beside the water work just as well.

Good to know

• The route is about 3 km between Dragsbron and Riksbron; decide how far you want to go before setting off.
• Bring a picnic if you want to choose your own stopping point.
• Färgargården lies along the route and makes a natural extra stop during its café season.

4. Pause at Färgargården

This small open-air museum shows what a craft dye works looked like before industrial production took over. Its old buildings sit in a leafy garden with fruit trees and traditional planting. In summer, the café gives you a reason to sit down and enjoy the setting rather than hurry past.

Good to know

• The café operates in summer; check its current days and hours before walking out for it.
• Waffles, ice cream and coffee are among the café’s offerings.
• Combine it with Åbackarna rather than treating it as a separate cross-town trip.

5. Picnic in Strömparken

Back in the centre, Strömparken gives you another way to spend time beside Motala ström. There are lawns and seating for a picnic, while children have climbing equipment and water play to explore. Nearby Knäppingsborg is an alternative if you would rather buy lunch or fika.

Good to know

• Bring a picnic for the lawns, or look for cafés and restaurants around the park and in Knäppingsborg.
• Pack a change of clothes if children want to try the water play.
• Outdoor concerts sometimes take place at Refvens grund; check the current programme rather than expecting one every day.

Quick tips

• Make one longer outing of Åbackarna and Färgargården, and keep the industrial district for another part of the day.
• Keep Arbetets museum as your rainy-weather option, but check its holiday opening before you go.
• Want company? Check upcoming events in Norrköping on Socroo below and find someone to go with.

Upcoming events

• Melodifestivalen 2027 Genrep 5 March 2027 at 18:00 UTC Himmelstalundshallen
• Melodifestivalen 2027 Genrep matiné 6 March 2027 at 13:00 UTC Himmelstalundshallen
• Melodifestivalen 2027 Deltävling 5 6 March 2027 at 19:00 UTC Himmelstalundshallen