The laid-back but still very vibrant seaside city of Gothenburg, with its beautiful canals and boulevards, is one of Sweden’s major cities. Here is why you should visit Gothenburg – the big city with its picturesque small-town feeling.
An overview of Gotheburg
Gothenburg is situated where the large river Göta Älv runs into the North Sea, with the Gothenburg archipelago just outside the city. It has long been an important seaport and is today also known for being the birth city of the international car company Volvo.
Gothenburg is Sweden’s second-largest city, next after Stockholm, but it still has a charming small-town feeling with many diverse neighborhoods. One of Gothenburg's most unique neighborhoods is Haga, with its cobbled streets, picturesque wooden houses, and Skansen Kronan, a fort from the 17th century. Make sure to eat the so-called Hagabullen, a bun similar to the traditional Swedish cinnamon bun.
The city’s central parts surround Gothenburg’s famous main boulevard, The Avenue, or Kungsportsavenyn as it is also called. Around the long avenue, you will find shops, pubs, clubs, and restaurants.
Gothenburg is a great city to walk around in. But, if your feet are sore or you just want to experience something else – get on one of the trams. The tram network runs all over town, so it's really easy to move around.
What to see & do
Gothenburg is a city with something for everyone. Visit the amusement park Liseberg during summer and enjoy all the fun rides and one of the many events and concerts arranged inside the park. Liseberg is the largest amusement park in Scandinavia, so you will have a lot of rides to choose from! A couple of weeks before Christmas, the park opens once again, transformed into a winter wonderland.
Several internationally famous artists have performed in Liseberg. All in all, Gothenburg has a diverse music scene. Make sure to visit Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra if you are a fan of classical music.
Just next to Liseberg lays Universeum. This is an innovative museum about technology and science. And not to forget; Universeum has a real miniature rainforest that visitors can explore.
Several warehouses and buildings remain from Gothenburg’s industrial era, but many are now transformed into art galleries. Visit the Museum of Art, Konstmuseum, and explore an art collection ranging from the early 15th century to the present day. For those interested in the history of the Vikings, make sure to visit The Maritime Museum. Here you can see an original so-called Viking longboat!
Gothenburg Museum of Art
Götaplatsen 6, 412 56 Göteborg, Sweden
The Maritime Museum and Aquarium
Karl Johansgatan 1-3, 414 59 Göteborg, SwedenGothenburg is also a great city for foodies, as several fine dining restaurants have Michelin stars. So, Gothenburg may not be as famous as Stockholm, but the city still challenges the Swedish capital concerning everything from culture to food.
Where to stay
To complete your Swedish getaway, you can spend the night in Évika Boutique Hotel, a lakeside cottages site, located between Gothenburg and Landvetter. The Scandinavian-style wooden cottages are surrounded by pristine woods with stunning view on the lake and each one is fully equipped with beds, private bathroom, and kitchen. To spend the night here, you will have to pay 123 Euro per night on average. You can get an extra 10% off on your booking when you use the discount code "LTW10".
The author
Maria Lundin Osvalds
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