Nynäshamn is a seaside town south of the Swedish capital, Stockholm. It lies within the boundaries of the historical province of Södermanland but is today the seat of its own municipality and a part of Stockholm County. The town is known for its harbor, which connects Stockholm with Gotland – the largest island of Sweden. There are also international connections with Gdańsk (Poland), Hanko (Finland), Rostock (Germany), and Ventspils (Latvia). It is around the harbor that Nynäshamn has developed in its short history that began a little more than a century ago. The population has today reached over 15.000 inhabitants.
A Short History of Nynäshamn
Nynäshamn was until the end of the 19th century only a small village with a few houses. It was at the end of the century that the development began. Plans were made to build a resort town and harbor in the area and a new future was ahead for the few local fishermen and farmers.
The railway connecting Nynäshamn with Stockholm was completed in 1901. This was the real start for the new establishment. The harbor soon had regular ferries between Nynäshamn and the island of Gotland. A resort was also being built, with many holiday homes, a hotel, a casino, and a bathhouse. The resort did, however, not survive for long. The First World War was eventually too much for the young resort and operations ceased already in 1917.
It would be the harbor that continued to be at the center of Nynäshamn’s development. The establishment of industrial production and steep population growth followed. A refinery was established in 1928 and the company Nynäs Petroleum was founded in 1930. In regards to the population, the few hundred inhabitants at the beginning of the century had passed 3.000 already by 1916.
The development meant that Nynäshamn became a market town in 1911 and received its town privileges in 1946.
Things to Do and See
For many Nynäshamn is the exit point when starting a new adventure, while for others this is a seaside resort or the gateway to the archipelago. No matter what you are looking for, as long as it has to do with the sea, you will most likely find it here.
Nynäshamns Fiskehamn
Nynäshamns Fiskehamn, the fishing harbor, is the main gathering point during the summers. This is where you can find many of the restaurants as well as “hamnbodarna”. Hamnbodarna is the red boatsheds that have been turned into small shops and cafés.
Nynäshamn Harbor
Nynäshamn Harbor is the old harbor of Nynäshamn. It has three large berths and has both freight and passenger traffic. Regular destinations include the domestic route to Visby (Gotland) by Destination Gotland and international routes to Gdansk (Poland) by Polferries and Rostock (Germany) by Hansa Destinations.
Stockholm Norvik Harbor
Stockholm Norvik Harbor is the new harbor in Nynäshamn, a short distance to the north of the old harbor. The harbor was inaugurated in 2020 and is one of the main ports for the transport of goods to and from Stockholm. Stena Line has freight and passenger traffic to Ventspils in Latvia and Hanko in Finland.
Nynäshamn Church
Located on a hill overlooking the Baltic Sea is the church. The red stone church was built in 1930 and offers today a great view of the town and the sea.
Nynäshamn Marina
Close to the center is the marina. With space for around 300 vessels, it is a place to walk and enjoy the view of the many sailing ships during the summer months.
Nynäshamn Railway Museum
The railway arrived in Nynäshamn in 1901 and the museum’s objective is to showcase this century-long history of the railway. The old steam engines are showcased directly in the workshop, instead of in a traditional museum environment.
Mopedum Nostalgia Museum
Mopedum is a nostalgia museum that has for years been collecting objects from around Sweden. It is especially mopeds that it has as a focus, but there are plenty more in regards to nostalgia. The museum has announced that it will close down at the end of 2022.
Sotholms Härads Hembygdsgård
Sotholms Härads Hembygdsgård is the home of the local heritage group. The group has been able to collect some of the historical buildings from the town. This includes Ludde’s Cottage, dating back to 1719 and being the oldest known surviving building in Nynäshamn.
Nickstabadet
Nickstabadet is a public beach with many amenities in its vicinity. The sandy beach and surrounding lawns are located in a small protected bay to the west of the center.
Trehörningen
Trehörningen is an island directly outside of Nynäshamn. This is where the seaside resort once was established and the few remaining parts of it are still here.
Trehörningen’s Old Water Tower
The old water tower on the island Trehörningen dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. The nine-meter high tower is on a hill. The tower was damaged by a fire in 2018 but has since been restored.
Lövhagen
Lövhagen is an outdoor recreation area on the peninsula south of Nynäshamn. The area is famous for its caves and the sea is never far away. Lövhagen includes many hiking paths and swimming spots.
Käringboda Nature Reserve
Käringboda Nature Reserve is to the west of Nynäshamn. It was established in 1974 and covers an area of almost 1.500 hectares of both sea and land. The many forest trails bind the reserve together for the visitors. It is on a peninsula with the sea always nearby.
Järflotta Nature Reserve
Järflotta Nature Reserve is to the south of Nynäshamn. This is actually an island reserve and it covers around 3.500 hectares of the island and the surrounding sea. The reserve was established in 1968 and is known for its many sandy beaches. Järflotta Nature Reserve also includes the islets of Viksten and Gunnarsstenarna, where one can spot many uncommon sea birds.
Järflotta was earlier also part of a military installation. The old battery is still there but has not been in use since the 1990s. It is today a listed building.
How to Get to Nynäshamn
- Flights: The closest major airport is Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), 101 kilometers away with both domestic and international flights. There is also Stockholm Bromma Airport (BMA) 67 kilometers away with mostly domestic flights and Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) 122 kilometers away with a few low-cost airlines.
- Car: Nynäshamn is at the end of road 73, south of Stockholm.
- Bus: Local and regional SL buses connect Nynäshamn with the surrounding region.
- Train: Commuter trains by SL connect Nynäshamn with Stockholm.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 58 kilometers (42 min)
- Gothenburg – 486 kilometers (5 h 29 min)
- Malmö – 629 kilometers (6 h 54 min)
- Linköping – 216 kilometers (2 h 31 min)
- Kiruna – 1296 kilometers (15 h 26 min)
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