Gothenburg.
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Overview

Gothenburg (Swedish: Göteborg) is Sweden's second largest city with 600,000 inhabitants, and about 1 million in the metropolitan area. The city lies on Sweden's West Coast, at the outlet of the Göta River. Gothenburg has a long industrial heritage, which is still present with companies such as the Volvo, as well as Scandinavia's largest port. The city hosts numerous national and international sporting and music events such as Gothia Cup, Partille Cup and Way Out West. Gothenburg is also home to the largest amusement park in the Nordics, Liseberg.

Understand

Gothenburg is a fairly green city with parks, which is divided by the Göta River. Built after being founded by royal decree in 1621 it was modelled after the Dutch city style, with plenty of canals. By far the largest non-capital city of the Nordic countries, the city has a strong local identity, and many nicknames that allude to its canals, such as "little London", "little Amsterdam", and "little Venice". Early, on Gothenburg was famous for its port and trade, has prominently hosted the Swedish East-India Company, and is one of few Swedish cities referred to by an English name.

Due to its historically industrial character Gothenburg has had strong working class associations, being known for its friendly yet brusque "goa gubbar". This together with its large port has given rise to the moniker "Marseille of the North".

Today, with over 50,000 students in the city and two major universities it has a young side with plenty of bars and night clubs. Gothenburg has a reputation for being a very friendly place, and more welcoming than Stockholm, the Swedish capital.

Gothenburg is at the mouth of the river Göta älv. Lödöse, some upstream from Gothenburg was one of the largest cities in Sweden during the Middle Ages, and is considered a precursor to Gothenburg. During the Middle Ages the mouth of Göta älv was controlled by Sweden, while Bohuslän immediately north of it was Norwegian and Halland to its immediate south was Danish. The area thus became a tripoint of the three kingdoms. In order to consolidate Swedish control of the area, the fortress of Älvsborg was constructed near modern-day Gothenburg. Several failed attempts were also made to build a city in the area.

The modern city of Gothenburg was built in 1621 by the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf. During the 17th century Sweden conquered Bohuslän and Halland, thus making Gothenburg the centre of an expanded western Sweden. During this era the older Danish Älvsborg fortress was demolished. It was replaced by a new castle, ingeniously called New Älvsborg fortress, on an island in the mouth of the river. Gothenburg eventually became a major gateway into Sweden, and one of the busiest ports in the Nordic countries. As the largest port in Sweden Gothenburg became the seat of the Swedish East India Company in the 18th century, and a hub for American emigration in the 19th century. During this era the city also became heavily industrialized, particularly as a centre for the Swedish shipbuilding industry. Its large port, strong trade community and proximity to Marstrand meant the city had a large Jewish and international community, with the first Jewish association forming before that of Stockholm.

With rising competition from foreign ship yards in the 1900s, many of the dry docks closed down in the 1970s. Much of the inner harbour area has changed from industrial ship building to high technology and education, representative of the general change in the city. Today Gothenburg has international sporting events, concerts, and conventions. Being an industrial centre, Gothenburg has been politically dominated by the left-wing Social Democrats for many years.

In the 1960s, Sweden invested heavily in affordable, modern, housing. In consequence, large swaths of the working class areas were demolished across the country, Gothenburg included. Despite this, the city has retained a lot it's architectural heritage, most present in Vasastan, "Inom Vallgraven" and Olivedal, Haga and Majorna. The latter two have a lot of "Landshövdingehus" - houses built for working-class people in the 1800. Traditionally, the houses have three stories, with a ground floor made with stone in order to contain fires.

The Gothenburg archipelago also has a lot of gorgeous, charming houses that'll delight anyone with an appreciation for older architecture.

People The working-class history is easily visible, for example in the harbour area, especially on the northern riverfront of Hisingen and north of the city centre on the southern riverfront in Gullbergsvass. Before the 1970s there were few fashion houses or posher cafeterias, but that has changed.

The Gothenburg dialect is associated with cheerfulness and witty, if pun-laden humour, with many humorists classically from Gothenburg, often of the "goa gubbar" (lit. "good guys") stereotype, working class and somewhat fat. The connection to Britain has been said to be behind the high frequency of the male given name Glenn.

Like Marseille in France there is some animosity towards the capital, with those who move there sometimes being called "traitors".

Like most of southern and coastal Sweden, the city is best visited during springtime as well as in the summer. The climate is temperate with mild winters and warm, but not hot summers. Because it is located on the west coast by the sea, the climate is milder and rainier in the winter than Stockholm, but comparable to Copenhagen. Snow is not a given in winter, for real Scandinavian winter, visit Dalarna or Norrland.

In other words, May to September tend to have the most comfortable weather. From Midsummer to the end of July, many inhabitants leave the city, and some venues close for summer, making the city more dominated by tourists.

Gothenburg offers the Go City Pass, which allows entry into many tourist attractions, grand houses, and museums for 499 kr/adult or 399 kr/child (6–15 years old) (one day pass, June 2025). Among attractions covered are Ringlinien vintage train, admission to Liseberg, Universeum, free travel with Paddan boat, boat trip to New Älvsborg Fortress, guided tour by bus, Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg Natural History Museum, Gothenburg City Museum, Gothenburg Art Museum, Röhsska Museum, Maritime Museum Aquarium, Medical History Museum, the Sports Museum, Maritiman, Gothenburgs utkiken, Guided tour of Gunnebo House, the Garden Society of Gothenburg, Greenhouses in the Botanical Garden, Röda Sten, Stinsen Sightseeing, Aeroseum, World of Volvo, Mölndals Museum.

Gothenburgers are usually more than willing to help with directions.

Get in

The city's international airport, Landvetter, serves mainly flights from other European destinations – larger cities and sun-and-sea destinations in southern Europe. To fly in from other continents, you must connect at a larger airport offering intercontinental flights. Most carriers offer connecting intercontinental tickets. Domestically, there are about half a dozen flights a day from Stockholm, and the odd flight from other Swedish airports.

There are two coffee shops, burger fast food service, and a newsagent land-side. Air-side you can find a few cafes, restaurants, bars, gift shops and duty-free shops. There is quite little shopping. Foreign exchange facilities are available on both sides of security. The airport provides free Wi-Fi, but charging stations and power sockets are not in abundance.

Most of the major car rental companies have facilities opposite the airport exit. There are two hotels: Scandic is located adjacent to the terminal building and Landvetter Airport Hotel is within walking distance beyond the car rental facilities.

To and from the airport There is a Flygbussarna bus service from Landvetter into the city. The journey takes approximately 20–35 minutes. It stops at several locations (first stop near Liseberg; final stop: the Nils Ericson Bus terminal which is next to the Central Train Station). The only method of payment for the ticket is by credit card. Free Wi-Fi is available on the coach.

There is also Flixbus. It may or may not be cheaper, depending on their dynamic pricing, but it also runs to other nearby cities. Service is not as frequent as Flygbussarna.

Gothenburg City Airport (GSE) closed in 2014.

SJ high speed trains run hourly and VR trains every two hours from Stockholm Central station, taking just over 3 hours via Södertälje, Katrineholm and Skövde.

Trains from Oslo take 4 hours and are run by VY. Trains run from Copenhagen city and airport hourly by the Oresundstag, taking 4 hours via Öresund bridge-tunnel, Malmö, Lund, Helsingborg and Halmstad. Regional trains also run from Jönköping via Falköping, and from Stockholm via Örebro. Travel from northern Swedish cities involves changing in Stockholm.

By bus Coach lines to Gothenburg include Flixbus and Vy Bus4You. The bus station is on the north side of the central railway station. Västtrafik operates regional buses.

By boat Stena Line operates ships to/from Denmark (Frederikshavn) and Germany (Kiel). The are on the left river bank, west of the city centre. The ferries from Frederikshavn arrive at Masthugget, just a few hundred metres from the inner city ("within the moat"), the ferries from Kiel a couple of kilometres further west. Tramway stops: (Frederikshavn), (Kiel).

DFDS is a cargo line with limited passenger capacity. They can take a small number of passengers (and their car) to Gothenburg from Belgium (Ghent).

There are also passenger boats cruising down the river, some all the way from Stockholm through Göta Kanal (by Rederi Göta Kanal)

By car European roads E6, E20 and E45 pass through Gothenburg. If you come by car from Stockholm, you should take E4 to Jönköping, and then national road 40.

Approximate distances and travelling time: to Malmö (E6/E20 south): 300 km, 3 hours to Oslo (E6 north): 320 km, 4 hours to Stockholm (40 east, E4): 500 km, 4 hours and 40 minutes to Copenhagen (E6/E20 south): 317 km, 3 hours and 30 minutes

Parking in Gothenburg can be difficult and expensive, as free parking is rarely found. Prices per hour vary between 7 zones and can be as high as 30 kr per hour. Free parking for tourists is however included in the Gothenburg City Card, if you happen to own one.

Gothenburg has implemented a congestion charge (trängselskatt) for the central area.

Get around

Public transportation within Gothenburg (and the west of Sweden) is operated by Västtrafik and consists of trams, buses and ferries. You can find more information about tickets and a journey planner on their homepage.

Public transport in Gothenburg can be fairly slow: For example, to cross one side of the city to the other (20 km) can take up to an hour. It can be a good idea to look up alternative routes, with some of the express buses being considerably faster, and it sometimes being possible to save many minutes by walking a few hundred meters to a tram-stop located on a different line. Inside the central area, transport is fairly rapid, as the tram tracks generally are separated from normal car lanes.

The local transport company (Västtrafik) has removed maps from just about all the tram stops; be prepared and have a map ready before you get there.

Västtrafik's ticket system If you travel inside Gothenburg's zone A you can simple tap on contactless card readers to buy a single ticket. See ticket page for the current ticket options

Tourists and others planning to travel every day are advised to buy a 1- or 3-day ticket. A blue card called the Västtrafik card is charged with ticket information. They are bought at Västtrafik's service centres or from Seven-Eleven or Pressbyrån or some other stores. Longer period tickets (30 or 365 days) can be loaded onto a västtrafik card.

It might seem easy to get on one of the buses or trams without a valid ticket, but if a biljettkontrollant (ticket controller) would find out, you will be charged with a fee of 1500 kr. Smartphone app Västtrafik has an app called "Västtrafik To Go", in which single tickets, 1- or 3-day tickets, and period tickets can be bought. It is also a fully functional travel planner that can suggest when walking or cycling is a good or better alternative. It is available for both iOS and Android devices.

By train Gothenburg does have a commuter railway operated by Västtrafik and regional trains are part of the Västtrafik pay-per-ride ticket system. It has an hourly schedule on most lines.

Gothenburg has a famous network of trams, covering most of the city. With over 150 km the Gothenburg tram is the largest light rail network in Scandinavia.

The network consists of 12 tram lines, 1 to 11 and 13, and every line except no 8 passes through the main tram stop Brunnsparken ('Well Park'). It is located one tram stop or a 2-minute walk from the train station, Centralstationen. The trams runs approximately every 8–10 minutes during daylight and twice every hour at night, at weekends the trams run every 15–30 minutes. Not all lines runs through the night.

The trams and the Paddan boats (operating from Kungsportsplatsen) are the best way to see the city as they run above ground at a comfortable yet quick pace. Gothenburg tram and Stombuss network maps are available online.

By bus Trams are the most efficient way to travel within the city centre, but if you're planning to go further you might need to go by bus. Bus lines heading in the same direction often departs from the same part of the city. There is no real equivalent to the large central tram and bus stop Brunnsparken – most others are divided into several "smaller" hubs, which you often reach by tram.

By ferry Two ferry services run across the river; Älvsnabben is the regular ferry service with traffic every 30 minutes, and Älvsnabbare that only run between Rosenlund and Lindholmspiren (free of charge) during work hours. Besides transport, this can be a good way to see the city from the river.

Ferries to the southern archipelago run from Saltholmen, with three different lines: Vrångö line, Brännö Rödsten line and the less trafficated Förö line. The service runs once an hour or less.

Styrsöbolaget run the ferry services under licence of Västtrafik - you can still use the city public transport ticket. On their homepage can you find time tables and more information about the islands.

There are several taxi companies, for example Taxi Göteborg (031-650000), Taxi Kurir (031-272727) and Minitaxi (031-140140). Every taxi must have comparing prices well visible according to law, and it's often placed in the side window.

To the airport it should be around 500 kr from the city centre.

Illegal taxis, called "svarttaxi", are operating, particularly during Friday and Saturday nights. They are generally cheaper, but using them is not advised, particularly for women or drunk passengers, since muggings and rapes have occurred involving illegal taxis.

Cabonline. Offers TaxiKurir, Taxi 020, Sverigetaxi and TOPCAB taxis.

Gothenburg has a nice network of bicycle paths, reaching all parts of the city. You can buy network maps at the tourist information centres.

You can bring your bike on the ferries, on some trains but not on trams or buses.

You can rent a bike from Cykelkungen or if you are staying at a hostel they can often provide it for you.

In the most central parts there are an automated loan bike system Styr & Ställ, registration of 90 kr for 30 days and while reserving an amount on your credit card they are free to use as long as you use for only 60 minutes and then replaced in another place. You can then take a bike again 2 minutes later. A real-time map showing how many bikes and free parking slots are available at each station can be downloaded from allbikesnow.

On foot With a compact city centre most sights are easily reached on foot, and it's a nice way to get around.

Popular walks around the city include the nature reserve around the lake Delsjön, the park Slottsskogen, the botanical garden, on any of the islands in the southern archipelago, or in the neighborhood Haga.

See

Gothenburg Cathedral. Built in 1815, in the centre of old town. The seat of the Diocese of Gothenburg. It is the third church standing there – the earlier two burned down in city fires. Domkyrkoplan, the park surrounding the church, used to be the cemetery of the second church.

Christinæ Church. The church of Gothenburg's German community, built in 1748. This church is likewise the third church standing here, as the earlier ones have burned down.

Crown House. Built in 1643-1655, and briefly home of the Swedish Parliament. It houses Göteborgs Musik, and the surrounding buildings are now cafes and crafts workshops. It is Gothenburg’s oldest still-standing non-religious building.

Feskekôrka. The indoor Fish Market, called "Feskekôrka" (Fish Church) because of the shape of the building and Gothenburgers mythical devotion to fish.

Haga. A city district with picturesque wooden houses from the 19th century. Don't forget to explore the more bohemian Långgatan streets (Första, Andra, Tredje and Fjärde Långgatan) nearby and to visit the Haga Church (Hagakyrkan).

Oscar Fredrik Church. This Neo-Gothic brick church with a tower about 70 meters high is the largest and most well decorated church in Gothenburg. Built 1893 and named after then-Swedish king Oscar II, it has been renovated four times afterwards.

Gothenburg Synagogue. The city's main synagogue, built in 1855.

Skansen Kronan. A hilltop fortification, south-west of the city centre, built in the 17th century. In the 19th century it served as a prison, and now houses a military museum. Its twin Skansen Lejonet (Lion Keep) unfortunately finds itself in the middle of a railroad and industrial area but guided tours are held the first and third Sunday of every month.

Skanskaskrapan. Informally called "the lipstick" by the local, it features a viewing platform (Götheborgsutkiken) at 86 metres, which offers great views over the city.

Karlatornet. The tallest building in the Nordic countries at 247 metres, visible from many parts of Gothenburg. Karlatornet is part of the new Karlastaden district, which is being built during the 2020s. It's observation deck will open to visitors in 2026.

Aeroseum. An aircraft museum in a former military underground air force base. Also home of the annual Göteborg Aero Show and other events.

Gothenburg Art Museum. Housed in a magnificent edifice flanked by the theatre and concert hall, it features a world-class collection of Nordic art (60 kr, people up to 20 years and students with ID free). The adjacent Hasselblad Center periodically holds public exhibitions. The Art Hall (free entrance) features contemporary art.

Gothenburg City Museum. Covers the history of the city and region from prehistoric times to the present, with emphasis on the 19th-century Swedish East India Company, which was once housed in the building.

KA 4 Museum and the Fort of Oskar II. A museum at the former Coast Artillery Regiment at Käringberget. The fortification was built in the early 20th century and used until WWII, but there have been fortifications here for centuries. As warfare evolved, fortifications like this became outdated and therefore usually dismantled (as they did not have a historical significance being just a few decades old then), and as such the preserved Oskar II fort with its guns is a quite rare sight even around the world.

Maritiman. "The world's biggest floating museum of ships" consists of 19 boats of all sizes. The biggest attraction is the former military destroyer Småland.

Maritime Museum and Aquarium. Explains the maritime history of Gothenburg, West Sweden and of the fishing industry; has models of sailing ships. An aquarium in the basement, consisting of an "ocean lab" for visitors, a main tank with sharks and kinds of small fishes and some small tanks with coral, jellyfish and starfish. There is a lookout just by the museum, on the top of the pillar of the "Seamans wife", where you can view the harbour, but it is not open every day.

Gothenburg Natural History Museum. The oldest museum in Gothenburg includes a stuffed blue whale and is situated in Slottsskogen. Here you can learn about the history of animals from around the world. Among other things, they have a permanent exhibition dedicated to whales.

East Indiaman Götheborg. A full-size replica of the mid-18th century Götheborg. The original ship made three voyages to China on behalf of the Swedish East India Company, but on its final voyage it ran aground and sank just outside Gothenburg on 12 September 1745. Open to visitors, the current ship is one of the largest operational wooden sail ships, although it does have diesel engines installed as well.

World of Volvo. An exhibition centre for Volvo Cars and Volvo Group (the commercial vehicle brand). In addition to cars and trucks on display, there are visualisations of the history of Volvo, activities such as operating an excavator, scale models and occasional music events. The former museum in Arendal Skans is closed.

Museum of World Culture. A cultural counterpart to the science-oriented Universeum, it's a museum of ethnography and anthropology, with a thoroughly contemporary approach. There are regular special events such as concerts, films, and lectures. Free entrance to some of the museum's exhibits.

The Röhsska Museum. The national museum of Swedish design and applied art, with both permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Gothenburg Radio Museum. All kinds of historical radio equipment on display from crystal radios to police radios and TV sets to vacuum tubes as well as a library with radio manuals.

Röda Sten. Edgy art hall in an old industrial furnace station covered in graffiti. Also hosts courses and hands-on art events.

Universeum. A new museum focusing on the environment with an indoor rainforest, experiment workshop, etc.

Botanical Gardens. Built in 1923, the botanical gardens has an area of 175 hectares and was selected as the most beautiful garden in Sweden in 2003. It contains a rock garden, arboretum and green houses, along with a restaurant and café. Don't miss the rare Easter Island tree.

Slottsskogen. A big English garden close to the Botanical Garden and a popular spot for relaxing and picnics. Within the park you'll find the Museum of nature history, an observatory, a mini golf course, and a child zoo. In the zoo, you can also pay a visit to the quintessential Swedish animal: the älg, also known as moose. Slottskogen is famed for its valley with over 60 kinds of Azalea that blooms during early summer. The museum and the zoo don`t have an entry fee. Slottskogen can be very crowded with people going for a barbecue in Summer. On the night before the 1st of May, there is usually a big bonfire in the park, which is worth watching.

Trädgårdsföreningen. A picturesque garden in the city centre with a very nice collection of roses awarded with three stars in the Guide Michelin. No entrance fee during off season, otherwise 20 kr.

Do

Liseberg. The biggest amusement park in all of Scandinavia, with lots of different rides for all ages. Be sure to try Balder, the wooden roller-coaster. Liseberg is the number one attraction in Sweden by number of visitors. A new indoor water park, Oceana, will open 2026/2027.

Lisebergslinjen. A vintage tram line that runs during summer from the central station to Liseberg.

Ale Vikingagård. A Viking farm. Events throughout the year including feasts and markets in the spring (early May), autumn after harvest time in late October to early November and around Jul, a Norse pagan celebration at Christmas time.

Boating There are many ways of seeing Gothenburg and surroundings from the water, as the city is not only where the Göta älv river flows into the sea but there are canals as well. These islands are car free and very picturesque. The boats go from the tram stop "Saltholmen". It is difficult to park there. Tram tickets are valid on the boat too. Other option are a chartered yacht or kayaks.

Paddan. The tourist boats run in the city canals and in the harbour.

Delsjön Canoeing. In summer, you can go canoeing in or walking around the lake Delsjön. It can be a good way to experience nature.

Börjessons. Does tourist boat tours in the archipelago every day in the summer and is very popular.

Göteborgs konserthus. The concert hall is home of the Göteborgs Symfoniker (Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra) which is the National Orchestra of Sweden and offers regular concerts there.

Göteborg Stadsteater. The oldest city theatre in Sweden. Plays, movie screenings and concerts.

GöteborgsOperan. By Lilla Bommen is the modern opera house of Gothenburg where great operas, both new and old, as well as musicals are performed regularly. You can take a guided behind-the-scenes tour to learn how the performances are created.

Lorensbergsteatern. In addition to theatre, this is also a venue for musicals and concerts.

Early year and spring Every year in February, the town is invaded by cinema buffs for the annual Gothenburg Film Festival. The festival, which is growing every year, is now one of the major Scandinavian movie festivals. The Cortège. Every year students from Chalmers University organize this carnival parade on Walpurgis Night (30 April). The parade starts at Gibraltargatan next to the campus, proceeds via Läraregatan, Viktor Rydbergsgatan, Kungsportsavenyn, Vasagatan, Aschebergsgatan back to the campus and takes about two hours. During about a week before the parade, the students construct the different vehicles on campus next to Gibraltargatan. Free.

Summer Gothenburg's Pride festival is West Pride. Takes place in June. Göteborg Aero Show – Sweden's major annual air show, attracting tens of thousands spectators every year. Way Out West – a yearly music festival held in Slottskogen, usually in August. Volvo Rendezvous for Owners and Members (VROM) – an annual meeting for Volvo enthusiasts. Gothenburg Culture Festival} (Kulturkalaset) takes place annually in August. City-festival featuring musical performances, a wide array of foreign food booths and lots and lots of beer. Massive public drunkenness and under-aged intoxication has made the city council consider to cancel the whole thing. If you stay off the absolute city-centre like the Avenue (Avenyn) you may find interesting parties and activities though.

Autumn and Christmas season Göteborg International Biennial for Contemporary Art (GIBCA). It's held every second year. Julstaden (the Christmas celebration), takes place in late November and December. The city centre is filled with Christmas lights and various activities, such as the market at Haga Nygata. The event has become a popular tourist attraction.

Football: the city has four professional soccer teams. In Allsvenskan the top tier are BK Häcken (playing at Bravida Arena), IFK Göteborg (at Gamla Ullevi Stadium), Örgryte IS (also at Gamla Ullevi) and GAIS (also at Gamla Ullevi). Gamla Ullevi is also the home stadium of the Sweden women's national team. The domestic playing season is April–Nov. In July, football playing youths from more than 50 countries take part in Gothia Cup, the world's biggest football tournament, with over 1,000 teams. The final rounds are held at the Ullevi stadium, one of the largest in the Nordic countries. At Scandinavium hockey stadium the local team Frölunda HC plays games every week during season. On occasion you can see wrestling in different locations in Gothenburg. Göteborgsvarvet is a half marathon (21 km) run in May in central Gothenburg.

There is many beaches and beach-like places along the seashore (mainly in the southern part of the city), and if you prefer to swim in a lake, head inland. They are free to use for anyone.

<!-- not sure about this Learn section, as of now there is not much information and in practice we've often omitted Learn in articles for small and mid-sized cities

Learn

While the Gothenburg University or Chalmers University of Technology generally require longer stays to partake in their courses; if you want to do a shorter course, for example a language course or pottery course there are a few options: Medborgarskolan Folkuniversitetet Vuxenskolan Sensus -->

Buy

Gothenburg hosts most of the types of shopping that is available internationally. Swedish design goods and local specialties can be found at some places. The main shopping districts and malls are:

Arkaden. If you cannot find your favourite retail store at Nordstan, it is probably at the Arkaden.

Nordstan. Gothenburg's largest shopping centre, with 180 stores, is just outside the Centralstation, to which it is linked by an underground tunnel. Walkways also link the centre to Lilla Bommen and the Opera. Inside you will find the usual mix of convenience stores (including a Systembolaget), global retail formats, including Espirit, H&M and Yves Rocher, as well as an outlet of the Swedish department store chain Åhléns City and some popular Swedish shopfronts such as Hemtex or Nilson Shoes. The centre also hosts a tourist information stand in its middle.

Avenyn. Ranging between Kungportsplatsen with Kopparmärra, the statue of king Karl IX, to Götaplatsen with the statue of Poseidon and the Gothenburg art museum: Avenyn and Kungsportsplatsen hosts a variety of shops that cater to most wants. Quite a few restaurants lie along the street as well, and it is the main tourist street, where in the summers few Gothenburgers will be found, apart from at the tram stations and by the Gothenburg city library at the Götaplatsen end.

Inom vallgraven. Gothenburg’s major retailers outside Nordstan and a number of out of city-center malls lie around these four streets in the area Inom Vallgraven. Some interesting shops lie off the beaten track, but for general shopping these are the main locations.

Acne. While Acne is a Stockholm design studio, there is a smaller shop in Gothenburg. A larger outlet store can be found south of the city in Freeport Outlet in the Kungsbacka suburb. More interestingly the Acne store is in the same house as Artilleriet.

Nudie Jeans Vallgatan. Nudie Jeans is a Gothenburg-based design house specializing in jeans. Made to last and with a number of repair shops in the city and elsewhere, they are a good buy when in Gothenburg. This shop lies close to the very picturesque Victoriapassagen which hosts cafés and some smaller shops.

Saluhallen. A charming indoor food hall, finished in 1889. This is a place both to have a meal (lunch or snack) or to buy fresh groceries.

Victoriapassagen. One of several passageways between major shopping streets, this one is the most picturesque, with a café, a hipster bakery, a bookbinder and some other shops.

Bengans. A big, famous Swedish record store with lots of records, old and new, in all kinds of genres. You will find something to buy here, no matter if you're a record collector, hipster, or chart music fan. They also have a café. Don't confuse it with Bengans City, which while a record store is not at all the same thing. If you like records or just atmosphere it's worth leaving the city centre for.

Artillerigården. A small square with building repurposed from old factories around, it hosts some of the city’s hipper shops, such as Artilleriet and Grandpa. Strömmingsluckan is a must if you are here at lunch-time. It also hosts a number of other food trucks. Ragtime are two high quality second-hand shops nearby.

Haga Nygata. Haga is a unique part of town, well worth visiting for other things than shopping, but if you are looking for unique things to buy, this is where to go. Several Swedish fashion shops as well as a hatmaker, many antique-shops and other "odd" shops such as an olive oil store make Haga an ideal place. On fall Sundays the square hosts a farmer's market, and in December each weekend hosts a Christmas market. Apart from in December the area is a little bit less hectic than the other shopping areas.

Antikhallarna. Originally a bank, these "halls" host 10 shops specializing in various antiques. There is everything from certified ancient Egyptian and Greek statues to stamps and silver spoons. A very nice café lies here as well.

Sci-fi Bookshop. Plenty of merchandise and a café on the ground floor, but the basement has a rather large section for books. Not everything is science fiction, fantasy, or manga either, and more than half is in English. With Swedes being generally very good at English, this book-shop caters to young Swedes who read anything in English.

NK. Stockholm's famous upscale department store has branched out to Gothenburg, bringing in premium brands such as Paul Smith, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Dior, YSL and Prada and equally well-known Swedish brands – for instance the crystal manufacturers Orrefors and Kosta Boda. Just opposite Arkaden, the NK also features an upscale-ish café and sushi restaurant.

ABCD. With another shop in Stockholm, ABCD hosts collections from major European and international designers such as Givenchy, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana. The interior of the store is pretty and is reminiscent of an old bank vault. For men and women. Doorbell.

Eat

The main restaurant street in Gothenburg is Linnégatan running from Järntorget to Linnéplatsen.

Most restaurants offer lunch menus in the range 90-130 kr. Mostly they are served between 11:30 and 14:00.

Most restaurants are closed on Mondays, so you need to plan in advance if you want a nice dinner

It can be worth to take out an intro subscription to the local paper Göteborgs-Posten that has a dedicated restaurant section to read their reviews

Food markets The market hall Saluhallen, listed in Buy above, also hosts a range of eateries.

Feskekörka. The historical fish market – the "fish church" – has reopened after a major renovation in the early 2020s. Now there are just a couple of restaurants and shops (formerly there was a much larger number of them), though the place is still all about fish and seafood.

Alexandras Grekiska Soppkök. This small soup kitchen located in Saluhallen delivers a wide range of Greek food. Among the most popular dishes is the excellent lentil soup served with fresh bread.

Baguetten. Sandwiches: baguettes and panini.

Franks. A hamburger and hot dog stand right in front of the Gothenburg Central Station.

Gourmetkorv. "Korv" means "sausage" in Swedish and this restaurant has them in abundance. There are 13 different choices of sausage, and these are served as portions with potato salad or mashed potato, and your choice of mustard. The service is very fast, your order should be ready in less than fifteen minutes. No table service, you have to carry your food to your table yourself. There is another location at Bohusgatan 13 (near the Ullevi stadium). You can also buy sausages, potato salad, sauerkraut and mustard by the kilogram to take home with you.

Govindas. Vegetarian restaurant operated by the local Hare Krishna community. They speak German (natively), English and Swedish.

Hedens Pizzeria. Pizza, kebab and falafel.

Café Hängmattan. Vegetarian buffet. Closed for renovations until September 2025.

Pasta Etc.. Italian restaurant; so there's a large selection of paste and pizze.

Sanguine. Persian and international cuisine.

Soppa och Sunt. Soups, salads and bread.

Restaurant Sunset Falafelkungen. Classic falafel place. Used to have a mobile stand on Kungstorget. There are more falafel places around the city but far from all make good ones.

Andrum. Tasty and healthy vegetarian/vegan buffet.

Bombay Palace. Serves tasty Indian food in a good atmosphere. Seating arrangement is not so good, but the food will leave you happy.

Gyllene Prag. Cheap and wonderful Czech restaurant with good beer in generous helpings. The breaded cheese is a classic, and you won't be hungry again for at least a week.

The Barn. Another fancy hamburger restaurant with a farmer concept.

Berzelius bar och matsal. Good restaurant and bar serving traditional Swedish food.

Enoteca del Signore. Serves fantastic pasta in various flavours. Cosy.

Holy Cow. Fancy hamburger restaurant with a farmer concept.

Nonna. Italian restaurant. Serves fantastic pasta in various flavours.

Dinner 22. Specialising in meat dishes, not much for vegetarians on the menu. Serves excellent reindeer steak. Very good service.

Karlson's Garage and Bar. Swedish food and beer. Good service. Especially known for Köttbullar (Swedish meatballs) and fried Baltic herring.

Fiskekrogen. This place is all about sea food; platters of scallops, lobsters, oysters, fish and the like.

Restaurang 28+. Fine dining restaurant with French, Swedish and international cuisine. The restaurant also has a wine bar, and a large selection of wines. Earned a star in the Michelin Guide Rouge. Closed for the summer until 20 August 2025.

Restaurang Sjömagasinet. Excellent (and pricey!) fish restaurant at Klippan. Earned a star in the Michelin Guide Rouge.

Koka. Individual interpretations of regional food. Fixed 3-, 5-, or 7-course menu.

Drink

In the summertime there are outdoor serving along Avenyn and Linnégatan.

You can pick up the free Nöjesguiden and Djungeltrumman magazines in various stores to read more about Gothenburg's nightlife. They are only available in Swedish though.

The Bishops Arms. A chain of English pubs. In Gothenburg there are three located at Kungsportsavenyn 36, Västra Hamngatan 3 and Järntorget. Good selection of beer on tap and fine single malt whiskey. A bit pricier than other pubs.

Kellys. Cheap beer. Lots of vegan food. Mixed crowd of middle-aged regulars and young people.

King's Head. On this street well known for its cheap pubs and porn stores, this pub is an alternative for those who wants to spend time in a little more sophisticated environment. The clientele is more well adjusted in this place.

Heaven 23. One of the finest bars in town if you want cocktails and a nice view. You can also have dinner here.

Sejdeln. When Kellys is packed Sejdeln is a perfectly adequate option, it's right next to Kellys and has even cheaper beer and roughly the same clientele.

Steampunk Bar. Scandinavia's first Steampunk-themed restaurant and bar. Has one of Gothenburg's widest selections of drinks, gin & tonic, as well as a unique atmosphere.

Tre Små Rum. The top priority is the well-selected beers both draft and bottled, in combination with carefully selected jazz that flows from the speakers

Ölhallen 7:an. One of the best places for good beer, and the only traditional "Beer-hall" left in the city. It is situated next to Saluhallen

Ölrepubliken. A good selection of beers on tap with a bias toward British and Belgian beers, this pub is an excellent alternative to the mid centre locations. Found not far from Kronhusbodarna a couple of hundred meters from Nordstan.

Clubs There are several different clubs in Gothenburg, with a wide array of music styles.

Gretas. The biggest gay nightclub in the city, with 2 dance floors playing schlager, pop, 1980s, 90s and disco downstairs, house and r'n'b upstairs.

Haket. Indie pop/goth. Often arranges theme nights, with music, videos and even drinks featuring a certain artist. Hosts Monochrome, a long-running Goth club the first Saturday every month. Haket is also a restaurant and bar, with an excellent selection of microbrewed beers.

Nefertiti. House, jazz, northern soul.

Port du soleil. Great really professional summer-club with house music.

Pustervik. Rock, indie and folk. Both local and international bands.

Cafés Gothenburg has a vast array of cafés practically everywhere. In the district Haga (near Järntorget) you can find a lot of nice cafés. It is quite normal to get a free re-fill if you buy filter coffee (bryggkaffe in Swedish).

Bar Centro. Small Italian-style espressobar, takes coffee very seriously.

Café Husaren. This café is famous for its tasty, giant kanelbullar (cinnamon buns). You can easily share one of these with three or four people. Or, if you don`t care about diabetes, you can eat one for lunch or dinner.

Kaffe Kid. It is close to Haga and one block from the Oscar Frederiks kyrka. This charming café makes for a great stop and probably offers the coziest atmosphere you will find in Gothenburg.

Café Skåne. The antithesis of a trendy cafe with affordable prices and large sandwiches to fill you up.

Språkcaféet. Nice café with language evenings Mondays to Thursdays (17:30–21:00) with opportunities to learn Swedish, Spanish, Japanese, Arabic and many other popular languages. You must buy for 45 kr before you can participate in the language groups.

Sleep

Budget Many youth hostels only offer their lowest prices to members of STF or IYHF. The Tourist Bureau just off Avenyn organises an excellent private home B&B service.

Great Living. Company mediating private accommodation. All apartments are located in the centre of Gothenburg.

Slottsskogens Youth Hostel. Vegagatan 21. Open 24 hr. Popular among travellers. Free Internet. Prices start at 195 kr for dorm beds. Situated in the lively Linnéstan – an area with a lot of pubs, restaurants, cafés etc. Tram stop: Olivedalsgatan (tram 1,2,6 and 13). The backpackers section is clean and modern. All beds in dorms have lockers under the bed, and some beds have curtains around them for privacy. Arrive early if you want one of these since beds aren't assigned - when you check in you just go and grab any free bed in the dorm. Sheets and towel are an extra 65 kr. Breakfast is quite nice – fairly standard buffet style with bread, cheese, meats, cereal, muesli, coffee, juice etc. But it is a bit expensive at 70 kr.

Kvibergs Vandrarhem - Hostel. A family run hostel since 1995 that offers free WiFi and parking. A breakfast buffet is served every morning. Room in different sizes and cottages with 5 beds. Access to a kitchen 24h and TV in all rooms and cottages. Surrounding the hostel is a large garden with grass for the kids to run around.

Hôtel Eggers. Established in 1859 as a railway hotel next to the station — the line to Stockholm would be completed three years later. The hotel has a beautiful 19th century interior, and the rooms are different from each other. The rooms have modern amenities like ensuite bathrooms, televisions and hairdryers, though some of the executive rooms also feature some surprises like gramophones or old-fashioned clawfoot tubs. Free Wi-Fi. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and conference rooms.

Hotel Gothia Towers. Scandinavia’s largest hotel, with good quality rooms and four popular bars and restaurants. Gourmet restaurant Heaven 23 is on the 23rd floor with an unbeatable view of Gothenburg. Try their huge shrimp sandwich! Basic rooms have a reasonable size with well laid out furniture, contain fridge, kettle, cloths iron and small but practical work desk. Suites are of very good class and size. Standard breakfast in a canteen like room (as opposed to the restaurants) has a reasonably large choice but of basic quality and staff do not clear tables very often.

Hotel Poseidon. A family owned, 49-room hotel perfectly located in the city center. Trams stop a block away at Vasaplatsen and the popular Kungsportsavenyn is just a few blocks in the other direction. Wireless internet is included as well as a great breakfast.

Hotel Riverton. Hotel, restaurant and Sky bar with a beautiful view of the harbour. Shopping and restaurants just around the corner.

Hotel Royal. A classy hotel that was founded in 1852, as such the oldest in the city. The hotel has retained the 19th-century interiors like Eggers from the same era. Rooms equipped with the normal amenities. Free Wi-Fi. Buffet breakfast.

Scandic Europa. Large modern hotel belonging to a major Scandinavian chain, attached to the Nordstan shopping centre. Standard rooms range from 18–20 m² and are efficiently laid out. Breakfast, wireless internet, a mini-fridge, and air conditioning are included.

Scandic Crown. Similar to its older sister Scandic Europa this one has a spa with sauna and jacuzzi on its top floor at no extra fee. The restaurant offers a breakfast buffet with lots of items to choose from and has a limited menu in the evening. Quiet well designed rooms and friendly helpful staff.

Hotel Waterfront. A modern hotel with all services and facilities, and is located at the entrance to the Port of Gothenburg a bit outside of the city centre but easily accessible through tram or ferry.

Radisson Blu Riverside Hotel. Quality rooms but standard ones, not large. Good buffet breakfast and reasonable restaurant and bar.

Avalon Hotel. Hotel with 101 rooms with Swedish design. Rooms have tv, ac, minibar, safe, hairdryer and ensuite bathroom. There's a restaurant, a bar and a rooftop terrace with pool.

Clarion Collection Hotel Odin. Four-star hotel in a modern tower. Rooms are air-conditioned, include breakfast and dinner buffets, and have reliable high-speed wireless internet. Superior rooms have a full kitchenette (utensils at a surcharge), and hot drinks are available in the lobby. Some rooms have a large balcony overlooking the river. Single rooms are 23-24 m², doubles 30–35 m² with two single beds.

Clarion Hotel Post. This former post office, with 500 rooms, including three suites this is one of the biggest hotels in the city. Includes high-end restaurants, own spa, rooftop pool and even home-brewed beer. They also have a hugely popular bar for after-work entertainment. Just don't expect a quiet lobby!

Elite Park Avenue Hotel. A quite large hotel with 326 rooms. Free Wi-Fi. The hotel has a gym, a restaurant, and a pub (The Bishops Arms, listed in Drink above).

Elite Plaza Hotel. Five-star hotel in a late 19th century building with many details from that time preserved, noticed for being popular with visiting rock stars. Rooms have all the normal amenities, and there's a restaurant and a pub. The hotel is also set up for events like wedding celebrations.

Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel. Chain hotel with interiors in Scandinavian design. The hotel has some quite big suites, the largest being the 160m2 Royal Suite, with several rooms including a private kitchen and dining room and sauna. Has a bar & bistro, a restaurant, and a "spa, yoga and gym" area.