Uppsala Self-Guided Walking Tour: Castle, University & Riddles

Riddles, trivia and fika: a self-paced game through four centuries of Uppsala

This self-guided scavenger hunt takes you through Uppsala on foot using phone-based riddles and trivia challenges to navigate from one landmark to the next. You start at S:t Eriks torg, download the Explorial app with your game code, and move at your own pace through the university quarter. No guide, no fixed start time, just your group and the city. The game covers Uppsala Castle, the University Main Building and Güntherska Hovkonditori, with around two hours of walking and puzzle-solving across public areas.

The experience

You bring a fully charged smartphone with active mobile data, open the Explorial app at S:t Eriks torg between the cathedral and the river, and enter the 6-digit game code you receive by text and booking-platform message. From there, riddles guide you through the university quarter at whatever pace suits your group. There's no waiting, no fixed route to follow at speed, and no one joining you. Just the landmarks, the challenges and your phone. The app keeps you oriented with a live map showing marked locations so you always know where you are.

Uppsala Castle looms pink on its hill, built by Gustav Vasa and the scene of centuries of royal drama. Riddles test your knowledge as you climb toward it. The University Main Building comes next, its 19th-century aula echoing with four centuries of scholarship, and trivia challenges ask whether you'd have passed the entrance exam. Then the game steers you toward Güntherska Hovkonditori, the classic patisserie where the clues come with a strong hint to stop for fika: the Swedish coffee break. Around two hours covers the walk from castle hill to café, and a leaderboard ranks your group's score against other players in the city.

The app is available in 24 languages including English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. Choose your language when you start the game. You can take as many breaks as you want, walk at your own pace, and reschedule for another day if weather or illness gets in the way. Groups stay under 15 people per booking. Larger parties make multiple bookings. Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothes for the light walking ahead.

What’s included

• Free Explorial app download for iOS or Android.
• self-guided walking tour with interactive riddles, trivia challenges and photo tasks.
• live location map showing marked landmarks so you always know where you are.
• points and scoring system to compete within your group and against the city leaderboard.
• total flexibility to start anytime, walk at your own pace and take as many breaks as you want.
• access to the game in 24 languages including English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 to 90 years) · Child (under 10): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Cantonese, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Swedish, Turkish and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Explorial

Is this one for you?This tour suits anyone who wants to explore Uppsala at their own speed without a guide or a fixed schedule. The self-guided format means you control when you start, how long you linger at each stop, and whether you take breaks for fika or a longer rest: ideal if your group has different interests or energy levels, or if you prefer solving puzzles and learning history on your own terms rather than listening to a guide.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Romanian, Danish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Ukrainian, Czech, Norwegian, Hungarian, Cantonese, Greek, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Finnish, Swedish, Hindi and Turkish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 10): free.

Can I start the tour whenever I want, or is there a set time?

You start anytime you want. There's no fixed departure time. Download the app, enter your game code at S:t Eriks torg, and begin whenever your group is ready. You control the pace and can take breaks whenever you choose.

What happens if I don't know the answer to a riddle?

The Explorial app is designed to guide you through the puzzles without requiring expert knowledge. Riddles and trivia challenges are meant to be solvable as you explore each landmark, and you can take your time working through them.

Do I need to pay to enter Uppsala Castle or the University Main Building?

No entrance fees are required for this game. All puzzles relate to public areas of the sights, so you can complete the scavenger hunt without buying tickets to any attraction.

What's included in the game, and what do I need to bring?

The Explorial app download is free. You receive your game code by text and booking-platform message after booking. You must bring your own smartphone with a full charge and active mobile data connection. Disable any VPN and avoid city Wi-Fi, as these can cause the app to malfunction.