Uppsala

Sweden's old university town, known for its Gothic cathedral, Linnaeus sites and pre-Christian royal burial mounds, about 40 minutes by train from Stockholm.

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Uppsala lies in the Uppland region of Sweden, about 70 km north of Stockholm and roughly 40 minutes away by train. It is the capital of Uppsala County and Sweden's fourth-largest city. The historic quarter sits on the west bank of the Fyris river, where the cathedral, the castle and most university buildings stand close together.

Uppsala University, founded in 1477, is the oldest center of higher education in Scandinavia. Uppsala Cathedral, a Gothic brick church inaugurated in 1435, is the largest church in Scandinavia, and Carl Linnaeus is buried inside. His former house and garden can still be visited. Gamla Uppsala, about 5 km north, has huge royal burial mounds from before Christianity. Summer, from mid-May to late September, has the longest days, while winter runs from late November to mid-March. A day trip covers the cathedral, the university and Gamla Uppsala, and an overnight stay leaves time for the gardens.

Uppsala in five

Take the commuter train from ArlandaSwedavia lists 18 minutes from Arlanda Central to Uppsala Central by UL commuter train. Anyone getting on or off at Arlanda Central pays a station fee, unless the ticket already covers it.EES at the border
Check the cathedral's 2026 hoursUppsala Cathedral is open daily from 8:00 to 18:00 in 2026, closing at 12:00 on 30 April and 19 June. Some areas close during services and concerts, and English tours run daily in summer.
Time the Linnaeus Garden for summerIn 2026 the garden and museum were open 14 May to 13 September, and the garden is closed from October to April. Check the opening times page for next season before you plan a stop.
Reach Gamla Uppsala outside the centerThe museum at the old royal site opens 11:00 to 17:00 daily from May to September and Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 to 16:00, from October to April. It closes on Walpurgis Eve.
Plan around Walpurgis on 30 AprilThe cathedral closes at noon and the Gamla Uppsala museum is shut that day, which is also Uppsala's big student celebration. Expect crowds and book rooms well ahead.

Things to do in Uppsala

See all attractions in Uppsala

Museum · UppsalaFriluftsmuseet Disagården

Landmark · UppsalaTakvandring Uppsala Slott

Museum · UppsalaCarolina Rediviva, Uppsala University Library

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to UppsalaPut the places you like in Uppsala on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Stockholm Arlanda (ARN); commuter train about 18 min
Getting there: Commuter and regional trains from Arlanda and Stockholm
Getting around: Walk the center; bike or local bus to Gamla Uppsala
Best base: Near the station and the river
Time needed: 1 day; 2 with Gamla Uppsala and the garden

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Festival

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryCloudy10 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh0°Low-4°Dark, snowy
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh1°Low-4°Cold
MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low-2°Thaw
AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low1°Spring, Walpurgis
MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Garden opens
JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Long days
JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warmest
AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Garden open
SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Crisp, quiet
OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Garden closed
NovemberCloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low1°Dark
DecemberCloudy11 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh2°Low-2°Christmas market

Average daily high and low in Uppsala, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Jul Uppsala Reggae Festival · Aug Uppsala Reggae Festival

Right now in Uppsala

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 0°
Humidity: 93%
Wind: 10 km/h
Chance of rain: 15%

Uppsala

10:15 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today7°1°15%Monday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 15%.
Tue8°1°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed9°2°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu10°2°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri7°0°2%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 7°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sat7°-1°0%Saturday: Clear. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun2°-1°0%Sunday: Fog. High 2°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 07:10 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.823 SEK

Amount

Converted to

SEK · Swedish Krona

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Uppsala

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

JunStockholm Early Music FestivalStockholm, a day trip
Jul–AugUppsala Reggae FestivalUppsala

Day trips by train

Gamla Uppsalaoutside the center, by bike or local busThe old royal site north of the center with the museum and the three royal mounds.
Stockholmby trainSweden's capital; many visitors pair it with Uppsala on the same rail line.Read the guide
Gotlandonward via StockholmA longer trip: the Nynäshamn ferry reaches Visby in about three hours.Read the guide

Before you go to Uppsala

Arlanda to Uppsala by railOfficial operators or resellersRead the guide

Hotels in UppsalaCompare before Walpurgis weekendCheck availability

eSIM for a Swedish city tripCashless tickets need dataRead the guide

Insurance for a short tripCancellations and lost luggageRead the guide

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Rules for Uppsala, checked

Uppsala Cathedral 2026: open daily 8:00 to 18:00; closes at 12:00 on 30 April and 19 June; some areas limited during services.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Linnaeus Garden 2026: open 14 May to 13 September, Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 to 16:00 in June to August; closed October to April.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Gamla Uppsala Museum: May to September daily 11:00 to 17:00; October to April Wednesday to Sunday 12:00 to 16:00; admission 150 SEK, under 20 free.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Arlanda Central station fee 157 SEK on arrival or departure by train; commuter train to Uppsala Central takes 18 minutes.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source

Plan around Uppsala

Stockholm

The capital, reached by train from Uppsala

Read the guide Gotland

Island trip via the Nynäshamn ferry

Read the guide Train travel in Europe

Official sites and resellers compared

Read the guide EES explained

Fingerprints and a photo at the first Schengen border

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for a short Swedish city trip

Read the guide All of Sweden

Cities, trains, entry rules and money

Read the guide

Uppsala FAQ

Is Uppsala worth visiting as a day trip from Stockholm?

Yes. It suits one day with the cathedral and the river, two if you add Gamla Uppsala and the Linnaeus Garden in season. Check the cathedral and museum hours before you go.

How long does it take to get from Arlanda Airport to Uppsala?

Swedavia lists 18 minutes by commuter train between Arlanda Central and Uppsala Central. A station fee applies at Arlanda Central unless your ticket includes it.

When is the Linnaeus Garden open?

In 2026 it was open 14 May to 13 September, with Tuesday to Sunday hours of 11:00 to 16:00 in June to August. It is closed from October to April, so check the next season's dates.

Can you visit Uppsala Cathedral for free?

The cathedral publishes 2026 opening hours of 8:00 to 18:00 daily. The Treasury, tours and concerts have their own terms and no fees are listed here, so check the cathedral site before you go.

Do you need a car in Uppsala?

No. The center is walkable from the station, and Gamla Uppsala is reachable by bike or local bus. Trains from Arlanda and Stockholm make a car unnecessary.