Things to do in Norrköping
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Arbetets Museum
Industrilandskapet, Norrköping’s star turn, is the impeccably preserved industrial area near the river. Pedestrian walkways and bridges lead past magnificent former factory buildings and around the ingenious system of locks and canals. The most thunderous waterfall is Kungsfallet, near the islet Laxholmen. Within the area are several interesting museums, all with free admission. The innovative Arbetets Museum documents working life. There’s one permanent display about Alva Carlsson, a typical worker in the former cotton mill, and temporary exhibitions focusing mainly on gender issues, human rights or multiculturalism. The seven-sided building, completed in 1917 and dub…
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Kolmården Zoo
Kolmården Zoo is Scandinavia’s largest, with some 750 residents from all climates and continents. It’s divided into two areas: the main Djurparken with a dolphin show, and Safariparken, complete with a safari park bus tour for the carless. A combined ticket for the zoo and safari park costs Skr295/185. The cable car (Skr80/40) around the park gives a better view of the forest than of the animals.
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Bomulls Fabriken
Wedged between the tourist office and Louis de Geer Konserthus, this trendy warehouse bistro serves crossover grub like asparagus risotto with orange-marinated fennel, carrot salad and grilled bread. It turns into a nightclub on Friday and Saturday, with two dance floors serving up R&B, old-school rock and Schlager to revellers 25 years and over.
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Fiskmagasinet
Housed in a recently converted 19th-century snus (snuff) factory, urbane Fiskmagasinet combines an intimate bar with a casually chic dining room serving savvy seafood dishes like grilled scampi with mashed potato, truffle and port wine reduction, as well as cheaper Swedish classics.
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Hällristningsmuseet
Two kilometres west of the city centre, near the river, await fine examples of Bronze Age rock carvings, with an adjacent museum, Hällristningsmuseet. Guided tours of the carvings must be booked in advance. The site is a 30-minute walk along the river.
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Guskelov
With its fancy Art Nouveau front, this is an elegant-looking choice that won't completely break the bank. It's cosy, with a menu of mainly meaty mains, such as burgers, steaks and grills. It turns into a nightclub on Friday and Saturday, with live DJs from all over Sweden.
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Manesa
Polished punters adore this sassy tapas-cocktail lounge. Join them on leather lounges for global finger food like Japanese tempura and moreish tuna-and-guacamole seafood spoons. Rum rules the cocktail list, with over 30 types of the tropical drop on offer.
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Pappa Grappa Bar & Trattorian
Gobble up a brilliant wood-fired pizza in the pizzeria, or slip into the vaulted restaurant for scrumptious antipasto and meat and fish mains. Established by an Italian ballroom dancing champion, there’s also an on-site deli for take-home treats.
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Louis de Geer Konserthus
A modern addition to the riverside scenery is the extraordinary 1300-seat Louis de Geer Konserthus, in a former paper mill. Still containing the original balconies, it’s a superb setting for orchestral, jazz and pop concerts.
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Konstmuseum
Konstmuseum is Norrköping’s impressive art museum. Its collection boasts important early-20th-century works, including modernist and cubist gems, as well as Carl Larsson’s dreamy Frukost i det gröna.
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Bagarstugan
This stylish, floor-boarded bakery-cafe peddles freshly-baked cookies, cinnamon buns, muffins and scones, as well as salubrious salads, sandwiches and take-away homemade marmalades. There’s a courtyard for alfresco noshing.
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Kråkholmen
In summer, Kråkholmen (part of the Louis de Geer Concert Hall) is a fantastic lunch option. You get to sit at a terrace in the industrial area and consume light meals and ice-creams to the sound of the crashing waterfall.
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Knäppingen
The Stadsmuseum’s cafe makes a refreshing change, offering focaccias, tacos, crêpes and better veggie options than boring pasta. In summer, you can munch away in a sunny courtyard tucked between stately old mills.
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Källaren Bacchus
A perennially popular restaurant-pub with a great summer garden courtyard and snug vaulted cellar. Steak is a speciality, while tasty fish dishes may include fried pike perch with chilli-lime butter and potato pastry.
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Choklad Companiet
Head to this chocolate shop-cum-cafe for exquisite homemade gelato (try the white chocolate, lime and chilli), desserts, pralines and truffles. As for the espresso, it could make an Italian barista weep.
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Fräcka Frökens Frestelser, Kungsgatan
There are two branches of this cool café, offering good coffee, fancy teas (a cup of strawberry-and-cream, anyone?), sandwiches, salads and cakes. Both have outdoor seating areas.
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Fräcka Frökens Frestelser, Sankt Persgatan
There are two branches of this cool café, offering good coffee, fancy teas (a cup of strawberry-and-cream, anyone?), sandwiches, salads and cakes. Both have outdoor seating areas.
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Tropicarium
A Tropicarium opposite the entrance to Kolmården Zoo (the largest in Scandinavia) titillates with its motley crew of spiders, sharks, alligators and snakes.
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Planet Woodstock
For cheap meals late at night, there's always Planet Woodstock a slightly grungy place with an extensive menu of bagels, baked potatoes and hot dishes like moussaka and lasagne.
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Holmens Museum
Within the Industrilandskapet, Holmens Museum describes the history of Louis de Geer’s paper factory, which was founded in the early 17th century.
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Stadsmuseum
Stadsmuseum delves into the town’s industrial past, complete with still-functioning machinery, a great cafe and dynamic temporary exhibitions.
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Restaurang Sing Thai
Sing Thai serves a range of quite pricey Thai meals, including curries, satays, seafood and noodle dishes, although the lunch deal is good value.
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Vintage Tram No 1
In July, the tiny Vintage Tram No 1 runs a short guided tour through the town centre. It leaves from outside the train station.
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Bishop’s Arms
The Bishop’s Arms, at the Grand Hotel, is a good English-style pub with a great river view.
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Stopet
Favourite post-work drinking spots include atmospheric cellar pub Stopet.
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