Discover Roslagen

What is Roslagen?

Roslagen is a historic landscape along the Uppsala coast east and north of Stockholm, and forms the northern part of the Stockholm archipelago. The region is not a formal administrative unit but a geographical and cultural concept that covers the municipalities of Norrtälje, Östhammar and Österåker – three municipalities each with their own character and unique treasures to offer visitors.

15,000 islands and a world heritage coast

Roslagen's archipelago comprises more than 15,000 islands, skerries and islets. Östhammar's coastline alone is 4,000 kilometres long. It is a landscape for those seeking untouched nature, lonely cliffs, quiet bays and the Baltic Sea horizon. Norrtälje is the region's central town and natural starting point for excursions out into the archipelago.

Viking heritage and the origin of the name

Roslagen's history stretches back to the Viking Age. The old name for the area was Roden, and each coastal district – ship district – was obliged to equip and man a warship for the king's levy fleet. From Roden derive the Finnish and Estonian names for Sweden: Ruotsi and Rootsi. Scholars today agree that the designation Rus, from which Russia got its name, also has its roots in these coastal regions.

Walloon ironworks and industrial history

In the 17th century, Roslagen became the centre of Swedish iron production. Walloon smiths were recruited from present-day Belgium for their professional skills, and the ironworks they established along the watercourses in the region laid the foundation for Sweden's industrialisation. Well-preserved works environments exist at several locations in the region and testify to a time when Roslagen's bar iron was world-leading.

Midsummer, archipelago culture and the good life

Today, Roslagen is known for a relaxed and authentic archipelago culture. Midsummer celebrations are a great tradition, and along the coasts and in the harbours there thrives a local restaurant and café scene focused on fresh fish and locally grown produce. The region attracts visitors who want to combine nature experiences with culture, history and good food – near Stockholm, but in a completely different world.