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many times the brochures refer to Linné’s ‘sexual system’ of classification (see boxed text, above), the excitement to be had at Linnémuseet (13 65 40; www.linnaeus.se, in Swedish; Svartbäcksgatan 27; adult/under 16yr Skr50/free; 11am-5pm Tue-Sun May-Sep) is primarily intellectual; still, botanists and vegetarians will enjoy a visit to the pioneering scientist’s home and workshop. The adjoining Linnéträdgården (471 25 76; admission free with Linnémuseet ticket; shop & exhibit 11am-5pm Tue-Sun May-Sep, park 11am-8pm Tue-Sun May-Sep) is a reconstructed version of Sweden’s oldest botanical garden – Linné’s playground – with more than 1300 species arranged according to the system he invented.

Bror Hjorth’s House (56 70 30; www.brorhjorthshus.se; Norbyvägen 26; adult/under 19yr Skr30/free, Fri free; noon-4pm Thu-Sun, also Tue-Wed in summer), the studio of beloved local artist Bror Hjorth (1894–1968), is jam-packed with Hjorth’s charming paintings and sculpture, and hosts temporary exhibitions.

OTHER SIGHTS

On the lawn between Domkyrkan and the main Uppsala University building are nine typical Uppland rune stones.

On 30 April, students dressed in white gather to celebrate the Walpurgis Festival. Traditionally, this includes a student boat race on the river at 10am and a run down Carolinabacken at 3pm, as well as various processions and singing.

Activities

You can ride the narrow-gauge steam train Lennakatten (13 05 00; www.lennakatten.se; all-day ticket adult/child Skr160/75; Thu, Sat & Sun Jul-Aug, Sun Sep) 33km into the Uppland countryside. Schedules vary, so check online for updates. The trains depart from the Uppsala Östra museum station, in Bergsbrunnaparken, about 1km east of Uppsala Central Station.

Slow the pace with a boat cruise to the baroque castle of Skokloster. M/S Kung Carl Gustaf (14 48 00; www.kungcarlgustaf.se), a 19th-century ex-steamship, sails Tuesday to Sunday from mid-May to mid-August. Tours (adult/child Skr200/100) leave Islandsbron at 11am and return at 4.15pm, allowing about two hours at Skokloster. There are also evening river cruises at 7pm Tuesday to Saturday from mid-May to mid-September; the cruise plus buffet and entertainment costs Skr350 per person.

Families with water-loving children should head for Fyrishov (727 49 50; www.fyrishov.se; Idrottsgatan 2; adult/child Skr75/60; 9am-9pm, times vary for each section), one of Sweden’s largest water parks with the full complement of slides, Jacuzzis, waterfalls and wave machines.

Sleeping

Fyrishov Camping (727 49 60; www.fyrishov.se; Idrottsgatan 2; sites Skr130, 4-bed cabins from Skr695) This campsite, 2km north of the city, is great for families with water babies: it’s attached to one of Sweden’s largest water parks, with discounted swim-and-stay packages (from Skr795 for cabins). Take bus 1 from Dragarbrunnsgatan.

Uppsala Vandrarhem & Hotell (24 20 08; www.uppsalavandrarhem.se; Kvarntorget 3; dm Skr170-200, s/d hostel Skr400/500, s/d hotel weekdays Skr795/895, weekends Skr650/800; ) This new hotel-hostel combo, located in a sort of mini-mall, is removed from the action but easily walkable from the train station. Hostel rooms are upstairs; hotel rooms on two levels face an enclosed courtyard that works as a breakfast room. (Late sleepers should ask for an upstairs room.) Access to the kitchen and a grocery store on the corner make self-catering convenient. Breakfast is included in the hotel prices and Skr75 extra for hostellers.

STF Vandrarhem Sunnersta Herrgård (32 42 20; www.sunnerstaherrgard.se; Sunnerstavägen 24; dm Skr200, s/d from Skr340/380; Jan–mid-Dec; ) This hostel in a historic manor house about 6km south of the city centre has a parklike setting at water’s edge and a good restaurant on site. You can rent bikes (Skr50/200 per day/week) or borrow a boat and there’s free wi-fi. Hotel-standard rooms are available (single/double Skr605/710). Take bus 20.

Uppsala Vandrarhem City (10 00 08; www.uppsalavandrarhem.se; Sankt Persgatan 16; dm/s/d from Skr220/400/500; ) Vandrarhem City is recommended for its sheer convenience – you really