Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [199]
At the train station by the lake, the tourist office (811 20; Stationshuset; 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, 10.30am-4pm Sun Jun & Aug; 9am-7pm Mon-Sat, 10.30am-4pm Sun Jul; 9am-noon & 1-4pm Mon-Fri Sep-May) books various guided tours (from June to August), including a town walk (adult/7-14yr Skr60/30) available in English. Alternatively, buy a brochure (Skr10) for self-guided walks.
Sights & Activities
Trips on the museum railway (return/one way Skr90/60; mid-Jun–mid-Aug) take you 10km southeast to Järle or 2.5km southwest to the excellent old mining village at Pershyttan, where there’s a guided tour at 3pm daily from July to August, and 3pm Saturday and Sunday from May to June and September). The train operates to a complex timetable that also includes regular weekend trips from Midsummer to mid-August.
The manor house, Göthlinska Gården, just off the main square, was built in 1739 and is now a museum featuring furniture, decor and accoutrements from the 17th century onward; join a summer-only guided tour (adult/child Skr60/free; 1pm Jul-Aug).
Though it’s technically a youngsters’ activity, you don’t need to be a child to appreciate the goofball storyteller who entertains groups on boat trips to Alntorps island (070-216 65 24; adult/child return Skr15/5; 10am-6pm Jul & Aug, 10am-6pm Sat & Sun mid-May–Jun & early Sep). Boats depart roughly every half hour from the little jetty near the STF hostel. A walk around the island takes about an hour, and there are swimming spots and a cafe.
Sleeping & Eating
STF Nora Tåghem (146 76; info@norataghem.se; dm Skr120; May–mid-Sep) Outdoing its home town in the cuteness department, this hostel lets you sleep in the tiny but adorable antique bunks of 1930s railway carriages. All compartments have great views over the lake, and there’s a cafe that does breakfast, and sandwiches and snacks in summer.
Trängbo Camping (123 61; www.trangbocamping.se; sites Skr135, cabins from Skr300; May-Sep) This small camp site is by the lake 1.5km north of Nora (there’s a lakeshore path for walkers starting from the train station/tourist office). Amenities are fine if basic, but there’s a swimming place and the beach volleyball is popular. Guests can hire boats and canoes (Skr30/175 per hour/day).
Lilla Hotellet (154 00; www.lillahotelletnora.com, in Swedish; Rådstugugatan 14; s/d from Skr500/800) The charming ‘Little Hotel’ has a warm and homely feel, with large rooms (some with shared facilities) decorated in 1940s style. There’s a good level of service, and the place exudes heart and soul.
Nora Stadshotell (31 14 35; www.norastadshotell.se; Rådstugugatan 21; s/d Skr850/1150, discounted to Skr690/990) You can’t miss this elegant building, planted smack on the main square, although the white-furnitured rooms don’t quite live up to the exterior’s promise. However, there are good-value lunch deals (Skr85) at the restaurant, which can be eaten on the airy summer terrace, along with à la carte evening mains from Skr150 and a pub menu of meals around Skr70.
Nora Glass (123 32; Storgatan 11; ice creams Skr20-65; 10.30am-6.30pm May-Aug) Nora is renowned for its incredible ice cream, made here for more than 80 years. You never know what flavours will be available – as three or four different ones are churned out freshly each day – but you do know that they’re worth queuing for.
Strandstugan (137 22; Storgatan 1; snacks Skr40-50; summer only) Down by the lake is this delightful red wooden house, set in a flower-filled garden, where you can get coffee, sandwiches, cakes and other home-baked goodies.
Self-caterers will find supermarkets on Prästgatan and near Nora Glass at the end of Storgatan.
Getting There & Around
Länstrafiken Örebro buses run every hour or two to Örebro (Skr52, 40 minutes) and other regional destinations.
Ask at the tourist office about bike rental.
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NÄRKE
ÖREBRO
019 / pop 126,990
A substantial, culturally rich city, Örebro buzzes around its central feature, the huge and romantic castle surrounded by a moat filled with water lilies. The city originally