Things to do in Gothenburg: Haga, the archipelago, Liseberg and the museums

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Gothenburg is a compact city of canals and trams, with the sea just beyond the harbour. You can see a lot in a weekend, and two or three days gives you the city, the archipelago and Liseberg.

In short: things to do in Gothenburg

The best things to do in Gothenburg are walking through the old wooden-house district of Haga, taking a ferry from Saltholmen out to the archipelago, seeing the city from the canals on the Paddan boats and spending a day at Liseberg. With children, Universeum and World of Volvo are good choices too. The tram takes you everywhere, and Landvetter airport is about 20 kilometres east of the centre.

Our first choice: Clarion Hotel Post by Centralstationen, with a rooftop pool and everything within walking distance. See available rooms at Clarion Hotel Post

For restaurants, seafood and fika, see our guide to food in Gothenburg.

Haga: wooden houses, fika and Skansen Kronan

Haga is the old district just south of the centre, with cobbled streets, brick buildings and 19th-century wooden houses. Today it is known for its cafés, its small shops selling interiors, antiques and toys, and for fika, the Swedish coffee break with something sweet on the side. The cinnamon buns at Café Husaren are big enough to share.

Climb the steps to the old fortress of Skansen Kronan above Haga for one of the best views of the city. Masthuggskyrkan, a little further west, looks out over the harbour.

Slottsskogen and the Botanical Garden

Slottsskogen is the city’s big park, with lawns, ponds and a small zoo of Nordic animals that is free to visit. In summer it hosts concerts and races, and on a fine day it fills up with picnics.

Next door is Gothenburg Botanical Garden, with around 16,000 plant species, a rhododendron valley, a Japanese glade and greenhouses full of orchids. It is big enough to fill half a day without trying.

Göteborg Film Festival

At the end of January, Göteborg Film Festival, the largest film festival in Scandinavia, takes over the city’s cinemas and event spaces. Hotels fill up early.

Liseberg and Universeum

Liseberg is the largest amusement park in the Nordic countries, and the reason many visitors come to Gothenburg in the first place. The park has three seasons: summer, Halloween and Christmas. Our guide to Liseberg 2026 covers tickets, opening times and height limits, and Christmas at Liseberg covers the winter season.

Right next to Liseberg is Universeum, a science centre with a rainforest, aquariums and hands-on exhibitions. It is a good choice for families on a rainy day.

Only have one day in the city? See 24 hours in Gothenburg.

The museums: art and Volvo

Gothenburg Museum of Art on Götaplatsen holds Nordic art from the 15th century to the present day, with works by Munch, Picasso and Monet among others. The Poseidon statue stands just outside.

World of Volvo opened in 2024 next to Liseberg and tells the story of the carmaker from Gothenburg, with cars, exhibitions and a restaurant.

Paddan: Gothenburg from the canals

The Paddan boats have carried visitors through the canals since 1939. They sit low and flat in the water, and some of the bridges are so low that you have to duck. The guide tells the city’s story along the way. In the weeks before Christmas there are special Christmas tours with mulled wine and gingerbread.

The archipelago

Gothenburg’s archipelago has islands large and small, many of them car-free. Ferries leave Saltholmen for the islands of the southern archipelago, and ordinary public transport tickets are valid on board. Bring swimwear in summer and eat prawns on a jetty. Closer to the centre, the public sauna in Jubileumsparken at Frihamnen stands on stilts in the harbour basin.

When to visit Gothenburg

Summer is best for the archipelago and Liseberg, and from late May to late July it barely gets dark at night. In November and December there are Christmas markets and Christmas at Liseberg. Gothenburg is by the sea and gets plenty of rain, so pack a rain jacket whatever the season.

Getting to Gothenburg

Landvetter airport is about 20 kilometres east of the centre, and the airport coach takes you into town. Trains run from Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm, and the journey from Oslo takes around four hours. In the city, the tram is the easiest way to get around.

More things to do in Gothenburg

Feskekörka and Stora Saluhallen

The fish hall by the canal that looks like a church, and the historic market hall on Kungstorget, are the best places to taste the west coast. Read more in our guide to seafood and oysters in Gothenburg.

Avenyn and Götaplatsen

Gothenburg’s grand boulevard runs from the canal up to Götaplatsen, lined with restaurants, bars and shops all the way.

A night out

For a beer after a day in the city, see pubs and bars in Gothenburg.

Tips for planning your trip

Use the trams: the tram network is the easiest way to get around.

Two to three days is ideal: time for Liseberg, the city, the archipelago and a few good meals.

Book early in high season: hotels fill quickly in the summer holidays, during the film festival and in the run-up to Christmas.

Where to stay in Gothenburg

Gothenburg is compact, and most hotels are within walking distance of the Avenyn, the harbour and Liseberg. Here are three favourites. You will find the full list in our guide to the ten best hotels in Gothenburg.

Clarion Hotel Post: in the city centre

The 1925 post office by Centralstationen is now a design hotel with a rooftop pool, a spa, several restaurants and a bar, right next to the Nordstan shopping centre. A good fit if you want everything within walking distance and plan to arrive by train.

Book your stay: See available rooms at Clarion Hotel Post

Dorsia Hotel & Restaurant: for a romantic weekend

A small boutique hotel with a theatrical interior and its own restaurant and bar, on a side street off the Avenyn in the middle of the dining district. Made for couples who want a weekend of style and good food.

Book your stay: See available rooms at Dorsia Hotel & Restaurant

Liseberg Grand Curiosa: for families

Liseberg’s own hotel sits by the park’s southern entrance, with bunk-bed family rooms, two restaurants and a bar. The Oceana water park next door burned during construction in 2024 and is due to open around the turn of 2026/27. The natural choice for families heading to Liseberg.

Book your stay: See available rooms at Liseberg Grand Curiosa

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Gothenburg

What are the best things to do in Gothenburg?

Walk through Haga and up to Skansen Kronan, take a ferry from Saltholmen out to the archipelago, see the city from the canals on the Paddan and visit Liseberg. Feskekörka and Stora Saluhallen give you a taste of the west coast.

How many days do you need in Gothenburg?

Two to three days is ideal. That gives you time for Liseberg, a day in the city and a trip out to the archipelago.

What can you do in Gothenburg with children?

Liseberg, Universeum, World of Volvo and the zoo in Slottsskogen are popular with children. In summer, swimming in the archipelago is a good alternative.

How do you get to the Gothenburg archipelago?

Take the tram to Saltholmen, where ferries leave for the islands of the southern archipelago. Ordinary public transport tickets are valid on the ferries.

Where should I stay in Gothenburg?

Stay centrally and you will have the Avenyn, the harbour and Liseberg within walking distance. Clarion Hotel Post is by Centralstationen, Dorsia suits a romantic weekend, and Liseberg Grand Curiosa is right by the amusement park.

Keep reading

• Restaurants in Gothenburg

• Liseberg 2026: rides, tickets, opening times and hotels

• 24 hours in Gothenburg

• Pubs and bars in Gothenburg

• Gothenburg hotels: the ten best places to stay

• Gothenburg travel guide