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Gothenburg (Swedish: Göteborg) is Sweden's second largest city with 600,000 inhabitants, and about 1 million in the metropolitan area. The city lies on Sweden's West Coast, at the outlet of the Göta River. Gothenburg has a long industrial heritage, which is still present with companies such as the Volvo, as well as Scandinavia's largest port. The city hosts numerous national and international sporting and music events such as Gothia Cup, Partille Cup and Way Out West. Gothenburg is also home to the largest amusement park in the Nordics, Liseberg.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Göteborgs Domkyrka
Built in 1815, in the centre of old town. The seat of the Diocese of Gothenburg. It is the third church standing there – the earlier two burned down in city fires. Domkyrkoplan, the park surrounding the church, used to be the cemetery of the second church.
Deutsche Kirchengemeinde Göteborg
The church of Gothenburg's German community, built in 1748. This church is likewise the third church standing here, as the earlier ones have burned down.
Kronhuset
Built in 1643-1655, and briefly home of the Swedish Parliament. It houses Göteborgs Musik, and the surrounding buildings are now cafes and crafts workshops. It is Gothenburg’s oldest still-standing non-religious building.
The indoor Fish Market, called "Feskekôrka" (Fish Church) because of the shape of the building and Gothenburgers mythical devotion to fish.
A city district with picturesque wooden houses from the 19th century. Don't forget to explore the more bohemian Långgatan streets (Första, Andra, Tredje and Fjärde Långgatan) nearby and to visit the Haga Church (Hagakyrkan).
Oscar Fredriks kyrka
This Neo-Gothic brick church with a tower about 70 meters high is the largest and most well decorated church in Gothenburg. Built 1893 and named after then-Swedish king Oscar II, it has been renovated four times afterwards.
Göteborgs synagoga
The city's main synagogue, built in 1855.
Crown Keep
A hilltop fortification, south-west of the city centre, built in the 17th century. In the 19th century it served as a prison, and now houses a military museum. Its twin Skansen Lejonet (Lion Keep) unfortunately finds itself in the middle of a railroad and industrial area but guided tours are held the first and third Sunday of every month.
Läppstiftet / Lilla Bommen
Informally called "the lipstick" by the local, it features a viewing platform (Götheborgsutkiken) at 86 metres, which offers great views over the city.
The tallest building in the Nordic countries at 247 metres, visible from many parts of Gothenburg. Karlatornet is part of the new Karlastaden district, which is being built during the 2020s. It's observation deck will open to visitors in 2026.
An aircraft museum in a former military underground air force base. Also home of the annual Göteborg Aero Show and other events.
Göteborgs Konstmuseum
Housed in a magnificent edifice flanked by the theatre and concert hall, it features a world-class collection of Nordic art (60 kr, people up to 20 years and students with ID free). The adjacent Hasselblad Center periodically holds public exhibitions. The Art Hall (free entrance) features contemporary art.
Göteborgs Stadsmuseum
Covers the history of the city and region from prehistoric times to the present, with emphasis on the 19th-century Swedish East India Company, which was once housed in the building.
A museum at the former Coast Artillery Regiment at Käringberget. The fortification was built in the early 20th century and used until WWII, but there have been fortifications here for centuries. As warfare evolved, fortifications like this became outdated and therefore usually dismantled (as they did not have a historical significance being just a few decades old then), and as such the preserved Oskar II fort with its guns is a quite rare sight even around the world.
"The world's biggest floating museum of ships" consists of 19 boats of all sizes. The biggest attraction is the former military destroyer Småland.
Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet
Explains the maritime history of Gothenburg, West Sweden and of the fishing industry; has models of sailing ships. An aquarium in the basement, consisting of an "ocean lab" for visitors, a main tank with sharks and kinds of small fishes and some small tanks with coral, jellyfish and starfish. There is a lookout just by the museum, on the top of the pillar of the "Seamans wife", where you can view the harbour, but it is not open every day.
Göteborgs Naturhistoriska Museum
The oldest museum in Gothenburg includes a stuffed blue whale and is situated in Slottsskogen. Here you can learn about the history of animals from around the world. Among other things, they have a permanent exhibition dedicated to whales.
A full-size replica of the mid-18th century Götheborg. The original ship made three voyages to China on behalf of the Swedish East India Company, but on its final voyage it ran aground and sank just outside Gothenburg on 12 September 1745. Open to visitors, the current ship is one of the largest operational wooden sail ships, although it does have diesel engines installed as well.
An exhibition centre for Volvo Cars and Volvo Group (the commercial vehicle brand). In addition to cars and trucks on display, there are visualisations of the history of Volvo, activities such as operating an excavator, scale models and occasional music events. The former museum in Arendal Skans is closed.
Världskulturmuseet
A cultural counterpart to the science-oriented Universeum, it's a museum of ethnography and anthropology, with a thoroughly contemporary approach. There are regular special events such as concerts, films, and lectures. Free entrance to some of the museum's exhibits.
The national museum of Swedish design and applied art, with both permanent and temporary exhibitions.
All kinds of historical radio equipment on display from crystal radios to police radios and TV sets to vacuum tubes as well as a library with radio manuals.
Edgy art hall in an old industrial furnace station covered in graffiti. Also hosts courses and hands-on art events.
A new museum focusing on the environment with an indoor rainforest, experiment workshop, etc.
Botaniska Trädgården
Built in 1923, the botanical gardens has an area of 175 hectares and was selected as the most beautiful garden in Sweden in 2003. It contains a rock garden, arboretum and green houses, along with a restaurant and café. Don't miss the rare Easter Island tree.
A big English garden close to the Botanical Garden and a popular spot for relaxing and picnics. Within the park you'll find the Museum of nature history, an observatory, a mini golf course, and a child zoo. In the zoo, you can also pay a visit to the quintessential Swedish animal: the älg, also known as moose. Slottskogen is famed for its valley with over 60 kinds of Azalea that blooms during early summer. The museum and the zoo don`t have an entry fee. Slottskogen can be very crowded with people going for a barbecue in Summer. On the night before the 1st of May, there is usually a big bonfire in the park, which is worth watching.
A picturesque garden in the city centre with a very nice collection of roses awarded with three stars in the Guide Michelin. No entrance fee during off season, otherwise 20 kr.
The biggest amusement park in all of Scandinavia, with lots of different rides for all ages. Be sure to try Balder, the wooden roller-coaster. Liseberg is the number one attraction in Sweden by number of visitors. A new indoor water park, Oceana, will open 2026/2027.
A vintage tram line that runs during summer from the central station to Liseberg.
A Viking farm. Events throughout the year including feasts and markets in the spring (early May), autumn after harvest time in late October to early November and around Jul, a Norse pagan celebration at Christmas time.
The tourist boats run in the city canals and in the harbour.
Delsjön Kanotcentral
In summer, you can go canoeing in or walking around the lake Delsjön. It can be a good way to experience nature.
Does tourist boat tours in the archipelago every day in the summer and is very popular.
Concert Hall
The concert hall is home of the Göteborgs Symfoniker (Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra) which is the National Orchestra of Sweden and offers regular concerts there.
City Theatre
The oldest city theatre in Sweden. Plays, movie screenings and concerts.
Opera House
By Lilla Bommen is the modern opera house of Gothenburg where great operas, both new and old, as well as musicals are performed regularly. You can take a guided behind-the-scenes tour to learn how the performances are created.
In addition to theatre, this is also a venue for musicals and concerts.
The historical fish market – the "fish church" – has reopened after a major renovation in the early 2020s. Now there are just a couple of restaurants and shops (formerly there was a much larger number of them), though the place is still all about fish and seafood.
Alexandra's Soup Kitchen
This small soup kitchen located in Saluhallen delivers a wide range of Greek food. Among the most popular dishes is the excellent lentil soup served with fresh bread.
Sandwiches: baguettes and panini.
A hamburger and hot dog stand right in front of the Gothenburg Central Station.
"Korv" means "sausage" in Swedish and this restaurant has them in abundance. There are 13 different choices of sausage, and these are served as portions with potato salad or mashed potato, and your choice of mustard. The service is very fast, your order should be ready in less than fifteen minutes. No table service, you have to carry your food to your table yourself. There is another location at Bohusgatan 13 (near the Ullevi stadium). You can also buy sausages, potato salad, sauerkraut and mustard by the kilogram to take home with you.
Vegetarian restaurant operated by the local Hare Krishna community. They speak German (natively), English and Swedish.
Pizza, kebab and falafel.
Vegetarian buffet. Closed for renovations until September 2025.
Italian restaurant; so there's a large selection of paste and pizze.
Persian and international cuisine.
Soups, salads and bread.
Classic falafel place. Used to have a mobile stand on Kungstorget. There are more falafel places around the city but far from all make good ones.
Tasty and healthy vegetarian/vegan buffet.
Serves tasty Indian food in a good atmosphere. Seating arrangement is not so good, but the food will leave you happy.
Cheap and wonderful Czech restaurant with good beer in generous helpings. The breaded cheese is a classic, and you won't be hungry again for at least a week.
Another fancy hamburger restaurant with a farmer concept.
Good restaurant and bar serving traditional Swedish food.
Serves fantastic pasta in various flavours. Cosy.
Fancy hamburger restaurant with a farmer concept.
Former Etc. Grande
Italian restaurant. Serves fantastic pasta in various flavours.
Reasonable Italian food.
Specialising in meat dishes, not much for vegetarians on the menu. Serves excellent reindeer steak. Very good service.
Swedish food and beer. Good service. Especially known for Köttbullar (Swedish meatballs) and fried Baltic herring.
This place is all about sea food; platters of scallops, lobsters, oysters, fish and the like.
Fine dining restaurant with French, Swedish and international cuisine. The restaurant also has a wine bar, and a large selection of wines. Earned a star in the Michelin Guide Rouge. Closed for the summer until 20 August 2025.
Excellent (and pricey!) fish restaurant at Klippan. Earned a star in the Michelin Guide Rouge.
Individual interpretations of regional food. Fixed 3-, 5-, or 7-course menu.
A chain of English pubs. In Gothenburg there are three located at Kungsportsavenyn 36, Västra Hamngatan 3 and Järntorget. Good selection of beer on tap and fine single malt whiskey. A bit pricier than other pubs.
Cheap beer. Lots of vegan food. Mixed crowd of middle-aged regulars and young people.
On this street well known for its cheap pubs and porn stores, this pub is an alternative for those who wants to spend time in a little more sophisticated environment. The clientele is more well adjusted in this place.
One of the finest bars in town if you want cocktails and a nice view. You can also have dinner here.
A traditional rock bar
When Kellys is packed Sejdeln is a perfectly adequate option, it's right next to Kellys and has even cheaper beer and roughly the same clientele.
Scandinavia's first Steampunk-themed restaurant and bar. Has one of Gothenburg's widest selections of drinks, gin & tonic, as well as a unique atmosphere.
The top priority is the well-selected beers both draft and bottled, in combination with carefully selected jazz that flows from the speakers
One of the best places for good beer, and the only traditional "Beer-hall" left in the city. It is situated next to Saluhallen
A good selection of beers on tap with a bias toward British and Belgian beers, this pub is an excellent alternative to the mid centre locations. Found not far from Kronhusbodarna a couple of hundred meters from Nordstan.
The biggest gay nightclub in the city, with 2 dance floors playing schlager, pop, 1980s, 90s and disco downstairs, house and r'n'b upstairs.
Indie pop/goth. Often arranges theme nights, with music, videos and even drinks featuring a certain artist. Hosts Monochrome, a long-running Goth club the first Saturday every month. Haket is also a restaurant and bar, with an excellent selection of microbrewed beers.
Trendy bar and night club.
House, jazz, northern soul.
Great really professional summer-club with house music.
EBM & Synthpop, house.
Rock, indie and folk. Both local and international bands.
Small Italian-style espressobar, takes coffee very seriously.
This café is famous for its tasty, giant kanelbullar (cinnamon buns). You can easily share one of these with three or four people. Or, if you don`t care about diabetes, you can eat one for lunch or dinner.
It is close to Haga and one block from the Oscar Frederiks kyrka. This charming café makes for a great stop and probably offers the coziest atmosphere you will find in Gothenburg.
The antithesis of a trendy cafe with affordable prices and large sandwiches to fill you up.
lit. "The language café"
Nice café with language evenings Mondays to Thursdays (17:30–21:00) with opportunities to learn Swedish, Spanish, Japanese, Arabic and many other popular languages. You must buy for 45 kr before you can participate in the language groups.
Company mediating private accommodation. All apartments are located in the centre of Gothenburg.
Cottages and camping.
Vegagatan 21. Open 24 hr. Popular among travellers. Free Internet. Prices start at 195 kr for dorm beds. Situated in the lively Linnéstan – an area with a lot of pubs, restaurants, cafés etc. Tram stop: Olivedalsgatan (tram 1,2,6 and 13). The backpackers section is clean and modern. All beds in dorms have lockers under the bed, and some beds have curtains around them for privacy. Arrive early if you want one of these since beds aren't assigned - when you check in you just go and grab any free bed in the dorm. Sheets and towel are an extra 65 kr. Breakfast is quite nice – fairly standard buffet style with bread, cheese, meats, cereal, muesli, coffee, juice etc. But it is a bit expensive at 70 kr.
A family run hostel since 1995 that offers free WiFi and parking. A breakfast buffet is served every morning. Room in different sizes and cottages with 5 beds. Access to a kitchen 24h and TV in all rooms and cottages. Surrounding the hostel is a large garden with grass for the kids to run around.
Established in 1859 as a railway hotel next to the station — the line to Stockholm would be completed three years later. The hotel has a beautiful 19th century interior, and the rooms are different from each other. The rooms have modern amenities like ensuite bathrooms, televisions and hairdryers, though some of the executive rooms also feature some surprises like gramophones or old-fashioned clawfoot tubs. Free Wi-Fi. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and conference rooms.
Scandinavia’s largest hotel, with good quality rooms and four popular bars and restaurants. Gourmet restaurant Heaven 23 is on the 23rd floor with an unbeatable view of Gothenburg. Try their huge shrimp sandwich! Basic rooms have a reasonable size with well laid out furniture, contain fridge, kettle, cloths iron and small but practical work desk. Suites are of very good class and size. Standard breakfast in a canteen like room (as opposed to the restaurants) has a reasonably large choice but of basic quality and staff do not clear tables very often.
A family owned, 49-room hotel perfectly located in the city center. Trams stop a block away at Vasaplatsen and the popular Kungsportsavenyn is just a few blocks in the other direction. Wireless internet is included as well as a great breakfast.
Hotel, restaurant and Sky bar with a beautiful view of the harbour. Shopping and restaurants just around the corner.
A classy hotel that was founded in 1852, as such the oldest in the city. The hotel has retained the 19th-century interiors like Eggers from the same era. Rooms equipped with the normal amenities. Free Wi-Fi. Buffet breakfast.
Large modern hotel belonging to a major Scandinavian chain, attached to the Nordstan shopping centre. Standard rooms range from 18–20 m² and are efficiently laid out. Breakfast, wireless internet, a mini-fridge, and air conditioning are included.
Similar to its older sister Scandic Europa this one has a spa with sauna and jacuzzi on its top floor at no extra fee. The restaurant offers a breakfast buffet with lots of items to choose from and has a limited menu in the evening. Quiet well designed rooms and friendly helpful staff.
A modern hotel with all services and facilities, and is located at the entrance to the Port of Gothenburg a bit outside of the city centre but easily accessible through tram or ferry.
Quality rooms but standard ones, not large. Good buffet breakfast and reasonable restaurant and bar.
Hotel with 101 rooms with Swedish design. Rooms have tv, ac, minibar, safe, hairdryer and ensuite bathroom. There's a restaurant, a bar and a rooftop terrace with pool.
Four-star hotel in a modern tower. Rooms are air-conditioned, include breakfast and dinner buffets, and have reliable high-speed wireless internet. Superior rooms have a full kitchenette (utensils at a surcharge), and hot drinks are available in the lobby. Some rooms have a large balcony overlooking the river. Single rooms are 23-24 m², doubles 30–35 m² with two single beds.
This former post office, with 500 rooms, including three suites this is one of the biggest hotels in the city. Includes high-end restaurants, own spa, rooftop pool and even home-brewed beer. They also have a hugely popular bar for after-work entertainment. Just don't expect a quiet lobby!
A quite large hotel with 326 rooms. Free Wi-Fi. Breakfast included in the rates. The hotel has a gym, a restaurant, and a pub (The Bishops Arms, listed in Drink above).
Five-star hotel in a late 19th century building with many details from that time preserved, noticed for being popular with visiting rock stars. Rooms have all the normal amenities, and there's a restaurant and a pub. The hotel is also set up for events like wedding celebrations.
Chain hotel with interiors in Scandinavian design. The hotel has some quite big suites, the largest being the 160m2 Royal Suite, with several rooms including a private kitchen and dining room and sauna. Has a bar & bistro, a restaurant, and a "spa, yoga and gym" area.
If you cannot find your favourite retail store at Nordstan, it is probably at the Arkaden.
Gothenburg's largest shopping centre, with 180 stores, is just outside the Centralstation, to which it is linked by an underground tunnel. Walkways also link the centre to Lilla Bommen and the Opera. Inside you will find the usual mix of convenience stores (including a Systembolaget), global retail formats, including Espirit, H&M and Yves Rocher, as well as an outlet of the Swedish department store chain Åhléns City and some popular Swedish shopfronts such as Hemtex or Nilson Shoes. The centre also hosts a tourist information stand in its middle.
Kungsportsavenyn
Ranging between Kungportsplatsen with Kopparmärra, the statue of king Karl IX, to Götaplatsen with the statue of Poseidon and the Gothenburg art museum: Avenyn and Kungsportsplatsen hosts a variety of shops that cater to most wants. Quite a few restaurants lie along the street as well, and it is the main tourist street, where in the summers few Gothenburgers will be found, apart from at the tram stations and by the Gothenburg city library at the Götaplatsen end.
Gothenburg’s major retailers outside Nordstan and a number of out of city-center malls lie around these four streets in the area Inom Vallgraven. Some interesting shops lie off the beaten track, but for general shopping these are the main locations.
While Acne is a Stockholm design studio, there is a smaller shop in Gothenburg. A larger outlet store can be found south of the city in Freeport Outlet in the Kungsbacka suburb. More interestingly the Acne store is in the same house as Artilleriet.
Nudie Jeans is a Gothenburg-based design house specializing in jeans. Made to last and with a number of repair shops in the city and elsewhere, they are a good buy when in Gothenburg. This shop lies close to the very picturesque Victoriapassagen which hosts cafés and some smaller shops.
A charming indoor food hall, finished in 1889. This is a place both to have a meal (lunch or snack) or to buy fresh groceries.
One of several passageways between major shopping streets, this one is the most picturesque, with a café, a hipster bakery, a bookbinder and some other shops.
A big, famous Swedish record store with lots of records, old and new, in all kinds of genres. You will find something to buy here, no matter if you're a record collector, hipster, or chart music fan. They also have a café. Don't confuse it with Bengans City, which while a record store is not at all the same thing. If you like records or just atmosphere it's worth leaving the city centre for.
A small square with building repurposed from old factories around, it hosts some of the city’s hipper shops, such as Artilleriet and Grandpa. Strömmingsluckan is a must if you are here at lunch-time. It also hosts a number of other food trucks. Ragtime are two high quality second-hand shops nearby.
Haga is a unique part of town, well worth visiting for other things than shopping, but if you are looking for unique things to buy, this is where to go. Several Swedish fashion shops as well as a hatmaker, many antique-shops and other "odd" shops such as an olive oil store make Haga an ideal place. On fall Sundays the square hosts a farmer's market, and in December each weekend hosts a Christmas market. Apart from in December the area is a little bit less hectic than the other shopping areas.
Originally a bank, these "halls" host 10 shops specializing in various antiques. There is everything from certified ancient Egyptian and Greek statues to stamps and silver spoons. A very nice café lies here as well.
Plenty of merchandise and a café on the ground floor, but the basement has a rather large section for books. Not everything is science fiction, fantasy, or manga either, and more than half is in English. With Swedes being generally very good at English, this book-shop caters to young Swedes who read anything in English.
Nordiska Kompaniet
Stockholm's famous upscale department store has branched out to Gothenburg, bringing in premium brands such as Paul Smith, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Dior, YSL and Prada and equally well-known Swedish brands – for instance the crystal manufacturers Orrefors and Kosta Boda. Just opposite Arkaden, the NK also features an upscale-ish café and sushi restaurant.
ABCD Fashion
With another shop in Stockholm, ABCD hosts collections from major European and international designers such as Givenchy, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana. The interior of the store is pretty and is reminiscent of an old bank vault. For men and women. Doorbell.
By train
SJ high speed trains run hourly and VR trains every two hours from Stockholm Central station, taking just over 3 hours via Södertälje, Katrineholm and Skövde.
By bus
Coach lines to Gothenburg include Flixbus and Vy Bus4You. The bus station is Nils Ericsson Terminalen on the north side of the central railway station. Västtrafik operates regional buses.
By boat
Stena Line operates ships to/from Denmark (Frederikshavn) and Germany (Kiel). The terminals are on the left river bank, west of the city centre.
By car
European roads E6, E20 and E45 pass through Gothenburg. If you come by car from Stockholm, you should take E4 to Jönköping, and then national road 40.
Västtrafik's ticket system
If you travel inside Gothenburg's zone A you can simple tap on contactless card readers to buy a single ticket. See ticket page for the current ticket options
By train
Gothenburg does have a commuter railway operated by Västtrafik and regional trains are part of the Västtrafik pay-per-ride ticket system. It has an hourly schedule on most lines.
By tram
Gothenburg has a famous network of trams, covering most of the city. With over 150 km the Gothenburg tram is the largest light rail network in Scandinavia.
By bus
Trams are the most efficient way to travel within the city centre, but if you're planning to go further you might need to go by bus.
By ferry
Two ferry services run across the river; Älvsnabben is the regular ferry service with traffic every 30 minutes, and Älvsnabbare that only run between Rosenlund and Lindholmspiren (free of charge)…
By taxi
There are several taxi companies, for example Taxi Göteborg (031-650000), Taxi Kurir (031-272727) and Minitaxi (031-140140). Initial fare from 35 kr, and then from 10 to 14 kr/km.
By bicycle
Gothenburg has a nice network of bicycle paths, reaching all parts of the city. You can buy network maps at the tourist information centres.
On foot
With a compact city centre most sights are easily reached on foot, and it's a nice way to get around.
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