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Have you heard of Uppsala? Maybe yes, you’re planning a trip there… hence why you clicked on this post! Or, maybe you were on my site and this post piqued your curiosity and caught your eye. I didn’t know anything about Uppsala before visiting myself in May 2024, and I’m so excited to tell you more about this incredible city in this travel guide covering if Uppsala is worth visiting, along with the best places to visit in Uppsala, Sweden.
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Don’t have time to read the full guide? This full-day Viking History Tour from Stockholm is the best way to tour Sigtuna and Uppsala. You’ll get to visit two cities in just one day, and see all of the below sights PLUS more, like the Viking Burial Ground + Museum located just outside of Uppsala.
Where Is Uppsala?
Uppsala is located in the Scandinavian country of Sweden, right outside of the capital city, Stockholm! It’s located 71 km (44 miles) north of the capital Stockholm, to be exact. Both cities are located in southeast Sweden along the Baltic Sea, where most Swedes reside. The northern half of the country lies within the Arctic Circle.
Aside from being a vibrant university town, many Swedes choose to live in Uppsala and commute to Stockholm. The city is smaller in size, yet has plenty to offer. Plus, the Swedish public transportation / train system is so efficient… it takes only 35 minutes by train to reach Stockholm!
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What Is Uppsala Known For?
Uppsala is Sweden’s fourth-largest city, behind Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo. It’s mainly a university town, given that about 20% of its residents are students. The city is sometimes referred to as the “Cambridge of Sweden”. The city has a youthful, international feel — mainly thanks to the students who come from across Sweden and the world to live in Uppsala.
Uppsala has a unique blend of history and innovation. In terms of history, it has beautiful architecture, a castle, ancient burial grounds that date back to the Vikings, and more. But, the city is also a hub for sustainability and life sciences.
Speaking of sustainability — the number one way to travel around Uppsala is on bike. Cycling is the favorite mode of transportation among Uppsala’s sustainable residents, and you will find bike baths across the city. If you’re visiting as a tourist and don’t have access to a bike, plan on walking! The city is extremely pedestrian-friendly.
Is Uppsala Worth Visiting?
Wondering if Uppsala is worth visiting? I would say YES! If you’re only in Stockholm for 2-3 days, I understand why you would stay in the capital city. Most tourists wouldn’t leave Stockholm to visit Uppsala when there is SO much to see! The capital city is spread across 14+ islands and is jam-packed with history and charm. It’s actually one of my favorite cities in the world, and I’m so glad I was able to revisit recently myself (for the ERAS TOUR!!! PINCH ME!) and check some new sights off my list, such as the ABBA Museum. However, if you have an extended stay in Stockholm, say like 4-5+ days, I would say Uppsala is worth visiting! Since the train is so easy to navigate and the city is so small, you could easily visit Uppsala for an afternoon!
Pro-tip: If you’re looking to travel to Stockholm on a budget, or are having a hard time finding a hotel (we did during the Eras Tour), consider staying in Uppsala! That is why I visited the city this May. We actually couldn’t find a hotel in Stockholm, and since Uppsala was only 35 minutes away on the train, we stayed there! It was so easy to explore both cities in one trip!
Where To Stay In Uppsala
I would highly recommend the hotel that we stayed at during our visit to Uppsala — Clarion Hotel Gillet! This sophisticated hotel is located in the heart of Uppsala, just a 10 minute walk from the Uppsala Central Train Station. Uppsala Cathedral is 984 feet away, and Stora Torget Square is only 820 feet from the hotel.
All the rooms at Hotel Gillet have a flat-screen Smart TV, work desk, and private bathroom with a. shower / tub combo. There’s an on-site restaurant in the lobby of the hotel called The Social, that offers international bistro classics and a bar. Plus, the hotel offers a delicious complimentary breakfast each morning! The hotel also has the Selma City Spa on-site, which has several hot tubs, a sauna, and offers various body treatments.
I couldn’t recommend Hotel Gillet more!
Historic Background On Uppsala
As mentioned above, Uppsala is a vibrant university town… and always has been! Founded in 1477, Uppsala University is the oldest center of higher education in Scandinavia, aka the Nordic region’s first university! The university has some well-known alumni, including Carl Linneaus, the father of taxonomy. Linneaus is one of the world’s most notable botanists and scientists. No trip to Uppsala is complete without learning about this famed former resident!
Pro-tip: There is a museum and gardens dedicated to Linneaus, which are some of the most beautiful sights to see in Uppsala! The garden is open from the beginning of May through September, but the museum is open year-round for those who pre-book a tour.
Address: Svartbäcksgatan 27, 75145, Uppsala
Uppsala has also been the religious center of Sweden since the early 1100s. It’s home to the seat of the Archbishop of the Church of Sweden, and also home to Scandinavia’s largest cathedral. More on this below, but just know — this was often where the coronation of the Swedish monarchs took place until the late 19th century!
Uppsala has years of Viking history under its belt too. According to legend, every 9 years during the Viking era, people from all around Northern Europe would flock to Uppsala’s temple to sacrifice to the Norse gods.
How To Get To Uppsala From Stockholm
Here are a few options for traveling from Stockholm to Uppsala:
By Plane
I arrived in Uppsala right from the airport, which actually sits RIGHT between Uppsala and Stockholm. Stockholm Arlanda Airport is the main international airport in Stockholm, Sweden. It is located near the town of Märsta, 37 km north of Stockholm and nearly 40 km southeast of Uppsala. There are trains at the airport that can bring you to Uppsala in as little as 20 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi ride is about 35-40 minutes!
By Train
Trains run frequently between Uppsala and other cities. It can be reached from Stockholm in under 40 minutes and from Gothenburg in around 4.5 hours. The main train station is the Uppsala Central Station. Most often, you’ll want to travel to the Stockholm Central Station. Many lines run this route! You can purchase a ticket right on the platform / in the lobby of the train station.
By Bus / Car
Buses connect Uppsala with both Stockholm city and Stockholm Arlanda Airport. The journey from the Arlanda Airport takes around 30 minutes. Stockholm is just over 70 kilometres away from Stockholm, a drive of just over one hour. If you have your own rental car, this is a great option. However, I wouldn’t recommend taking a taxi between the cities due to the expensive cost — definitely consider a bus or the train!
By Tour
The EASIEST way to visit Uppsala from Stockholm is on a group tour! This full-day Viking History Tour will bring you from central Stockholm to Uppsala and Sigtuna for the day, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience the Viking age and explore 1000-year-old ruins on this guided day trip from Stockholm. Learn about ancient Viking history, and tour the Viking burial ground outside of Uppsala. The benefit of this tour is you’ll see all the sights mentioned on this list, PLUS more in just one day!
Places To Visit In Uppsala
Uppsala is a fairly small city. I just toured here for about a day total. I saw these sights on my own, but wish I did a walking tour! This City Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour is highly rated and will bring you to all of the sights mentioned below! Here are the highlights for your visit to Uppsala, Sweden:
Uppsala Cathedral
As mentioned above, Uppsala is an important religious hub for Swedes, as it’s the seat of the Archbishop. It’s also home to Scandinavia’s largest cathedral — Uppsala Cathedral. This cathedral opened in the early 1400s, and as the national Church of Sweden, its in the Lutheran tradition. Inside of the cathedral, you can also find a cafe, shop, and The Treasury — a museum home to Europe’s largest collection of medieval church fabrics.
I’ve been inside a lot of churches around Europe (and I mean A LOT!), and I have to say, this one may be the most beautiful. It’s completely free to visit, and since it’s the tallest church in the Nordic countries, the interior is jaw-dropping beautiful! I would set aside a solid 30-45 minutes to walk through the cathedral… and don’t forget to look up! Uppsala is worth visiting for this cathedral alone!
The cathedral is open daily from 8 am – 6 pm. The main service takes place on Sundays at 11 am.
Address: Domkyrkoplan, 753 10 Uppsala
Uppsala Castle
The Uppsala Castle was originally built in 1549 by King Gustav Vasa. It served as one of the royal residences of the Swedish monarchs, making Uppsala a secondary capital of Sweden. The castle has been expanded several times over the years. In 1702, there was a tragic fire here that burnt most of the original castle to the ground.
Today, the Castle is home to two impressive museums — the Uppsala Art Museum and Vasaborgen. In the art museum, you can enjoy Swedish and international visual art across three floors. Exhibitions have been on display here since 1995, and represent various eras and themes that “reflect developments both of our age and in the history of art locally, nationally and internationally”.
Vasaborgen is a museum with 16th century ruins from the original Uppsala Castle. During June, July and August, Vasaborgen is open almost every day from 11:00 am to 4 pm. It costs 120 SEK (~$12 USD) per adult to visit.
The castle also sits up on a hill overlooking the valley and city below, so it’s a great spot for photos and to enjoy the panoramic landscapes! Plus, the hike up from the city center will be a nice little workout to help you burn off some FIKA!
Address: Slottet, 752 37 Uppsala
Güntherska Cafe
Speaking of FIKA! Which btw, is a totally adorbs Swedish tradition that means “coffee break”. It’s a way for friends, colleagues, and family members to recharge + reconnect in the afternoons, and usually entails sitting down for a cup of coffee, sweet treat, or light meal.
Whether you want to take part in the Swedish FIKA tradition, or just want to eat lunch, head over to Güntherska Cafe! This cafe offers coffee, pastries, ice cream, and the most delicious pizzas, sandwiches, and salads. I had a very traditional prawn salad here for lunch one day and loved it!
The best part? This cafe is located right on the river that flows through the city of Uppsala. If you’re visiting during one of the warmer months, definitely sit outside and people watch! When asking yourself if Uppsala is worth visiting, I honestly think it is for this cafe alone!
Address: Östra Ågatan 31, 753 22 Uppsala
Uppsala University
As a visitor, you can also walk through the historic Uppsala University campus. The Roman-Renaissance style buildings were constructed in the late 1800s. Aside from admiring the architecture from the outside, tourists can also tour the grand auditorium and festival hall, along with see the Museum of Evolution.
The University Library is the largest in Sweden and houses over 5 MILLION volumes!
Address: Biskopsgatan 375105, Uppsala
City Garden (Stadsträdgården)
Uppsala has a few famous and stunning parks, including the Linnaeus gardens and the botanical garden near the castle. The City Garden, or Stadsträdgården, is another must-see urban natural escape. Located just 10 minutes from the central train station, this park offers entertainment for all ages. This place is another great one to people watch, as you’ll often see Swedes enjoying a picnic on a nice day!
Pro-tip: This top-rated City Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour will bring you to several parks, including the botanical gardens!
Address: 753 09 Uppsala, Sweden
That’s all for my Uppsala recommendations! I hope this guide inspires you to plan a visit of your own from Stockholm, and answered any questions you had about where to stay, places to visit in Uppsala, and of course — if Uppsala is worth visiting. As a reminder, the answer to this last one was… YES!
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