Mariefred Travel Guide

 
by Dizzyhead
 
  •   Local Customs
    by Dizzyhead
  •   Local Customs
    by Dizzyhead
  •   Things to Do
    by Dizzyhead
  •   Mariefred
    by Dizzyhead
  •   Mariefred
    by Dizzyhead
 

Explore Mariefred

Things to Do  

Callanderska gården

Callanderska gården, Mariefred

 sim1 Says:  There are a few buildings in the village that are worth mentioning and one of these is the Callanderska Gården. It is not only a house with a history, it also is a little museum (opened only during the summer months). The original house was destroyed during the big fire of... 

Rådhuset / Town Hall

Rådhuset / Town Hall, Mariefred

 sim1 Says:  If you follow the Kyrkogatan and turn left you will get to the main square of Mariefred, called Rådhustorget (Town Hall Square). And as the name already says it, this square is dominated by the Town Hall. The Town Hall was built on the initiative of King Gustav III in 1784.... 

Picturesque Mariefred

Picturesque Mariefred, Mariefred

 sim1 Says:  Mariefred itself is maybe nothing spectacular, but I found it such a picturesque place, it is absolutely worth a visit! Its most famous attraction is Gripsholm Castle, but even without Gripsholm Castle I would go here for just a nice stroll and look around the little... 

Visit a castle - Gripsholm slott (castle).

Visit a castle - Gripsholm slott (castle)., Mariefred

 Dizzyhead Says:  Gripsholm castle is situated at the lake Mälaren and it has a wonderful surroundings. There are more then 4000 portrait paintings of different persons and many kings of course among them. The National Museum in Stockholm is responsible for all the paintings. You can go on a... 

Want to go on a trip with a steam train?

Want to go on a trip with a steam train?, Mariefred

 sim1 Says:  The steam train was not 'home' when I was at the train station, so instead this picture of an old loc that was standing here. But if you like you can go on a little trip with the old steam train from Mariefred. The railway is rather special as it is a 600 mm gauge railway. A... 

Hotels  

In my Garden

 3 Opinions

Restaurants  

Två Goda Ting: Chocolate (and coffee) Heaven!
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

sim1 4772 reviews
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"Två Goda Ting" is a combination of a coffeehouse and a little shop specialized in coffee and tea. It is only a tiny place, but cleverly decorated, making it look much spacier then it is, and filled with all kinds of chocolate and coffee goodies you can dream of.

Although easily overlooked when you don't know about this lovely little shop, it is very easy to find. Just walk through the main street of Mariefred (no need to look for that one, Mariefred is so small, you can’t really miss finding this street). Opposite the ICA Supermarket you will find the store. It really is a great place to drop in after a nice stroll through Mariefred. Just order your favourite type of coffee or hot chocolate and feast your eyes on the broad selection of quality chocolate(s) and coffee that is for sale. The prices aren’t that cheap, but it all is good quality and very VERY hard to resist.... at least for lovers of chocolate and coffee :-)

Updated Dec 29, 2006

Address: Storgatan 6, 647 30 Mariefred

Phone: 0703-133460

Related to:
 Food and Dining

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Transportation  

Parking at the castle.

Parking at the castle., Mariefred

 Dizzyhead Says:  When you visit Gripsholm´s castle. You have a very big parking space outside. Then you have to walk from the parking spot around 300 meters to enter the castle. But dont park your car at the bus parking spots, then you will get a penalty. I saw many cars which had done that... 

Day trip from Stockholm

Day trip from Stockholm, Mariefred

 vec Says:  During the summer season you can go from Stockholm to Mariefred on a special day trip ticket. In 2006 this tickets cost 250 SEK and include train to Läggesta where you change to a old steam train for the last 15 minutes. In Mariefred you will then have some hours to walk... 

Shopping  

ICA Torghallen.: Food shop.

ICA Torghallen.: Food shop., Mariefred

 Dizzyhead Says:   Here you can buy all kind of things you need at home, for a breakfast or a barbeque, even for a picnic. They dont sell strong alcohol here at all. WHY? This is Sweden! The price it says on the thing you want to buy. 

Mariefreds Handelsbod & Leksaker: Toys, souverniers and "old-style" groceries

Mariefreds Handelsbod & Leksaker: Toys, souverniers and "old-style" groceries, Mariefred

 bjorn.ason Says:  A very sweet little shop selling classical toys, souverniers and "old-style" groceries. Perfect for finding a gift to bring back home. The toys are well-designed and high-quality, the groceries are very "swedish". 

Slottsbutiken.: Buy Royal things and souvenirs.

Slottsbutiken.: Buy Royal things and souvenirs., Mariefred

 Dizzyhead Says:  This hop sell everything about the Royal family and things around the Swedih history. Very interesting stuff they have here. Souvenirs. Not the chapest things. 

Local Customs  

Medieval market and tournament
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2 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Sjalen 3561 reviews

In July, there is often a market and tournament week. A grass plain in the town centre is taken over by jousting knights (entrance fee, but tickets are readily available for most performances or can be pre booked at the tourist information) and there is a market full of medieval jousting and juggling things, mead etc. whilst you can also try archery and your children can paint shields and swords etc. Check www.strangnas.se for the exact dates when it gets close.

Written Aug 11, 2004

Website: www.strangnas.se

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Historical Travel
 Festivals

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Warnings and Dangers  

¨Dont betray the grass.

¨Dont betray the grass., Mariefred

 Dizzyhead Says:  When you are around the castle of Gripsholm, they dont want you to use the grass. Dont walk there at all and especially if you bring dogs. 

No pictures inside the castle.

No pictures inside the castle., Mariefred

 Dizzyhead Says:  I want to inform you that you arent allowed to take pictures inside the castle, Gripsholm castle. They dont let you take pictures because of security problems. I was told that at least, but I could have taken pictures anyway when they did not see. But as a good guy, i... 

Tourist Traps  

Gripsholms Slott - not overrated just frustrating!
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Kiriel 85 reviews

Gripsholm is a very lovely castle in Mariefred. Built 450 years ago, it is in fine condition with a range of rooms to wander varying in period from the renaissance to the 18th century. There are hundreds of fabulous portrait paintings inside. It is interesting, colourful and generally worth a visit. BUT be warned that you are not permitted to take photos inside. This would be fine and is certainly understandable (flash photography in particular is destructive to pigments) BUT there is NO book in existence which has the portraits in it. There are some postcards for sale, but no catalogue, posters or picture cd exist for the rest. Tough luck.

Unique Suggestions: The castle IS still worth a visit, it is just frustrating.

Fun Alternatives: The Museum of Antiquities in Stockholm is pretty impressive and allows photography in all but the gold room.

Updated May 24, 2009

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Castles and Palaces
 Photography

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What to Pack  

Sunset and Sunrise in Mariefred
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sim1 4772 reviews
Sunrise and Sunset in Mariefred

Miscellaneous:
The daylight hours (hours between sunrise and sunset) vary a lot between the winter and summer months. People may expect to see the midnight sun during the summer, because they are in Scandinavia. But this is not true for Mariefred, because you are not far enough north in the country.

In December you will only have 6 hours to enjoy the day. The sun will get up around 8:30 in the morning but is already setting again before 3 o'clock in the afternoon and that doesn't leave you that much time to do some sightseeing.

In June it is a totally different world, and I love this time of year. Around the longest day (21 June) you will experience the long looooong days! There are 18,5 hours of daylight during those days, the day seems to last forever. The only disadvantage is when you are a light sleeper, as the night only last 5,5 hours.

Average hours of daylight:
Jan 6,9
Feb 9,3
Mar 11,8
Apr 14,5
May 17
Jun 18,6
Jul 17,9
Aug 15,5
Sep 12,9
Oct 10,2
Nov 7,7
Dec 6,1

Written Mar 2, 2004

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Off The Beaten Path  

Interesting places to see in the area

Interesting places to see in the area, Mariefred

 sim1 Says:  • Anundshög: old burial mounds from Viking Age.• Birka: ruins from old capital city of Sweden.• Mariefred with Gripsholm Castle. A picturesque village and a beautiful castle. In the castle is also the Swedish National Portrait Collection.• Sigtuna: old city with lots of... 

Interesting places to see in the area

Interesting places to see in the area, Mariefred

 sim1 Says:  • Eskilstuna: not a real tourist destination, but it has some nice places. My favourite of all is the Fors Kyrka (Fors Church). Also worth visiting is the Klosterkyrka, sculpture 'Hand of God' by Miles, the historic area of "Rademachersmedjorna" and the museum... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Go swimming!
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Sjalen 3561 reviews
Approaching Mariefred

OK, so the weather in this picture isn't that inspiring, but as I am typing this, we have had 30 degrees C for days, and a week of tropical nights (nigh temperature above 20 degrees). Lake M?laren is full of little hideaways for a swim - just ask at the tourist information for the kind of beach you like. There closest one to the town is probably the beach at Mariefred Camping.

Updated Aug 11, 2004

Address: Strandbadet

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Beaches
 Sailing and Boating

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Favorites  

Stroll around
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2 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Sjalen 3561 reviews
Steam ship's former ticket office

Favorite thing: Mariefred town itself is a great place to just stroll in when you have had time to see the castle. The tourist office is in the nice yellow court house building in the main square and can give you more tips, but Callanderska is one of the many nice wooden townhouses with green and pleasant inner yards in Mariefred, typical of Swedish wooden towns. A stroll along the waterfront is also nice.

Fondest memory: Gripsholm's theatre had me stunned...

Updated Aug 11, 2004

Related to:
 Architecture
 Historical Travel
 Family Travel

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Map of Mariefred