Things to do in Gothenburg

Seafood, Michelin stars, Liseberg and an archipelago right outside the city. Gothenburg is one of Scandinavia's most relaxed big cities.

Aerial view of central Gothenburg with canals, historic buildings, green parks and the harbour in the background

Gothenburg: seafood, Michelin stars and the Nordic region's biggest amusement park

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.

Barken Viking, the largest sailing ship in the Nordic region and a floating hotel, moored at Lilla Bommen in Gothenburg in the evening — Barken Viking, Gothenburg
From Danish merchant ship to floating hotel, Barken Viking has been moored at Lilla Bommen since 1950.

Top things to do in Gothenburg

Liseberg

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.

Paddan canal boat

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.

A Paddan canal boat full of passengers in Gothenburg's historic canals on a summer day — Paddan canal boat, Gothenburg
Paddan takes you through Gothenburg's 17th-century canals, under 20 low bridges and out to the harbour.

The Gothenburg archipelago

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.

Haga

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.

Gothenburg Museum of Art

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.

Feskekörka

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.

Restaurants in Gothenburg

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.

Where to stay in Gothenburg

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.

A romantic hotel breakfast for two with pancakes, fresh croissants, eggs and bacon, rolls with cheese, ham, cucumber and tomato, coffee, orange juice and a smoothie shot.

Getting to and around Gothenburg

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.

When is the best time to visit Gothenburg?

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.

Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg covered in snow and Christmas lights on a winter evening — 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.

Gothenburg: frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Gothenburg?

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.

Is Gothenburg worth visiting?

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.

When is Liseberg open?

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.