Oxelösund is a town in Södermanland, at Sweden's coast to the Baltic Sea. Here there is, among other things, a church that looks like a lighthouse, a secret underground fort from the days of the Cold War, a sculpture park on the theme of faith and old archipelago settlements dating back to the 17th century. It is a rather young city, with 11,000 inhabitants, built around the port and the steel mill, in the vicinity of Nyköping.

Understand

Oxelösund has a fairly short history. While its natural harbor has been used for at least 500 years, the settlement was founded in 1900. When it became necessary to build a railroad to transport products from mining and smelting region of Bergslagen in central Sweden directly to the Baltic Sea, the choice fell on Oxelösund.

Industrial Group Traffic AB Grängesberg-Oxelösund (TGO; best known as Granges) formed in 1873 the railway company OFWJ (Oxelösund Flen-Västmanlands Railway), later TGOJ (Traffic Grängesberg-Oxelösunds railways). The company bought almost the entire Oxelösund Peninsula, which then belonged to the estates of the Stjärnholm Castle, to be able to build the facilities they needed. The existing of Oxelösund was at this time entirely insignificant - it had grown up thanks to the port, railway and steelworks which was added somewhat later (1913).

At the beginning of the 1950s Oxelösund was a typical Swedish town with wooden houses and lush gardens. As one of the last communities in Sweden Oxelösund became city in 1950. The local population then totalled 5200 people. The business community was strongly influenced by the industry, and the largest employer was the iron works with about 700 workers.

A milestone in the resort development became Granges Group's decision in 1955 to buy a majority share in Oxelösund Ironworks AB (SSAB Oxelösund today).

Old Oxelösund was removed to make space for the new steelworks but there are still a few houses left offering the glimpse of 1920s. A brand new center was built as was a highway from Nyköping into the city (Highway 53). In 1957 the characteristic St. Botvids Church was inaugurated. Overall, Oxelösund today is dominated by the 20th-century transformation of the port, ironworks and a homogeneous 1950s buildings.

In 1962 a coastal artillery battery was built on the Femöre peninsula to defend the important harbor.

Oxelösund's municipality, Oxelösunds kommun, has a remarkably small land area. Most of the surrounding countryside belongs to Nyköping.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport is Nyköping Skavsta Airport about 20 km from Oxelösund. From the airport there are buses to Oxelösund. Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, Sweden's main international airport, is 150 km north of Oxelösund.

By bus

Sörmlandstrafiken operates the route Nyköping-Oxelösund. It is possible to take line 515 from the airport to[Nyköping bus station and change on to 715 to Oxelösund.

You can pay the driver by credit card, but they don't take cash.

By train

There is no rail scheduled to Oxelösund. At larger events a special antique train is operated on the tack to Oxelösund. It is also possible to charter train through the Association of Sörmlands Veteran Railway (FSVJ - Föreningen Sörmlands Veteranjärnväg).

By car

15 km from the Nyköping on 2-lane Highway (Route 53) straight out to sea. E4 to Nyköping, Norrköping and Stockholm.

By boat

In the summertime it is possible to ride a passenger boat between Nyköping and Oxelösund. If you arrive with your own boat, there are two marinas in the vicinity of the central Oxelösund.

By bike

From Nyköping there are bike paths that take you through Stjärnholm to central Oxelösund and Jogersö.

See

• 1 Femörefortet (a Cold War fortress), ☏ +46 155 383 50, turism@oxelosund.se. Daily in summer season. Weekends during spring and autumn. Groups all year round upon arrangement. A top secret Cold War coastal artillery fortress built in 1966 and active until 1998. 1-hour guided tours take you to the tunnels in the granite massive and show you the life of soldiers underground. See Cold War Europe for other destinations on the same theme. (updated Nov 2015)
• 2 Old Oxelösund (Gamla Oxelösund). It lies between the ironworks and the harbour. Here there are many beautifully restored houses and a living archipelago environment with a lake tavern from the 17th century. Nearby you will find the archipelago museum, the Mästerlotsen conference room and a cultural trail that shows you the origin of Oxelösund. (updated Dec 2024)
• 3 Stjärnholm Castle. It dates back to the 17th century. The environment around the castle at havsvik with church, stables and sculpture park is made to be in. Today the castle is a hotel, conference and diocesan farm. (updated Dec 2024)
• 4 Femöre. It offers beautiful natural and interesting cultural environments. At the far end of Femörehuvud there is an old lighthouse from 1867 at the far end of the cliffs towards the Baltic Sea. The old four-guard residence is rented out for simple gatherings and overnight stays. At Femöre nature reserve There are beautiful hiking trails right next to the sea. (updated Dec 2024)
• 5 St. Botvid's church (Sankt Botvids kyrka). It looks like a lighthouse, is located on a cliff and is built entirely of concrete with a golden cross as a seal mark from the sea. (updated Dec 2024)

Do

Water sports

Kayaks can be rented at Jogersö beach.

• 1 Kajak och Fritid, Jogersövägen 15, ☏ +46 70-644 97 76. Apart from renting kayaks, the company offers courses and tours. The tours are combined with yoga. It is also possible to rent camping equipment. 400 kr/day/single kayak or 600 kr/day/double kayak, also bookable by hour or weekend or week. (updated Nov 2015)

Events

• Oxelö Market (Oxelö Marknad) - A Saturday in May. Music, historic train rides.

Sleep

In Oxelösund, there are places and choices to suit all budgets and tastes. Everything from a simple cabin to a castle.

Hotels

• 1 Stjärnholm Manor (Stiftsgården Stjärnholm) (Stjärnholm between Oxelösund and Nyköping), ☏ +46-155-22 27 00, info@stjarnholm.s. Stjärnholm Mano is owned and operated by the Diocese of Strängnäs in Swedish Church and is a combined hotel and conference center. (updated Nov 2015)
• 2 Hotel Ankaret, Gamla oxelösundsvägen 2, ☏ +46 155-330 20, info@hotellankaret.se. Hotel Ankaret is right in the centre and is a simple hotel in the Best Western chain. Close to the harbor, Boda Borg and Old Oxelösund. (updated Nov 2015)
• 3 Motel Polishuset. Polishuset (Police building) offers simple accommodation close to the centre, the sea and Boda Borg. Polishuset also has its own restaurant with elements of Indian cuisine. (updated Nov 2015)

Hostels, camping sites and cottages

• 4 Hostel Poppeln, Esplanaden 17, ☏ +46 155 300 48. Hostel Poppeln near the center with single, double and family rooms. Self-catering kitchen, large day room, gymnasium, porch and patio with barbecue facilities. Close to Boda Borg and center. (updated Nov 2015)
• 5 Jogersö Camping ground, ☏ +46 155 304 66. On the Baltic coast. It has Sörmland's largest seaside resort, jogging and triathlon course. Open all year round. (updated Nov 2015)
• 6 Femore Lighthouse Cottages, ☏ +46 155-383 50, turism@oxelosund.se. At the very edge of the Femöre cliff attached to the lighthouse is this unique accommodation with the ocean as its nearest neighbour. The cottages can be booked up to three days and bookings are on Oxelösunds Tourist Office. (updated Nov 2015)
• Vivesta Havsbad, ☏ +46 70-823 81 35. Cabin rental. (updated Nov 2015)

Mobile homes sites

• The fishing harbour, 12 sites, operated and managed by Femöre Marina, +46 70-213 40 66, email: kjell@femoregasthamn.com

Guest harbours

• Oxelösunds marina: about 200 sites, buoy, harbor depth of 1.2-2.8 m, boat refueling station, restaurant, free TuffStuff trains to the centre in summer, playground, wireless internet, boules courts, Boat and motor. +46 76-803 09 70.
• Fiskhamnens marina: 15-20 sites, buoy, harbour depth of 2.5-4.5 m, boatyards, fish restaurant Sailor, wireless internet, rack space for campers. +46 70-213 40 66.