Gothenburg (Göteborg), Sweden, is an under-the-radar trip vacation spot in Northern Europe that everybody must learn about.
It’s one of many most sustainable cities on the planet, crammed with Michelin Information Eating places, and has well-connected public transportation (and inexpensive charges). It’s a small metropolis with neighborhoods and districts providing choices for boutique purchasing and cultural points of interest, and the Gothenburg Archipelago is definitely accessible for outside actions.
Gothenburg is among the most laid-back cities we’ve ever traveled to. There have been by no means crowds, the streets are clear, the locals are useful and communicate wonderful English, and you are feeling extremely secure.
We spent 5 days exploring Gothenburg within the spring (starting of Might). We stayed in three totally different motels. The climate was nice (common 60°F), however required layering at instances. That is very true in case you plan to kayak within the archipelago, because the water stays fairly chilly this time of yr. Cherry blossoms have been in full bloom, there was occasional rain, however all in all, we have been fairly comfy throughout out go to.
If you happen to’re contemplating a trip in Gothenburg, Sweden, this 5-day itinerary particulars our whole expertise.
Methods to Get Round Gothenburg
We discovered getting round Gothenburg to be extremely handy and impressively sustainable as a lot of the general public transportation runs on renewable power.
Gothenburg’s intensive community of trams, buses, and ferries makes it simple to discover the small metropolis with out counting on a automotive. We have been blown away at how briskly and environment friendly it was to get round, as buses and trams have frequent departures.
For a singular perspective, Gothenburg’s ferries are a should. Operated as a part of the general public transport system, these boats shuttle passengers throughout the Göta älv river and out into the southern archipelago.
Gothenburg’s method to transportation demonstrates how city mobility can help each accessibility and environmental targets.
Gothenburg, Sweden Resort Stays
Gothenburg is a vacation spot identified for its technological and scientific innovation, so the town is a standard assembly place for business conventions. With that stated, there are many locations so that you can keep. We stayed in three totally different motels, and right here’s what every was like.
Clarion Resort Karlatornet
The Clarion Resort Karlatornet is situated within the Lindholmen space of the town. There are bus and tram stops inside simple strolling distance to get you to/from the lodge.
The principle a part of the lodge is on the base of the Karlatornet residential constructing. Karlatornet is presently the tallest constructing within the Nordics. I point out this since you even have the choice of staying on its 58th flooring, the place you’ll have gorgeous views of the riverfront. That’s the place we stayed.
Our room was clear, trendy, and comfy. We had all the mandatory facilities, together with a TV, WiFi, desk, espresso station, and fridge. There was no microwave. There was additionally no balcony. Nonetheless, the view of the waterfront from our room was wonderful day and night time.
Liseberg Grand Curiosa Resort
The Liseberg Grand Curiosa Resort is such a enjoyable place to remain! Its quirky decor makes you are feeling like you might be stepping straight right into a Harry Potter film! It’s situated subsequent to Gothenburg’s well-known amusement park and is designed with households in thoughts.
The lodge has so many playful particulars, together with a foyer slide from the second flooring and a carousel (inside). Our room had inventive décor, all of the wanted facilities, and even had a room with bunk beds for the little ones.
There are a number of eating places and bars, together with one on the rooftop. The breakfast buffet had tons of nice choices, together with fruit, sausages, potatoes, eggs, and bagels, and the eating space is big!
The lodge is conveniently situated proper throughout the road from the general public tram cease (Liseberg Södra), making it simple to come back and go. You may as well stroll to the Museum of World Tradition and the World of Volvo with out breaking a sweat!
Hjortviken Nation Membership
Hjortviken Nation Membership is located within the village of Hindås, roughly a 20- to 25-minute drive from Gothenburg. It’s a brand-new spot and a peaceable lakeside retreat.
Hjortviken has unimaginable facilities, together with indoor and outside swimming pools, a sauna, and a spacious solar deck with a swim-up bar. There are additionally services for padel, shuffleboard, and billiards, in addition to alternatives for biking and exploring close by trails.
There are a number of eating places that serve Swedish and worldwide flavors, in addition to a number of bars for enjoyable cocktails. We loved oysters, venison meatballs, and an expansive breakfast buffet.
The decor options a mixture of trendy and retro components, highlighted by gold accents, velvet seating, and classic lighting. Evidently, it was luxurious!
Issues to Do in Gothenburg, Sweden
Throughout our go to, we loved quite a lot of actions, from exploring museums and the archipelago to purchasing and experiencing Swedish traditions. This small metropolis affords numerous locations to wander and loads of methods to have a good time.
Discover Neighborhoods
Throughout our go to, we explored many alternative neighborhoods round Gothenburg. Public transportation makes it extremely simple to get round and wander. Every neighborhood had its personal vibe with a lot to see and do.
In Haga, you’ll wander cobblestone streets lined with wood retailers and cute cafés. Close by Linné has stylish eating places, energetic bars, and easy accessibility to inexperienced areas. Majorna has a inventive, bohemian really feel, with classic retailers, native artwork studios, and relaxed eateries.
Centrum, the town heart, is the center of purchasing and tradition, whereas close by Magasinsgatan has fashionable boutiques like Aplace and Grandpa providing Scandinavian vogue and decor. Liseberg is dwelling to Gothenburg’s beloved amusement park, entertaining the entire household with rides, video games, and seasonal occasions.
Gothenburg Archipelago
The Gothenburg Archipelago is straightforward to succeed in by taking a tram or bus to Saltholmen, the place ferries hook up with the islands as a part of the town’s public transportation system.
We started our journey on Donsö, biking alongside its quiet roads and taking within the views of peaceable harbors, adopted by a little bit of sea kayaking alongside the coast. We made Popsicle Café our dwelling base, the place two sisters serve home made pastries, beneficiant small plates, wine, and host music occasions in a captivating outside setting.
We additionally crossed the bridge to Styrsö for a little bit of mountaineering and extra biking, having fun with the granite cliffs and colourful cottages.
These two islands in Gothenburg’s southern archipelago are only a glimpse of the roughly 20 car-free islands ready to be explored, making it an ideal escape from the town for a day open air.
Museum of World Tradition
The Museum of World Tradition is devoted to exploring world cultures by thought-provoking exhibitions. Throughout our go to, we explored the “Native American Style – From Roots to Runway” exhibit, which centered on each conventional and modern designs that highlighted Indigenous creativity and id.
We took a tour with one of many curators and discovered that they traveled to Canada and the Western U.S. to gather objects and conduct interviews for the exhibit. Whereas it showcased vogue, the exhibit additionally advised a deeper story concerning the historical past and trendy lifetime of the neighborhood.
World of Volvo
World of Volvo is an immersive model expertise heart and museum that showcases Volvo’s legacy, innovation, and dedication to sustainability. We loved a guided tour of the expansive house, which included an space devoted to Volvo’s historical past, a restaurant, free public assembly rooms, and occasion areas.
We liked how they seamlessly turned studying into leisure, with interactive reveals, video games, and fascinating shows that made exploring the model’s story a enjoyable expertise, all reflecting Volvo’s deep roots in Gothenburg and its dedication to creating the town a hub for innovation.
Swedish Fika Custom
The Swedish fika custom is all about taking a break to take pleasure in espresso and pastries with mates or colleagues. Our first expertise was at da Matteo, a beloved native roaster and occasional store providing scrumptious pastries and sandwiches.
The house had loads of seating inside, however most individuals selected to sit down exterior and benefit from the climate, simply as we did. We loved espresso, a cardamom bun, and gelato. We liked the espresso a lot that we purchased a bag of beans to take dwelling!
Gothenburg Eating places We Cherished
Gothenburg’s culinary scene is thought for its contemporary West Coast seafood, progressive Nordic delicacies, and a rising wave of inventive eating places that target native substances and world influences. Throughout our go to, we loved quite a lot of meals on the eating places under. All in all, the meals we tried was seasonal, contemporary, at all times superbly plated, and infrequently served with inventive purees.
Bar Bulot
Bar Bulot is an informal wine bar in Gothenburg’s beloved Stora Saluhallen Market Corridor. The menu modifications usually and consists of small plates and seasonal seafood, paired with pure wines. We loved roasted duck and pork stomach for lunch, accompanied by a scrumptious carrot soup. Their different restaurant, Bulot, situated close by, is Michelin-recommended and affords French and globally impressed dishes.
Hjördis
Hjördis is a comfortable restaurant that serves elevated Swedish consolation meals, that includes dishes comparable to raggmunk (a standard Swedish pancake), beef tartare toast, and pure wines. The restaurant is known as after the proprietor’s beloved aunt, a former Olympic diver who was an inspiration to him throughout his childhood. We tried a number of dishes, together with the shrimp sandwich (a Swedish favourite), which was mouthwatering!
Suber
Suber is a Scandinavian–impressed wine bar and restaurant providing curated pure wines and a menu impressed by traditional French delicacies. Suber is run by two sisters who spent a few years working in a few of Gothenburg’s high kitchens. The ambiance is intimate, and the meals was not solely pleasurable however superbly offered. We liked that their grandmother made the bread we tried!
Collage
Collage is one other French-inspired brasserie, housed in an outdated cigar manufacturing facility and wine warehouse, mixing Parisian appeal with New York power and a menu of French classics with a twist. The wine choice is intensive, and the restaurant itself is kind of spacious, that includes a number of eating areas and bars. I attempted the Saucisson en brioche, a savory sausage served in a home‑baked brioche bun with a wealthy inexperienced peppercorn sauce, and it was devine!
Bikt
Bikt is a cute bistro that focuses on Southern European flavors, providing a seasonal menu that evolves to spotlight contemporary substances and Mediterranean influences. The house is fashionable and comfy with outside seating choices. We stopped right here for lunch, and I attempted the cod fillet. It was superbly plated over potatoes and topped with contemporary greens and herbs.
Heaven 23
Heaven 23 is situated on the twenty third flooring of Gothia Towers. The decor is trendy, elegant, and trendy, with massive home windows that supply attractive views of Gothenburg. They serve worldwide delicacies with progressive touches, and are identified for his or her “king-sized” shrimp sandwich. We visited for lunch. I attempted the cod, and my husband had the glazed pork stomach, which he devoured!
Craft Beer, Pure Wines, & Cocktails
The Gamlestaden neighborhood of Gothenburg is a historic industrial district remodeled right into a energetic space the place preserved manufacturing facility buildings home a craft brewery, city vineyard, and cocktail bar that we loved throughout our go to.
Spike Brewery
Spike Brewery is a inventive craft brewery with a lineup of contemporary, hop-forward beers, starting from Session IPAs to tart sours. Every thing is brewed on-site, and their spacious taproom doubles as an occasion venue, usually internet hosting DJs. My husband liked the tasting, and we liked the enjoyable beer names, like “Rock to Fakie.” It’s an amazing place to hang around and loosen up.
Wine Mechanics
Wine Mechanics is the primary city vineyard within the Nordics, based by former skilled footballer turned wine entrepreneur Kenneth Gustafsson. They purchase grapes from high European vineyards and vinify them on-site.
The decor is trendy, and there’s ample seating each indoors and open air. The kitchen is led by Johan Malm, a two-time world oyster-shucking champion whom we had the pleasure of assembly. Their wines have enjoyable names, comparable to “50 Shades of Riesling” and “Crimson Headed Mama.”
Ego Distillers
Ego Distillers is Gothenburg’s first mixed distillery and spirit bar, with on-site manufacturing of their very own spirits and informal eating. The house is trendy and trendy, with cozy eating areas all through, a DJ sales space, an upstairs lounge, and views of the distilling tanks. Their “Ego Gin” gained finest modern fashion gin on the 2025 World Gin Awards. The ambiance is enjoyable and alluring. We had a number of small plates earlier than having fun with dinner and had a beautiful time.
A Gothenburg, Sweden Trip
Gothenburg, Sweden, really stunned us with how a lot it has to supply. It’s a metropolis that feels each informal and unqiue, with plentiful eating, progressive points of interest, and easy accessibility to lovely nature, all with out the stress and crowds you would possibly discover in different European locations. All in all, we will’t suggest Gothenburg sufficient.
Journey Journalist, Digital Writer, Creator
Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a Journey Journalist, Yahoo! Creator, MSN Accomplice, Society of American Journey Writers member, and the creator behind Wander Worthy. She covers trip locations, information, traits, and the occasional “off the map” story.