Seafood, Michelin stars, Liseberg and an archipelago right outside the city. Gothenburg is one of Scandinavia's most relaxed big cities.
Sweden's second city has a character all of its own: the seafood is fresh and plentiful, its Michelin restaurants are among Scandinavia's best, and the largest amusement park in the Nordic region sits right in the centre. Canals wind through the city, Haga offers cobbled streets and cinnamon buns, and at Lilla Bommen harbour the Barken Viking, the largest sailing ship in the Nordic countries, is moored as a floating hotel, proof that Gothenburg has always been a city facing the sea.
Here you will find all our articles about Gothenburg, grouped by theme. Start with the guide to a first visit, then explore Liseberg, the hotels and the city’s most exciting places to eat.
Barken Viking, Gothenburg
From Danish merchant ship to floating hotel, Barken Viking has been moored at Lilla Bommen since 1950.
The largest amusement park in the Nordic region is a natural highlight for families and friends, with something for everyone, from candyfloss and children's rides to Valkyria, which drops 50 metres straight down. Picolo's guide to Liseberg will help you plan your day.
Liseberg, Gothenburg
Liseberg has something for the whole family, from candyfloss and children's rides to some of the wildest roller coasters in Scandinavia. If you are spending a whole day in the park, the Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel is right by the entrance.
One of the city's classic experiences is to hop on one of the open Paddan boats and see Gothenburg from the water. The tour takes you through the 17th-century canals, under 20 low bridges and out to the harbour, where the city's maritime history really comes to life.
The lowest bridge is so low that passengers have to crouch down to get safely underneath, which always causes laughter and has become an unofficial highlight. The tour takes around 50 minutes and departs from Kungsportsplatsen in the centre, near Avenyn.
Paddan canal boat, Gothenburg
Paddan takes you through Gothenburg's 17th-century canals, under 20 low bridges and out to the harbour.
Just outside the city lies a beautiful archipelago, with around 20 islands reachable by ferry from Saltholmen or Stenpiren. The southern islands, such as Styrsö, Vrångö and Brännö, are car-free, with smooth rocks, sandy beaches and charming fishing villages. Further out, Vinga, a lighthouse island in the outer archipelago, is a popular trip by summer boat from the centre.
The Gothenburg archipelago
The islands outside Gothenburg are easy to reach by ferry from the city.
Cobbled streets, colourful wooden houses and cosy cafés make Haga the heart of the city. It is one of Gothenburg's oldest districts, known for its independent and vintage shops along the car-free main street, Haga Nygata. This is where you will find cinnamon buns as big as your face, and where locals go for a proper fika.
Fika in Haga
Café Husaren in Haga is famous for its legendary cinnamon buns the size of a dinner plate.
For culture lovers, the museum houses one of the Nordic region's strongest collections of Nordic and international art, from older Norwegian and Swedish painting to modern and contemporary works, and the building on Götaplatsen is a landmark in itself.
Gothenburg Museum of Art
Feskekörka, the fish church, is an iconic fish market in a church-like building from 1874. Here you can buy the day's catch, eat fresh seafood and get a real feel for the city's seafood traditions.
Feskekörka
Feskekörka, Gothenburg's iconic fish market from 1874, lies by the canal in the city centre.
Gothenburg is a city where you can go from quick street food to slow Michelin-starred dining in a single day.
Bhoga is a great place to start. The restaurant has held a Michelin star for years and serves local Swedish produce in relaxed surroundings, without white tablecloths or a dress code.
If you love seafood, restaurant VRÅ is worth a visit, a Nordic-Japanese restaurant using local produce from the Swedish west coast. After dinner, Gothenburg's pubs and bars range from local breweries to cocktail bars. In short, it is not easy to get an early night in Gothenburg.
Bhoga restaurant, Gothenburg
Gustav Knutsson and Niclas Yngvesson of Bhoga serve local Swedish produce in a relaxed setting without white tablecloths or a dress code.
The best hotels in Gothenburg are central, with easy access to the main sights. For style, Picolo's favourite is Clarion Hotel Post, a design hotel in the historic post office building by the central station, with a rooftop pool, spa and award-winning restaurants. Jacy'z is another landmark, a 27-storey city resort with a pool club and panoramic views.
For something quieter, there are peaceful boutique hotels and charming options around Haga, and for something unique you can stay on board Barken Viking at Lilla Bommen. Campers will find several good campsites in and around the city.
Looking for a hotel? Picolo's top ten hotels in Gothenburg gives you a good overview of the best options in every price range.
In the old post office by the Central Station, with a rooftop terrace and pool. The 1925 post office is now a design hotel with a rooftop pool, several restaurants and a bar, right by Centralstationen and Nordstan.
Book your stay: See rooms at Clarion Hotel Post
Liseberg’s own fairytale hotel, right by the park. The hotel has imaginative family rooms, its own restaurant and bar, and sits right next to both the Oceana water park and Liseberg itself.
Book your stay: See rooms at Liseberg Grand Curiosa
The hotel towers opposite Liseberg, with views over the city. With three towers and around 1,200 rooms it is one of the largest hotels in the Nordics, with a spa and sky bar at the top and the tram outside.
Book your stay: See rooms at Gothia Towers
A playful boutique hotel in the centre. A small boutique hotel with a colourful, French-inspired interior, its own restaurant and bar, in the centre by Brunnsparken.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Pigalle
An affordable, central choice. A modern, affordable hotel near Centralstationen, with simple rooms, a good breakfast and a short walk to trams, trains and the airport bus.
Book your stay: See rooms at Comfort Hotel
See all our favourites in our guide to the best hotels in Gothenburg, or find hotels near Liseberg.
Gothenburg is easy to reach, with direct flights from the UK and several European cities to Landvetter Airport, and trains from Oslo in around four hours and from Copenhagen in about three and a half. From Gothenburg it is just over three hours by train to Stockholm, making it a natural stop if you want to explore more of Sweden.
Gothenburg is safe and easy to get around, with good public transport and a simple ticket system. To reach the archipelago, take tram 11 from the centre to Saltholmen, where ferries leave regularly for the islands. The same ticket is valid on trams, buses and boats.
Ferry in the Gothenburg archipelago
The islands of the Gothenburg archipelago are easy to reach by ferry from the city.
Gothenburg works in every season. Summer brings warm weather and a full programme at Liseberg, while Christmas transforms the city with lights along the canals. Our guide to lunch, street food and museums in Gothenburg will help you plan your stay, and you can read more about the city itself.
Christmas at Liseberg
Christmas at Liseberg is one of Gothenburg's most atmospheric experiences, with snow, lights and Christmas markets in the park.
Gothenburg deserves more attention than it often gets. It is a city that rewards curiosity, where the best experience is often waiting just around the next corner.
Two to three days is enough for Liseberg, Haga, Feskekörka, a canal tour and a day in the archipelago, along with a few good restaurants. Add a day if you want to explore the west coast further north, such as Marstrand or Bohuslän.
Yes. Gothenburg is a relaxed, friendly city with excellent seafood, Michelin-starred restaurants, Liseberg and a car-free archipelago reachable by tram and ferry. It is often less crowded than Stockholm and easy to explore on foot.
Liseberg usually opens from spring to autumn, with special seasons for Halloween and Christmas. Christmas at Liseberg is one of Scandinavia's most popular festive experiences. Always check the latest opening times before you travel.
Stay in the centre around Avenyn and Nordstaden for shopping, restaurants and the central station within walking distance. Haga and Linnéstaden are charming, with cafés and old wooden houses, while the area around Liseberg and the Swedish Exhibition Centre suits families and the Christmas season in December. The trams make it easy to get around, so you do not need a car.
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