Car Hire Uppsala - Mini guide to Uppsala

Located to the north of Stockholm, Uppsala is regarded as the historical and religious centre of Sweden. It's a tranquil alternative to the capital, and features a delightful river-cut centre as well as an active student-geared nightlife.

The centrepiece of the medieval town is the 13th century Domkyrkan, Scandinavia's largest and greatest cathedral. The echoing interior is awesome, boasting a spectacular French Gothic ambulatory, sided by tiny chapels, one of which contains a lively set of restored 14th century wall paintings. The 15th century Uppsala University, with its imposing central hall, lies opposite the cathedral.

The university has several historic sections, including the excellent library, which is one of Scandinavia's largest. There is also a tidily preserved anatomical theatre. Additionally, the Uppsala University Museum is home to an extensive collection of portraits. The 16th century castle and its opulent State Apartments are nearby. Here, you can wander around the excavations and peruse the waxworks.

There's a wide range of good restaurants serving delicious fish dishes and traditional Swedish fare. Riverside cafés are popular during the summer and the student clubs (‘nations’), housed in mostly magnificent buildings, form a considerable part of the nightlife.

Stretching from Bergslagen's deep forests in the north down to the verdant coves of Lake Mälaren, the county of Vastmanland offers extremes such as primeval forests next to open landscapes, as well as mountainous forests close to wetlands teeming with a varied fauna. Stockholm, site of the Nobel Prize banquet, enjoys an excellent natural setting at the mouth of the lake and also has some fine buildings and parks.

The north-south motorway E4 passes through Uppsala, and the east-west motorway E18 is not far to the south of the city. Commuter trains go to and from Stockholm every 30 minutes during the daytime, and there are also intercity connections to the north. The airport is less than 50kms away, and buses and trains offer frequent transfers.