Guide · Family & outings 2026

Autumn and winter family outings in Eskilstuna & Torshälla 2026

Published 8 November 2026 · Details checked 8 November 2026

The riverside paths along the Eskilstunaån connect the City Museum, the Rademacher Forges and Munktellstaden.

Indoor outings in Munktellstaden and on Faktoriholmarna

Munktellstaden and Faktoriholmarna form a compact waterfront district along the Eskilstunaån river where three museums and the public swimming centre are all within a few minutes’ walk.

At Eskilstuna City Museum on Faktoriholmarna 1, admission is free. The museum preserves the historic workshops of the Carl Gustafs stad Rifle Factory, a steam engine hall and Lilla stadsmuseet (the Children’s City Museum), where children can experiment hands-on with gears, pulleys, levers and water power. Open Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–16:00 (Wednesdays until 19:00).

Just across the footbridge in Munktellstaden lies the Munktell Museum (Munktellstorget 3), open Monday–Friday 10:00–16:00 and Saturday–Sunday 11:00–15:00. Alongside Sweden’s first steam locomotive Förstlingen (1853) and vintage Bolinder-Munktell tractors, several machines are open for children to climb into the cab. Adult admission is SEK 100; children up to 16 enter free with an adult.

At Eskilstuna Art Museum (Portgatan 2), admission is free and opening hours are Tuesday–Sunday 11:00–16:00 (Wednesdays until 19:00). On weekends and school holidays the Art Workshop often opens for family crafts. Right next door at Portgatan 6 is Munktellbadet, featuring a family water park, wave pool, slides and a 50-metre pool.

The Rademacher Forges and the Old Town

Between the city centre and Munktellstaden stand the Rademacher Forges, with six preserved timbered forges from 1658. The open-air grounds are always free to stroll through. On the first weekend of Advent, 28–29 November, the quarter hosts the Rademacher Forges Christmas Market with crafts, smithing and dancing around the tree.

On the east bank of the river, the cobbled street Köpmangatan runs through the Old Town with independent shops, cafés and historic courtyards. On Sunday 13 December, Luciamys in the Old Town fills the street with stalls and festive music.

Outdoors in Torshälla, Vilsta and Sundbyholm

Kvarnfallet and Holmberget in Torshälla make an easy waterside outing year-round.

When the weather calls for fresh air, several family-friendly walks await in Torshälla, south of Eskilstuna and out by Lake Mälaren.

In Torshälla, start at Rådhustorget and walk down to the Torshällaån river to spot Allan Ebeling’s sculpture group Bockarna Bruse (The Three Billy Goats Gruff) standing in the rushing water. Follow the river to the Kvarnfallet rapids and climb the steps onto Holmberget for the Tors bockar sculpture and views across the historic wooden rooftops. Pair the walk with Ebelingmuseet (Eskilstunavägen 5, free admission Wednesday–Sunday 12:00–16:00) or lunch and pastries at Konditori Amarant or Café Gröna Villan. Read more in our guide to Torshälla.

South of town lies Vilsta Outdoor Centre and Nature Reserve at Vasavägen 80, offering lit trails of 2.5, 5 and 10 km, nature paths, wind shelters with barbecue pits, and artificial-snow ski tracks and a ski slope in winter.

About 12 km north of Eskilstuna on Lake Mälaren awaits Sundbyholm Castle, Nature Reserve and the Sigurd Carving. The six-metre-wide 11th-century Viking rock carving depicting dragon-slayer Sigurd Fafnesbane sits right by the road east of the castle and is open around the clock, alongside trails through Europe’s northernmost natural beech forest.

Free gear loans, libraries and family theatre

At Fritidsbanken Eskilstuna (Alva Myrdals gata 5), anyone can borrow sports and outdoor equipment free of charge for up to 14 days – ideal for ice skating, cross-country skiing or a forest cookout without buying gear.

Eskilstuna City Library at Kriebsens torg and Torshälla Library at Torshargsgatan 2 run children’s sections, story times and craft sessions. On Saturday 28 November, 11:00–14:00, the main library hosts Christmas Crafts at Eskilstuna City Library, and the same afternoon at 13:00 and 15:00 Royal at Järntorget stages the family play Jakten på julskinkan with Pettson & Findus. Find more dates in the events calendar.