Nykoping is located next to Skavsta airport or as it’s better known on Ryanairs website, Stockholm, I am sure most people are well aware that Ryanairs destination airports bar a few exceptions tend to be miles away from the advertised destination which can lead to a long journey for quite a short flight time.
On this trip I flew from London to Stockholm which is a mere two hour flight, in reality it takes an hour and twenty minutes to get to London Stanstead from London city center then a further 80 minutes to travel from Skavsta to Stockholm. If you are in no rush I highly recommend spending an evening in Nykoping and getting the glimpse of simple Swedish life that Stockholm doesn’t offer.
It’s a pretty little town especially in the summer when it is full of the colour and vibrancy you expect from Sweden. It has a low key relaxing vibe about it, Unlike uber stylish Stockholm where even the street corner beggar is more fashionable than the average Brit Nykoping is very laid back and the local’s seem to rebel against the pretence of Stockholm by wearing denim blue jeans, having shinny slick hair cuts and driving around the town in their pimped up 50’s style American cars without even the hint of menace of your average boy racers. It’s all very quaint really.
What I really like about Nykoping is the picturesque river that flows through the city and how the city has been built around it. A walk or cycle along the river is highly recommended especially when it ends with a ice cream at the harbor. The harbour is an excellent area in the summer to grab a bite to eat. If you want to start your walk at the harbor I highly recommend walking until you to the Forsen restaurant which maybe the finest restaurant I have been to in Sweden. It can be quite pricey but as I’ve learnt about Sweden, if you want to enjoy yourself (a) don’t look at the bill (b) if you do look at the bill do not try and convert it into your own countries currency. It will only upset you or my personnel recommendation ( c ) get a local to pay.
The main tourist attraction is Nykopinghus. A famous historical castle which was Sweden’s first parliament has important historical significance in Sweden because in 1317 The then king of Sweden survived a coup from his two brothers hoping to other overthrow the King. A year later having returning from exile in Denmark The King pretended to forgive his brothers and invited his brothers to a large party. While they were sleeping he had them arrested and put the house jail and legend says he threw away the key which was found by two boy’s fishing in the 1950’s, The jail still exist’s and every year a local theatre group perform a play called Nykoping Ball and reenact the famous nights events. The admission to the castle is free and is well worth a visit.
Another real advantage to spending an evening here also the option to take the train onwards to Stockholm. They Ryanair shuttle from Skavsta to Stockholn is not only lengthy but tend to be over crowded and takes a fairly ugly route past drab looking suburbs and the depressing looking Scandia factory outside Sodertalje not to mention the horrific site of an oversized Ikea. Swedish trains are excellent compared to their UK counter parts and the journey is extremely pleasant especially as you enter Stockholm.
One last tip on visiting Nykoping. Get the local bus from the airport, cabs are like everything else here very expensive and do not buy your ticket from inside the airport. That could lead to a very unfortunate situation of you having a ticket and ending up in the similar sounding but not so near Norkopping which I can tell you is highly embarrassing,
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