Uppsala, Sweden’s fourth-largest city, is a place where history, student life, and nature blend beautifully. But beyond its academic reputation and iconic cathedral, Uppsala is also a dream for photographers—especially at sunset. Golden hour here transforms the city into a canvas of warm light, dramatic skies, and perfect reflections.
If you’re looking for the best sunset photo spots in Uppsala, these are my top picks. Bring your camera, scout your spot early, and prepare to capture the city’s most magical moments.
1. Uppsala Cathedral (Domkyrkan)
The cathedral is Uppsala’s crown jewel, visible from almost anywhere in the city. At sunset, the gothic spires glow in soft orange tones, and the light often reflects across the Fyris River below. From certain angles, you’ll see the cathedral rising above the rooftops, bathed in golden light that emphasizes its scale and detail.
Best vantage point: Head to the riverside path near Fyrisån. From here, you can frame the cathedral with water reflections in the foreground, giving your photo both depth and symmetry.
Pro tip: If the sky is cloudy, don’t put your camera away—the cathedral looks stunning in dramatic twilight skies with a long exposure.
2. Uppsala Castle (Uppsala Slott)
Perched on a hill, the castle overlooks both the cathedral and the botanical garden. The warm tones of the evening sun light up the castle’s pink façade, while the terrace gives you one of the best elevated viewpoints in the city. It’s an ideal spot if you like wide cityscapes.
Best vantage point: Stand at the castle terrace facing the cathedral—you’ll capture the full panorama of Uppsala with the sunset colors spreading across the sky.
Pro tip: Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to scout your framing, as the best light on the castle itself happens just before the sun dips.
3. Botaniska Trädgården
The Botanical Garden is a peaceful escape and an underrated photo location. With long alleys of trees, colorful flowerbeds, and the Linneanum orangery, you’ll find lots of foreground interest to work into your shots. The open lawns also make it easy to include plenty of sky in your compositions.
Best vantage point: The central axis of the garden, with the orangery in view, aligns beautifully with the setting sun in late summer and early autumn.
Pro tip: Bring a medium telephoto lens (around 85mm) to compress the scene and make the orangery glow against the sky.
4. Fyris River (Fyrisån)
The Fyris River is the lifeline of Uppsala, winding through the city and reflecting its most iconic landmarks. At sunset, the light bounces off the water, creating golden ripples that mirror the surrounding buildings. From bridges and riverbanks, you’ll find countless compositions.
Best vantage point: Islandsfallet (the weir near central Uppsala) is a local favorite. The water movement creates reflections that look magical under the fading light.
Pro tip: Experiment with a neutral density filter to shoot long exposures—this will smooth out the water and give your photos a dreamy look.
5. Gamla Uppsala (Old Uppsala)
A short trip north of the city center takes you to Gamla Uppsala, home to the ancient royal burial mounds. Here, wide open landscapes create a completely different atmosphere compared to downtown. At sunset, the mounds form striking silhouettes against the fiery sky. It’s both a historical and photographic experience.
Best vantage point: Stand at the base of the largest mound and look westward—this alignment creates strong leading lines and emphasizes the scale of the scene.
Pro tip: If you’re lucky enough to visit during a clear autumn evening, the combination of golden light and misty fields makes for breathtaking, moody photos.
6. Gamla Torget
One of the most overlooked but rewarding spots is Gamla Torget (Old Square). From here, you get one of the best angles of Uppsala Cathedral, with the sun setting directly behind its towers on summer evenings. The square itself adds character with cobblestones, historic buildings, and the atmosphere of old Uppsala.
Best vantage point: Position yourself on the far side of the square and use the leading lines of the cobblestones to guide the viewer’s eye toward the cathedral and sunset.
Pro tip: This location works best in late spring and summer, when the sun sets far enough north to align with the cathedral’s spires.
Suggested Sunset Photography Route in Uppsala
If you only have one evening in Uppsala, here’s a simple route that lets you capture the city’s best golden hour and sunset views in one walkable loop.
1. Start at Gamla Torget (1 hour before sunset)
Arrive early and set up your first shots of Uppsala Cathedral. From this square, you’ll often catch the sun aligning with the spires in summer.
👉 Why start here? You get warm golden light hitting the cathedral’s walls before the sun moves lower.
2. Walk to Fyris River (40 minutes before sunset)
Stroll down to the river for cathedral reflections and golden water ripples.
👉 Best spot: Near Islandsfallet, where you’ll get a perfect mix of water movement and sunset color.
3. Head to Uppsala Castle (20 minutes before sunset)
Climb up to the castle terrace for panoramic views of Uppsala glowing in evening light.
👉 Tip: Shoot wide cityscapes first, then zoom in on the cathedral as the sky lights up.
4. End at Botaniska Trädgården (after sunset / blue hour)
Wrap up at the Botanical Garden, where the open lawns and orangery look magical in the soft afterglow.
👉 Bonus: The cathedral spires light up at night—perfect for a final twilight capture.
Final Thoughts
Sunsets in Uppsala aren’t just beautiful—they reveal the soul of the city. Whether you’re capturing cathedral spires glowing in the twilight, historic castles bathed in golden light, or ancient burial mounds silhouetted against the horizon, each location offers a unique photographic story.
The key to successful sunset photography is planning: check the sunset time, arrive early, and always look around for reflections, foreground details, and alternative angles. Golden hour passes quickly, but in Uppsala, it leaves you with timeless images.