Uppsala

Urban Riverfront

Population: 177k

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: January–February

Famous For: Uppsala University (founded 1477, One of Northern Europe's oldest), Uppsala Cathedral (Scandinavia's largest), Gamla Uppsala archaeological site with Viking burial mounds, Linnaeus Garden and Museum, Student traditions and Carolus Rex statue, Fyris River setting

Train Access: Yes (Swedish Railways (SJ) - Uppsala Central Station with connections to Stockholm and other cities)

Bus Access: Yes (UL (Uppsala Lokaltrafik) - local bus network serving Uppsala and surrounding areas)

Uppsala's cathedral, the Domkyrkan, rises 118.7 meters—taller than any other church in Scandinavia—and dominates the skyline with an almost aggressive Gothic presence. The city spreads across both banks of the Fyris River, with the old university quarter climbing steep cobbled streets toward the cathedral, while the modern commercial center sprawls south along Stora Torget. Walk Fyristorg along the riverbank to watch students pole-punt past willows, then cut through the narrow lanes of Gamla Uppsala (the ancient settlement three kilometers north) where three massive Viking burial mounds sit in a field, their earthen slopes worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims. The Gustavianum museum, housed in a 17th-century building with an octagonal cupola, contains the Augsburg Art Cabinet and an anatomical theater where dissections once drew crowds. Uppsala University, founded in 1477, still occupies the heart of the city—its libraries and lecture halls interspersed with student housing and cafés that pulse with intellectual argument.

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Planning Your Trip to Uppsala

Weather: Uppsala experiences a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and mild summers; daylight varies dramatically between seasons, with nearly 24-hour daylight in summer and very short days in winter.

Festivals: Uppsala International Film Festival (September), Uppsalafestivalen (August), Lucia celebrations (December 13)

Best Things for Kids to Do: Fyris River boat tours depart from Fyristorg and drift past the cathedral and burial mounds, offering a low-key way to see the city's geography. The Upplandsmuseum on Tuna Väg showcases regional history with interactive exhibits on Viking life and medieval Uppsala. Gamla Uppsala's three burial mounds invite climbing and exploring, with a small museum and reconstructed Viking settlement nearby. The Botanical Garden (Botaniska Trädgården) on Villavägen features themed sections and open lawns where children can run freely.

Hidden Gem: Linné's Garden (Linnéträdgården), the 18th-century botanical garden of Carl Linnaeus on Svartbäcksgatan, remains largely overlooked by tourists despite its rare plant collections and the original cottage where the naturalist lived—the garden's quiet paths and period-accurate plantings offer a meditative counterpoint to the cathedral crowds.

Accessibility: The Domkyrkan has wheelchair access via a side entrance on the north side, though the interior's narrow aisles present challenges. Uppsala's central streets, particularly around Stora Torget and Fyristorg, are largely flat and paved, but the old university quarter's steep cobbled lanes are difficult for mobility devices. Public buses operated by UL (Uppsala Lokaltrafik) feature low-floor access and audio announcements. The Gustavianum and Upplandsmuseum both have elevator access to main galleries.

For the Runner: The Fyris River path runs approximately 8 kilometers from Gamla Uppsala south through the city center to Sunnersta, offering flat terrain and frequent water access. Stadsskogen (City Forest) on the city's western edge contains several looped trails ranging from 3 to 7 kilometers through beech and oak woodland. Gränby Park, northeast of the center, provides a 4-kilometer circuit around open fields and small lakes.

Restaurants in Uppsala

Uppsala's dining scene centers on Swedish cuisine with increasing international options, particularly in the city center near the cathedral and university areas. Restaurants range from casual cafés serving traditional fika and smörgåsbord to contemporary Nordic establishments, with several venues emphasizing local and seasonal ingredients. The student population supports a diverse mix of price points, though fine dining options remain limited compared to Stockholm.

Where to Stay

Uppsala's hotel stock ranges from budget chains clustered near the central station to mid-range business hotels along Dragarbrunnsgatan and upscale options in the university quarter. Most accommodations sit within walking distance of the cathedral and Gamla Uppsala, though prices spike during academic term and summer tourism.

Best Hotels: Hotel Gillet, a converted 19th-century brewery in the heart of the old town, retains exposed brick and timber beams while offering modern rooms with r

Dog-Friendly Hotels: Hotel Gillet welcomes dogs in ground-floor rooms and provides water bowls and treats at check-in. Scandic Uppsala Nord allows dogs in designated rooms and sits near Fyrisplan park, ideal for morning walks.

Uppsala

Planning Your Trip to Uppsala

Restaurants in Uppsala

Where to Stay

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