Västerås

Engsö Castle is a picturesque estate nestled amidst landscaped gardens near a serene lake. It is well-known in Sweden for its ghostly inhabitants, with numerous stories of hauntings adding to its mystique. The castle also boasts an intriguing feature — the slender five-foot-long "Engsökedjan" chain embedded in its walls. Legend has it that this chain was won by Johan Sigismund Sparre, the last of his line, in a high-stakes game of dice with the devil himself.

At Frösåkers Brygga, visitors are transported back to the Viking Age, where they can engage in hands-on activities like baking flatbread over an open fire, crafting ropes, and shooting catapults. It's also home to Sweden's largest floating boat museum, housing an impressive collection of over 20 Viking ships and peasant boats, with the fleet continuously expanding. Frösåkers Brygga stands as a highly unique and genuine tourist attraction, providing entertainment and fascination for all who visit.

Kungsby offers a dual delight: it's fun for kids and educational for adults. The park boasts a diverse range of animals, from cows and goats to pigs, rabbits, sheep, donkeys, and even wild boars. However, the highlight is the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Sweden's majestic forest king, the moose.

Kyrkbacken, or Church Hill, is a neighbourhood in central Västerås characterised by older wooden houses in a jumble of winding alleys. It's an ideal place for historic walks, either as part of a guided tour or single-handedly, where you can imagine what life would have once been like here in the 17th century. There are also several galleries and craft shops in the trendier Kyrkbacken of today.

The Vallby Open Air Museum is a recreated 19th-century village offering a vivid depiction of life in Västmanland County through costumed interpreters and demonstrations. Since its inception in 1921, the museum has painstakingly rescued and reconstructed over fifty historic buildings. Spread across 37 acres, Vallby features period gardens, orchards, agricultural landscapes, native breeds, and a rich collection of well-preserved historic structures, making it a captivating window into the region's heritage.

Have fun on the slopes without having to travel to the mountains. Vedbobacken is Västerås’ very own urban ski slope. Weather permitting, Vedbobacken is open from mid-December to mid-March and offers several runs of varying difficulty, from green to red, two lifts, a sledging slope, ski hire, a café, and public barbecuing facilities. There is always snow at Vedbobacken when they are open, even if there is no snow on the ground.

Västerås Art Museum mainly exhibits Swedish art from its own collection. The temporary exhibitions held at the museum focus on contemporary art by Swedish artists. The museum also has an extensive education programme, with activities that include tours and studio work for different kinds of groups.

Västerås Castle, situated just a stone’s throw from the city centre, bears witness to a rich and tumultuous part of Swedish history. Constructed in the 13th century, the castle was once the house of Crown Prince Erik before becoming his prison. Between June 14, 1573, and October 16, 1574, King Erik XIV was held captive here, enduring separation from his wife and their children. The dethroned king moved to Örbyhus shortly before his death, from poisoned pea soup says the story, but later his body was brought back to Västerås for burial in the cathedral. The castle now hosts the Västmanland County Museum, county archive, library, and administration. Visitors can explore hidden lakes and winding trails that offer a tranquil escape within this historical enclave.

Led by amateur astronomers, VARF is a non-profit association, which serves as a gathering place where individuals of all ages come together to engage in conversations about the universe, stargazing, and stay updated on the latest developments in space and technology.