A Student’s “Tourist Guide” to Inexpensive Things to do and Sights to See – By: Arshia

It is no secret that students are short on money, and I am no different. Coming to a country that is known for being expensive, I was a little apprehensive of not being able to see a lot of things because they could potentially cost a lot, and while some things are expensive, there is no dearth of activities and sights that are inexpensive or even free. So here is a little “beginner’s tourist guide” of sorts that I’ve put together with some of my favourite things to do in and around Uppsala!

In Uppsala

1: Saturday Concerts at the Uppsala Cathedral
This might be the most obvious thing on this list, but it’s one you really should not miss out on. The cathedral is the tallest one in Scandinavia and is incredibly majestic both on the outside and the inside. It even houses the beautifully decorated tombs of past kings as well, which you will see as you take a round of the cathedral. There are usually a number of free concerts in the summer, as well as weekly classical concerts on Saturday afternoons which also have free admission and sound absolutely magical with the acoustics of the church!

2: A Little Art Outing at Bror Hjorths Hus
Bror Hjorth was a Swedish painter from Uppsala, and there is a little art museum dedicated to his works in the city that is free to visit! His home and studio in Uppsala have been converted into the museum it is today, and there is even an extension to the building where the museum hosts temporary exhibitions for other artists. I absolutely loved visiting Bror Hjorths Hus and I think it is my favourite museum that I’ve visited in Sweden so far. It is quite small compared to a lot of other museums and galleries, considering that it is literally in his old house, and they’ve retained a lot of his old shelves and books, along with so many of his sculptures, paintings, and murals. His artwork is so vibrant, and has such a distinct, bright style that it makes the space feel very positive as well. If you see closely, you will even find an artwork in which he has painted himself in the background!

3: Exhibitions and Contemplation at Uppsala Konstmuseum (Uppsala Art Museum)
I know this is the second art museum in a row, but I am a student of Aesthetics, so I am quite biased towards art! But Aesthetics student or not, the Uppsala Art Museum is lovely, with a large number of really interesting and thought-provoking artworks. They also have frequent exhibitions (of which I have visited a couple) that have fascinating themes (otherworldliness, humans vs nature, among others). The art museum is also free to visit, unless an exhibition mentions otherwise, and is also right next to Uppsala Castle if you’d like to pair the two for a convenient visit. It is also on a bit of a higher point in the city, and gives you a nice view of the cathedral come snow or sunshine.
I know this is the second art museum in a row, but I am a student of Aesthetics, so I am quite biased towards art! But Aesthetics student or not, the Uppsala Art Museum is lovely, with a large number of really interesting and thought-provoking artworks. They also have frequent exhibitions (of which I have visited a couple) that have fascinating themes (otherworldliness, humans vs nature, among others). The art museum is also free to visit, unless an exhibition mentions otherwise, and is also right next to Uppsala Castle if you’d like to pair the two for a convenient visit. It is also on a bit of a higher point in the city, and gives you a nice view of the cathedral come snow or sunshine.

4: A Summertime Day Trip to Gamla Uppsala
Gamla Uppsala or Old Uppsala is a not-so-long bus ride away from the main city, and you can definitely make a little day trip of your visit there– something that I’d definitely recommend doing in the summertime. Not only do they have a museum showcasing the history and significance of Uppsala, they also have several huge burial mounds from the age of the Vikings. At specific times of the day, they even take little groups out to climb the burial mounds with a tour guide, which you do not have to pay extra for. While the “tour” is super short, it is the only way for you to get close to and climb the burial mounds and for that reason I would say it is worth it. The ticket to the museum does cost 100 sek, but the card you get is valid for the whole year, and you can come back several times for free.

Along with the museum and the burial mounds, there are also several trails, an old church, an open-air museum depicting an old Upland village from the 19^th century (only in the summer), and a cute little old-style café and restaurant. The sprawling grounds at the base of the burial mounds are also a nice place to soak in the sun, read, or have a little picnic with your friends!

Around Uppsala

1: History and Art at Västerås
Västerås is another city in Sweden that is 1.5-2 hours away from Uppsala by bus. The tickets aren’t super expensive, and if you already have a monthly bus pass, you have nothing to worry about since the journey is included in your ticket.

Västerås is a smaller city than Uppsala, but still has a bunch of stuff to see and do. The Västmanland County Museum is very immersive and interactive, and almost makes you feel like a child again. It is housed in the same building as the Västerås Art Museum, and yes, they both are free to visit! The city also has a cathedral, and you will even see some art pieces and installations as you walk around the city centre. There is also a historical landmark, Anundshög, situated a short bus ride away from the centre which is considered Sweden’s largest burial mound that is also a must-see.

2: Strolling Around Enköping
If you’d like to visit a little town that almost seems to be stuck in a time of the past, I would recommend a little trip to Enköping. It is not that the town lacks modern infrastructure, but some parts of the town’s centre can only be properly described as “quaint.” It is much smaller and quieter than Uppsala, with an old, quaint church looking upon an old, quiet cemetery. The storefronts in the town also emanate a feeling of being transported into the past, and walking around the town at sunset in the autumn evokes a very specific feeling that is hard to describe to anyone that has not already experienced it.

If you’d like to visit a little town that almost seems to be stuck in a time of the past, I would recommend a little trip to Enköping. It is not that the town lacks modern infrastructure, but some parts of the town’s centre can only be properly described as “quaint.” It is much smaller and quieter than Uppsala, with an old, quaint church looking upon an old, quiet cemetery. The storefronts in the town also emanate a feeling of being transported into the past, and walking around the town at sunset in the autumn evokes a very specific feeling that is hard to describe to anyone that has not already experienced it.

I think visiting Enköping was one of the most unique and unexpected experiences I’ve had in Sweden, and I would suggest a little day trip to see for yourself if you agree with me! Enköping is just a one-hour bus ride away from Uppsala and requires the same kind of ticket as Västerås, which isn’t very expensive!

These are my recommendations to you for now, and I hope to add to this list with the time I have left in Sweden. Happy exploring to those of you that are going to make your way to Uppsala, and I hope you enjoy these places and experiences!