Uppsala Overview

The footbridges and side streets of Uppsala (pop. 127,000) teem with almost 40,000 undergraduates. Archbishop Jakob Ulvsson founded Uppsala University in 1477, but the Reformation wrested control away from the Catholic Church and set the stage for the spirit of debate that dominates the town today. Academics aside, the city is home to Domkyrka, Domkyrkoplan 5-7, the largest cathedral in Scandinavia. Its red-brick facade houses a grand interior, with artwork spanning eight centuries. Many famous Swedes, ranging from scientist Carolus Linnaeus to Saint Erik, the patron saint of Stockholm, are buried within. (☎018 71 73; www.uppsaladomkyrka.se. Open May-Aug. daily 8am-6pm. For other months check website. Free.) Just across Akademig. from the church, the Gustavianum, Akademig. 3, takes you through the university’s scientific past with physicians’ tools and a reconstructed Anatomical Theater, where public dissections were conducted in the late 17th century. (☎018 471 7571. Open Tu-Su June to Aug. 10am-4pm; Sept.-May 11am-4pm. English tours Sa-Su 1pm. 40kr. AmEx/MC/V.) A walk through the center of town along the Fyrisån River is an excellent way to sample the city’s gardens and cafes. Up the hill on Övre Slottsgatan lies the light pink castle, Uppsala Slott. Inside is the Uppsala Konstmuseum, with art exhibits from the university’s collection. (☎018 727 2482; www.uppsala.se/konstmuseum. Museum open Tu-F noon-4pm, Sa-Su 11am-5pm, first W of the month noon-8pm. Guided tours of the castle June-Aug. 1 and 3pm. Museum 30kr, with tour 70kr, under 20 free. First W of the month 4-8pm free. AmEx/MC/V.) On the other side of the river, the Linnéträdgården, Svartbäcksg. 27, reconstructs Sweden’s first botanical gardens (tended by Carolus Linnaeus) using his 1745 sketch. The grounds include a small, interesting museum in Linnaeus’s former home. (☎018 471 2576; www.linnaeus.uu.se. Garden open May-Sept. Tu-Su 11am-8pm, museum 11am-5pm. Museum and garden 50kr, under 16 free. AmEx/MC/V.) The MS Kung Carl Justaf sails to Skoklosters Slott, a 17th-century castle with an impressive armory. (☎018 402 3060; www.skoklosterslott.se. Open May Tu-Su 11:30am-4:30pm, June Tu-Su 11:30am-5:30pm, July-Aug. 10:30am-5:30pm. For other months, check website. Admission including tour 75kr, under 19 free. Guided tour 1 per hr. Boat departs daily mid-May to mid-Aug. 11am from Islandsbron on Östra Åg. and Munkg.; departs Skokloster 2:30pm. Round-trip 200kr. Ticketing ☎018 14 48 00. AmEx/MC/V.)

STF Uppsala City Hostel (HI) , S:t Persgatan 16, is the most affordable city center accommodation. (☎018 10 00 08; www.uppsalavandrarhem.se. Linens 60kr. Free Internet. Reception 4-7pm. Pets allowed in some rooms. 8-bed dorms 220kr; singles 400kr; doubles 250kr. 50kr HI discount. AmEx/MC/V.) The university is home to student organizations representing different regions in Sweden, known as nations. Each nation owns a house, most with their own restaurants or bars, which have lower prices than other establishments in town. However, only students are allowed in; non-Uppsalan students can pick up a guest pass at Ubbo, Övre Slottsg. 7. (☎018 480 3100; www.kuratorskonventet.se. Open Tu-F 5-7pm, Sa 1-3pm. 1-week pass 60kr; 2-week 80kr; 4-week 100kr; summer 200kr. Valid student ID and photo ID required. MC/V.) Västmanlands-Dala Nation , S:t Larsgatan 13 (entrance on Sysslomangs.), serves non-students June to August. The nation restaurant offers a sizable 50-80kr dinner. (☎018 13 48 59; www.v-dala.se. Open daily 6pm-1am. AmEx/MC/V.) Elegant Basilico , Svartbäcksgatan 24, has pizza (69-99kr), pasta (69-89kr), and other affordable lunch specials. (☎018 15 10 12. Open daily 11am-7pm. AmEx/MC/V.) Pick up groceries at Hemköp, Stora Torget. (Open M-F 7am-10pm, Sa-Su 9am-10pm). Bars cluster around Stortorget, especially on Sysslomansgatan, Västra Ågatan, and the pedestrian areas of Svartbäcksgatan and Kungsgatan. During the academic year, nightlife in Uppsala revolves around the nations.

Trains go to Stockholm (40min., 1-6 per hr., 64kr, students 61kr). To get to the Uppsala tourist office, Fyristorg 8, walk right on Kungsg. from the train station, turn left on S:t Persg., and cross the bridge. The office sells the Uppsalakortet (125kr), providing up to 50% off sight admission. (☎018 727 4800; www.uppland.nu. Open in summer M-F 10am-6pm, Sa 10am-3pm, Su 11am-3pm only in July.) The library, Stadbiblioteket, Svartbäcksg. 17, has free Internet. (☎018 727 1700. Open in summer M-F 9am-6pm, Sa 11am-2pm; Sept.-Dec. Su 1-4pm only; Jan.-Aug. M-Th 9am-8pm, F 9am-6pm, Sa 11am-4pm.) Postal Code: 75320.