This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2016. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
When I visited Sweden in 2016, I ventured out of Stockholm to explore some small towns in the countryside.
I’ll admit, I usually tend to lean towards city travel. I like the energy, the convenience, and the feeling that there’s always something happening. But on this trip to Sweden, I made a point of stepping outside Stockholm for a day — and it ended up being one of the most memorable parts of my visit.
Sigtuna and Uppsala offer two completely different experiences, yet they work surprisingly well together as a day trip. One is small, historic and quietly charming, while the other feels more like a lively university city with grand architecture and wider appeal.
If you’re planning a trip to Stockholm and want to see more of Sweden beyond the capital, this guide will walk you through exactly how to visit Sigtuna and Uppsala in one day — including transport options, what to see, and whether it’s actually worth it.
Quick summary:
This guide covers how to visit Sigtuna and Uppsala on a day trip from Stockholm, including transport routes, travel times, and top things to see in each town. Expect a mix of Viking history, medieval streets, cathedral views, and a relaxed countryside atmosphere.
Recommended tour:
🚐 Viking History Day Tour from Stockholm – Includes guided visits to Sigtuna & Uppsala plus other Viking heritage sites.
🚶 Uppsala Must See 2h City Walk – Guided walk covering cathedral, castle, gardens, and Viking history
How to plan a Stockholm → Sigtuna → Uppsala day trip
The easiest way to structure this day trip is to start in Sigtuna, then continue on to Uppsala before heading back to Stockholm in the evening. Overall, you’ll want to allow a full day for this itinerary, with roughly half a day in each destination.
Sigtuna is smaller and more relaxed, which makes it ideal for a slow morning — wandering along the main street, stopping for coffee, and exploring the historic sites without feeling rushed. Uppsala, on the other hand, has more “big ticket” attractions, and it works well as an afternoon stop.
You can do this trip either independently using public transport or as part of a guided day tour which removes the need to think about logistics. I chose to do it myself, which was relatively straightforward, but it does involve a couple of connections.
Guided tour to the Swedish countryside
🚐 If you’d prefer to take a guided tour so that you don’t have to mess around with transport, book a Viking and Swedish History Day Tour from Stockholm. This tour includes a visit to both Sigtuna and Uppsala.
How to get to Sigtuna from Stockholm
The journey to Sigtuna from Stockholm takes about an hour. Start by taking a train from Stockholm Central Station (check out the metro station art while you’re there!) to Märsta Station. Trains run frequently — roughly every 15 minutes — and the journey takes about 40 minutes.
From Märsta, you’ll need to transfer to a local bus (route 570 or 575) which takes you directly into Sigtuna. The bus ride takes around 20 minutes, and the connections are generally well-timed with incoming trains.
Things to do in Sigtuna
Sigtuna is popular with tourists because of its history. It’s been named “Sweden’s first town’ as archeological digs have uncovered many old coins and building remnants that date past anything else that has been discovered in Sweden.
Every Sigtuna itinerary should include a visit to the Sigtuna Museum to find out more about the local history.
Sigtuna is easily walkable. The main street (Stora Gatan) is super adorable, with many tiny shops lining the street.
There are also plenty of great options to grab a bite. For a casual lunch, I’d suggest stopping in at Tant Bruns Coffee House.
For something a little fancier, head to Sigtuna Stads Hotell which has a dining room with a sweet view over the lake. You can also stay there overnight, if you fancy!
Town Hall (Sigtuna Rådhus) is one of the oldest buildings in Sigtuna. Throughout the years, many buildings in the town burnt down in various fires, but each time the town hall was saved. Now the building is part of the Sigtuna museum – you can take a walk around inside.
The ruins of St Olaf’s Church (Sankt Olofs kyrkoruin) are definitely worth checking out. You can’t go inside due to safety reasons, but wandering around the exterior of the old creepy church and cemetery is a great activity for those (like myself) who enjoy injecting a little dark tourism into their travels.
Next to this is St Mary’s Church (Mariakyrkan) which was built in the 13th century and is the official church of Sigtuna. It has some really interesting Gothic-style architecture, if you’re into that kind of thing!
How to get from Sigtuna to Uppsala
To continue your journey, head back to Märsta Station via the same bus you took earlier. Buses run roughly every 30 minutes.
From Märsta, take a northbound train to Uppsala. This leg of the journey takes around 20–30 minutes, making it a quick and easy connection.
In total, allow about an hour to travel from Sigtuna to Uppsala.
Things to do in Uppsala
Uppsala is well known for two things: It’s cathedral, and it’s university.
The Cathedral (Uppsala Domkyrka) is impressive on the inside and out. It was built in the 13th-15th centuries and features French Gothic style architecture. I know that churches and cathedrals can get very same-same after you’ve seen about a million of them throughout Europe, but this one really is worth adding to your Uppsala itinerary.
Next is Uppsala University, which was founded in 1477 making it the oldest university in Sweden and the Nordics. The building itself isn’t all that interesting to visit – though the library is quite an attractive building from the outside.
Next to the University is the much more impressive Botanical Garden. I’ve visited many pretty gardens in my time, but I have to say, this one was definitely one of my favourites.
Even though it started raining when I was walking around, I couldn’t believe how well-kept and serene the gardens were – I’m fairly sure I was the only person in there. I almost started singing ‘dancing in the rain’ out loud.
From the gardens, you can head straight up the stairs to Uppsala Castle (Uppsala Slott), which sits on a hill at the city end of the garden. The 16th century castle now houses 3 museums including an art museum and the castle museum, so if you’ve got some time, do check them out.
After the castle, head down to the picturesque riverfront for gorgeous views looking back at the Cathedral.
🚶 If you’d prefer to explore Uppsala with more context, a guided Uppsala Must See 2h City Walk would be a great option. It covers the cathedral, castle, botanical gardens, and Viking history
This tour gives you a deeper understanding of the city, including stories of royal history, local culture, and even some darker moments tied to Uppsala Castle. It’s a good way to bring the place to life beyond just wandering through it on your own.
If you’ve got time, you can do some shopping along Svartbäcksgatan, and if you’re already peckish then head to the Churchill Arms for some pub grub and a local beer before your train back to Stockholm.
I actually stayed at the Akademihotellet Hotel in Uppsala before heading back to Stockholm. This hotel was comfortable, budget-friendly, and had a fabulous location right near Uppsala University and the cathedral.
How to get from Uppsala to Stockholm
This is the easiest part of the trip! Getting back to Stockholm from Uppsala is straightforward with direct Uppsala to Stockholm trains running frequently — usually every 30 minutes. The journey takes around 40 minutes.
Is this Stockholm day trip worth it?
If you’re spending a few days in Stockholm, I think this day trip is absolutely worth considering.
What I liked most was the contrast. Stockholm is a beautiful city, but stepping outside of it gives you a different perspective on Sweden — one that feels quieter, more historic, and a little more local.
Sigtuna brings the charm and atmosphere, while Uppsala adds more structure with its major landmarks. Together, they create a well-rounded day that doesn’t feel rushed, but still covers a lot.
It’s not a must-do for everyone — especially if you’re short on time — but if you enjoy mixing city travel with smaller towns and historical sites, it’s a really rewarding addition to your itinerary.
Sigtuna & Uppsala FAQ
Can you visit Sigtuna and Uppsala in one day?
Yes, it’s very doable. The towns are close together, and with efficient public transport, you can comfortably visit both in a single day.
Is Sigtuna worth visiting?
Sigtuna is worth visiting if you enjoy small, historic towns with a relaxed atmosphere. It’s less about major attractions and more about the overall charm.
Is Uppsala worth visiting?
Uppsala is worth visiting for its cathedral, university, and gardens. It offers a mix of history and city energy that complements Sigtuna nicely.
Do you need a tour to visit Sigtuna and Uppsala?
No, you can visit both independently using trains and buses. However, a guided tour can simplify the logistics.
How long should you spend in Sigtuna and Uppsala?
Leave Stockholm early and plan for a full day, with roughly half a day in each location.
*My trip to Sigtuna was sponsored by Visit Stockholm. I’m proud to be an honest and transparent blogger, so every opinion expressed on AGWT is a true review of my experience!
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