Year-round
Uppsala City Highlights & Hidden Gems Walking Tour
From pink castles to Viking runestones, explore the true birthplace of Sweden
Teenager: 63 EUR
Children under 14: Free
At checkout, your final price will appear in Swedish Kronor (SEK), reflecting the same listed EUR price.
Once home to the first Swedish king, Uppsala earns its title as the birthplace of Sweden. This is where 3,000 Viking runestones still stand, and a Cathedral safeguards the remains of infamous kings and illustrious Swedish scientists.
Untangle fact from fiction across the vaulted stillness of Uppsala Cathedral, the flaxen pages of the Codex Argenteus, and the cryptic runes left by the Vikings. Then walk through the Botanical Garden where Carl Linnaeus once classified the natural world, before your Local Xpert brings the pink walls of Uppsala Castle to life, from the Sture murders to the abdication of Queen Kristina.
Xperience Highlights
Decipher the Viking runestones
Carved between the 10th and 11th centuries, these stones detail runic inscriptions woven with Nordic myths and everyday Viking motifs. Your Local Xpert helps you read the patterns depicting the lives of Vikings from maritime expeditions to tragic deaths.
Discover one of Scandinavia’s oldest and largest cathedrals
Walk the aisles of Uppsala Cathedral, as your Local Xpert points out key features of its interiors. From royal coronations to religious ordinations, learn about the dramatic moments it has witnessed. See the resting place of noble and scientific men laid side by side, from King Gustav Vasa, Sweden’s first king, to botanist Carl Linnaeus; then understand the art and relics surrounding them.
See the flaxen pages of the Codex Argenteus (Silver Bible) & Carta Marina
Inside Carolina Rediviva, Uppsala University’s main library, sits Sweden’s most treasured historic artifacts: the 4th century Codex Argenteus, the most complete Gothic manuscript written in gold and silver ink on purple vellum, alongside the Carta Marina, a 1500s map showing the earliest accurate depiction of Scandinavia.
Uncover the story of the only pink castle in Sweden
As you walk the lush grounds and hushed halls of Uppsala Castle, your Local Xpert will thread the events its walls have held onto: the bloody Sture murders, generations of royal intrigue, and the abdication of feminist icon Queen Kristina.
Walk through the Botanical Garden where taxonomy was first developed
Stop at Uppsala University, one of the oldest in the world, where Carl Linnaeus developed taxonomy, the system we still use to classify species today. Then wander the Botanical Garden: a baroque layout with a 200-year-old orangery, the city’s only rainforest, and flowers blooming everywhere, from spring to autumn.
Experience Uppsala’s castles, Vikings, & hidden gems
9:50 or 13:50: Meet at Uppsala Central Station
We’ll meet by the fountain roundabout just outside the central station. Look for your Local Xpert in a brick-orange Xperience Stockholm hat and name tag.
Uppsala City Hall
A short stop for context: why this city, and not Stockholm, claims to be Sweden’s true birthplace.
Uppsala Hidden Gem #1
Come curious and ready for surprises as your Local Xpert takes you to a secret spot in Uppsala that most visitors are likely to miss.
Fyris
Snaking across the region of Uppland, understand the role Fyrisån or river Fyris played during the Viking Age.
Uppsala Hidden Gem #2
Leaving Fyris behind, we’ll pause by another mystery stop made only for those who know where to look.
Viking Runestones
Walk among these runic monuments carved in stone centuries ago, as your Local Xpert reads the symbols depicting the daily lives of Vikings.
Uppsala Saluhall (Winter Only)
Find out why locals call this 20th-century architecture Köttbasilikan or the meat basilica. This is where Uppsala’s fields, coasts, and forests show up on a plate.
Uppsala Cathedral (Admission included)
Pause at the resting place of nobles and scientists, where Swedish monarchs were once crowned, and bishops are still ordained.
Gustavianum Anatomy Hall (Winter Only — Admission included)
Gain access to Uppsala University’s oldest surviving building, and the site of its historic museum as we reveal Swedish contributions to the fields of Medicine, Anatomy and Biology.
Fika at Uppsala Cathedral café
A brief pause in an 18th-century room, with coffee, cinnamon buns, princess cake, or whichever of the Swedish pastries you can’t decide between.
Uppsala University Campus
Your Local Xpert will take you through one of the world’s oldest universities uncovering mystery stops along the way.
Carolina Rediviva (Admission included)
See the Gothic Silver Bible and Carta Marina on display inside the Uppsala University’s library.
The Botanical Garden
Enjoy this floral garden built on Carl Linnaeus’ legacy, with native and exotic species growing side by side.
Uppsala Castle & Uppsala Castle’s History Museum (Admission included)
The tour ends where the story turns darkest and most interesting: Gustav Vasa’s residence, the Sture murders, and Queen Kristina’s abdication two centuries later.
Is this Xperience right for you?
Looking for an enriching, history-filled, day trip close to Stockholm? If you want to discover why Uppsala used to be the original capital of Sweden, why the Vikings chose to settle along its margins, and what the city is proud to boast about today, then this Xperience was designed for you.
Our team is here to guide you
Jacqueline and Frankie can tell you the stories behind Uppsala’s history and medieval relics, and once the tour ends, they know the best places for eating, drinking, and clubbing. Tell us what you’re curious about when you book, and we’ll match you with the Local Xpert who’ll show you Uppsala based on what excites you most.
Jacqueline knows where Swedish history keeps its best secrets, from royal intrigue to the old streets of Uppsala.
Expertise: Geography
Ask me about: Best Swedish fika bröd
Frankie translates Stockholm’s history, innovation, and everyday rituals into stories that make you lean in.
Expertise: Swedish History & Society, Swedish Film & Music, STEM
Ask me about: Best places to BBQ in Stockholm
“The history wasn’t just dates and facts, but actual stories that pulled you in and made you imagine what things were like back then.”
It didn’t feel like one of those tours where you just walk around and listen. It felt much more alive than that. We didn’t just stay outside, we also went inside some really interesting places which made the whole experience feel more complete. And the guide made a big difference. She was constantly talking with us, asking questions, keeping everyone involved, so it never got boring or passive. What I liked the most was how the history was told. At some points you kind of forget you’re on a “tour” and just enjoy it. I’d definitely recommend it if you want something more than the usual tourist experience.
“The Tour to Uppsala with Jacqueline was fantastic. Uppsala it’s a great city with a lot of stories.”
Jacqueline was very friendly and explained everything very clearly. We can recommend you take this experience. Thank you for your services!
What to Expect
- Local Xpert guide focused on Uppsala’s history and traditions
- Entry ticket and guided tour of Uppsala Cathedral, Carolina Rediviva, Botanical Gardens, & Uppsala Castle History Museum
- Entry ticket and guided tour of Gustavianum Anatomy Hall (15 EUR value, Winter Only)
- Train ticket to Uppsala
- Entry to Uppsala Castle Art Museum & Vasaborgen
- Fika and snacks from local shops
- Gratuity for your Local Xpert. Always optional. Always appreciated.
Good to Know
What to bring
Bring weather-appropriate layers and a curious mind. This experience runs rain or shine, so you may also find these useful: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, refillable water bottle, comfortable walking shoes or winter boots, rainjacket and umbrella, because you never know what Nordic climate might serve.
Optional Visit to Gamla Uppsala
For another 3 hours, expand your knowledge of Viking history & heritage by adding a visit to Gamla Uppsala or Old Uppsala. Learn more about what’s included with the Gamla Uppsala stop here.
Availability
Our Uppsala tour runs year round though our itinerary varies seasonally. With groups capped at 10 guests, departures can fill up quickly, and once a date is full, it’s full.
Accessibility
From spring through autumn, this route is wheelchair and stroller accessible and can be adapted for many mobility needs. Winter conditions like snow and ice on cobblestones can make accessibility harder to guarantee. Let us know your needs when booking so we can plan the smoothest route possible.
Xperience Viking History at Gamla Uppsala
Three hours gets you to Uppsala’s highlights and hidden gems. Another 3 hours with your Local Xpert takes you to Old Uppsala – home to one Sweden’s oldest Viking settlements and the royal burial mounds, the Kungshögarna, still regarded as a site of pilgrimage and homage to Æsir gods Odin, Thor, and Freyr.
At the Gamla Uppsala Museum, you’ll learn how Vikings buried their dead, worshipped their gods, and lived day to day. Then stop at a Christian church from the 1100s, built with Viking-era runestones embedded in its own foundation, and now the resting place of the scientist Anders Celsius.
This add-on to our Uppsala City Highlights & Hidden Gems Tour includes travel to and from Gamla Uppsala, as well as admission to the royal mounds, Gamla Uppsala Museum, Gamla Uppsala Kyrka.
- Adult
- 67 EUR
- Teenager
- 67 EUR
- Children - (under 14)
- Free
“Frankie hosted my wife and I for the most delightful custom, private tour of Gamla Uppsala and Uppsala!”
We so enjoyed her insights, wealth of knowledge and patience with our very many questions. It was an unforgettable experience and we can’t wait to get back to Stockholm and enjoy her company on another tour or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Life happens, so we keep this simple: cancel up to 24 hours before your experience starts and get a full refund, no questions asked. If you booked with a promo code, reach out and we’ll get you rescheduled instead.
Gamla Uppsala isn’t included by default but a separate stop you add during checkout. Select Gamla Uppsala as an add-on option before you confirm your booking. Have questions first? Reach out to our Local Xperts.
We guide you through the Castle’s History Museum (Slottshistoriska), and admission is included. We don’t run guided tours of the Art Museum or Vasaborgen, but the tour ends right at the castle, so you’ll have time to visit either afterward.
Our Uppsala hidden gems include a wide variety of lesser known spots featuring culture, history, and nature. Admission for each stop is included. Come curious!
We’d be glad to design a custom itinerary for you including these stops. Reserve a private tour and simply let us know your preferences.
Yes. If you’d like the day to yourselves, reach out to a Local Xpert to plan your Uppsala experience for your group, pace, interests, and preferred language.
Get Ready for Uppsala Hidden Gems
A little context can change the way you move through a city. Start here to arrive curious, prepared, and ready to enjoy the highlights and hidden gems of Uppsala.
Explore Uppsala through the people who shape it
Through our local cultural partners, we help guests see the details, histories, and interiors most visitors pass by.
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