Every year, a large number of tourists visit Gothenburg to experience the city. They are mainly from Sweden, but also from countries like Germany, England, France, USA and Spain. The Gothenburg region had 5.58 million guest nights in 2023, which was 10 percent more than in 2019.
Foreign tourists often go to the tourist office at Kungsportsplatsen to get advice on activities. Of their visitors, 70 percent come from other countries.
First-time visitors often want to take a guided sightseeing tour to see the most interesting places in the city. They also want to see the archipelago," says Marina Lindbom, team leader at the tourist office.
ANNONS
– It's very exclusive for foreign tourists, and what is great is that you can get to the islands between Vrångö in the south and Rörö in the north with just one public transport ticket.
She says that many tourists want to go hiking. What some do not appreciate, however, is the difficulty of paying with cash. Some visitors have brought their entire travel budget in cash and don't know what to do with their money and how to tip" says Marina Lindbom.
Tourists want to try ”surströmming” and ”fika” in Gothenburg
Food is usually important when visiting other countries. This is also true in Gothenburg and tourists are keen to find out where to eat and drink. According to Marina Lindbom they are curious about typical Swedish dishes: meatballs, shrimp sandwiches, seafood, ”smörgåsbord” and surströmming. However, she usually advises against the latter.
– They have also heard about the concept of ”fika” and wonder what it is. When they find out, they want to try it, so we tell them about different cafés in town.
Common things to do in Gothenburg:
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Visit Haga
Haga is Gothenburg's oldest ”suburb”. As early as the 17th century, Queen Kristina signed a resolution to plan Haga. Since then, Haga has changed from log houses to more modern residential buildings, but much of the old style can be seen especially on the touristy Haga Nygata where the old houses from the 19th century remain.
Haga is home to shops, restaurants and cafes that are popular all year round. You can buy toys, olive oil, clothes, sweets and chocolate, furniture, jewelry, mittens and the famous big ”Haga bun”.
In december, there is usually a Christmas market in Haga and in the spring, the Haga Bluegrass Street Festival spreads good music in the area.
From the central station and Brunnsparken, there are several trams that stop at Haga Church. From there it takes a few minutes to walk to Haga.
Haga is home to shops, restaurants and cafes that are popular all year round. You can buy toys, olive oil, clothes, sweets and chocolate, furniture, jewelry, mittens and the famous big ”Haga bun”.
In december, there is usually a Christmas market in Haga and in the spring, the Haga Bluegrass Street Festival spreads good music in the area.
From the central station and Brunnsparken, there are several trams that stop at Haga Church. From there it takes a few minutes to walk to Haga.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Visit Liseberg
Gothenburg's most famous tourist attraction is the Liseberg amusement park, which with its green rabbits, rides and artists, attracts over a couple of million visitors every year. Liseberg has activities for the whole family.
The park opens in April and closes in September. From June to August, the park is open most days. But you can also visit Liseberg during Halloween and for Christmas.
Liseberg has around 40 attractions and carousels for both young and old.
The little ones can take a ride in, for example, Flygis, Hoppalång and Cyclonen as well as drive the Grandfather Cars. If you are slightly older you can ride Aerospin, Balder, Helix, Uppswinget and Valkyria, for example. In the park you can also have a pentathlon, play games to try to win goodies and other things on the wheels of fortune.
Besides the attractions, you can also take a walk in the flowering park, buy toys and sweets, and eat and drink at one of the many food outlets. If you want to bring your own food, there are several picnic areas.
Prices vary depending on what you want to do in the park and what age you are. Information about prices and opening hours are available on Liseberg's website.
The park opens in April and closes in September. From June to August, the park is open most days. But you can also visit Liseberg during Halloween and for Christmas.
Liseberg has around 40 attractions and carousels for both young and old.
The little ones can take a ride in, for example, Flygis, Hoppalång and Cyclonen as well as drive the Grandfather Cars. If you are slightly older you can ride Aerospin, Balder, Helix, Uppswinget and Valkyria, for example. In the park you can also have a pentathlon, play games to try to win goodies and other things on the wheels of fortune.
Besides the attractions, you can also take a walk in the flowering park, buy toys and sweets, and eat and drink at one of the many food outlets. If you want to bring your own food, there are several picnic areas.
Prices vary depending on what you want to do in the park and what age you are. Information about prices and opening hours are available on Liseberg's website.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Take the boat ”Paddan”
If you want to see a lot of Gothenburg and learn about the city's history, you can take a trip on the Paddan boats that glide along the canal. During summer there are several tours a day. The trip start at Kungsportsplatsen, takes 50 minutes and costs from 250 SEK and up.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Visit Gothenburg's archipelago
Gothenburg's archipelago is large and contains over 30 islands, such as Asperö, Donsö, Brännö, Styrsö, Vrångö, Björkö, Hyppeln, Hönö, Källö-Knippla and Öckerö.
In the archipelago you can go for a swim, look at beautiful and flowering nature, take a harbor walk, shop, eat and drink, take a kayak trip or visit the Brännö pier. You can also go on a seafood cruise, get a guided archipelago tour or go on seal safaris and various fishing trips.
Most of the islands can be reached by a short boat trip via public transport from Saltholmen, Stenpiren or Lilla Varholmen.
If you want to stay overnight, there are some hotels, apartments, cottages and hostels.
You can go to the islands all year round, but during winter it may be better to choose the larger islands as the range of restaurants is larger.
In the archipelago you can go for a swim, look at beautiful and flowering nature, take a harbor walk, shop, eat and drink, take a kayak trip or visit the Brännö pier. You can also go on a seafood cruise, get a guided archipelago tour or go on seal safaris and various fishing trips.
Most of the islands can be reached by a short boat trip via public transport from Saltholmen, Stenpiren or Lilla Varholmen.
If you want to stay overnight, there are some hotels, apartments, cottages and hostels.
You can go to the islands all year round, but during winter it may be better to choose the larger islands as the range of restaurants is larger.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Try the famous shrimp sandwich ”Räkmacka”
When in Gothenburg, eating a shrimp sandwich is almost a must, and the selection is huge. The most famous is at Heaven 23 and Gothia Towers, but they can also be found at Hotel Avalon, Eggers, Bee kök & bar, Hedlunds havsbar, Junggrens, Fiskbar 17 and Hemma hos, to name a few.
If you want to go big, Gothenburg has six restaurants with one star in the Michelin Guide, they are SK Mat, 28+, Koka, Signum, Project and Bhoga. However, the latter is being renovated and will open in 2025.
Gothenburg is full of restaurants in all price ranges and flavors. You can eat food from India, Italy, Thailand, France, Greece, Spain, Ethiopia and Austria. Many of the bars and restaurants are located close to Kungsportsavenyn.
If you're in the mood for a coffee, there are plenty of cafes in Haga, Vasastan, on Linnégatan, in Majorna and on and around Avenyn.
If you want to go big, Gothenburg has six restaurants with one star in the Michelin Guide, they are SK Mat, 28+, Koka, Signum, Project and Bhoga. However, the latter is being renovated and will open in 2025.
Gothenburg is full of restaurants in all price ranges and flavors. You can eat food from India, Italy, Thailand, France, Greece, Spain, Ethiopia and Austria. Many of the bars and restaurants are located close to Kungsportsavenyn.
If you're in the mood for a coffee, there are plenty of cafes in Haga, Vasastan, on Linnégatan, in Majorna and on and around Avenyn.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Visit the park Slottsskogen
Gothenburg's "Central Park" is the over 100-year-old Slottsskogen close to Linnéplatsen. There you can go for a walk, have a picnic, go to a concert, eat, have coffee, sunbathe, look at flowers, pick fruit and watch animals. The park has moose, seals, penguins, geese, rabbits, reindeer, pigs, deer, horses and goats, suitable to visit for families with children.
Visiting the park is free and the tram lines 1, 2, and 6 run from Brunnsparken to Linnéplatsen.
Visiting the park is free and the tram lines 1, 2, and 6 run from Brunnsparken to Linnéplatsen.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Visit Trädgårdsföreningen
Close to Gothenburg Central Station is the park Trädgårdsföreningen, established in 1846. The park consists of large lawns that you can sit and exercise on. However, you are not allowed to play sports here or drink alcohol.
There is a playground and many benches where you can sit down and rest for a while.
There are also a large number of flower beds with thousands of flowers and plants that bloom mainly in spring and summer. Around 650 trees make the park extra lush.
The park is famous for its rose garden where 2,000 rose bushes bloom colorfully during the summer.
In the Palm House you can enjoy some tropical warmth and exotic plants from different parts of the world, such as camellias, olive trees and cocoa plants.
In the park there is Rosenkaféet where you can eat and drink. In another cafe, Café Grindstugan, they also have live music in the evenings from mid-April to the end of September.
The park is free to visit and is open all year round. Between October 1 and April 30, it is open between 07:00 and 18:00, and between May 1 and September 30, it is open between 07:00 and 20:00.
There is a playground and many benches where you can sit down and rest for a while.
There are also a large number of flower beds with thousands of flowers and plants that bloom mainly in spring and summer. Around 650 trees make the park extra lush.
The park is famous for its rose garden where 2,000 rose bushes bloom colorfully during the summer.
In the Palm House you can enjoy some tropical warmth and exotic plants from different parts of the world, such as camellias, olive trees and cocoa plants.
In the park there is Rosenkaféet where you can eat and drink. In another cafe, Café Grindstugan, they also have live music in the evenings from mid-April to the end of September.
The park is free to visit and is open all year round. Between October 1 and April 30, it is open between 07:00 and 18:00, and between May 1 and September 30, it is open between 07:00 and 20:00.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Visit a local beer brewery
If you want to drink locally produced beer, there are around 40 local breweries in Gothenburg and the surrounding area. Several of them have taprooms, restaurants and pubs where you can try their beers. Some also have brewery tours.
For example, there is:
Vega Bryggeri, which has a restaurant and taproom at Manufakturgatan 2.
Poppels Bryggeri, which has Poppels Öl & Mat in Jonsered, and Poppels Citybryggeri on Vikingsgatan 1.
Spike Brewery, which has a taproom in Slakthuset Gamlestaden.
Dugges Brewery with the beer pub Dugges Pils on Plantagegatan 3A.
Beerbliotek, which has a taproom at Varholmsgatan 4.
Två feta grisar, which has a pub, taproom and activities at Stenkolsgatan 15.
Sad Robot Brewing, which has a brewery pub with food at Aröds Industriväg 40.
Stigbergets, which has a brewery bar on Ringön, restaurant Shangri-La on Gamla Varvsgatan 1 and Hagabion's café on Linnégatan 21.
For example, there is:
Vega Bryggeri, which has a restaurant and taproom at Manufakturgatan 2.
Poppels Bryggeri, which has Poppels Öl & Mat in Jonsered, and Poppels Citybryggeri on Vikingsgatan 1.
Spike Brewery, which has a taproom in Slakthuset Gamlestaden.
Dugges Brewery with the beer pub Dugges Pils on Plantagegatan 3A.
Beerbliotek, which has a taproom at Varholmsgatan 4.
Två feta grisar, which has a pub, taproom and activities at Stenkolsgatan 15.
Sad Robot Brewing, which has a brewery pub with food at Aröds Industriväg 40.
Stigbergets, which has a brewery bar on Ringön, restaurant Shangri-La on Gamla Varvsgatan 1 and Hagabion's café on Linnégatan 21.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Shopping in Gothenburg
If you like shopping, there are plenty of shops in Gothenburg. Not far from the central station is Nordstan, a large shopping center filled with shops, restaurants and cafés.
On Östra Hamngatan is NK with exclusive brands, in Brunnsparken is the Arkaden shopping mall and on and around Kungsgatan there are many shops where you can buy clothes, shoes, books, beauty care, makeup, jewelry and technology.
On Haga Nygata, for example, you can buy clothes, jewelry, interior design, delicatessen, olive oil, soaps, chocolate and sweets, antiques and toys.
If you like vintage, antique and second hand, there are over 100 shops in and around Gothenburg, for example Stadsmissionen, Myrorna, Röda Korset and Erikshjälpen.
On Östra Hamngatan is NK with exclusive brands, in Brunnsparken is the Arkaden shopping mall and on and around Kungsgatan there are many shops where you can buy clothes, shoes, books, beauty care, makeup, jewelry and technology.
On Haga Nygata, for example, you can buy clothes, jewelry, interior design, delicatessen, olive oil, soaps, chocolate and sweets, antiques and toys.
If you like vintage, antique and second hand, there are over 100 shops in and around Gothenburg, for example Stadsmissionen, Myrorna, Röda Korset and Erikshjälpen.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Visit the fish market ”Feskekörka”
One of the city's most popular tourist attractions has reopened after years of renovation. In the old fish hall at Fisktorget 4, you can once again buy seafood and other goodies to take home. If you prefer to eat in, there are several restaurants serving lunch and dinner, all year round.
This summer, they will also open a jetty in the canal with room for over 100 guests. In the future, they have plans for even more outdoor seating.
This summer, they will also open a jetty in the canal with room for over 100 guests. In the future, they have plans for even more outdoor seating.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Visit the old market hall ”Stora Saluhallen”
The old market hall from 1889 is located on Kungstorget, where you can buy different kinds of food. In the past, it could be several degrees below zero inside, so everything was sold frozen. Today, the market hall is a warmer place, where you can buy seafood, fruit and vegetables, tea, cheese, bread, pastries, olives and game.
If you want to eat and drink, there is a large selection of eateries and restaurants serving food and drink. The market hall is open Monday to Wednesday 10.00-18.00, Thursday-Friday 10.00-19.00, Saturday 10.00-17.00. It is closed on Sundays.
If you want to eat and drink, there is a large selection of eateries and restaurants serving food and drink. The market hall is open Monday to Wednesday 10.00-18.00, Thursday-Friday 10.00-19.00, Saturday 10.00-17.00. It is closed on Sundays.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Visit a museum
If you like museums, there are several to visit in Gothenburg, and they are open all year round. The Gothenburg Museum of Art at Götaplatsen shows Nordic and international art by artists such as Bruno Liljefors, Rembrandt, Monet, Carl Larsson and Picasso.
Maritiman at Packhusplatsen is a floating ship museum with ten different ships from different eras.
At the Museum of Medical History, Östra Hamngatan 11, you can learn about Gothenburg's medical history over 400 years.
At the Gothenburg Natural History Museum, Museivägen 10, you can see human history, learn about wild animals from all over the world, see the blue whale that stranded in Askimsviken in 1865. In the mammal hall, you can see stuffed animals av reindeer, elephants, deer, a giraffe, different kinds of monkeys, bears, lions, moose, a rhinoceros and a hippopotamus.
The Röhsska Museum on Vasagatan 39 is specialized on design and crafts. There is an exhibition of objects from the 18th century, unique crafts from East Asia, a large silver collection, and a collection of chairs from the 17th century to the present day.
At the Maritime Museum Akvariet, Karl Johansgatan 1-3, you can learn all about the sea and its history. You can listen to personal stories, see hundreds of objects, pictures and films. You can also try a ship simulator and visit the aquarium, which contains several hundred species of aquatic animals and plants. There are activities suitable for children of different ages.
Entrance fees vary, for prices see each museum's website.
Maritiman at Packhusplatsen is a floating ship museum with ten different ships from different eras.
At the Museum of Medical History, Östra Hamngatan 11, you can learn about Gothenburg's medical history over 400 years.
At the Gothenburg Natural History Museum, Museivägen 10, you can see human history, learn about wild animals from all over the world, see the blue whale that stranded in Askimsviken in 1865. In the mammal hall, you can see stuffed animals av reindeer, elephants, deer, a giraffe, different kinds of monkeys, bears, lions, moose, a rhinoceros and a hippopotamus.
The Röhsska Museum on Vasagatan 39 is specialized on design and crafts. There is an exhibition of objects from the 18th century, unique crafts from East Asia, a large silver collection, and a collection of chairs from the 17th century to the present day.
At the Maritime Museum Akvariet, Karl Johansgatan 1-3, you can learn all about the sea and its history. You can listen to personal stories, see hundreds of objects, pictures and films. You can also try a ship simulator and visit the aquarium, which contains several hundred species of aquatic animals and plants. There are activities suitable for children of different ages.
Entrance fees vary, for prices see each museum's website.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Visit the child friendly Universeum
Universeum at Korsvägen is full of experiences and adventures for families. You can see some of the world's most poisonous snakes and visit the warm rainforest where you share space with monkeys and birds. In the aquarium there are sharks, exotic fish and rays.
At Universeum you can also learn about space, maths, the body and chemistry. For the youngest ones, there are lots of activities at Miniverseum.
Universeum is located next door to Liseberg.
At Universeum you can also learn about space, maths, the body and chemistry. For the youngest ones, there are lots of activities at Miniverseum.
Universeum is located next door to Liseberg.
The ultimate guide to a weekend in Gothenburg
Lejontrappan, Färjenäsparken and Eriksberg
When Marina Lindbom at the tourist office is asked for more things to do in Gothenburg, she thinks Färjenäsparken on Hisingen is worth a visit.
The park is suitable for both adults and children because there is a playground, exercise trail and outdoor gym, football pitch, skate park, basketball court and a large lawn for outdoor games. She also recommends a coffee at one of the oldest cafés in town, "Flickorna på Färjenäs" which you can reach by the ferry Älvsnabben.
She also recommends a quayside walk at Eriksberg or renting an electric boat at Lejontrappan in Brunnsparken to discover the city on your own.
The park is suitable for both adults and children because there is a playground, exercise trail and outdoor gym, football pitch, skate park, basketball court and a large lawn for outdoor games. She also recommends a coffee at one of the oldest cafés in town, "Flickorna på Färjenäs" which you can reach by the ferry Älvsnabben.
She also recommends a quayside walk at Eriksberg or renting an electric boat at Lejontrappan in Brunnsparken to discover the city on your own.
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