The fourth-largest city in Sweden is one you must definitely visit when in the country. Uppsala is well-known for being an educational hub and offering numerous green spaces for you to laze about if you happen to visit in the summers. Here are some of the best things that you can do in the city, which include shopping sprees right along the Svartbäcksgatan, to exploring the oldest botanical garden located in the country.
- Visit the University of Uppsala
Uppsala University is the oldest university in all of Scandinavia. It was established in the year 1477 and to date, is one of the best educational institutions in the region of Northern Europe. The library of the university is located in the heart of the Carolina Rediviva building, which houses over 5 million volumes. Dating back to the 1820s, the library is the largest and the oldest to be situated inside a university building in all of Sweden.
The place calls out to you with its high ceilings and stunning columns. It has an extensive collection of vital manuscripts, such as the Silver Book, or Codex Argenteus, belonging to the 6th century CE. It is famous for consisting of four gospels that have been translated to Gothic from Greek.
- See the Uppsala Cathedral
Dominating the skyline of this wonderful city is the Uppsala Cathedral. The striking, red-toned, and beautiful structure of the building points towards the heavens in classic, French-gothic fashion. It is the largest church located in the region of Scandinavia, as well as the seat of the Swedish Church. It is also at this place that numerous members of the royal family have been buried.
The construction of this beautiful site dates back to 1270, however, various elements were made a part of the structure in later centuries. You can gain insights into the history of the Uppsala Cathedral at the church museum on-premises. Be sure to catch the two large musical organs, belonging to Fratelli Ruffatti and Per Larsson Akerman. They were added in the years 2009 and 1871, respectively.
- Take Time Off to Relax in One of the Parks or Gardens
The city is immodestly littered with incredible parks and gardens, which citizens often take to for walks in the evenings or on summer afternoons. One of the most well-known green spaces in the Uppsala is the Botaniska trädgården. It houses a 200-year-old orangery, along with the Linnaeus Garden. The latter is the oldest botanical garden in all of Sweden. Here you can find no less than 9,000 plants, as well as 1,300 species, which include stunning seasonal flower displays and native trees. They were all cultivated in the middle of the 18th century by Carl Linnaeus, a celebrated botanist. He provided a classification system, and all the greens were categorized accordingly.
When you get a chance to visit this place, make sure to take a stroll in the Tropical Greenhouse. It is dense with plants that have been brought in from warmer climates, like rainforests, steppes, savannahs, and deserts.
- Discover Gustavianum
Gustavianum is an interesting repository of scientific instruments, coins, archaeological remnants, and art. It was named after a monarch from the 17th century, who was responsible for taking Sweden to superpower status. Old, as well as young fans of Vikings and Egyptians, will be especially intrigued by the permanent exhibitions here, which also include swords and a sarcophagus.
The Gustavianum is linked to the University of Uppsala and occupies the old main building. It happens to be the oldest preserved edifice of the educational institution. Located at the top is the well-known Anatomical Theatre, which dates back to 1660. This is also the place where public dissections used to be conducted on a daily basis.
- Explore Gamla Uppsala
Gamla Uppsala or Old Uppsala is at a distance of 5 kilometers from the modern city. It is an important archaeological site, held in high regard by the authorities and people of Sweden. Here you can witness how the city once looked before the Vikings came around. Take a stroll around to encounter the prehistoric burial mounds, as well as the fairytale kyrka, or church. The latter, until the year 1273, was the seat of the archbishopric.
Inside the open-air museum are all old domestic buildings, which will help you further understand how the rural people lived throughout history. The museum is open to the public daily in the months of April to September. For the rest of the year, you can visit it on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.
- Shop Along Svartbäcksgatan
Svartbäcksgatan is largely free of traffic and is the main shopping street of the city. It has numerous modern stores for you to browse through but, its route was planned back in the year 1643. This was done to create a line of sight, which extended towards the north and took pedestrians straight to the Uppsala Cathedral.
Here you can find major brands to take home. In addition, there are various food pit stops, where you can get a taste of Fika. It is the popular Swedish tradition, referring to meeting with friends for a bite and some coffee.
- Wander Around the Uppsala Castle
Uppsala Castle is a grand structure, which dominates its surroundings. It is a building that you absolutely cannot miss with its peach-colored façade and wide gardens. This masterpiece was erected in the 16th century, during the dynastic era of Vasa. At this exact location was wherein the 17th century, Sweden went on to join the Thirty Years’ War.
The castle was once destroyed by a fire in the year 1702 but was reconstructed soon after. It is an atmospheric place to get lost in during the summer. Throughout the months of June and September, you can also join a guided tour of the palace.
If you have gone through the list above, then you are already familiar with the best things to do in the city of Uppsala in Sweden. Go online and book your ticket today!
