Soderkoping

Soderkoping was a significant medieval port and a place of pilgrimage before the water level dropped and left it inland, and the old town keeps low wooden houses and two medieval churches, Saint Laurentii and Drothem. The Gota canal was cut through in the 1820s and now runs along the edge of the centre, so boats lock through in full view of the street. Ramunderberget rises behind the town with a path to the top and a view over the plain. What the town is best known for domestically is Smultronstallet, an ice cream house on the canal bank serving sundaes of a size that has become the reason many Swedes stop here at all.

What you actually see

• The Gota canal through the town - boats locking beside the street.
• Two medieval churches - Saint Laurentii and Drothem.
• Wooden streets of the old town - from the port centuries.
• Ramunderberget behind - a climb and a view over the plain.

When to go

June to August, when the canal traffic runs. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The canal is quiet outside the boating season. Summer queues at the ice cream house are long. The town is small. Parking near the canal fills quickly.

Nearby

Norrkoping is north; Sankt Anna archipelago is east.