14 castle stays near Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö

Sweden’s castle hotels and manor house properties are often situated in idyllic locations, close to lakesides, woodlands or golf courses, offering a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Many castle hotels in Sweden are surprisingly affordable, with packages that include a range of activities, be it gourmet and golf packages or murder mystery weekends and afternoon tea. From country escapes to coastal havens, these are just some of the manor house and castle hotels near Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.

Stockholm castle hotels – a stone’s throw from the capital

In Stockholm, the country house and castle stay of your dreams is never too far, making it easy to combine a city break with a weekend in a castle. Hotel and events proprietor Stockholm Meeting Selection manages a number of historic properties in the Stockholm area, all ideal for weekend getaways or a romantic break in a castle.

Take Ulfsunda Castle, only 15 minutes from the city and one of the oldest stately homes in Sweden. Dating back to the mid 1600s, Sweden’s Queen Christina is said to have stayed here and yes, you can book her room and sleep like a prince or princess. Whichever suite you choose, Ulfsunda is the ideal weekend getaway, with a number of spa, champagne and romantic weekend packages on offer. And with Lake Mälaren and Judarskogens Nature Reserve just a pebble’s throw away, you’ll have plenty of outdoor activities to choose from too.

For another country estate steeped in history, travel half an hour outside Stockholm to Hesselby Castle. Often referred to as “Sweden’s music castle”, Hesselby has been a draw for music lovers ever since Sweden’s iconic singer-songwriter Bellman performed there in 1650. Today, the grand manor house continues to host live music performances and even boasts two recording studios guests can book. All the individually decorated rooms have musical themes, many named after contemporary Swedish music artists.

Want to combine your castle getaway with a culinary deep dive into the Swedish kitchen? Head to Åkeshof Castle, a Swedish manor in the rococo style, set within the green ‘garden city’ of Bromma, 15 minutes outside Stockholm. At the hotel’s ‘Råkoko’ restaurant, some of Sweden’s most award-winning chefs offer plant-based fine dining, with meat and fish options at dinnertime. Åkeshof Castle boasts an excellent wine cellar too – keep an eye out for their popular wine and chocolate tastings.

Design and architecture lovers will fall for Lejondal Castle, beautifully situated by Lake Lejondal in Bro, 45 minutes’ drive from Stockholm. With its fairytale spires and magnificent red edifice, Lejondal Castle is a prime example of Sweden’s 19th century ‘National Romantic’ style, designed by the same architect behind Stockholm’s opulent Hallwyl Museum. A unique property, Lejondal Castle is ideal for a romantic weekend in a castle.

Looking for a boutique hotel stay? Head to Näsby Castle in Täby, just 15 minutes away from Stockholm. Fondly referred to as the “party castle”, the elegant manor house has hosted the great and good throughout the years. Famous Swedish artists including Anders Zorn have visited and left their painterly brush – look out for Zorn’s ceiling painting in the main salon. Today, Näsby Castle is a favourite wedding destination and offers a wealth of hotel packages including ‘yoga and spa’, ‘champagne tasting’ and ‘romantic weekends’. There’s an excellent restaurant, Lilla Slottskrogen, serving up modern Swedish fare in a plush, elegant decor.

For a murder mystery weekend in an opulent setting, head to Häringe Castle, just 25 minutes from Stockholm. Häringe’s historical lineage goes back a thousand years and was once owned by King Gustaf II Adolf during the 17th century. Since then, the opulent estate has changed many high-profile hands, including Sweden’s 1930s “matchstick millionaire” Ivar Kreuger – who renovated the mansion and built Sweden’s first outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool. You’ll definitely feel like a million bucks in Häringe’s glamorous mansion and manicured grounds.

From Art Nouveau to English Tudor, Gothenburg’s castle hotels stand out

Sweden’s west coast or “best coast”, as locals like to call it, boasts its fair share of castle hotels too, with many properties close to the region’s capital Gothenburg. Take Aspenäs Manor and Hällsnäs Manor, both just 20 minutes’ drive from the city. Nestled on the shores of Lake Aspen, Aspenäs Manor’s beginnings date back to the 1500s, though the current estate was built in 1823. Choose from a wealth of packages on offer, including spa weekends, Swedish gin tastings and – for the bold – immersive murder mystery experiences.

If you’re a foodie looking for peace and quiet, you’ll want to consider Hällsnäs Manor, built in 1906. Beautifully situated by Lake Landvetter, Hällsnäs offers a soothing sanctuary with lakeside yoga mornings and relaxing activities such as whisky tastings and ice bathing in winter. The gourmet package includes an 18-course New Nordic tasting menu at the castle’s Michelin-starred Signum restaurant, situated by the lake.

Looking for a bygone-times castle stay with a Downton Abbey vibe? Then put the Tudor-style Tjolöholm Castle – often described as “the English castle” – on your itinerary. Located on a peninsula in the Kungsbacka Fjord, about 40 kilometres from Gothenburg, Tjolöholm is one of the country’s most spectacular properties. A leading example of the Arts and Crafts design movement in Sweden, Tjolöholm’s sprawling estate dates back to the 13th century and includes a “worker’s village” where you can stay in one of the meticulously decorated and refurbished cottages.

Another spectacular castle hotel is Bjertorp Castle, a sumptuous Art Nouveau manor in Vara, northeast of Gothenburg. Bjertorp’s beautifully maintained interiors include wood panelling, Swedish marble and many of the original fittings, including a stuffed brown bear at the entrance. Gourmet weekends are on the menu here – Bjertorp boasts a White Guide-listed restaurant – as well a wide selection of packages that include cycling, golf and more. And if you so wish, you can even rent the whole castle for yourself and your party.

Tofta Manor has all the hallmarks of a heritage-listed, 18th century Swedish manor house, complete with exquisite Gustavian interiors and tiled Swedish stoves. Just 35 minutes from Gothenburg, Tofta is a world away. Ideally situated by the sea between Marstrand and Kungälv, Tofta offers a wealth of packages, from Icelandic horse riding to hiking and ‘golf and gourmet’ packages.

Another historic country estate is 17th century manor Nääs Castle, situated along the famous Gotaleden Trail (‘Gotaleden’) that goes between Gothenburg and Alingsås. Nääs Castle has strong links with 20th century Swedish writer and Nobel Literature Prize laureate Selma Lagerlöf, who spent her summers there. Accommodation has a pretty, cottage-core vibe, although you need to be prepared to share facilities with other guests for many of the rooms. With such close proximity to the Gotaleden Trail, hiking and walking packages are popular – get out on foot and explore one of the many trails nearby.

Castle hotels in Malmö – laid-back charm and gourmet dining

Only an hour’s drive  away from Malmö – Sweden’s third-largest city – and you’re in the region of Österlen, famed for its beautiful nature and a relaxed but stylish vibe.

Kåseholm Castle, situated in rolling fields north of Ystad, epitomizes this approach: Dating back to the 17th century and decorated with an eclectic mix of modern art, vintage and antiques, Kåseholm offers a sophisticated – with a no-children-under-13 policy – country escape. Immersive New Nordic dining experiences are on the menu here, courtesy of an exclusive collaboration with two-Michelin-starred chef Daniel Berlin.

Also in Österlen is Kronovall Castle, the “wine castle” of southeast Skåne. As its moniker suggests, wine, together with good food and good times takes centre stage at Kronovall Castle, so it’s no surprise that one of the most popular packages is the ‘Barolo weekend’. An idyllic setting for weddings, conferences and country weekends, Kronovall Castle dates back to 1760 but was rebuilt in the French Baroque style in the 19th century. Much of the castle remains as it was in days gone by, so many of the rooms don’t have adjacent bathrooms, although you can book other rooms elsewhere on the estate that do.