Sigtuna

Sigtuna on Lake Mälaren was founded around the year 980 as a port town; sources disagree on exactly who founded it. At the end of the 10th and the start of the 11th century, Sweden's first coins were minted here. From the 13th century the town lost importance because post-glacial land uplift made it harder to navigate; in the late 19th century only about 600 people lived here. From the Middle Ages the ruins of the churches of St Olof, St Per and St Lars survive, along with the brick church of St Mary, and there are also runestones.

The centre is Stora gatan, the old main street with cafés and craft shops. The Sigtuna Museum tells the town's history. Allow half a day for the old town and the church ruins. Sigtuna lies about 10 km from Arlanda Airport, so it also makes a good stopover on arrival or departure.