DISCOVER ACTIVITIES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. WELCOME TO KÖPING, ARBOGA AND KUNGSÖR
From apples to airplanes WORLD-CLASS COMPANIES
ALSO: Swedish fika, family fun, traces of the past and much more.
ENJOY NATURE
The best tips for cycling, hiking and canoeing
Experience
the wonders OF VÄSTRA MÄLARDALEN
PHOTO: TOMAS ÅKERBLOM
PHOTO: LINDA ELIASSON PHOTO: LINDA ELIASSON
PHOTO: XXXXXXXX
PHOTO: JONAS BILBERG
PHOTO: LDL MEDIA
PHOTO: HELEN SHIPPEY
PHOTO: LINDA ELIASSON
© HÄSTENS
Västra Mälardalen!
WELCOME TO
You have come to a fantastic part of Sweden. There is so much to see and do in the region’s municipalities of Köping, Arboga and Kungsör and we would like to share some of it with you in this brochure. The stately oak trees, pretty wood anemone, large lakes and ancient waterways all contribute to the truly wonderful countryside of Västra Mälardalen. Nature is for everyone, just waiting to be explored on foot, by bike or by canoe. The choice is yours – calm and relaxing or action-packed and adventurous. Västra Mälardalen is close to so much, whether you want to travel by car or by bike. Why not visit a farm shop? At Köpings Muster i you can taste delicious apple juice made with locally grown apples and without additives. History plays a large part in Västra Mälardalen. A visit to Arboga’s old town centre is a charming experience and out in the countryside you’ll find rock carvings from the Bronze Age and ancient castles from the Iron Age. Make sure you don’t miss our town mysteries that are full of modern excitement and historical signs. We have so many exciting tales that we would like to share with you. Tales of kings of course, since they have been regular visitors to this part of the country over the centuries. But also more modern tales, including those of enterprising and creative people that live here today. Linn Frisinger’s vision is to create the stockings industry equivalent of Tesla. How exciting is that!? Entrepreneurship in all its shapes and sizes is very noticeable in Västra Mälardalen. We are so glad that you are here in order to get the chance to see it for yourselves. Once again – welcome to Västra Mälardalen!
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PRODUCED BY 365 PUBLISHING ON BEHALF OF KÖPING, ARBOGA AND KUNGSÖR MUNICIPALITIES. EDITOR: LENA BERGMAN TRANSLATION: ANNABEL OLDFIELD COVER PHOTO: JONAS BILBERG PRODUCTION: 365 PUBLISHING AB PUBLISHED: APRIL 2019. WITH RESERVATION FOR CHANGES AND PRINTING ERRORS.
flavour full of LOCAL PRODUCE
Apples as far as the eye can see. And apple juice so good that it is served at gourmet restaurants. This family business is a success story that smells of apple blossom and tastes heavenly.
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PHOTO: JONAS BILBERG
alking around Berg’s orchard during apple season is rather like being in a film. Row upon row of knotty apple trees bursting with shiny red fruit under a clear blue sky. Sweetsmelling apples as far as the eye can see, birds singing and leaves blowing in the breeze. During the summer you can go on guided tours of this beautiful orchard, which is located just outside Hallstahammar. From a tractordrawn cart you will witness it with you own eyes and see 6000 apple trees and about 2000 plum, pear, cherry and bullace trees. – The feeling I get when I go out into the orchard is fantastic. If I were the least bit religious I would say that someone is holding a hand over us there. It is wonderful to be so close to different kinds of fruit, each with their own flavour and aroma, says Lena Ryberg-Ericsson at Köpings Musteri.
– They tasted our apple juice and thought it was outstanding. The fact that we sell a variety of different apple juices, none of which contain additives, really makes us stick out from the crowd. It is an honour to be able to spread our wonderful products around the world, says Lena Ryberg-Ericsson. Köpings Musteri is a family business in which Lena, her husband Anders and their two children Benjamin and Johanna work. – Anders’ parents and grandparents have lived and worked here and the juicery has enabled us to build upon the legacy left by previous generations, says Lena Ryberg-Ericsson.
>> It is an honour to be able to spread our wonderful products around the world, <<
Apples picked by hand When the time is right, all the apples in the orchard are picked by hand. In a good season, over 50 tons of fruit are transformed into apple juice by Lena and her family at Köpings Musteri and is then sold in their own farm shop in Rasgärde outside Köping and at cafés, restaurants and shops across the Mälardalen region. It is also served at gourmet restaurants such as Lyran in Malmö, which has a star in the Michelin Guide. And the success story doesn’t end there. Last autumn, Lena signed a contract with the chain Fabrique that has bakeries in Stockholm, on Gotland and in New York.
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Picked by hand. Johanna Ryberg with a basket of delicous apples from Köpings Musteri.
Farm shops
There are farm shops dotted all over the Swedish countryside. Make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to turn off the road when you see a (often hand painted) sign, because farm shops sell produce that is unique, genuine and local.
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TIPS
1 Travarbo Gårdsbutik & Vilt This farm shop just north of Arboga sells game that has been purchased from local hunters as well as sausages and locally produced beer, flour, eggs and honey.
2 Ljungs Goa Ljungs Goa farm shop and café is well known for its handmade chocolates and is located between Kungsör and Köping. The shop also sells organic and locally produced lamb, beef, sausages, eggs, honey and home accessories. 3 Jädersbruks herrgård Jädersbruk Manor House is situated on the outskirts of Arboga and has a farm shop that sells almost everything for anyone interested in a sustainable lifestyle. The manor house is also home to Färgriket, which specialises in environmentally friendly paints and oils.
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PHOTO: HELEN SHIPPEY
JESSICA ÖBERG
Arboga and the rest of the world is her workplace In Västra Mälardalen, small businesses work side by side with large technology companies. The global defence and s ecurity company Saab runs part of its operations from Arboga.
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essica Öberg is a member of Saab’s group executive board, with the title Head of Business Area Industrial Products and Services. Her workplace is not just at the Saab offices in Arboga, but also in the rest of the world. – I love the fact that I can have such a challenging and interesting job and still live in Arboga. And it’s Arboga’s closeness to Stockholm and Arlanda that makes it possible, says Jessica. Not a matter of course Jessica grew up in Västra Mälardalen and describes herself as a small town girl. After university she worked as a programming consultant before coming to Saab. But becoming a manager and a member of the group executive board was not something she had planned. – I was encouraged to apply for my first managerial role, otherwise I would probably have never sent in my application. But I like being a manager and a leader. It is fantastic to see people
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© SAAB AB
Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions from military defence to civil security. With operations on every continent, Saab continuously develops, adapts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs. Saab has around 16,000 employees world wide.
© VIVIDUS/HÄSTENS
© HÄSTENS
SAAB
Hästens – bespoke beds since 1852
Most people recognise the blue and white check that is the signature of a Hästens bed. Hästens’ history dates back six generations in time and the company is still striving to make the best bespoke beds in the world on its continued journey into the future. Over the years, Hästens has made an indelible mark on the bed making industry, with innovations like the pocket spring system. It was also the first company to use a top mattress on a continental bed and introduced the first frame bed to the world. The whole idea of the modern bed has its roots in the company’s workshop in Köping. PHOTO: KÖPINGS PLAST
rise to their challenges. I now have colleagues all over the world, but I always come back to the fact that people are similar to one another in so many ways. Because we all have drive, needs and the will to develop the business and ourselves, I can see more similarities than differences. For a company like Saab, good logistics are an essential part of operations. Arboga’s location is one of its strengths, both in terms of the business and the workforce. – It is easy to commute here and to reach customers and partners both in Sweden and internationally, says Jessica. Close to the countryside Living in Arboga gives Jessica space to recover and reflect. She likes being so close to the countryside and all the sports activities that are available for her whole family. – I am proud of the commitment that exists here in Arboga. I think that the municipality really wants to support our companies. It is also important that those of us that live here continue to contribute towards Arboga being a vibrant small town, with everything from club activities to shopping locally. Personal commitment is paramount and I am proud that there are so many people in Arboga who are willing to do that little bit extra for our town, says Jessica Öberg.
Kungsörs Plast – successful company for four generations
The history of Kungsörs Plast began in 1886 under the name Kungsörs Ångsåg, which, among other things, sold millions of clothes pegs made of birch. In the 1950s they started to make the clothes pegs in colorful plastics. The range of products then grew to include many other plastic products and innovations, including the popular tube hat with a nozzle used for products such as Kalles Kaviar. In the 1970s, Kungsörs Plast started making narrow fuel lines for Saab. The company’s products were pioneering and the KPS mark – Kungsörs Plastic System – is still proof of high quality. It is now a global supplier of plastic systems to oil companies all over the world and in 2013 it was sold to OPW; a global leader in fluid-handling solutions.
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the wonders NEVER FAR FROM
of nature
Nature plays a leading role in Västra Mälardalen. With so many large lakes, old waterways, deep forests and open fields, you’ll have masses of opportunities to explore the countryside on foot, by bike or in a canoe.
Discover the great outdoors in a canoe
Relaxing day out or a true adventure? Canoeing gives you the chance to decide for yourself what you would like to experience. If you’re a history buff or a nature lover, perhaps you might choose to paddle along the historic waterway of Hjälmare Canal. Built in 1629, this is Sweden’s oldest navigable waterway and the link between lakes Hjälmaren and Mälaren. You can paddle in either direction and the 9 locks WHERE TO RENT that you’ll pass on the way are still opened by hand, just as they were A CANOE 400 years ago. Canoeing along the Hjälmare Canal is very calm and Y Herrfallet campsite peaceful as the canal is edged by forests, meadows and pastures and outside Arboga with no traffic in sight. Y Köping’s scout brigade Remember to visit Hjälmare Dock where there is a visitors’ centre Y Ekudden’s campsite in with an exhibition on the history of the canal and information on flora Kungsör and fauna in the area.
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Fishing paradise
Västra Mälardalen offers great and varied fishing , but don’t forget that you need a fishing permit for all the fishing waters except Hjälmaren and Mälaren. With two of Sweden’s largest lakes, Mälaren and Hjälmaren, many smaller lakes and small forest meres, there is every possibility to catch, among other things, perch, pike zander, burbot and asp in Västra Mälardalen. If you prefer fishing in flowing water, we can recommend Hjälmare Canal and Köpingsån. Arbogaån is continually stocked with rainbow trout. Perhaps you like fly-fishing? If so, visit Hedströmsdalen, a popular place for catching salmon trout. And at the end of the summer, crayfish fishing attracts a lot of visitors to Hjälmaren and Hjälmare Canal.
Hiking – a simple way of exploring the countryside
Nature welcomes everyone. Hiking in Sweden is no more difficult than putting on a pair of boots and going out through the door. And thanks to Sweden’s Right of Public Access, the countryside is accessible by everyone. You can either walk where your feet take you or follow one of many hiking and walking paths in the area, such as the old district road Ramstigen that, with the help of paths and signs, links a number of places of interest on both sides of the Arbogaån river. Another tip is the KUJ track between Köping and Kolsva. The track follows an old railway that opened in 1866. No trains use it any more but it is popular among both walkers and cyclists.
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WHERE TO RENT BIKES
Great cycle paths for the whole family
Y Arboga tourist information office Y Rasta hotel in Arboga Y Köping tourist information office Y Ekudden’s campsite in Kungsör
Västra Mälardalen is the ideal place to explore by bike. Short distances, beautiful countryside and many roads that are perfect for cycling on, including Östra Cykelleden in Kungsör. This 33-km cycle path starts at the historic site of Kungsudden and runs close to the lake Mälaren in some parts and through the countryside in others. Two stops that we recommend are a dip in the lake in Skillinge on a hot summer’s day and a visit to the 12th century Torpa Church in the quaint village of Himmelsberga. After the first few villages, the cycle path continues through open land scape, with grazing sheep and horses for company, before becoming more forested. The landscape surrounding the final part of the cycle path follows the Köpingsåsen ridge and is perfect for rambling and picking berries.
Discover the birds of Västra Mälardalen
Colour, flight and song. Västra Mälardalen is home to many common and rare birds. If you take a walk along the Köpingsån river in Köping for example, there is every chance that you’ll spot a beautiful little kingfisher and a mighty peregrine falcon. And if you walk a bit farther, you’ll come to Norsa meadows, a place where birdwatchers like to gather to see both sea and forest birds.
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traces of the past SEE EXCITING
Västra Mälardalen is rich in ancient remains from different eras and traces from the region’s royal history. Here are three tips for things you can explore out in the countryside:
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such as this probably date back to the Iron Age and were usually built alongside important roads and waterways as they were used for defence and protection. Korslöt castle measures 220x130 metres and is surrounded by long stone walls. The southwest and east sides of the castle are bounded by a steep slope in order to prevent attack.
Bronze Age mythology 1 Häljesta rock carvings
With almost 500 figures and images to tickle your imagination, Häljesta, outside Köping, is home to the largest known collection of rock carvings in Västmanland. The carvings date back to the Bronze Age (1 500-400 BC) and at that time, the field below was a bay of Lake Mälaren. 2 Korslöt Castle Korslöt Castle is situated alongside the Valstån river, north of Köping, and close to Korslöt golf course. Castles
3 Queen Kristina’s riding track At Jägaråsen, north of Kungsör, you will find Rundelborg, a small labyrinth-like stone circle that is also known as Queen Kristina’s riding track. When Queen Kristina came to Kungsör in the mid 17th century to avoid the plague in Stockholm, she used the stone circle to practise her riding. Next to Rundelborg you can also see the stone-fortified foundations that are the remains of the hunting lodge that King Johan III started building in 1580. Building work was suspended and the lodge was never completed.
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DON’T MISS! Medieval Days in Arboga 7 – 11 August. A popular event with jousting, rowing competitions, concerts and markets.
Queen Kristina
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Remainings of a big Iron Age castle at Korslöt
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A
ntiques ROAD TRIP IN ARBOGA PHOTO: LINDA ELIASSON
Arboga is the perfect destination for lovers of antiques. Eva Ehlin takes us on a trip around town.
Lars and Janina Söderberg runs the much liked shop Tallebo Antik in Arboga.
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Eva Ehlin takes us on a tour around the antigues shops of Arboga.
erhaps it is the idyllic setting that has led to so many dealers of antique, vintage and second hand objects gathering here. Wherever you are in Arboga, you are never far away from the next antique shop, flea market, architectural salvage store and bric-a-brac shop. – There is something here for everyone, from retro to antiques and from flea markets to top quality vintage items, says Eva Ehlin. With Eva Ehlin as our guide, we start our antiques road trip at Kapellbron; home to Tallebo Antik where Janina and Lars Söderberg sell carefully selected pieces of art, glass, mats, furniture, wrought iron and china.
Explore Arboga BEAUTIFUL MEDIEVAL TOWN
Lars shows Eva one of the many rare objects of Tallebo Antik.
With its cobbled streets, old wooden houses and medieval square, Arboga town centre is one of Sweden’s most beautiful. Take a stroll, go shopping and enjoy the quaintness of the place. Here are three tips:
– We buy things that we like ourselves and we have objects that date from as far back as the 16th century, says Lars. Lars and Janina are more than happy to talk about the creators and purposes of some of the unusual items at Tallebo Antik. A set of 18th century Järvsö chairs catches Eva Ehlin’s eyes. – These chairs are magical. Just think about someone putting their heart into creating such wonderful chairs, says Eva.
PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA
>> There is something here for everyone, from retro to antiques and from flea markets to top quality vintage items<<
PHOTO: LINDA ELIASSON
Objects that are full of soul The next stop of our road trip is Kuriosaboden. Its two floors and many rooms are full of everything imaginable and more besides. But in spite of so many objects, it’s not at all messy – everything is coordinated depending on colour, shape and theme. – Kuriosaboden is so quaint and you are guaranteed to find things to create the style of your choice, whatever it is, says Eva Ehlin. Carina Näsholm has been running Kuriosaboden for 25 years and has seen many trends come and go. The most popular items now are household utensils and kitchen things. – Cast iron is in demand at the moment. I could sell frying pans and griddles every day if I had enough of them, says Carina. After having browsed around looking at fun rolling pins and old thimbles, Eva finds herself enamoured with the hat room. – I can fall in love with things I see. They might not have an obvious place in my house, but I buy them anyway because they have so much soul, says Eva Ehlin.
1 The Öhrström Estate In 1846, the merchant Anders Öhrström built a lavish stone home for himself and his family at Nygatan 37. This meticulously renovated beautiful estate is now home to Arboga’s town museum.
2 The Town Hall The town hall was originally built as a church in the 15th century, but during the reformation in the 16th century, Gustav Vasa donated it to the people of Arboga to be used as a town hall.
3 The Church of the Holy Trinity This was built during the 13th century as a monastery for an order of Franciscan monks. Don’t miss the pulpit that was carved in 1736, the brass chandeliers that are believed to be the largest in Sweden or the 15th century murals.
At the tourist information office you can rent “Self guided audio tour at the medieval town Arboga”, or you can download Storyspot onto your mobile phone and listen to stories about places and events in Arboga’s history. You can pick up a map with all the places at Arboga’s tourist information office.
LISTEN WHILE YOU WALK.
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LINN FRISINGER
The girl from
Köping
worl at her feet with the
Swedish Stockings aims at doing for the stockings industry what Tesla has done for the automotive industry. Thanks to tenacity and environmental awareness, the company has the world at its feet. PHOTO: LINDA ELIASSON
Linn Frisinger wears Swedish Stockings.
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ith 500 retailers, online customers worldwide and new design partners, the wheels are turning fast for Linn Frisinger, founder and CEO of Swedish Stockings. – In order to achieve success you need to take your product or service and create added value, and you need to do it better than your competitors, says Linn Frisinger.
Adding value through sustainability In Swedish Stockings’ case, the added value is sustainability. It is the only company in the world that makes tights out of recycled nylon. The factory in Italy is run using renewable energy, the manufacturing process is environmentally friendly and there is even a recycling programme for old tights. – Our goal is to make completely degradable tights and we are not that far off. We already make tights out of old fishing nets and we will soon be
PHOTO: LINDA ELIASSON
>> We fight, we succeed and we fail every day, but we are extremely stubborn and we have a fantastic product that is perfect for today’s world <<
Long-term relations making them out of coffee Even though Linn now lives in grounds, says Linn Frisinger. Stockholm, Köping is the heart Linn from Köping never of Swedish Stockings’ business. planned to become a sucThis is where the offices and cessful entrepreneur but warehouse are and the plan is to after just five years Swedish expand in Köping even more. Stockings now has eleven – It is easier to have a more employees and an annual loyal relationship with your turnover of over ten million employees here and because Swedish Kronor. So what’s we want to build on these the key to the company’s Linn Frisinger and Nadja Forsberg are the relationships we believe in staying success? founders of Swedish Stockings. in Köping, says Linn Frisinger. – Hard work. We fight, we – In five years Swedish succeed and we fail every day, Stockings will be a large international company but we are extremely stubborn and we have a and the number one choice for women who buy fantastic product that is perfect for today’s world, tights. We also want to have inspired and influsays Linn Frisinger. enced other companies to manufacture tights in –And we look at all the aspects of our prothe same way that we do. We are transparent in ducts too, not just the environmental ones. Our our work and our vision is to be a forerunner that tights are beautiful and of the highest quality – changes the industry – rather like Tesla. sustainability is added value.
Stylish high quality tights that are environmentally friendly.
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Family fun ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES FOR THE CURIOUS AND THE ADVENTUROUS
Fly back to prehistoric times with Fenja ”Fenja’s Tales” is a little storybook that you can buy at the tourist information office in Köping. With the help of old stories and legends it takes the reader on a voyage of discovery through Köping’s oldest pieces of history. Fenja’s Tales is an exciting rune hunt for the entire family.
Visit a museum Explore Sweden at Miniature Kingdom; a miniature railway in Kungsör that is a fantastic craft and a fun outing for the whole family. At Arboga Missile Museum you can have a go on the cool flight simulators, or, if you prefer old cars, visit the Automotive and Technical Museum in Köping, full of gleaming chrome and finely- tuned engines.
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Rural idyll in the town centre Gammelgården’s open-air museum is an oasis in the woods in Köping where you can see what it was like to live on a Swedish farm in the 19th century. During the summer, families can enjoy theatrical performances and entertainment as well as delicious waffles that the café serves under the treetops.
Become a detective for the day Swedish crime is a concept that is well known even outside the country’s borders. In summer 2018, Västra Mälardalen was used as a recording location for the second season of the Dutch TV series Kroongetuige (Crown Witness). This series has become the source of inspiration for three exciting town mysteries waiting for you to solve in Köping, Arboga and Kungsör. So adopt a frown, put on your best spyglasses and set off to solve these town mysteries. But keep your eyes open – the clues might be where you least suspect. You can buy the mystery envelopes at the tourist information offices in Köping and Arboga and at the library in Kungsör.
Fika
THE GENUINE TASTE OF SWEDEN
The word fika means so much more than just drinking coffee. It’s actually a way of socialising. Coffee is an important part of it, but equally important is something good to eat and great company. Why not try a Swedish fika? Here are six places where you’re guaranteed to find delicious cinnamon buns, crispy biscuits and a great cup of coffee. 1 Håges Bröd Nygatan, Arboga Håges Bröd, which dates back to 1894, started off as a bakery but is now also a popular and cosy café that serves delicious cakes and pastries. 2 Café Brofästet Drottninggatan, Kungsör Café Brofästet is situated by the old bridge abutment alongside the mouth of the river. On sunny summer’s days you can enjoy your fika out on the terrace where there is a wonderful view across the water.
3 Skeppshandelns Stenugnsbageri Östra Långgatan, Köping This prize-winning bakery is located in the old part of Köping. Everything is made using Swedish, or preferably even local, ingredients and it all tastes delicious.
5 Café Två skator Ahllöfsgatan, Arboga Enjoy your fika in this historical setting. The menu focuses on organic and local produce and the range of cakes and pastries on offer depend on seasonal ingredients that are available.
4 Villa Wingarhed Bygatan, Kungsör There is history in the walls of Villa Wingarhed and the café here serves the traditional Swedish fika ”seven kinds of biscuits”.
6 Konditori Bivur Viktoriagatan, Köping Bivur is well known for its worldrecord long sandwich cake and for its number one speciality: the pastel green Halvan.
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Find your way around Västra Mälardalen HITTA RÄTT I VÄSTRA MÄLARDALEN
Rysstenen
Ströms h o lms
ka n a l
Odensvi
St r ö m
s-
ho
lm s ka
na
l
Strömsholm
Borgåsund
Sätra
Hjälmare docka
Gunnarsökna
Notholmen
Lungers hamn
Hällarna
Herrfallet
STADSKARTAN
© Stadskartan AB 2019
THERE IS SO MUCH TO DISCOVER AND EXPLORE IN VÄSTRA MÄLARDALEN This brochure contains a selection, but there is much more. At the tourist information offices in Arboga, Köping and Kungsör you can pick up maps and brochures. You will also get more tips and advice from the staff that are on hand to tell you everything you need to know to make your holiday here a success.
DET FINNS MASSOR ATT UPPTÄCKA I VÄSTRA MÄLARDALEN I det här magasinet berättar vi om en del av det, men vi delar gärna med oss av fler tips och råd. På Arboga Turistbyrå, Köpings Turistbyrå och Kungsörs Turistinformation finns k unnig personal som hjälper dig med allt du behöver veta för en lyckad semester i Västra Mälardalen. Här kan du också hämta mer informations material i form av kartor och broschyrer.
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TOURIST INFORMATION Pop in and let ut us guide you!
Köping
Arboga
Kungsör
Barnhemsgatan 2 (by Stora torget) T. 0221 – 256 55 tourist@koping.se Y koping.se
Centrumleden 6 (by Arboga station) T. 0589 – 871 51 turistinfo@arboga.se Y arboga.se
Drottninggatan 34 Kommunhuset/Municipal office T. 0227 – 600 101 turistbyran@kungsor.se Y kungsor.se
ÖPPET/OPEN 24 JUNI – 10 AUG: mån – fre 10 – 18 LÅGSÄSONG: mån–fre 10 – 12 och 13 – 17
ÖPPET/OPEN 24 JUN – 3 AUG: mån– fre 10 – 17, lör 10 – 14 APRIL – SEPT: mån – fre 10 – 16, OKT – MARS: mån – fre 10 – 14
TELEFONTID/PHONE HOURS
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mån – tor 9 – 16, fre 9 – 12 LUNCHSTÄNGT: 12 – 13 Brochures are also available at the library and in the guest harbour.
