Märsta

Märsta is with its 27,000 inhabitants the largest city in Sigtuna Municipality in Stockholm County in Sweden. It is located between the capital Stockholm, some 35 km to the south, and Sweden's fourth largest city Uppsala, some 30 km to the north, and some 4 km from Stockholm-Arlanda Airport.

Understand
Märsta has historically been an important postal stop on the route between Stockholm and Uppsala. As a railway opened between these cities in 1866 and Märsta became one of the railway stops. In 1960 Stockholm-Arlanda Airport opened only a few kilometres from Märsta, and the city grew from some 2,900 inhabitants in 1960 to 16,400 in 1970. When the city was constructed it was intended to cover four hills; Valsta, Pinbacken, Brista and Norrbacka. However, as Arlanda expanded it was deemed that Pinbacken and Brista were too close to the airport, wherefore only Valsta and Norrbacka where settled. As a consequence of this the economic and cultural centre of Märsta is actually located in the geographical outskirts of the city.

Rosersberg is a small settlement between Märsta and Stockholm's northern suburbs, notable for the two palaces Rosersberg and Skånelaholm, and the beautiful lake Frysingen.

By plane
is by far the largest airport in Sweden, and is 4 km north east of Märsta. The terminals are numbered 2, 3, 4 and 5. The airport is clean, safe and well-functioning. Seating is scarce, especially landside. Shopping and dining are concentrated to the landside transit mall Sky City. Dining and drinking at the airport is a bit overpriced; be prepared to pay around 100 kr for a simple meal, and 75 kr for a glass of beer. There are several means of transport between Arlanda and Stockholm: airport coach, express train, commuter train and regional train.

By public transit
is a stop on the railway between Stockholm and Uppsala. The rail road is operated by two operators; the Stockholm County Commuter train (SL) and the national operator SJ. SL tickets are cheaper compared to SJ tickets, but SL trains are also slower as their trains stops more frequently.

By car
The highway E4 carry traffic between Stockholm and Uppsala and pass Märsta some 3 km east of the city.

Get around
Märsta is really small and walkable. Unless you intend to leave the city for the surrounding countryside you will not need any vehicle.

Do

 * Several beaches for open-water swimming. Hiking, cycling, fishing and bathing during summer. Ice-skating and cross-country skiing during winter.

Go next

 * Sigtuna - Was once the capital of Sweden. The contemporary town was built as a nationalist project in the 1910s.
 * Stockholm - The current capital of Sweden. By far the largest and most influential city in the area.
 * Stockholm Arlanda Airport - The largest airport in Sweden. Has a large shopping and recreational area called "Sky City" outside of the transit zone.
 * Uppsala - The fourth city in Sweden by population. Once a centre of Viking activity, it is today a religious and academic centre.