Visit Uppsala
**Uppsala** is the heart of learning and faith for the whole country of Sweden. You find the **Uppsala Cathedral**, which is the tallest church in the Nordic region. The **Fyris River** flows through the center with paths for walking on both sides of the water. It is a place where history feels alive in every stone and bridge. Students on bikes fill the streets, giving the old town a very academic feel. The **Linnaeus Garden** is full of rare plants and offers a quiet place to sit and think. These green spaces were once the home of famous scientists who named the world's flowers. You can walk through the halls of **Uppsala Castle** where kings were once crowned. The **Carolina Rediviva** library holds books that are centuries old and very rare. This university hub values knowledge and quiet beauty above all else. You can see the silver bible and other treasures in the glass cases there. Ancient mounds rise from the ground just outside the town at **Gamla Uppsala**. These hills mark the burial sites of old kings from the Viking age. You can stand on top of them to see the flat fields for miles in every direction. The city center is full of bright shops and student life at the **Svartbäcksgatan** walking street. It is a great city to learn about the past and enjoy the present. The mix of Viking ghosts and modern thinking makes **Uppsala** a unique destination on any Swedish drive.Top sights to visit
The best places to visit in Uppsala
Is this a good destination for road trips?
We're curating expert road-trip insights for this destination — check back soon.
When is the best time to visit?
Detailed seasonal travel advice is coming soon.
How long should I spend here?
Our itinerary team is building personalised duration guides — coming soon.
What are the top attractions nearby?
A curated list of must-see nearby highlights is on its way.
Part of these road trips
Follow the routes that cross this destination
The Scenic Route
The Heritage Drive
Best stops in Uppsala
Explore the places others love, from hotels, golf, wineries and more
Best match
Hotel
Historic City Hotel
Design hotel · City Centre · Free bikes
from€195/night
Hotel
Canal View Suites
Boutique suites · Waterfront · Breakfast included
from€245/night
Museum
Museum
National History Museum
Art & culture · City Centre · Guided tours
from€18/person
Spa
Spa
Wellness & Spa Centre
Thermal baths · Art Deco · City centre
from€35/session
Weather forecast
Uppsala forecastPlan your road trip
Planning a trip to Uppsala?
Enter your location and we will map out the best route with hand-picked stops along the way.
History of Uppsala
Uppsala was once the religious and political epicenter of the pagan North where Viking kings made sacrifices to **Odin and Thor**. At Gamla Uppsala (Old Uppsala) three massive burial mounds still rise from the earth to hold the remains of legendary rulers from the 6th century. For centuries this was the last stronghold of the old Norse gods before the kingdom finally embraced Christianity and moved the city center to its current location. The city’s intellectual legacy began in 1477 with the founding of the **first university in Scandinavia**. Uppsala became the **"Cambridge of Sweden"** and attracted brilliant minds like **Carl Linnaeus** who revolutionized the way we name every plant and animal on Earth. The soaring twin spires of the Uppsala Cathedral were built to showcase the power of the Swedish Church and house the tombs of kings as well as the **relics of Saint Erik**. Today the city remains a vibrant temple of knowledge where the past and the future walk hand-in-hand. The narrow streets along the **Fyris River** are filled with students on bicycles much as they have been for five hundred years. It is a mandatory stop for any road trip through Sweden because it offers a deep dive into the Viking soul and scientific breakthroughs that changed the modern world.Stay in the loop
The Monk's travel letter
New routes, hidden gems and road trip inspiration. Weekly, no spam.