I visited Uppsala as a day trip from Stockholm that turned into an overnight stay, mostly because I underestimated how much there was to see. It’s only about 40 minutes from Stockholm by train, which makes it an easy add-on, but I went in expecting a quiet university town and not much else. That wasn’t quite right. Uppsala has a genuine sense of history, a lively student atmosphere, and enough to fill a full day or two without feeling rushed.
I based myself near the cathedral for my one night there, walked most of the city center on foot, and spent an afternoon along the river that cuts through the middle of town. I also visited the university’s old main building and one of its botanical gardens, both of which gave me a much better sense of the city’s identity than I expected from what I’d assumed would be a quick stopover.
So is Uppsala worth visiting in 2026? Based on my trip, yes, particularly as a day trip or overnight add-on to a Stockholm visit rather than a standalone destination. This guide covers what stood out, what to consider before you go, and how to make the most of a short visit.
Table of Contents
Pros – Reasons Uppsala is Worth Visiting
1. It’s an Easy, Fast Trip From Stockholm
I caught a direct train from Stockholm Central, and it took under 40 minutes to reach Uppsala. Trains run frequently throughout the day, which makes it realistic to visit even with limited time. I didn’t need to plan around a rigid schedule, since there was always another train within 15 or 20 minutes if I missed one.
2. Uppsala Cathedral Is One of the Most Impressive I’ve Seen in Sweden
Uppsala Cathedral dominates the skyline, and standing inside it, I was struck by how tall and detailed it felt compared to other cathedrals I’ve visited in the region. It’s also the burial site of several notable historical figures, including Carl Linnaeus, and the combination of scale and history made it worth far more time than I’d budgeted for it.
3. The University Gives the City a Genuine, Living Atmosphere
Uppsala University is one of the oldest in Scandinavia, and the city center still feels shaped by it. I walked past the main university building, watched students cycling between lectures, and noticed how many cafes and bookshops catered specifically to student life rather than tourists. It gave the city an energy that felt different from a purely historic or purely touristy destination.
4. The Botanical Gardens Are a Quiet, Well-Kept Escape
I spent an hour in the Linnaeus Garden, a small botanical garden linked to the naturalist Carl Linnaeus, and found it far more peaceful and well maintained than I expected from a free city attraction. The layout follows Linnaeus’s own classification system, which gave it more depth than a typical park, even for someone without much background in botany.
5. Uppsala Castle Offers Great Views and a Layer of Political History
Uppsala Castle sits on a hill overlooking the city, and the walk up gave me one of the best overall views of Uppsala’s rooftops and the cathedral spires. The castle itself has a layered political history, having played a role in several major events in Swedish history, and a short visit added useful context to everything else I’d seen that day.
6. The River Walk Through the City Center Is Genuinely Pleasant
The Fyris River runs directly through the middle of Uppsala, and the walking paths along it connect most of the main sights. I found myself using the riverside route as my default way to get around, since it was scenic and avoided busier streets. In the evening, the area near the old mill buildings by the river had a relaxed, almost small-town feel that I wasn’t expecting so close to the city center.
7. It’s Noticeably Calmer Than Stockholm Without Feeling Empty
Uppsala had enough going on to feel lively, particularly around the university and the main squares, but without the crowds or pace of central Stockholm. I found this a nice contrast after a few busier days in the capital, and it made for an easier, less exhausting day of sightseeing.
Cons – Things to Consider Before Visiting Uppsala
1. It’s Small Enough That a Day Trip May Be Enough for Most Travelers
I stayed overnight and don’t regret it, but I’d be honest that a full day is enough to see the main sights at a relaxed pace. If you’re tight on time in Sweden, Uppsala works well as a day trip from Stockholm rather than requiring its own dedicated stay, unless you specifically want a slower, quieter overnight break.
2. Many Attractions Close Earlier Than You Might Expect
I arrived at the Linnaeus Garden later in the afternoon and found it closing sooner than I’d assumed, which cut my visit shorter than planned. Several of the university buildings and smaller museums also kept limited hours compared to what I was used to in Stockholm. I’d recommend checking opening times in advance rather than assuming a full day of access.
3. Outside the Historic Center, There’s Not a Huge Amount to See
The core area around the cathedral, castle, and university covers most of what makes Uppsala worth visiting, and I found the appeal thinned out fairly quickly once I moved beyond it. This isn’t necessarily a downside if you’re just after a focused day trip, but it’s worth knowing if you’re expecting a larger city with multiple distinct districts to explore.
Things to Do in Uppsala
- Visit Uppsala Cathedral. It’s the tallest church in Scandinavia and holds real historical weight, including the resting place of Carl Linnaeus.
- Walk up to Uppsala Castle. The hilltop views over the cathedral and old town were some of the best photo opportunities of my trip.
- Explore the Linnaeus Garden. A quiet, well-organized botanical garden that gives good insight into Linnaeus’s work without needing a science background.
- Wander the main university building. Even a quick look inside gives a sense of just how old and influential Uppsala University has been.
- Walk the Fyris River path. This connects most of the central sights and is a pleasant, scenic way to move around the city.
- Browse the old mill buildings by the river. They’ve been converted into shops and cafes and have a relaxed, historic charm in the evening.
- Visit the Gustavianum museum. It covers the university’s history and has an old anatomical theater that I found genuinely interesting.
- Sit in one of the student cafes near the university. It’s a good way to get a feel for the city’s everyday atmosphere rather than just its landmarks.
- Walk through the main city squares. They’re compact but give a good sense of daily Uppsala life outside the main tourist sights.
- Take a short walk along Carolina Rediviva, the university library. The building itself is worth seeing, and it houses some genuinely old and significant manuscripts.
Where to Stay in Uppsala
- Near the Cathedral: Where I stayed, and I’d recommend it for a short visit. It puts you within walking distance of the castle, the university, and most major sights.
- Fyris River Area: A good choice if you want easy access to the riverside walking paths and a slightly quieter atmosphere in the evening.
- Near Uppsala Central Station: Practical for travelers arriving by train or planning an early departure, with easy access to the rest of the city on foot.
- Kungsängen: A newer, more residential area slightly outside the historic center, good for a calmer stay if you don’t mind a short walk into town.
Getting Around Uppsala
Uppsala’s city center is compact enough that I covered almost everything on foot during my visit. The cathedral, castle, university buildings, and river path all sit within a comfortable walking distance of each other, which made it easy to move between sights without needing transport for most of the day.
Buses cover areas further from the center, and I saw plenty of locals cycling as well, since the city has decent bike infrastructure similar to other Swedish cities. I didn’t rent a bike myself, since walking was enough for the areas I wanted to see, but it would be a reasonable option if you’re staying longer or want to explore further out. Getting to and from Uppsala is straightforward by train from Stockholm, and I wouldn’t recommend a car for a short visit, since the historic center has limited parking and everything worth seeing sits close together anyway.
Conclusion: So, Is Uppsala Worth Visiting?
Based on my one trip, yes, Uppsala is worth visiting, especially as an easy day trip or short overnight stay from Stockholm. The cathedral, the castle views, the university atmosphere, and the walk along the Fyris River gave me a genuinely enjoyable and historically rich day that I hadn’t expected from what I’d assumed would be a minor stopover.
The trade-offs are minor but worth knowing. It’s a small city that most travelers can cover in a day, some attractions close earlier than expected, and there isn’t a huge amount to explore once you move beyond the historic center. If you’re already in Stockholm and have a spare day, or you’re looking for a calmer break from a bigger city, I think Uppsala is well worth the short trip.