Overview
Uppsala blends a university city's student culture with a small-town atmosphere. A Gothic cathedral, castle and rune stones add layers of history.
Culture · History · Architecture
Did you know?
- Valborg celebrations fall on April 30.
- The sightseeing list includes 38 rune stones.
- Founded in 1477, the university is the oldest in the Nordic countries.
Why go?
Uppsala is a university city north of Stockholm with a small-town atmosphere and rich student culture. It features a 15th-century Gothic cathedral, a 16th-century castle, and 11th-century rune stones. Founded in 1477, Uppsala University is the oldest in the Nordic countries.
Getting around
Uppsala city centre is compact and walkable, with a rectangular street grid. Maps are available at InfoPoints around town. The main walking street is the pedestrian Gågatan.
Getting in
Uppsala Central Station is a major stop on the SJ railway line from Stockholm Central Station; trains run every 30 minutes and take about 40 minutes, costing around 150 SEK one-way. Alternatively, FlixBus and regional buses connect from Stockholm Arlanda Airport (45 minutes) and Stockholm city terminals. The station is a 5-minute walk from the city center.
When to go
Summer (May to September) offers long daylight hours and pleasant weather, with up to 18 hours of sunlight. Winter has very short days. Major festivals include Valborg on April 30 and Kulturnatten in September.
Where to stay
Uppsala has several budget hostels: CityStay Hotell (dorms from 240 kr), Hotell Centralstation (dorms from 230 kr), and Uppsala City Hostel (dorms from 230 kr). Sunnersta Herrgård (dorm 290 kr) and Fyrishov camping (tent plot 150-165 kr) are also options.
Food and drink
Student nations offer cheap meals: lunch around 50 kr, dinner 70 kr. Budget eateries include Dylan's Grill (55-85 kr), Jalla Kebab (75-150 kr), Yukikos sushi (omakase 100 kr), and Golden China (lunch buffet 90 kr). Traditional cafés like Ofvandahls have coffee for 30 kr.
Things to do
Top sights: Uppsala Cathedral (free), Uppsala Castle (free grounds), Gustavianum museum, and 38 rune stones. Outdoor activities include Fyrishov water park (adult 115 kr), Lennakatten heritage railway (110-200 kr round trip), and many public bathing areas. Climbing the castle roof tour is 600 kr.
Safety
Uppsala is generally safe. Drunk brawls are a risk, especially near the Central Station on weekend nights. For emergencies call 112. In forests, beware of ticks that can carry TBE and lyme disease; vaccinate against TBE and check for ticks.
Connectivity
Uppsala has 4G from all Swedish carriers (3 Tre may be patchy); some areas have 5G. The city centre has free public WiFi network '.uppsalawifi'. Universities participate in Eduroam for students and staff.
Budget
A daily backpacker budget: dorm bed 230-240 kr, meal at nation 50-70 kr, budget restaurant 100-150 kr, coffee 25-30 kr, bus ticket ~30 kr. Many museums are free or cost 50-80 kr.
Day trips
Day trips include Stockholm (70 km south, 40 min by train), Sigtuna (medieval capital), Skokloster Castle (summer boat tour, 250 kr), and Lennakatten heritage railway. Nature reserves like Fiby Urskog and Stadsskogen are accessible by bus.
Go next
From Uppsala, you can head to Stockholm (70 km south), Gävle (coastal city), Norrtälje (Roslagen coast), or the Stockholm archipelago. Enköping is 40 km southwest.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Buy
Agatha Sax
A tailor specialising in high quality shoes. Also offers furnishings, accessories and clothing.
Buy
Akademibokhandeln
The largest and most well-stocked book-store in Uppsala, part of Sweden's largest bookstore chain. The chain has an additional store in the mall Gränbystaden.
Buy
Aktivt uteliv
A sports equipment store and rental place.
Do
Allt Ljus på Uppsala
During November Uppsala boasts neither much sunshine, nor much snowfall, making it one of the darkest periods of the year. To bright things up, Uppsala is illuminated by a number of light installations, turning the city centre into a beautiful outdoors art museum. The festival starts in early November and lasts some two weeks.
Buy
Bergmans Konfektion
Men's and women's clothing. Offer products by several but not only Swedish brands.
Do
Birdie
The oldest, and one of the largest, LAN-parties in Sweden is organised in Uppsala every year during the weekend of the Feast of the Ascension. Aside from the LAN itself the event also include a retro video game fair, "nerd quizzes", music concerts and the board game festival BirdieCon.
Price when recorded: Prices varies depending on the event. Seat reservation for one computer is 600 kr, while BirdieCon is free
Do
Boat-trip
Go on a boat-trip on the river Fyrisån that takes you to the lake Ekoln, a part of Mälaren. Continue to the castle Uppsala County#Q1891413
Buy
Boländerna
The biggest district for buying "not everyday stuff" (electronics, furniture, bikes) in Uppsala. This is where you find the second biggest IKEA in Sweden, MediaMarkt, Bauhaus, Elgiganten and so on. It can park nearly 8,000 vehicles, which makes this one of the biggest concrete jungles in Sweden.
Before you go
Connectivity
Free WiFi in city centre as '.uppsalawifi'. Also at libraries.
Culture
Student nations offer cheap beer (25-30 kr) and meals. Guest card 75 kr per week.
Health
Tick-borne diseases (TBE and Lyme) are present in forested areas; wear long sleeves and check for ticks. Vaccination recommended.
Local transport
UL buses cover the city and region. Download the UL app for tickets and schedules. Bikes can be rented from several shops.
Money
Currency is Swedish krona (SEK). Credit and debit cards widely accepted.
Safety
Emergency number 112. Police non-emergency 114 14.
Transport
Uppsala Central Station has frequent trains to Stockholm (40 min).
Water
Tap water is safe to drink.