When planning a trip to Sweden, it is normal to think about going to visit Stockholm. However, Gothenburg is also a city full of charm, which deserves to be visited and which offers its tourists attractions of high value, including the navigation of the canals, which you find included in the Goteborg Pass, or an extraordinary experience in an amphibious bus that runs from the streets. dives straight into the canals!
Let’s find out together which are the wonders not to be missed in Gothenburg .

1 – Feskekorka (fish market)
Photo by Kristianwhedberg. The building that encloses the Gothenburg fish market was built in 1874 and has the appearance of a church. Inside you will find fishmongers and fish restaurants serving, of course, only fresh fish. A good idea is to buy some shrimp to go and enjoy them sitting on a bench facing the canal.

SEE ALSO : 10 Things to eat in Gothenburg and where
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

  • How to get there: from the central station tram 11 direction Goteborg Saltholmens Brygga, Stop Gronsakstorget – Get directions
  • Hours: Tue-Fri 10: 00-18: 00, Sat 10: 00-15: 00
  • Ticket cost: Free, free visit

Taste the fish specialties : although Sweden is not quite the cheapest of the destinations, the fish around here is of an amazing quality. Right here at Feskekorka, the Church of the Fish, you cannot fail to taste salmon, herring, fish soups, as well as oysters and shellfish in general.

2 – Skansen Kronan (fortress)
Photo by Andrzej Otrębski. The Skansen Kronan fortress was built in 1687 to defend the city from possible attacks from the south, which never happened: for this reason it is perfectly preserved .
The fortress was equipped with 23 cannons, its walls are 5 meters thick. An impregnable defense which, however, never fulfills its function.
It was later used as a prison, private residence and military museum. Today it also includes a conference center and restaurant. It is located in the picturesque district of Haga, and from the hill on which it is located you can enjoy an excellent view of the city and the port.
Today it is also often used for private parties and receptions, and on Sundays you can enjoy a very rich brunch.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

  • How to get there: from the central station bus 60 direction Masthugget – Get directions
  • Hours: Tue-Fri 10: 00-15: 00
  • Ticket cost: Free, free visit

3 – Haga
district Photo by Andrzej Otrebski. Built in the seventeenth century, Haga is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Gothenburg . Take a walking tour of the old town of Haga, stroll the main street, a cobbled lane with old stone houses, and enjoy the small shops and sumptuous cafes, where you can enjoy Kanelbullar, sizable cinnamon pastries.
You will meet many buildings and wooden houses. Visit the neighborhood thinking that this is Gothenburg’s first suburban core. Although inevitably renovated over the years, it manages to maintain a vintage flavor, and appears as a fresco of the history of the city.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

  • How to get there: from the central station tram 11 direction Goteborg Saltholmens Brygga – Get directions
  • Hours: always accessible
  • Ticket cost: Free, free visit

4 – Magasinsgatan
This is the shopping district , located exactly in the center of Gothenburg. Strolling through its narrow streets you will find cafes and restaurants with typical Swedish cuisine, as well as vintage and designer clothes shops.
The surroundings are home to many Swedish fashion brands, while in the evening the area becomes the scene of the city’s nightlife , and in the summer it is the ideal place for outdoor dining and drinks.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

  • How to get there: on foot from anywhere in the city – Get directions
  • Hours: always accessible
  • Ticket cost: Free, free visit

5 – Tradgardsforeningen (Botanical Garden)
Photo by Gunnar Creutz. Located in the heart of the city, it is one of the best preserved botanical parks in Europe . It allows visitors to walk among exotic flowers and plants, enjoying scents, colors and a pleasant feeling of calm.

The garden offers a magnificent collection of roses , one of the richest in Northern Europe: over 4,000 roses from 1,900 different species including some Swedish rarities.

Another flagship is the palm house : an iron and glass construction, almost 1,000 square meters, inspired by the famous Crystal Palace in London. Inside, a wide range of exotic tall trees.
In the park area there are also other sculptures, restaurants and cafes.A playground has been set up for children .
Pets and bicycles are not allowed inside.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

  • How to get there: from the central station tram 7 direction Tynnered Opaltorget – Get directions
  • Hours: every day 7: 00-18: 00, from May to Aug 8: 00-20: 00; palm house 10 am-4pm
  • Ticket cost: Free, free visit

6 – Konstmuseet (art museum)
Photo by Andrzej Otrebski. The Gothenburg art museum contains permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of extreme artistic value and is certainly one of the best museums in northern Europe . Inside you will find workshops, seminars, family activities and works by Chagall, Monet, Rembrandt, Picasso and other great painters of history.
The museum is located in the largest town square, the Gotaplatsen. It is recognized for the huge facade with 7 very high arches , but above all for the yellow color that distinguishes it. This is the so-called “Goteborg brick”, a very popular bright yellow building material.
The museum also houses the Hasselblad center, where 5 temporary photographic exhibitions are held every year with the works of the best Swedish and international photographers.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

  • How to get there: from the central station tram 4 direction Molndal Centrum – Get directions
  • Hours: Tue and Thu 11: 00-18: 00, Wed 11: 00-20: 00, from Fri to Sun 11: 00-17: 00
  • Ticket price: SEK40 (about € 4.00) full price, free for under 25s and Goteborg Pass holders

7 – Universeum
Photo by Henrik Sendelbach. Universeum is the largest scientific center in northern Europe , and has huge aquariums with 8 different species of sharks, eels and Moorish. In addition, you will find a rainforest , to be viewed on safari to see birds and monkeys, forensic science labs and a space exhibit.
It is located in the center of Gothenburg, spread over 7 floors. The main sections are “Kalejdo”, a crime and investigation exhibition, “Explora”, a department of human and technology experiments, “Vattnets Vag” (Water’s Way) and “Akvariehallen” (The Ocean Zone). The latter includes a 1,400,000-gallon tank of ocean water with sharks and tropical fish, a 16-meter aquarium and another tank with manta rays. Furthermore, there are the “Regnskogen” (rainforest), with tropical animals, and the “Dodliga Skonheter” (Deadly Beauties), with poisonous and deadly reptiles.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

  • How to get there: from the central station tram 13 direction Goteborg Sahlgrenska huvudentr – Get directions
  • Hours: every day 10: 00-18: 00
  • Ticket price: Adults SEK175 (about € 18: 00), children from 3 to 16 years SEK120 (about € 13: 00), children under 3 free – free with Goteborg Pass

8 – Liseberg Amusement Park
Photo by Matthew Bargo. A playground where adults and children can have fun in complete freedom. It has 40 different attractions including the highest free fall in Europe , a truly thrilling roller coaster and a Ferris wheel that allows you to see the whole city. Furthermore, inside the amusement park you will find restaurants, shops and concerts .
It is one of the most visited parks in Scandinavia with over 3 million visitors every year and included in the top 10 of the best in the world by Forbes.

Inside it also houses an impressive botanical garden , the Lisebergs Lustgarten, with wonderful water features, works of art and many varieties of plants.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

  • How to get there: from the central station tram 2 direction Molndal centrum – Get directions
  • Hours: opening hours vary throughout the year and can be viewed on the official website
  • Ticket price: adults SEK100 (about € 10.50), children under 110 cm free, free with Goteborg Pass

9 – Alvsborg Fortress

Alvsborg (or Elfsborg) is the best preserved fortress in all of Sweden .

It can be reached with a special cruise lasting about 30 minutes which includes an informative guide on the history of the building and the battles that involved it.
Originally the fortress was located on the mainland, on the south coast of the estuary, in the area now known as Klippan. In the 17th century it was then dismantled and rebuilt in its current position. In 1700 it was attacked several times by the Danish and Norwegian fleets without ever being conquered.
Located at the mouth of the River Gota, it protected Sweden’s only access to the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
It was even transformed into a prison in the 19th century, a fortress and a small chapel that now hosts many weddings.

SEE ALSO : Excursions from Gothenburg: the best day trips around Gothenburg
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

  • How to get there: Lilla Bommen, Pusterviksgatan 13, 41301 Gothenburg – with dedicated cruise
  • Hours: open in July and August
  • Ticket price: Adults SEK160 (about € 16.00), children from 6 to 11 years old, children up to 5 years free – free with Goteborg Pass

Pause here at sunset : the Alvsborg fortress is located at the mouth of the Gota River, and is “protected” by a fjord; at dusk, the colors of the sunset make this scenery a spectacular picture to photograph.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

    10 – Skargarden – Southern Archipelago
    Photo by Andrzej Otrebski. 5,000 inhabitants permanently reside in the archipelago, which becomes 6,000 in the summer. Some of these islands seem to be important places of fairy tales and legends , such as those of Beowulf and other Anglo-Saxon poems.
    Among the main islands, Styrso , with four picturesque villages and around 1,400 inhabitants, is a real pleasure to visit: completely unspoiled and car free and the ideal place to take a stroll. The oldest village, Byn, dates back to 1752 and has a post office, cafes, shops, guesthouses and restaurant, as well as plenty of places to fish for lobster.

    Donso is one of the major islands of the archipelago, and plays an important role in the fishing industry.

    Vrango is the southernmost inhabited island . The uninhabited part of the island is a succession of reserves crossed by trekking routes. There are also beaches with shallow water, ideal for families with children in the summer months.
    Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

    • How to get there: Skargarden – Saltholmen high frequency ferries
    • Hours: always accessible
    • Ticket cost: Free, free visit

    5 things to do in Gothenburg
    Take a Paddan boat ride

    Take a ride on the Historic Trams

    Visit Slottsskogen park

    1/5

    1. Take a Paddan boat ride
      They are a nice and typical way to see Gothenburg from a different perspective. You will cross the canals and bridges, including the “cheese slicer” bridge (Osthyveln), so called because it is very low. The paddans start from Kungsportsplatsen, in the center, and the tour takes about 50 minutes
    2. Visit the Volvo Museum
      Even if you’re not a car enthusiast, the Volvo brand is a great piece of Swedish history. At the museum you will be able to see the evolution not only of cars, but of all the vehicles and technologies that have made the Volvo brand so important in the global automotive scene.
    3. Take a ride on the Historic Trams
      Public transport in Gothenburg works great, especially the trams. Those of the Ringlinien line, however, are special: they date back to the early 1900s, and although they are part of urban mobility, they have a very special vintage charm!
    4. Visit the Slottsskogen park
      There is no shortage of green areas in Sweden: here you can see moose, penguins, reindeer, ponds, organize a picnic and … who knows if the athletes of the Swedish national football team do not pass by!
    5. Walk down the Avenyn
      It is the main street of the city, full of shops, big names, but also bars, cafes, restaurants. In the evening it becomes the center of the city’s nightlife, with a succession of clubs and discos frequented by both tourists and locals and students.

    Plan your stay in Gothenburg: flights, hotels and tours
    The best area to stay in Gothenburg is between the districts of Heden and Inom Vallgraven, where the university is also located. Getting around the city is simple and fast : you can use one of the 12 trams that connect the center to the suburbs (a single ticket costs around € 3.00 but you can buy rechargeable cards) or move with bike sharing (the card costs around € 3.00 and includes the first half hour of use, the subsequent half hours cost about € 1.00). An evergreen (and always convenient) solution is the hop-on hop-off tourist bus, which runs 24/7 and allows you to get on and off at each stop with a single ticket.

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