Stockholm to Gripsholm Castle and Eskilstuna: Day trip
Private ride with a local driver
6h 30mRound tripPrivate driver
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About your trip
A perfect day away from the Stockholm Bad Bunny shows â west along Lake Mälaren to two very different destinations. Gripsholm Castle rises directly from the water at Mariefred as one of the most beautifully sited Renaissance fortresses in Scandinavia; Eskilstuna pairs a well-preserved medieval street with one of Sweden's most respected free zoos and a post-industrial riverside culture quarter that has reinvented a former steel city with considerable flair.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Stockholm whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your driverâs local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden cafĂŠ here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips youâll love sharing later. This isnât a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.Explore at your own pace
Your driver heads west from Stockholm along the Mälaren valley, connecting both destinations across the day and returning you to the city in time for the evening â about an hour each way from the capital.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Gripsholm Castle and Eskilstuna should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
- Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From US$162
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotalUS$487
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Stockholm
You choose the pickup spot. Gripsholm Castle
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discoverStop: 2 hours - admission not included
Monday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Gripsholm Castle rises directly from Lake Mälaren at Mariefred as one of the most classically composed castle landscapes in Sweden.
What to see
- A Renaissance castle of four round towers built by Gustav Vasa in 1537, sitting directly on the shore of Lake Mälaren with its reflection in the water and the small town of Mariefred behind it
- The interior houses the Swedish State Portrait Collection â the largest portrait collection in the world, with over 4,000 paintings spanning Swedish and European royal and cultural history from the 16th century to the present
- The town of Mariefred itself is a quietly perfect small Swedish town of wooden houses, a harbourfront cafÊ and the narrow-gauge steam railway that connects it to the main line at Läggesta
What to eat
- Husmanskost â traditional Swedish home cooking of meatballs
- Janssons frestelse (anchovy and potato gratin) and pickled herring
Take note
- Gripsholm Castle is closed on Mondays; the steam railway from Mariefred runs on summer weekends and is worth timing the visit around if the day allows
Eskilstuna
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discoverStop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Eskilstuna pairs a 17th-century forge district of remarkable preservation with one of Scandinavia's most respected free-admission zoos and a post-industrial riverside culture quarter of considerable energy.
What to see
- Rademachersmedjorna â a preserved row of 17th-century forge workshops on the Eskilstuna River, built by the Dutch craftsman Reinhold Rademacher and still the most intact example of early Swedish industrial heritage in the country
- Eskilstuna Zoo & Nature Park â one of Sweden's most respected free-admission zoos, with a strong conservation focus and a collection that includes snow leopards, African wild dogs and Amur tigers in well-designed naturalistic enclosures
- The Munktellmuseet covers Eskilstuna's industrial heritage as a centre of Swedish engineering
What to eat
- Eskilstuna kniv â the city's traditional craft is cutlery and the market stalls around Rademachersmedjorna sell handmade knives alongside street food
Take note
- Eskilstuna Zoo is free to enter but can be busy on summer weekends â arrive early for the best wildlife viewing before the main crowds build
Back to Stockholm
Weâll take you back to your starting point.Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?
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Know more about your day trip
Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred sits about 41 miles (66 km) southwest of Stockholm, around 1 hour by road. Eskilstuna is another 25 miles (40 km) further west, roughly 30 minutes onward. The full day covers around 130 miles (210 km) round trip through the lakeside landscapes of Sodermanland.
Gripsholm Castle is closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly. Summer hours are most generous, with the steam railway between Mariefred and Laggesta running on summer weekends. Winter visits offer a quieter, more atmospheric experience, but some seasonal attractions and the steam railway are not available. Confirm opening times before traveling, especially during shoulder seasons.
Yes, this itinerary works exceptionally well for families. Eskilstuna Zoo offers free admission and engaging wildlife viewing in naturalistic enclosures, making it a hit with children. Gripsholm Castle's lakefront setting and the Mariefred steam railway add storybook appeal. The combination of history, nature, and Swedish small-town charm gives kids and adults different but equally rewarding experiences across the day.
Mariefred is a quietly perfect small Swedish town of wooden houses, a harborfront cafe scene, and the narrow-gauge steam railway connecting it to the main line at Laggesta. Beyond the castle, travelers can walk the lakeside paths, enjoy fika in waterfront cafes, and admire the traditional timber architecture. The steam railway runs on summer weekends and is worth timing the visit around.
Try husmanskost, traditional Swedish home cooking featuring meatballs, Janssons frestelse (anchovy and potato gratin), and pickled herring. In Mariefred, harborside cafes serve classic Swedish fika with cinnamon buns and coffee. Around Rademachersmedjorna in Eskilstuna, market stalls sell handmade knives, the city's traditional craft, alongside street food rooted in local industrial heritage.
Gripsholm Castle, built by Gustav Vasa in 1537, rises directly from Lake Malaren at Mariefred as one of Scandinavia's most beautifully sited Renaissance fortresses. Its four round towers reflect in the lake water, with the small town of Mariefred behind it. The interior houses the Swedish State Portrait Collection, the largest portrait collection in the world, with over 4,000 paintings spanning five centuries.
Late spring through early fall is ideal, when warm weather makes lakeside walks comfortable, and Mariefred's outdoor cafe terraces are open. Summer brings the longest days and the running steam railway. Eskilstuna Zoo is busiest on summer weekends, so arrive early for the best wildlife viewing. Winter visits can be magical but very cold, with shorter daylight hours.
Eskilstuna pairs a remarkably preserved 17th-century forge district with one of Sweden's most respected free-admission zoos and a post-industrial riverside cultural quarter that has reinvented a former steel city with considerable flair. The Rademachersmedjorna preserves the original Dutch-built forge workshops, while the zoo focuses on conservation and houses snow leopards and Amur tigers.
