Upplands Vasby

Upplands Väsby is a suburban town of nearly 50,000 inhabitants in Stockholm County, sitting squarely on the arterial corridor between Sweden's capital and Uppsala. It is the seat of Upplands Väsby Municipality (municipal code 0114) and lies in the historic province of Uppland. While it lacks the tourist fame of its two neighbours, the town rewards visitors with an unusually deep layer of prehistory — including one of Sweden's finest stone-ship monuments — plus a lively music heritage that produced arena-rock titans Europe and guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen.

The area has been settled since at least the Bronze Age; excavations on the Hammarby ridge turned up a bronze axe dating to around 600–700 BC. The low, marshy landscape shaped early life around fishing, seal hunting, and waterfowl. Arabic silver coins found near what is now Great Wäsby Castle testify to wide-ranging Viking-era trade. Hill forts at Runsa and Skavsta guarded the settlement, and burial grounds — mounds, stone circles, standing stones, and ship-shaped settings — dot the landscape to this day. The most celebrated is the Runsa stone ship, a 56-metre-long monument from roughly 400–500 AD, one of the largest in Sweden.

The modern town grew around the railway station completed in 1865 on the Stockholm–Uppsala line (built 1863–1866). Industrialist Anton Tamm founded Väsby Werkstäder in 1903, manufacturing brass and copper goods for the Optimus brand; the factory district known as "Messingen" dominated the local economy until Optimus relocated production to Småland in 1983. Since then, the municipality has evolved into a characteristically Swedish suburban commuter town with a mix of post-war apartment blocks, 1970s planned neighbourhoods (notably Grimstaby, designed as a reaction to the Million Programme), and leafy villa districts. Summers are pleasant at around 20–25 °C; winters are cold and dark (average −3 °C in January), with snow cover common from December through March.

By Plane

Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) is the nearest airport, roughly 20 km north of Upplands Väsby. A local commuter/regional train connects Arlanda C station to Upplands Väsby station in about 7 minutes. The Flygbussarna airport coach runs to Stockholm and passes through the corridor but does not stop in Upplands Väsby directly; a taxi from Arlanda costs approximately SEK 300–400.

Stockholm Bromma Airport (BMA) is about 25 km to the south. From Bromma, take a bus to Stockholm Odenplan or Solna and transfer to the commuter rail heading north.

Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO), near Nyköping, is roughly 120 km south and a poor choice for reaching Upplands Väsby. Flygbussarna coaches run to Stockholm Cityterminalen; from there, take the commuter train north.

By Train

Upplands Väsby station is on the main Stockholm–Uppsala rail corridor and is served by Stockholm commuter rail lines 40 (Uppsala C – Arlanda C – Solna – Stockholm City – Älvsjö – Flemingsberg – Södertälje centrum), 41 (Uppsala C / Märsta – Solna – Stockholm City – Älvsjö – Flemingsberg – Södertälje centrum), and express line 42X (Märsta – Solna – Stockholm City – Älvsjö – Västerhaninge – Nynäshamn). Travel time to Stockholm Central (Stockholm City station) is about 27 minutes; to Uppsala C roughly 30–35 minutes.

SJ regional trains and Mälartåg also stop here on some services. Tickets for commuter rail are purchased via the SL app or SL Access card; a single zone ticket costs around SEK 42 (2026). SJ tickets are booked at sj.se.

By Car / Road

Upplands Väsby straddles European Route E4 (now numbered E4 but part of the broader E-road network running north from Malmö through Stockholm to Haparanda). From Stockholm city centre, drive north on E4 for about 25 km (20–30 minutes depending on traffic). From Uppsala, head south on E4 for roughly 45 km (35–45 minutes). The E4 is a well-maintained motorway.

Regional and local SL buses serve the town extensively. Bus routes 524, 529, 531–539, 545, 560, 560X, 562, 568, 577, and 684 radiate from the bus terminal at Upplands Väsby station, connecting residential neighbourhoods and nearby municipalities. Night buses 592, 598, and 599 run on Friday and Saturday nights.

Upplands Väsby is compact enough that walking and cycling cover most needs within the central area. The commuter rail station sits at the heart of town, and local buses fill the gaps to outlying neighbourhoods like Bollstanäs, Runby, Fresta, and Brunnby.

SL buses are integrated into the same fare system as the metro and commuter rail. A single ticket (valid 75 minutes) costs SEK 42; a 30-day pass is around SEK 1,015 (2026). Tickets are loaded on an SL Access card or purchased in the SL app. Contactless bank-card payment is also accepted on board.

There are no metro lines in Upplands Väsby — that is a Stockholm feature. Ride-hailing via Uber and Bolt operates in the area. Standard taxis can be booked through Taxi Stockholm (08-15 00 00) or local firms; expect to pay SEK 150–250 for a cross-town ride.

The town is reasonably walkable. The station, Väsby Centrum shopping mall, Culture Vega, and the main residential neighbourhoods are all within a 20-minute walk of each other. Cycling is popular and there are dedicated bike paths along major roads.

• Runsa Stone Ship — One of Sweden's most famous stone-circle monuments, a 56-metre ship-shaped setting of upright stones dating to roughly 400–500 AD. Located in the Runby area, northwest of the centre. Free access, open year-round.

• Great Wäsby Castle Burial Ground (Stora Väsby slotts ättebacke) — Around 200 burial mounds clustered near the castle grounds, one of the largest prehistoric cemeteries in the region. The site also yielded Arabic silver coins, evidence of Viking-age trade.

• Skavsta Hill Fort — Iron Age hill fortification with traces of defensive earthworks. Situated near the Runsa area; combines well with a visit to the stone ship.

• Löwenströmska Hospital and Zamores Hill (Zamores backe) — The hill is named after Antonin Zamore, a North African timpanist who settled in Sweden in the late 18th century and lived at the Runby Lower farm. The surrounding area has burial mounds and a pleasant green setting.

• Gunnes Gård — A reconstructed Viking-era farmstead in the Smedby/Ekebo neighbourhood. Associated with runic inscriptions (Uppland Runic inscriptions 280 and 281). Open for visits and school groups; check the municipality's website for seasonal hours.

• Upplands Väsby Art Gallery (Konsthall) — Housed in the former Optimus/Gränges-Weda industrial premises in the Messingen district, showcasing local and touring contemporary art exhibitions. Free entry.

• Eds Kyrka (Eds Church) — A medieval parish church in the Runby area, one of the oldest structures in the municipality. Worth visiting for its stone architecture and historic churchyard.

• Walk the Runsa–Skavsta Heritage Trail — A walking route connecting the Runsa stone ship, Skavsta hill fort, and surrounding burial grounds. Allow 1–2 hours. Best in dry weather as paths can be muddy.

• Explore the Messingen District — The former industrial quarter south of the railway station has been partially redeveloped with the art gallery, Väsby New Gymnasium (completed 2011), and new housing. A good example of Swedish post-industrial urban renewal.

• Cycle the Fysingen Lake Loop — The area around Fysingen, a shallow lake northwest of town, offers flat cycling and birdwatching. The lake is an important wetland for migratory waterfowl.

• Day trip to Stockholm — 27 minutes by commuter train to Stockholm City station. Visit Gamla Stan, Djurgården, the Vasa Museum, or ABBA The Museum and return the same day.

• Day trip to Uppsala — 30 minutes by train to Uppsala C. Explore Uppsala Cathedral, the Linnaeus Garden, Gamla Uppsala's royal burial mounds, and the university quarter.

• Attend a concert at Culture Vega — The municipality's main cultural venue near the station hosts theatre, music, and community events year-round. Check the programme at kulturavasby.se.

Upplands Väsby's dining scene reflects its suburban character: mostly pizza and grill restaurants, a few Asian and Middle Eastern spots, and standard Swedish café fare. For serious gastronomy, Stockholm is 27 minutes away. That said, you will not go hungry here.

• Väsby Centrum food court — A cluster of fast-casual outlets in the mall: sushi, Thai, pizza, and Swedish husmanskost (home-style cooking) lunch buffets. Lunch mains SEK 95–135.
• Local pizzerias and grillbars — Dozens are scattered across neighbourhoods (Grimstaby, Odenslunda, Bollstanäs). A standard pizza costs SEK 95–120. Many are run by immigrant families and serve both Swedish-style pizzas and kebab plates.
• Cafés — Several small cafés around the station and Väsby Centrum serve the Swedish fika essentials: kanelbullar (cinnamon buns), kardemummabullar (cardamom buns), and filter coffee. Expect to pay SEK 50–80 for coffee and a pastry.
• Restaurants near the station — A handful of sit-down restaurants offer lunch menus on weekdays (typically SEK 110–150 for a main with sallad and bread). Thai, Italian, and Swedish options are common.
• Grocery self-catering — ICA and Coop in Väsby Centrum stock everything from Swedish crispbread and pickled herring to global ingredients. Budget travellers can eat well for under SEK 100/day by self-catering.

Vegetarian options are increasingly available at most restaurants (Sweden's plant-based food culture is strong). Halal and gluten-free options are noted at many establishments, though not universally — ask when ordering.

Sweden's drinking culture is heavily regulated. Alcohol above 3.5% ABV is sold exclusively at Systembolaget (the state monopoly); beer at 3.5% or below is available in grocery stores.

For nightlife, Upplands Väsby is quiet — most residents head to Stockholm for a night out. Locally, a few restaurants and bars near the station serve beer and wine. A draft beer (50 cl) at a restaurant typically costs SEK 75–95; a glass of wine SEK 80–110.

Coffee culture is the true Swedish social drink. The fika ritual — a mid-morning or mid-afternoon break with strong filter coffee and a pastry — is practised religiously. Cafés around Väsby Centrum and the station area are the best places to join in.

Tap water in Upplands Väsby (and all of Sweden) is of excellent quality and perfectly safe to drink. There is no need to buy bottled water.

Upplands Väsby has limited but functional accommodation. Most visitors stay in Stockholm and commute in, but if you need to be local — perhaps for an early flight from Arlanda — the options below work.

• Budget: There are no hostels in Upplands Väsby proper. The nearest hostel options are in Stockholm city (STF af Chapman, City Backpackers, from around SEK 350–500/night for a dorm bed). A budget alternative is Airbnb apartments in the neighbourhoods, typically SEK 500–700/night.
• Mid-range: Scandic Upplands Väsby is the main hotel in town, located near the E4 motorway junction and the station. Rates typically run SEK 900–1,400/night for a double room, including breakfast. Good Morning Hotel Upplands Väsby (if operational; check current status) offers similar pricing.
• Upscale: There is no upscale or heritage hotel in Upplands Väsby. For premium stays, look at Arlanda Airport hotels (Radisson Blu SkyCity, Clarion Hotel Arlanda, 10–15 minutes north) at SEK 1,200–2,000/night, or central Stockholm options.

Upplands Väsby's main shopping destination is Väsby Centrum, the shopping mall opened in 1972 and renovated several times since. It houses around 50 stores covering apparel, electronics, books, cosmetics, groceries (ICA, Coop), health foods, flowers, and jewellery. A food court and several restaurants are on the upper level. The mall is a five-minute walk east of the station.

For everyday groceries, ICA, Coop, and Hemköp supermarkets are found both in Väsby Centrum and in neighbourhood centres around town (Odenslunda, Bollstanäs, Brunnby). Systembolaget (the state alcohol monopoly store) is located near the mall — note it is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

There are no significant artisan markets or craft traditions specific to Upplands Väsby. For Swedish design goods and souvenirs, the Stockholm city centre is a better bet (27 minutes away by train).

• Stockholm (25 km south, 27 min by commuter train) — Sweden's capital: Gamla Stan, Djurgården, the Vasa Museum, ABBA The Museum, Skansen open-air museum, and world-class dining and nightlife.
• Uppsala (45 km north, ~30 min by train) — University city with Uppsala Cathedral, the Linnaeus Garden, Gamla Uppsala's Viking-age royal burial mounds, and a vibrant student culture.
• Sigtuna (20 km northwest, ~20 min by car) — Sweden's oldest town, founded c. 980 AD. Charming medieval main street, rune stones, Sigtuna Museum, and lakeside setting on Mälaren.
• Arlanda Airport / SkyCity (20 km north, 7 min by train) — Beyond flights, SkyCity has restaurants and shops; the nearby Arlanda Express is Sweden's fastest train service into Stockholm.
• Vaxholm (40 km east, ~45 min by car via E18) — The gateway to the Stockholm Archipelago. A picturesque small town with a fortress museum, wooden houses, and summer boat connections to outer islands.
• Sollentuna (10 km south, ~10 min by commuter train) — Neighbouring municipality with the Edsvik Art Gallery, Edsvik Manor, and lakeside walks along Edsviken bay.