Gothenburg

Travel Guide
Gothenburg showing a bay or harbor and a marina
With its wide streets and waterways, fascinating maritime history, seafood smorgasbords and many parks and museums, this easygoing city is well worth exploring.

The city’s cobblestoned streets and canals evoke comparisons to Amsterdam. This is no coincidence: Dutch immigrants were responsible for the fortification and layout of Gothenburg (Göteborg) because they established the city in 1621. The wide thoroughfares are compared to Parisian boulevards. Locals call their city “little London” because of its parks, cultural appeal and nightlife.

You can fly to Gothenburg in western Sweden, take the ferry from Frederikshavn in Denmark or make a canal cruise from the Swedish capital of Stockholm. Once there, getting around is easiest by tram, bicycle or taxi. Parking spaces in the compact city center are rare and expensive, but if you purchase the Gothenburg City Card you get free public transportation, parking and admission to attractions.

Near Gustav Adolf’s Square is the Kronhuset, the historic City Hall which is now a crafts center. Visit the nearby 18th-century City Museum (Stadsmuseum) with its Viking ship or the Maritime Museum and Aquarium in the port to learn about Sweden’s long seafaring history. Admire the church-like design of the Feskekôrka (Fish Market) and order fresh seafood.

A Poseidon statue towers over the city’s main hubs, Götaplatsen and Avenyn, which are hot spots for culture, shopping and nightlife.

Gothenburg is close to the Arctic Circle and it becomes a magical place when covered in snow. During the festive season, thousands of sparkling lights brighten the streets and Christmas markets.

The cold winters are dark, but the short summers have long daylight hours. Starting in June, alfresco restaurants and bars pop up and cruises operate on the Göta Canal. Visit Slottsskogen city park’s free zoo with Nordic animals around lunchtime to see seals and penguins being fed. Children will also love the rides in Liseburg Amusement Park.

To see a little more of Sweden’s southwest, drive to the ruins of Bohus Fortress in nearby Kungälv.

Gothenburg is regarded as a more relaxed and cheaper alternative to Stockholm and a good base for exploring Sweden’s western coastal archipelago.

Where to stay in Gothenburg

Skansen Kronan which includes heritage architecture and a city

Gothenburg City Center

Spend some time visiting places like Garden Society of Gothenburg while getting to know Gothenburg City Center, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Göteborg Centralst Drottningt Station or Nordstan Tram Stop to see more of the area.

Gothenburg City Center
Liseberg Amusement Park which includes a city and street scenes as well as a large group of people

Centrum

4.5/5(182 area reviews)

Museums, historic sites, and theme parks highlight some notable features of Centrum. Make a stop by Liseberg Amusement Park or Universeum while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Sankt Sigfrids Plan Tram Stop or Liseberg Tram Stop to get around town.

Centrum
Universeum showing a garden

Heden

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Heden. Spend some time visiting top spots like Liseberg Amusement Park, and catch the metro at Ullevi Södra Tram Stop or Scandinavium Tram Stop to see more of the area.

Heden
Fish Market showing a river or creek and a statue or sculpture

Inom Vallgraven

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Inom Vallgraven. Spend some time visiting top spots like Kungsgatan, and catch the metro at Domkyrkan Tram Stop or Grönsakstorget Tram Stop to see more of the area.

Inom Vallgraven
Skansen Kronan which includes military items, a castle and heritage architecture

Haga

Well-liked for its shopping and art galleries, Haga is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Skansen Kronan and Linnegatan, and jump on the metro at Handelshögskolan Tram Stop to get around the city.

Haga
Default Image

Hisingen

If you're spending time in Hisingen, check out sights like Backaplan or Volvo Museum and hop on the metro to see more the city at Varmfrontsgatan Tram Stop or Temperaturgatan Tram Stop.

Hisingen
Gothia Towers & Upper House
Gothia Towers & Upper House
4.5 out of 5
Mässans Gata 24, Gothenburg
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥14,920 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥14,920
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Gothenburg. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,599 reviews)
"Super hotel"

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024

Gothia Towers & Upper House
Clarion Hotel Post, Gothenburg
Clarion Hotel Post, Gothenburg
4.5 out of 5
Drottningtorget 10, Gothenburg
The price is ¥17,381 per night from Apr 28 to Apr 29
¥17,381
per night
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Gothenburg. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,181 reviews)
"Walkable to the heart of Gothenburg, this fantastically situated hotel in a magnificent building is a great place to stay. While the rooms and trims must have been the height of designer when it was renovated a few years ago, there are some signs of dating in the tower. That doesn’t stop the beds ..."

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2024

Clarion Hotel Post, Gothenburg
Jacy'z Hotel & Resort
Jacy'z Hotel & Resort
5 out of 5
Drakegatan 10, Gothenburg, Västra Götaland
The price is ¥15,385 per night from Apr 29 to Apr 30
¥15,385
per night
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Gothenburg. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 indoor pools. Popular attractions Liseberg Amusement Park and Nya Ullevi ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (518 reviews)
"Must try pool"

Reviewed on Dec 21, 2023

Jacy'z Hotel & Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Waterfront Cabins
Waterfront Cabins
4 out of 5
12 Kvillepiren, Gothenburg, Västra Götalands län
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Gothenburg. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Liseberg Amusement Park and Nordstan Shopping ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (10 reviews)
Bra men otydliga instruktioner
"Väldigt bra dock otydlig information angående boendet. Tex husinformation, utcheckning och tillhandahållande överlag."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

Waterfront Cabins
La Mare Resort
La Mare Resort
3.5 out of 5
7 Järnmalmsgatan, Brygga B, Gothenburg, Göteborg
Stay at this 3.5-star houseboat in Gothenburg. Enjoy free WiFi, a marina, and a sauna. Popular attractions Liseberg Amusement Park and Nordstan Shopping Center ...
9/10 Wonderful! (113 reviews)
"We weren't sure when we arrived to find ourselves in the middle of an industrial estate but once we'd settled in we really enjoyed our stay. It's about a 10 min walk to the tram - get yourself a day pass as it makes life so much easier and it even includes the ferries to the archipelago. The boat ..."

Reviewed on Aug 31, 2023

La Mare Resort
Hotel Torslanda
Hotel Torslanda
3 out of 5
Postflyget 7, Torslanda, Vastra Gotaland County
Stay at this 3-star golf apartment in Torslanda. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Volvo Museum and Volvo Cars Torslanda ...
9/10 Wonderful! (283 reviews)
"Great place, very helpful and friendly service"

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2022

Hotel Torslanda
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Gothenburg

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
75
" "5 - Excellent 58.13953488372093%
4 - Good
44
" "4 - Good 34.10852713178294%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 6.2015503875969%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 1.550387596899225%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 19, 2020

Quite Cool

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 20, 2019

Charming, lively city with excellent dining, great public transportation, ease of walking, museums.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 20, 2019

Lively city! Would return during better weather. Great walking, eating. Loved museums, Palm House, botanical garden

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Oct 27, 2019

Busy city in Sweden.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 21, 2019

It’s a lively place with very kind people

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 9, 2019

Very friendly people- pretty clean city, also

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