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Uppland
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Explore Uppland in Sweden for Uppsala's heritage, Viking-era sites, manor houses, ironworks villages, forests and the Roslagen coast.

Uppland occupies a broad stretch of east-central Sweden, extending from the northern shores of Lake Mälaren across the plains around Uppsala to the forested Roslagen coast and the archipelago beyond. It is a region of contrasts: fertile agricultural land and glacial lakes give way to pine forests, ironworks villages, rocky islands and open Baltic horizons. Although Stockholm lies partly within the historical province, Uppland is best understood through its own centres, landscapes and long relationship with Sweden's political and intellectual history.
Read more about Uppland
Uppsala is the regional focus and one of Sweden's most important historic cities. Its cathedral dominates the skyline, while the university, founded in 1477, gives the city a youthful scholarly character. Across the River Fyris, the royal mounds and church at Gamla Uppsala evoke an earlier political and religious centre, associated with pre-Christian cult traditions and the formation of medieval Sweden. Nearby botanical gardens and surviving sites connected with Carl Linnaeus add a scientific dimension to the city's heritage.
To the south, Sigtuna presents a smaller, more intimate historical setting beside Lake Mälaren. Often described as Sweden's oldest town, it preserves a medieval street plan, church ruins and a lakeside setting shaped by early trade. Skokloster Castle, on the Mälaren shore, represents the aristocratic ambitions of the seventeenth century, with grand interiors and collections housed in an unfinished baroque palace. The surrounding countryside is marked by manor landscapes, parish churches and roads leading through cultivated former seabed.
North and east of Uppsala, Uppland becomes more wooded and maritime. The Roslagen coast includes fishing and sailing communities such as Öregrund, while Norrtälje combines a historic town centre with access to the archipelago. The region's iron heritage is particularly visible at Lövstabruk and other bruk communities, where waterpower, forests and ore supported internationally important iron production from the early modern period. Along the coast, the landscape is shaped by post-glacial land uplift, continually exposing new shorelines and islands.
Uppland rewards visitors who combine major sites with slower travel through villages, nature reserves, gardens and waterways. Cycling is appealing around Uppsala and the Mälaren shore, while kayaking, sailing and coastal walking suit the archipelago and Roslagen. Local food reflects Swedish farming, foraging and fishing traditions, with seasonal berries, mushrooms, freshwater fish and produce from the agricultural districts. The region's particular character lies in the meeting of royal history, university culture, industrial archaeology and a changing Baltic landscape.

When is the best time to visit Uppland?

Best: June–August · 20–22°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January132
February124
March525
April931
May1535
June (best)2040
July (best)2248
August (best)2153
September1747
October1144
November541
December238

Getting to and around Uppland

How to get there

Uppland is well connected to the rest of Sweden by rail and road. Uppsala lies on the main railway corridor between Stockholm and northern Sweden, with frequent long-distance and regional connections, while Stockholm Arlanda Airport is located within Uppland near Märsta and serves as the principal international gateway. Stockholm, outside much of the region's core but a major nearby interchange, provides additional rail and air connections. Sigtuna, Norrtälje, Enköping and the Roslagen coast are reached by regional buses and roads; more remote ironworks and coastal villages require additional planning.

Transportation

Uppsala and the larger towns have practical local and regional bus networks, and the main railway line makes travel between Uppsala, Märsta and other central destinations straightforward. A car is useful for reaching Lövstabruk, Forsmark, smaller parish churches, nature reserves and scattered coastal settlements. Cycling works well around Uppsala and some Mälaren routes, but distances in northern Uppland are considerable. Walking trails range from urban and cultural routes to forest and shoreline paths. Boats and ferries serve parts of the Roslagen archipelago, particularly during the warmer months, but schedules and destinations are seasonal.

Top city travel guides in Uppland

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Best attractions in Uppland

Uppland's attractions range from major historic institutions to landscapes best explored at a leisurely pace. Uppsala brings together the cathedral, university museums, botanical gardens and the open-air historical setting of Gamla Uppsala. Sigtuna offers medieval remains and a lakeside townscape, while Skokloster Castle provides one of Sweden's most substantial baroque interiors on the shore of Lake Mälaren. Across the northern districts, preserved ironworks such as Lövstabruk explain how forests, waterpower and international trade shaped the region. The Roslagen coast and archipelago add maritime museums, harbour towns, boat excursions and shoreline walks. Nature reserves, forest tracks and bird-rich wetlands provide opportunities for hiking, cycling, canoeing and wildlife observation, with conditions varying markedly between inland plains and exposed islands. Linnaeus-related gardens and countryside sites near Uppsala appeal to visitors interested in botany and scientific history, while family-oriented experiences are concentrated around the larger towns. The region is best approached as a collection of connected cultural and natural landscapes rather than a single attraction circuit.

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Best landmarks in Uppland

Uppsala Cathedral is Uppland's most recognisable architectural landmark, its red-brick Gothic mass reflecting the medieval importance of the archdiocese and the city. Nearby Uppsala Castle occupies a strategic ridge above the modern centre and symbolises the power of the Swedish monarchy after the Reformation. At Gamla Uppsala, the royal burial mounds and medieval church form a landmark landscape rather than a single monument, linking visible archaeology with the region's earliest royal traditions. Sigtuna's ruined medieval churches and runestones mark one of Sweden's first urban settlements, while Skokloster Castle presents the wealth and ambition of the seventeenth-century nobility. In northern Uppland, Lövstabruk is significant as a planned ironworks community, combining industrial buildings, housing, gardens and an estate setting. The coastline provides a different class of landmark: the harbour town of Öregrund, rocky Roslagen shores and the low islands shaped by ongoing land uplift express Uppland's enduring relationship with the Baltic.

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Explore Uppland on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Uppland

Dining in Uppland reflects the region's agricultural plains, freshwater and Baltic coast, as well as its university-city population. Uppsala has the broadest choice, from cafés and bakeries to contemporary restaurants, traditional Swedish cooking and international food shaped by its student and research communities. Around the coast, menus may feature fish and shellfish, while inland kitchens make use of potatoes, game, dairy, berries and mushrooms when in season. Farm shops, food halls and local markets provide opportunities to buy bread, preserves, vegetables and other regional produce, although opening patterns vary outside the towns. Historic inns and rural restaurants are common around manor districts and former ironworks, where meals can complement visits to heritage buildings. Swedish fika remains an important part of the day, with coffee and baked goods served in cafés throughout the region. Alcoholic drinks are regulated nationally, and local beer, cider and spirits may be available in restaurants and licensed producers, while wine is more widely encountered in urban dining rooms than in remote villages.

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Best bars in Uppland

Uppsala has Uppland's most varied evening scene, shaped by its university population, historic centre and year-round cultural calendar. Pubs, beer-focused bars, cocktail rooms, cafés that stay open late and live-music venues are concentrated around the central streets, while student nations provide distinctive social settings with membership and guest arrangements that can change. Sigtuna, Norrtälje and other towns favour traditional pubs, hotel bars, restaurants and occasional live music rather than a large club scene. On the Roslagen coast, summer brings a more active harbour and waterfront atmosphere, but many venues are seasonal. In smaller villages and ironworks communities, evenings generally centre on dining, local events or a pub rather than late-night entertainment. Check current arrangements before travelling, especially outside Uppsala, and remember that Swedish alcohol sales and licensing rules are national rather than particular to Uppland.

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Best nightclubs in Uppland

Uppsala has Uppland's most varied evening scene, shaped by its university population, historic centre and year-round cultural calendar. Pubs, beer-focused bars, cocktail rooms, cafés that stay open late and live-music venues are concentrated around the central streets, while student nations provide distinctive social settings with membership and guest arrangements that can change. Sigtuna, Norrtälje and other towns favour traditional pubs, hotel bars, restaurants and occasional live music rather than a large club scene. On the Roslagen coast, summer brings a more active harbour and waterfront atmosphere, but many venues are seasonal. In smaller villages and ironworks communities, evenings generally centre on dining, local events or a pub rather than late-night entertainment. Check current arrangements before travelling, especially outside Uppsala, and remember that Swedish alcohol sales and licensing rules are national rather than particular to Uppland.

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Best shops in Uppland

Shopping in Uppland is strongest in Uppsala, where central streets combine national retailers with independent bookshops, design stores, cafés, galleries and shops serving the university community. Sigtuna offers a more compact selection of small lifestyle, craft and food shops within its historic streets, while Norrtälje functions as a practical shopping centre for the Roslagen coast and nearby islands. Rural districts are better suited to farm shops, seasonal produce stalls, antique shops and craft outlets than extensive retail browsing. Around historic estates and ironworks, visitors may find locally made goods, books, textiles or food products, though availability is seasonal and business hours vary. Useful regional purchases include Swedish confectionery and baking, preserves, honey, woollen goods, ceramics and carefully sourced outdoor or maritime crafts. Markets and farmers' stalls can be particularly rewarding in summer and early autumn, but visitors should check dates locally rather than assume that a market operates daily.

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Uppland essentials

Currency and Payment
Uppland uses Sweden's national currency, the Swedish krona, with the currency code SEK. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in Uppsala, Sigtuna, Norrtälje and other visitor centres, and many businesses increasingly prefer electronic payment. Carrying a modest amount of cash is still sensible for occasional rural services, small markets or unattended facilities, although cash acceptance varies. Swedish prices are generally displayed inclusive of tax, and card terminals commonly offer the option to select payment in Swedish kronor or another currency.
Safety
Uppland is generally suitable for independent travel, but normal urban precautions remain appropriate around busy transport hubs and nightlife areas. On the coast and in the archipelago, changing weather, slippery rocks, cold water and limited mobile coverage can make outdoor trips more demanding than they first appear. In forests, follow marked routes and prepare for ticks during the warmer months. Winter roads can be icy, and rural bus services are less frequent. Drivers should allow for darkness, wildlife and long distances when travelling through northern and coastal districts.
Emergency Situations
The national emergency number 112 applies throughout Uppland for police, fire and ambulance services. State clearly whether you are in Uppsala, a named village, on an island or at a marked trail location, as rural and archipelago addresses may be difficult to identify. Coastal incidents can involve the Swedish Maritime Administration's rescue services, while outdoor emergencies may require assistance from organised rescue teams. For non-urgent medical advice, Sweden's national healthcare advice service can be reached on 1177; use 112 for serious or immediate danger.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep to marked paths at heritage sites and nature reserves, and do not climb burial mounds, church ruins or fragile archaeological remains. Sweden's right of public access allows responsible enjoyment of much countryside, but it does not permit intrusion into private gardens, damage to crops or disturbance of wildlife. In churches and museums, dress and behave respectfully and check photography rules. Queueing, punctuality and quiet consideration on public transport are valued nationally. Tipping is discretionary rather than compulsory, with rounding or a modest addition appropriate for good service.
Local Tips
Allow a full day for Uppsala rather than treating it only as a stop between Stockholm and northern Sweden. Sigtuna is especially rewarding when combined with a walk along the Lake Mälaren shore, while the northern ironworks are best visited as a linked heritage journey rather than quick individual stops. Coastal towns such as Öregrund and Norrtälje have a distinctly different atmosphere from inland Uppsala. In summer, reserve accommodation and check boat arrangements early; in winter, expect shorter daylight and fewer services outside the main towns.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHej[hey]
GoodbyeHejdå[hay-daw]
YesJa[yah]
NoNej[nay]
Please/You're welcomeSnälla/Varsågod[snel-lah/vahr-shoh-good]
Thank youTack[tack]
Excuse me/SorryUrsäkta/Förlåt[oor-sek-tah/fur-loht]
How are you?Hur mår du?[hoor mohr doo]
Fine. And you?Bra. Och du?[bra. ohk doo]
Do you speak English?Talar du engelska?[ta-lar doo eng-els-kah]
I don't understandJag förstår inte[yog fur-stor in-teh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJag skulle vilja se menyn, snälla[yog skool-leh vil-yah seh meh-nyn, snel-lah]
I don't eat meatJag äter inte kött[yog eh-ter in-teh shutt]
Cheers!Skål![skawl]
I would like to pay, pleaseJag skulle vilja betala, snälla[yog skool-leh vil-yah beh-tah-lah, snel-lah]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hjälp![yelp]
Go away!Gå bort![gaw bort]
Call the Police!Ring polisen![ring poh-lee-sen]
Call a doctor!Ring en läkare![ring en leh-kah-reh]
I'm lostJag har gått vilse[yog har got vil-seh]
I'm illJag är sjuk[yog air shook]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Jag skulle vilja köpa...[yog skool-leh vil-yah shur-pah]
I'm just lookingJag tittar bara[yog tit-tar bah-rah]
How much is it?Hur mycket kostar det?[hoor my-ket koss-tar deh]
That's too expensiveDet är för dyrt[deh air fur deer-t]
Can you lower the price?Kan du sänka priset?[kan doo sen-kah pree-set]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Vad är klockan?[vahd air klok-kahn]
It's one o'clockKlockan är ett[klok-kahn air ett]
Half past (10)Halv (10)[halv (ten)]
MorningMorgon[mor-gon]
AfternoonEftermiddag[ef-ter-mid-dahg]
EveningKväll[kvehll]
YesterdayIgår[ee-gor]
TodayIdag[ee-dahg]
TomorrowImorgon[ee-mor-gon]
11[ett]
22[två]
33[tre]
44[fyra]
55[fem]
66[sex]
77[sju]
88[åtta]
99[nio]
1010[tio]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Var är en/den...?[var air en/den...?]
What's the address?Vad är adressen?[vahd air ah-dress-en]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kan du visa mig (på kartan)?[kan doo vee-sah may (poh kar-tahn)?]
When's the next (bus)?När går nästa (buss)?[nair gorr nes-tah (booss)?]
A ticket (to ....)En biljett (till ....)[en bee-yett (till ....)]

History of Uppland

Prehistoric Uppland and the Royal Centre at Gamla Uppsala

Uppland's lowlands were settled and farmed long before written history, and archaeological evidence records Bronze Age communities, iron production and extensive burial landscapes. Gamla Uppsala became an important political and religious centre during the late Iron Age, represented by its monumental royal mounds and later church. Medieval writers connected the site with royal authority and pre-Christian cults, although interpretations of its religious role remain complex. Its location also reflects a changing shoreline: land uplift has transformed what was once a more maritime environment into today's inland plain.

Viking-Age Trade and the Rise of Sigtuna

During the Viking Age, Uppland occupied a strategic position between the Baltic, Lake Mälaren and the interior of Sweden. Sigtuna emerged around the late tenth century as a royal and commercial settlement, producing some of Scandinavia's earliest coinage and attracting craftsmen and traders. Stone runes, church foundations and the town's surviving street pattern reveal the transition from a pre-Christian society to a Christian kingdom. The settlements around the Mälaren shore connected Uppland to wider networks extending across the Baltic and into eastern Europe.

Christianisation and Medieval Uppsala

Christian institutions gradually reshaped Uppland during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Uppsala became the centre of the archdiocese in 1164, and the cathedral was eventually established at the present city after the older centre at Gamla Uppsala proved less suitable. Construction of Uppsala Cathedral began in the thirteenth century and continued for generations, reflecting the resources and ambitions of the medieval church. Monasteries, parish churches and royal administration strengthened Uppsala's importance within the emerging Swedish state.

The Vasa Monarchy and Uppsala's Political Importance

The sixteenth-century Reformation transformed religious life and transferred much church property to the Swedish Crown. Uppsala remained politically important, and the castle, begun under Gustav Vasa in the sixteenth century, developed as a royal residence and administrative stronghold. The city also hosted the Uppsala Meeting of 1593, which confirmed Lutheranism as the creed of the Swedish Church. The period left a visible legacy in the cathedral, castle and the changing relationship between royal power, church institutions and the university.

Ironworks, Forests and the Industrial Landscape

From the seventeenth century, Uppland became one of Sweden's major iron-producing areas. Water-powered forges and hammers were established where forests supplied charcoal and waterways moved raw materials and finished iron. Estates such as Lövstabruk developed into planned communities combining industrial works, workers' housing, a manor and formal gardens. The iron trade connected Uppland to Swedish export ports and international markets, while shaping settlement patterns across the northern countryside. Many bruk villages still preserve the architecture and landscape of this industrial era.

Science, Education and Modern Regional Change

Uppsala University helped make Uppland a major centre of scholarship, particularly from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Carl Linnaeus, professor at Uppsala, developed influential systems for classifying the natural world and studied the surrounding landscape through excursions and botanical observation. In the modern period, railways, improved roads and the growth of Stockholm's metropolitan area altered settlement and commuting patterns, while Uppsala expanded as a university, research and cultural centre. Coastal communities and former industrial villages retain more specialised maritime and industrial identities.

Uppland in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Uppland, Sweden

Discover Uppland with Evendo, a 100% free app offering comprehensive guides on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Everything you need for the perfect trip.

  • Comprehensive guides on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants
  • Detailed descriptions, images, local tips, and maps for every location
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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More about the Evendo app

Explore the beauty of Uppland, Sweden with Evendo, your ultimate travel guide app. From famous landmarks to hidden gems, plan, book, and enjoy your trip effortlessly.

  • History of Uppland and travel essentials
  • Curated local advice to experience Uppland like a local
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near Me' feature
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases
  • Global coverage with information on 7,000+ other destinations worldwide

Welcome to Uppland, Sweden, a region filled with rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. With Evendo, your travel experience in Uppland will be unparalleled. Imagine standing in awe at the grandeur of Uppsala Cathedral, walking through the ancient ruins of Gamla Uppsala, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon at the beautiful Botanical Garden. Evendo provides detailed information on all major attractions and landmarks, such as the Gustavianum museum, Fyrishov Water Park, and the Linnaeus Garden.

Food lovers can indulge in Uppland’s culinary delights with recommendations and reviews for top restaurants like Villa Anna, Domtrappkällaren, and Hambergs Fisk. For nightlife enthusiasts, Evendo offers insights into the best bars and nightclubs, making sure your evenings are as exciting as your days.

With Evendo, booking hotels, tours, and experiences is a breeze. Find the perfect accommodation, from luxury hotels to charming bed and breakfasts, and effortlessly book your stay. The app also features curated local tips, maps, and contact details, ensuring you never miss out on any hidden gems or essential travel information.

Whether you're exploring the bustling city of Uppsala or the serene countryside, Evendo's 'Near Me' feature will help you discover what's around you in real-time. With easy navigation and comprehensive coverage, Evendo makes your travel planning seamless and enjoyable.

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