Vastra Gotaland County, west coast · Sweden
A friendly west-coast port with canals, seafood, parks and a car-free archipelago.
Photo: Gumisza · CC BY-SA 3.0
Gothenburg, or Goteborg, is Sweden's second-largest city and its main port. It is friendlier and more laid-back than the capital, with canals built by Dutch engineers, wide boulevards, parks and a strong food culture.
The Haga district preserves 19th-century wooden houses now filled with cafes, selling giant cinnamon buns, and shops. Feskekorka, the fish church, is a market hall built like a church, and the seafood from the west coast is excellent. Slottsskogen park, with its free zoo, is the city's green lung, and the Liseberg amusement park is a classic family day out.
Ferries run to the southern archipelago, a group of car-free islands with fishing harbours and swimming rocks. The city is easy to explore on trams and on foot.
Why visit
Gothenburg is a relaxed city with a great harbour and food scene.
Shrimp, oysters and fish.
Old wooden houses and cafes.
Easy island trips.
Slottsskogen and Botanical Garden.
Easy to enjoy.
Main attractions
Most sights are central.
Historic wooden houses and cafes.
Tip Try a giant bulle.
The fish church market.
Tip Eat lunch here.
A park with a free zoo.
Tip Walk or picnic.
One of Scandinavia's best amusement parks.
Tip Check opening dates.
Canal and harbour sightseeing.
Tip Go in summer.
Car-free islands by ferry.
Tip Go to Styrso or Branno.
Things to do
Food and the sea shape the days.
Fresh on the quay.
Tip Ask for peel-yourself.
Swim and walk.
Tip Pack a picnic.
Cafes and boutiques.
Tip Weekday mornings are quieter.
Through the old city.
Tip Seasonal.
Free entry.
Tip Family friendly.
West coast produce.
Tip Book ahead.
Local food
The west coast has excellent seafood.
Piled with prawns.
Where to try it Market stalls.
Creamy and rich.
Where to try it Restaurants.
Giant cinnamon bun.
Where to try it Haga cafes.
From Bohuslan.
Where to try it Seafood bars.
Nordic sweet.
Where to try it Restaurants.
Accommodation
Stay in the centre or Haga.
Transport
Gothenburg is well connected.
Trams are the main transport.
When to go
Summer is warm with long days.
Mild and bright.
Warm and busy.
Mild and quiet.
Dark and wet.
Worth planning around: Winter if you dislike drizzle.
Itinerary
City and sea.
Haga and the market
Islands
Travel tips
Tips.
FAQ
Two.
Yes but less than Stockholm.
May to September.
Yes by ferry.
Yes.
Feskekorka.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Gothenburg, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Stockholm County, east coast, Sweden
Sweden's elegant island capital: Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace, the Vasa Museum, Skansen, City Hall, design shops and an archipelago on its doorstep.
Don't miss Wandering the cobbled lanes of Gamla Stan, then a waterside fika in the sun.
Explore Destination — StockholmSkane County, southern Sweden, Sweden
Sweden's third city: Turning Torso, Lilla Torg, the medieval Malmohus castle, Ribersborg beach, Western Harbour and an easy hop to Copenhagen.
Don't miss Taking a cold plunge at Ribersborg then a falafel in Mollevangen.
Explore Destination — MalmoKalmar County, south-east coast, Sweden
A historic castle town linked by a long bridge to Oland, with the Southern Oland UNESCO landscape, windmills, beaches and sunny summers.
Don't miss Cycling past windmills on the limestone plain of Stora Alvaret.
Explore Destination — Kalmar and OlandRead next
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