Nyköpingshus

About the museum

Nyköpingshus is an old castle in central Nyköping, between Stora torget and the harbour, with roots in the Middle Ages. The site is associated with the Nyköping banquet (Nyköpings gästabud) in the 14th century and with Duke Karl, whose castle, people and power are depicted for a community of more than 400 years ago. The castle was damaged by fire, and in the 19th century it was used as a prison and reformatory.

Kungstornet, the white tower at Nyköpingshus, opened as a castle museum in 1931 and is today run by Sörmlands museum. The tower has four floors with stairs between them and no lift. On floor 2 the exhibition Fångar och korrektionshjon (Prisoners and Reformatory Inmates) shows Nyköpingshus in the 19th century; on floor 3, Schack och makt (Chess and Power) is about the people, life and death in the 14th century; and on floor 4, Fursten (The Prince) is about Duke Karl, his castle, his people and his power.

The Kungstornet also has a museum shop and a reception. Visitors can join guided tours for children and adults, and for families there is a rat hunt, in which children look for rats and mice that have run down from the attic.

Highlights

• The exhibition Fursten about Duke Karl and his castle
• Schack och makt about life in the 14th century and the Nyköping banquet
• Fångar och korrektionshjon – Nyköpingshus in the 19th century
• Guided tours for children and adults
• A rat hunt for children in the tower

Permanent exhibitions

• Fursten – Exhibition on floor 4 about Duke Karl, his castle, his people and his power more than 400 years ago.
• Schack och makt – Exhibition on floor 3 about the people, life and death in the 14th century and the Nyköping banquet.
• Fångar och korrektionshjon – Nyköpingshus på 1800-talet – Exhibition on floor 2 about unruly children, vagrant men and disobedient women at the castle when it was a prison.

Founded

1931

Operated by

Sörmlands museum (Region Sörmland)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on 30 October 2026 (autumn holiday), 28 and 29 November 2026 (Christmas market) and 31 December 2026 (New Year's Walk).

Admission is valid for one day in both Kungstornet and the museum building. Guided tours are free but require an entrance ticket. Card payment only.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A gravel path leads to the entrance, but there is a flight of steps up to the door, which has no door opener. Kungstornet has four floors with stairs between them and no lift, and the lighting is subdued. A hearing loop, loudspeakers and a microphone system are available. The exhibitions have subtitles in Swedish and English. There is no rest room, but there are seats.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Children and young people up to and including 18 have free admission. Rat hunt: children search for rats and mice in the tower and leave the answer at reception. Visits for children. The stairs make a visit difficult with a pram.

Getting there & parking

Kungstornet is centrally located between Stora torget and the harbour, opposite Sörmlands museum. Visiting address: Nyköpingshus, Vallgatan.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Museum shop at the reception on floor 2 (card payment), where the unique Hertig Karl glasses and postcards are sold. Small toilets with a changing table in the tower; a large toilet at Tovastugan, about 200 metres away. A restaurant and café are at Sörmlands museum, Tolagsgatan 8.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit