Uppsala, the great Swedish university city

Uppsala is now widely known for its university, founded in 1477 (the very first in Sweden), but it is also home to one of the largest cathedrals in Sweden (the seat of the Archbishop) and an important site from the end of the Viking period.
Our tour begins with the majestic Uppsala Cathedral, with its three towers rising over 118 meters high, dominating the city and visible from afar, making it the tallest religious building in Scandinavia.
You will admire its impressive Gothic architecture and discover its rich history, including its role in Sweden's religious and political history.

Next, we head to Uppsala University, a center of knowledge and innovation where famous Swedish figures like botanist Carl von Linné, who laid the foundations for modern plant taxonomy, studied.
We will also visit the anatomical theatre, built in the 17th century by Olof Rudbeck for public dissections, an important place for medical education at the time. This theatre is located in Gustavianum, the former main building of the university, which now houses the Uppsala University Museum, showcasing fascinating collections ranging from antiquity to modern times.

We will then take a short walk to Carolina Rediviva, Uppsala University’s main library, which holds over 5 million volumes and many rare and valuable collections, including ancient manuscripts, maps, and historical works. One of the most famous pieces is the Codex Argenteus, also known as the "Silver Bible." This 6th-century manuscript, written in silver letters on purple parchment, is a unique remnant of Gothic culture and is one of the highlights of the library's collection, attracting numerous scholars and visitors each year.

Next, we’ll take a guided walk up a hill overlooking the city to see Uppsala Castle, built in the 16th century by King Gustav Vasa, the founder of the modern Swedish monarchy. The castle played a central role in Sweden's history and was the site of several major historical events.

Finally, we will cross the modern city to experience its vibrant student atmosphere, and see traces of famous Uppsala natives, such as renowned director Ingmar Bergman, before heading back to Uppsala station for the return journey to Stockholm.

For those interested (with a morning reservation), there’s an option to stay in Uppsala to explore the modern city or visit Old Uppsala and its three Viking kings' burial mounds. Just mention this when booking your tour.