It’s small enough to explore with ease yet big enough to have plenty to do, plus it’s cheaper than the capital too.
Here’s our top reasons to visit Gothenberg.
1. Get your thrills at the Liseberg Amusement Park
The Liseberg Amusement Park is smack bang in the middle of the city, and is Sweden’s most popular tourist attraction. It has plenty of hair-raising rides and rollercoasters.
2. Discover Gothenburg’s museums
Other city highlights include the Rohsska Museet, the only design museum in Sweden; Varldskulturmuseet, a cutting-edge museum of world culture; the Universeum science discovery centre (complete with an indoor rainforest); and the spectacular waterfront Opera House.
3. Explore Sweden’s maritime history
Gothenburg has a long maritime tradition (it’s not all rampaging Vikings). Don’t miss the Stadsmuseum, where you can see Sweden’s only remaining Viking longboat; the Sjofartsmuseet maritime history museum; and the Maritman, which is the largest floating ship museum in the world and has 19 ships, including a Swedish navy destroyer and a submarine, for you to explore.
4. Taste the town’s seafood
As it’s located on the coast Gothenburg has an abundance of fresh, delicious seafood on offer. Pickled herring (below) is a speciality, particularly when it is served with a tangy sauce. You can find it at the Feskekorka, also known as the ‘Fish Church’, a huge indoor seafood market.
The Haga district is home to traditional wooden buildings, and interesting shops and cafés. It’s a great place to wander around, while the nearby Linne district is a bohemian yet trendy blend of restaurants and bars.
5. Head to the Southern Archipeligo
The Southern Archipelago is a series of islands less than a 30-minute ferry ride from the city centre. These idyllic retreats are free of cars and great for exploring on foot or by bike. An hour or two north of Gothenburg is the Bohuslan Coast, famed for its rugged beauty.
6. Visit the Volvo Museum
Gothenburg is also the home of Volvo. Visit the car brand’s museum, located 8km from the city, for a look at safe, conservative motoring.
What you need to know about Gothenburg
When to go: Any time, but winter can be freezing.
Getting there: SAS, BA, BMI and Ryanair fly direct to Gothenburg from London.
Visas: South Africans need a Schengen visa.
Currency: Swedish kroner. 1 GBP = 11.16 SEK.
Language: Swedish. Most people speak English.
Getting around: The Goteborg Pass gives you free entry to the Liseberg Amusement Park and museums, plus unlimited rides on public transport.
Going out: A beer costs about 35 SEK.
Accommodation: Dorms from about 190 SEK. A double in a basic hotel is about 800 SEK.
See: goteborg.com
