The seventh-largest city in Sweden and the seat of Örebro Municipality. The city is beautifully situated on the banks of the Svartån River, offering picturesque views and a tranquil environment. The city's most iconic landmark is the Örebro Castle, a medieval fortification that has stood guard over the city for over 800 years. The city also boasts a vibrant arts scene, with the Open Art Örebro, an open-air contemporary art exhibition, being a major attraction. Additionally, Örebro is home to the Swedish Chamber Orchestra and the Örebro University, contributing to its lively and intellectual atmosphere.
Sights & Culture
Örebro Slott
The major tourist destination in the town of Örebro, the castle was build as a defensive tower to protect the bridge over the Svea river and collect the tolls in the middle of the thirteenth century. It was expanded in the fourteenth century before becoming the renainances castle it is today under King Karl IX towards the end of the sixteenth century.
The castle serves as both museum and seat of the Governor of Örebro County.
Regular tours are run by the castle, which focus on the outside and providing history. If you are lucky you are taken on a tour of the dungeons, a dark room below the waterline where the condemned would wait for release or death, many chained to the wall.
One surprising fact from the tour was Beaver was a common food for Fridays in Sweden, due to it being classified as a fish and therefore not forbidden by Christians for Friday meals.
Svampen
Other than the castle, Svampen, the water tower is perhaps the most iconic building in the Örebro skyline. A little outside of the main town, it gives lovely views around the area and to the lakes. Metal plates around the viewing gallery help explain what can be seen in each window.
Solar System
From Olof Palmes torg in the south of the city to Svampen in the north a scale replica of the solar system can be found.
The Sun: A large stone sphere in Olof Palmes torg, the sun marks the start.
Mercury: A poster for Mercury is on the wall past The Royal Arms.
Venus: On the same building, but at the corner a second poster provides information on Venus.
Earth & The Moon: Located in Näbbtorget, a plinth with tiny steel models.
Mars: Another poster on the corner of Drottninggatan and Rudbecksgatan.
Jupiter: In Nikolaikyrkan's garden you will find the plinth holding Jupiter.
Saturn: At the souther edge of Järntorget, the model of Saturn can be found.
Uranus: A relativly long walk to Olaus Petri kyrka will bring you to the model of Uranus.
Finally, take the elevator up Svampen to find Neptune, the last model in the solar system.
Olaus Petri kyrka
Just to the north of the city centre, and on the route to Stampen, Olaus Petri kyrka is a reasonably modern church from 1912.
Järntorget
Facing the castle, Örebro's Järntorget is a good sized quare with a fountain and one of the solar system models.
Nikolaikyrkan
Central to Örebro, Nikolai Kyrkan was built in the 13th century and has been the site of a number of historic events relevant to Örebro.
Pingvin
Tucked away in a corner of the Radhus, the small penguin sculpture by by Linnea Jörpeland is not forgotten by the locals. During midsommar she worse a crown of fresh flowers.
Stortorget
Long and thin, Stortorget is lined by restaurants with outdoor seating in the middle. Offering views of Nikolai Church it is an important part of Örebro's social life.
Wadköping
Along the river to the east, Wadköping is a historic outdoor museum with a number of shops, restaurants an oudoor theatre and a puppet theatre. It is more vibrant than many of the outdoor museums in Sweden, and it is perhaps the most interesting thing to do in Örebro.
Museums & Galleries
Örebro Läns museum
Spread across multiple venues, the museum's main building is currently undergoing extensive refurnishment and is closed.
The museum in the castle however remains open for visitors. Sprawling through the castle, you access it through the main tower entrance and climb up to the top floors. Exhibitions range from history to work by local artists.
Parks & Gardens
Henry Allards park
One of the two parks facing the Castle, Henry Allards Park was refurbished in 1965 for the 700th anniversary of the castle. A few statues are scattered through the grounds and it is a favourite lunch spot for the city.
Slottsparken Örebro
Outside the castle, the Castle Park was once the gardens and farm for the castle. Food was grown as well as flowers, something of a rarity for the time.
How the park is a municipal space full of greenery.
Stadsparken
A large park seperating the city from Wadköping, its a good place to run, picnic or catch some sun. In 2004, it was named Sweden's most beautiful park.
Restaurants & Bars
Skybar Svampen
Sat at the top of the former water-tower, The skybar at Svampen gives panoramic views around Örebro, more aimed at tourists and fine dining, its still a good place to come for afternoon fika or lunch.
Sapore
A great Italian restaurant near to Jarntorget and the castle they have outdoor seating as well as indoor.
Trattoria Italiano
With a large inclosed outdoor seating area on Stortorget, Trattoria Italiano serves a range of good italian food. Multiple TVs in the outdoor space made it a popular spot during the Euros.
Java Örebro
A small cafe in the centre of town, it was one of the few cafes open during the Midsommar break.
Jeremiabageriet
Fantastic bakery in Wadköping, providing locally sourced goods. Keep an eye out for the birds, as they are always on the lookout for some crumbs!