Uppsala: Cathedral, Castle, Art and Forest

Uppsala offers a range of reasons to visit: the cathedral is a focus for religious history and a remarkable treasury, while the castle, university and museums open up historical and artistic themes. Gardens and the Stadsskogen nature reserve add designed and more natural green spaces to the picture. Locally produced food is another tangible part of the city’s appeal. You can choose how to balance culture, outdoor spaces and regional products according to your interests.

The Cathedral and Gustavianum: religious and university history

Uppsala Cathedral is known as a burial church for members of the royal family, the nobility and scholars. Its treasury displays a medieval ceremonial garment, Renaissance robes, royal burial regalia and Gustav Vasa’s sword. The items on display may change. Services are held in the cathedral daily; times may vary.

From Uppsala Central Station, you can reach the cathedral on foot via a route of about 1 kilometre, taking approximately 15 minutes. This is a guide for walking to the cathedral, not an exact time estimate. The proximity of the cathedral and station makes it easy to plan a visit without detailed directions.

An anatomical theatre at Gustavianum

Gustavianum is the oldest surviving building at Uppsala University. Under the direction of Olof Rudbeck the Elder, an anatomical theatre was built there between 1662 and 1663. The building thus connects the university’s architectural history with a specific chapter in the history of science. Since 1997, Gustavianum has been a museum open to the public, displaying the university’s cultural history collections in permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Uppsala Castle and art across three floors

Construction of Uppsala Castle began in the 1540s under Gustav Vasa. Today, the castle is the residence of the County Governor and houses museums and other institutions. Since 2004, the public has been able to visit the original Vasa fortress and the ruins of Uppsala Castle; opening arrangements may vary. Check them before your visit.

Uppsala Art Museum is located in the castle in the centre of Uppsala. It presents modern and contemporary art across three floors. Its offerings also include concerts, family activities and guided tours; the programme may change. The castle thus brings together historic architecture and changing ways to experience art and events.

Cultural history by the Fyris River

Upplands Museum is a cultural history museum in the centre of Uppsala. Its exhibitions are housed in Akademikvarnen, a building of cultural-historical significance dating from the 18th century on the Fyris River. The museum has a dedicated exhibition for children called “Lilla kvarn”. As exhibition programmes may change, it is worth checking what is currently on offer before your visit.

Gardens, forest and local products

Directly west of Uppsala Castle are the Baroque Garden, the Kitchen Garden, the Tropical Greenhouse and the Linneanum Orangery. The Baroque Garden is open year-round; individual facilities may have their own opening hours. Coniferous forest dominates the landscape in the Stadsskogen nature reserve. In the north, pine-covered rocky areas stand out; in the south and southwest, there are stretches of swamp forest. The gardens and forest therefore offer different kinds of nature: designed grounds on the one hand, and different types of woodland on the other.

At Uppsala Saluhall, visitors can buy locally produced food and selected delicacies. The name Eriksleden also carries a historical memory: it comes from the procession in which the relics of Saint Erik were once carried. Together with the cathedral and museums, these details show how Uppsala’s visitor attractions range from collections and architectural history to regional products and historical connections.

Discover more destinations: Storvreta, Almunge, Järlåsa, Uppsala, Björklinge, Knivsta, Älvkarleby, Heby.

Go to the main travel overview: Uppsala.