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Things to do in Västerås: Vallby and Badelundaåsen

Things to do in Västerås: the Vallby open-air museum, the Badelundaåsen ridge and the city centre.

Västerås gives you several ways into its history, from the stone ships at Anundshög to the houses and animals at Vallby. Badelundaåsen adds a proper walk to the sightseeing, while the cathedral, regional museum and Lake Mälaren waterfront give you plenty to do back in town. Here are five places to build a visit around, with the practical details that help you choose.

1. Vallby Open Air Museum

Vallby is a good place to see a different side of Västerås: historic houses, farm animals and the everyday settings of an earlier Sweden. You can wander between the buildings rather than follow a fixed route through galleries. Come for the outdoor museum, then leave time for a meal or fika.

Good to know

  • Entry to the museum grounds is free; some events have an admission charge.
  • The grounds open daily, and the animals are outside year-round. Historic interiors have more limited, mainly summer access.
  • Do not feed the animals. Some sheep move away to summer pasture, so you may not see every animal on your visit.
  • Check the museum’s opening-hours page for winter exceptions and separate restaurant hours.

2. Anundshög and Badelundaåsen

The burial mounds, stone ships and runestone at Anundshög make a good starting point for exploring Badelundaåsen. Rather than stopping at the main mound, follow the nature and culture trail along the ridge and through old Tibble village. It puts the monuments in a wider landscape, with interpretation about both local history and nature.

Good to know

  • The archaeological site is free to enter and open year-round; parking is free too.
  • The northern trail is 0.5 km and accessibility-adapted. The southern loop is 2 km and includes steeper sections.
  • Allow about an hour for the southern loop if you listen to the full audio walk. The official trail page has a downloadable map.
  • Fires and barbecues are not allowed at Anundshög or on the ridge. Keep dogs on a lead.

3. Västerås Cathedral and Kyrkbacken

Step into the cathedral for medieval altarpieces, King Erik XIV’s tomb and the church treasures in the Skattkammaren. Then take a walk through neighbouring Kyrkbacken, where older wooden houses line winding lanes. The two make a useful city-centre pairing: a substantial interior followed by a short outdoor wander.

Good to know

  • The cathedral lists daily opening from 9 am to 5 pm; check its own site before your visit.
  • Look at the cathedral calendar if you would like to join a tour or hear a concert.
  • Kyrkbacken is immediately beside the cathedral, so you can combine them without planning another journey.

4. Västmanlands läns museum

This is the place to put the region’s history into context, from ancient times to the turn of the millennium. The museum uses interactive displays as well as objects, with activities such as a Viking board game. It is a useful indoor counterpoint to the open-air history at Vallby and Anundshög.

Good to know

  • Admission is free. Find the museum at Karlsgatan 2 in Västerås.
  • Normally open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays; check holiday exceptions on the museum website.
  • There is a café in the building, but its opening hours are shorter than the museum’s. Check separately if you want lunch or fika.

5. Mälarpromenaden and Lögastrand

For a change from museums, follow the water along Mälarpromenaden. The marked walking and cycling route links Lögastrand with Lasse Färnlöfs plats, giving you a simple way to explore the Lake Mälaren waterfront. You can walk a short stretch or make the whole route your afternoon outing.

Good to know

  • The full route is 4 km, from Lögastrand to Lasse Färnlöfs plats.
  • Download the promenade map from Visit Västerås before setting off; it shows the route along the shoreline.
  • Lögastrand is a sandy city beach, so it is a useful summer stop if you want to add time by the water.

Quick tips

  • A simple city day: visit the cathedral and Kyrkbacken, explore the regional museum, then finish with a waterfront walk.
  • Give Anundshög and Badelundaåsen their own outing rather than squeezing the ridge walk between museum visits.
  • The regional museum normally closes on Mondays; use its opening calendar before deciding your order.
  • Want company? Check upcoming events in Västerås on Socroo below and find someone to go with.

Upcoming events

Things to do in Västerås in summer Vallby Open Air Museum Anundshög Västerås Cathedral Västmanlands läns museum Visit Västerås: walking maps