Month: February 2026

The moment you get your acceptance to Uppsala University – Campus Gotland, the adventure really begins: your next quest is to find a place to call home in Visby. Knowing where and how to look can make the whole transition so much smoother.  

Understanding UUHO Housing 

For fee-paying international students, the university guarantees housing through the Uppsala University Housing Office (UUHO). Once you pay your tuition fee for the first semester, you get an invitation from UUHO to create your account with details of how to apply. If this is you, the first place you should look for your next home is with UUHO. They have 3 housing areas in Visby you can choose from. Keep in mind that guaranteeing housing doesn’t mean that your tuition fee includes your housing rent. You must pay your rent for the next month at the end of the previous month.  

If you are a non-fee-paying student 

For non-fee-paying international students, you must find housing on your own. Unlike in Uppsala, Gotland’s student nation, Rindi doesn’t provide their own housing. However, Rindi together with Campus Gotland and Region Gotland, has created Gotlands Student Bostad , a platform which gathers rental listings from housing companies, private landlords and students finding roommates. If you are a non-fee-paying student or are not satisfied with the housing provided by UUHO, you can search for your new home here. UUHO also provides housing for non-fee-paying students once the quota for fee-paying students fills up.  

How housing contracts work 

Normally, the housing contracts in Visby last for 9 months (final week of August to first week of June). This is because these apartments are rented for higher prices for tourists during the Summer (June, July, August). Students normally leave their luggage at storage facilities in Visby during this period and leave for the vacation. However, housing areas Mejerigatan 4-7 and Fältgatan 73 rented through UUHO has an exception where you can stay for the same rental fee during the summer. Therefore, housing contracts with UUHO can be either 1,2 or 3 years (bachelor’s students only) long depending on your preferences. To end a contract before the mentioned period, you must inform your landlord 3 months prior to the date you wish to end, unless the contract says otherwise.  

You can find a list of housing options below with detailed information on housing areas from UUHO. 

Housing at the Uppsala University Housing Office (UUHO) 

The Uppsala University Housing Office rents student apartments from 3 housing areas in Visby.  

1. Mejerigatan 4-7

• Room type: Studio Apartments/ Corridor for Single Occupancy 

• Area of the unit: Studio apartment- approx.18-19 sqm 
                                   Corridor room- approx. 10-11 sqm 

• Distance from Campus: 1km (10-15 -minute walk; closest to campus out of all 3 housing areas) 

• Monthly rent: Studio apartment- 4 600 – 4 700 SEK 
                              Corridor room- 4 300 – 5 100 SEK 

• Surroundings: Much larger housing area with several buildings and main roads in front.  

• What’s Nearby: 5-minute walk to Ica Atterdags. 2-minute walk to Visby Gym and Söderports Vårdcentral(Hospital), 10-minute walk to Österport(Mc Donalds, Max Burgers, Coop Öster, Apoteket (Pharmacy), Flying Tiger, Normal, Åhlens etc), 40-minute walk to Willys and Lidl, 40-minute walk to Ica Maxi, Dollar Store, Jysk, Jula.  

• Inclusions in the Rent: Electricity, Water, Internet, Heating Studio Apartments: Private Bathroom, Private Kitchenette, Mini Refrigerator with Freezer, Private Storage Unit, Access to shared kitchen, Access to shared laundry Corridor Rooms: Access to Shared Bathroom, Access to Shared  Kitchen, Access to shared laundry 
• Furniture included: Single bed, Table, Two Chairs, Shelf, Blinds 

• Not included: Router, Curtains (Curtain Rods can be available sometimes), Shower Curtains, Pillows, Duvet, Bed Linen, Kitchen Utensils (Included in the corridor rooms), Cleaning equipment, Tablecloth 

• Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/J1Po2bSBC7wXLGvM8  

• Website: Mejerigatan 4-7 – Uppsala University Housing Office  
  

2. Fältgatan 73

• Room type: Studio Apartments 

• Area of the unit: Approx.18-19 sqm 

• Distance from Campus: 1.8 km (20-25 -minute walk) 

• Monthly rent: Studio apartment- 4 600 – 4 700 SEK 

• Description: Single building with a few other apartment buildings around. Much calmer surroundings. 

• What’s Nearby: 15-minute walk to Ica Atterdags. 15-minute walk to Visby Gym and Söderports Vårdcentral(Hospital), 15-minute walk to Österport(Mc Donalds, Max Burgers, Coop Öster, Apoteket (Pharmacy), Flying Tiger, Normal, Åhlens etc), 30-minute walk to Willys and Lidl, 30-minute walk to Ica Maxi, Dollar Store, Jysk, Jula.  

• Inclusions in the Rent: Electricity, Water, Internet, Heating, Private Bathroom, Private Kitchenette, Private Storage Unit, Access to shared kitchen, Access to shared laundry 

• Furniture included: Single bed, Table, Two Chairs, Shelf, Blinds, Mini Refrigerator with Freezer 

• Not included: Router, Curtains (Curtain Rods can be available sometimes), Shower Curtains, Pillows, Duvet, Bed Linen, Kitchen Utensils (Included in the corridor rooms), Cleaning equipment, Tablecloth 

• Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jermbf1nTcS4Fua46  

• Website: Fältgatan 73 – Uppsala University Housing Office  

3. Volontärgatan

• Room type: Studio Apartments 

• Area of the unit: Approx.24 sqm 

• Distance from Campus: 2 km (30-35 -minute walk) 

• Monthly rent: Studio apartment- 5800 SEK 

• Description: A larger student residential area with much calmer surroundings. Also, in front of a main road. 

• What’s Nearby: 25-minute walk to Ica Atterdags. 25-minute walk to Visby Gym and Söderports Vårdcentral(Hospital), 20-minute walk to Österport(Mc Donalds, Max Burgers, Coop Oster, Apoteket (Pharmacy), Flying Tiger, Normal, Åhlens etc), 20-minute walk to Willys and Lidl, 15-minute walk to Ica Maxi, Dollar Store, Jysk, Jula.  

• Inclusions in the Rent: Electricity, Water, Internet, Private Bathroom, Private Full Kitchen, Private Storage Unit, Access to shared laundry, Private Balcony/Patio 

• Furniture included: Single bed, Desk, Desk Chair, Table, Two Chairs, Shelf, Armchair, Router, Curtains, Shower Curtains, Oven, Microwave, Refrigerator

• Not included: Pillows, Duvet, Bed Linen, Kitchen Utensils, Tablecloth 

• Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YNmWbXqsiunPH8n66  

• Website: Volontärgatan – Uppsala University Housing Office 

Other Housing Companies

• K2A: Lediga lägenheter – K2A 

• Ruthström Fastigheter: Lägenheter i Visby | Ruthström Fastigheter 

• GotlandsBoenden: Studentboende – Gotlandsboenden 

• GotlandsHem: Gotlandshem i Visby – från medeltid till modern tid 

To find more housing companies visit Gotland’s Student Bostad: Housing companies 

You can contact them through the provided phone number or email address on the respective websites for more information and contracts. 

Private Landlords & Student’s Finding Roommates

Many private landlords renting housing for students publish it on Gotland’s Student Bostad: Available housing through private landlords 

You can also find students who already have rented housing and are looking for roommates to join them on Gotland’s Student Bostad as well: Find a roommate 

You can contact them through the provided phone number or email address on the respective websites for more information and contracts. 

Before signing your contract 

• Beware of scammers 

• Always read your contract well and sign only if you agree because this is a legal document 

• Ask for images, videos, housing tour from your landlord if not included properly in their websites for advertisements.  

• Some landlords will ask for a deposit before arriving. Check whether it’s refundable, non-refundable, or how it works. 

• Note that sometimes rent can increase at the beginning of a new academic year or year. Ask your landlord about how it works for them.  

It may take some searching, but once you’re settled, you’ll discover that living in Visby is one of the most rewarding parts of studying at Campus Gotland. Good luck — you’ve got this, and Visby is ready to welcome you! 

Whether you’re from a country with a warm or cold climate, winters in Sweden can be a real challenge to navigate, especially as a student. Personally, even though I come from Poland, a relatively cold country, Polish winters were no match for what I’ve experienced in Sweden, especially when it comes to the temperatures and darkness. However, since I have managed to get through two Swedish winters already, here are some of my tips for you on how to embrace the cold, beat the darkness, and make Swedish winter work for you!

Weather

Swedish people tend to say “there isn’t bad weather, only bad clothing”, and I couldn’t agree more. When the temperatures drop below zero, layering is essential. My first line of defence is a base layer, made of a thermal shirt and tights, followed by a thick hoodie or a sweater, and finally topped off with a jacket, scarf, gloves and a hat. With this set of clothes, you are guaranteed to feel warm and cosy even in lower temperatures, with one caveat.

While wearing extra layers can be helpful, the materials you choose for them also matter. Picking clothes made of good materials, such as wool or fleece, will allow for better breathability inside and warmth retention outside. In addition, choosing an insulated jacket can be a life-changer, especially for snow and wind protection, given the changing weather conditions. Lastly, don’t overlook the choice of footwear; well-insulated and waterproof boots with a strong gripping sole can prove to be crucial on the icy and slushy pavements.

Darkness

In the depths of winter, Uppsala gets less than 6 hours of daylight, which can significantly influence your mood, sleep and overall energy levels. Therefore, firstly, it is critical to look after your health – taking vitamin D supplements, going outside during the day, and getting some exercise might be small habits, but surprisingly make a big difference in how you feel long-term during the darker months. Personally, one of the biggest game-changers for me has been a daylight lamp, acting as an artificial equivalent of sunlight, which you can purchase in local shops, or if you’d rather not invest in one straight away, visit a dedicated light therapy room on campus.

Social life

While maintaining a social life during winter months may sound more challenging, it is much easier than you think! No matter how cold, snowy or windy it is, meeting up with friends and going to a nation pub or club is not an obstacle for Swedish students. Joining a nation is the best way to keep up with social activities, especially when you want to meet new people or bond over a hobby. Personally, joining yoga classes, as well as poetry evenings with friends, has been the highlight of my winter months. Beyond going to nations, making concrete plans with peers gives you something to look forward to and keeps the winter blues away – whether that is going for a fika, lunch or a study session together.

Finally, it’s good to remember that while winters in Sweden can be challenging, it is completely normal to struggle with it, no matter where you come from. Give yourself time and patience to navigate the new conditions and find something that works for you through ensuring good preparation, the right mindset and people around you. In the end, wintertime passes more quickly than you’d think, and sunnier days are always ahead. You’ve got this!

If you are wondering why you’re seeing even more advertisements for pastries and fika in Sweden… You know, semla season is around the corner!

A semla (or semlor in plural) is a must-try when you are visiting Sweden during January-Easter, as the pastries are finally available then.
The tradition dates back to the 16th century, when it began as a simple wheat bun in hot milk, marking the start of the fasting period during Lent, as it was traditionally eaten on Ash Wednesday.  
That is also where the name ‘Fettisdagen’, translated to ‘Fat Tuesday’, comes from.
The semla was so tasty that rumours even spread that King Adolf Frederick died after eating 14 hetvägg (semlas served in a bowl of warm milk), causing digestion problems, as it was his favourite dessert.

If you want to try the semla on Ash Wednesday, be ready for a huuuuuuge queue and bakery-crazyness, as apparently 4 MILLION semlor are sold during that day in Sweden…
But don’t worry, you can eat them at another moment too if you don’t want the rush.

Nowadays, we haven’t heard other stories of people dying after eating too many semlor, so you should be safe!
Also, creativity and semla go hand in hand, different tastes and forms, for everyone’s taste!
It started with the basic taste of a cheat bun in hot milk, to now a wheat bun with cream and almond paste, and even combined with pistachio, Nutella, banana,…  or in a wrap, milkshake,… even a princess semla isn’t too crazy anymore!

Semla Hunt

As there are a loot of café’s, I’ve made a list of my favourite places and other popular places!

1. Ofvandahls Hovkonditori: winner of last year (especially the wiener variant is so good!)
2. Güntherska: crowned as best semla 2026
3. Konditori Fågelsången: tried my first ever semla here with Farah, and it didn’t disappoint!

Other places, where I haven’t been yet for a semla yet:

• Storken
• Café Årummet
• Uno
• Bröd & salt and Espresso house
• But also supermarkets
• …

How to eat?

When you finally find the perfect place, the next struggle can start:

How do you even begin to eat it?
There are many ways, but from some you a different looks or you need to wear a bib!

The classic one
For this elegant way of eating, you take off the lid and eat it first. Then you eat the rest with your knife and fork.
(proper clothes guaranteed!!)

The old school
You eat the semla in a bowl with milk.

The architect
You carefully deconstruct everything: lid, cream, almond paste, bun,…

I don’t care and just want to eat
You just eat it with your hand, like a burger, without removing the lid first.
(don’t foget to whipe your mouth clean!)

Recipe

There are many recipes online, from using storebought buns to making everything from scratch, spending more than 2 hours in the kitchen…
So, after a little research on our beloved platform, Instagram, this is a recipe that seems foolproof!

Semla (makes 8 buns) – recipe from @bakedbylaora

Buns:
150 ml milk, 1 egg, 350 g all-purpose flour, 100 g butter, 50 g sugar, 5 g salt, 25 g fresh yeast or 7 g dry yeast, 1 tsp cardamom.

Almond remonce:
150 g almonds, 80 g powdered sugar or honey, 80–100 ml milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract.

Whipped cream:
500 ml whipped cream, 60 g powdered sugar, 1 tbsp vanilla extract.

Buns Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, warm the milk until lukewarm, then add it to a bowl (stand mixer or by hand).
2. Add the egg, yeast, sugar, and cardamom, and stir until dissolved.
3. Add the flour and mix on low to medium speed for 3–5 minutes, then add the butter and salt and mix on high for 5–6 more minutes.
4. Grease a bowl and form the dough into a ball and place into greased bowl, cover with plastic foil, and let it proof for 1 hour.
5. After proofing, punch the dough down and transfer to a floured surface. Divide into 8 equal balls (around 80 g each) and place on a baking tray with parchment paper. Cover and let rise a second time for 40 minutes. Brush gently with egg wash and bake at 200°C (fan) for 15 minutes. Let them cool down completely.

Almond paste Instructions:

Blend the almonds for about 1 minute. Add the sweetener and vanilla, then blend again. Add milk little by little until the texture becomes spreadable and softer, just make sure it doesn’t get too runny.

Assembling:

Cut the top off each bun with a bread knife and scoop out about 1/3 of the bun to make room for the filling. Traditionally, you save some of the scooped dough and mix it into the remonce, but you can skip this. Fill with the remonce, top with whipped cream, and place the “lid” back on. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy