Things to see and do in Lilla Essingen
Lilla Essingen is a small residential island west of Kungsholmen, connected to the mainland by bridges on either side.
The island is worth a visit primarily on foot. A waterfront path follows much of the shoreline, offering open views across Mälaren toward Kungsholmen, Södermalm, and the western suburbs. The combination of older villa-style houses, mature trees, and waterside calm gives Lilla Essingen a character that feels removed from the city despite being well within it.
What makes the walk slightly surreal is the Essingeleden motorway viaduct running directly overhead at the island’s eastern end — one of Stockholm’s main traffic arteries carrying a constant stream of cars above an otherwise quiet neighbourhood. It’s an odd contrast, but not an unpleasant one.
There are no museums, attractions, or notable dining options on the island. The appeal is straightforwardly the walk, the water, and the quiet. On a clear day the light on Mälaren is genuinely good, and the western side of the island in particular feels unhurried in a way that central Stockholm rarely does.
Lilla Essingen works best as an extension of a longer walk — combined with Stora Essingen, it forms a natural half-day island route through Stockholm’s quieter western waterways.
Getting to Lilla Essingen
From T-Centralen, take the green metro line to Thorildsplan (six stops, 10 minutes), then walk southwest along Primusgatan for around 15 minutes to reach the bridge onto the island. The island can also be reached on foot from Hornstull via Reimersholme.
