24 of the best things to do in Gothenburg Sweden

There are so many fun things to do in Gothenburg, Sweden for active travel lovers and it’s one of our favourite cities.

We’d visited Gothenburg before on a winter European city break to visit the Christmas market in Liseberg. We loved that short trip and so knew we wanted to go back to Gothenburg as part of our year in travel.

Gothenburg sits on the western coast of Sweden and is Sweden’s second-largest city. It’s got museums, beautiful parks and outdoor spaces and, the Gothenburg Archipelago which has many islands to explore.

If you’re looking to visit Gothenburg in Sweden then be sure to check out this guide to the best things to do in Gothenburg.

Save money while visiting Gothenburg with the GoCity pass. This card helps you save up to 50% on Gothenburg attractions and includes many of the top attractions in Gothenburg on this list such as canal boat tours, cruises around the archipelago and museum entrance tickets. Get yours here.

Getting around Gothenburg

Getting around Gothenburg, Sweden, is easy thanks to its well-developed public transportation system and pedestrian and bike-friendly infrastructure.

Here’s a guide on how to navigate the city using trams, buses, biking, and walking.

Gothenburg sightseeing tour

If you’re only visiting Gothenburg for 2 days or even one day and want to fit in as much as possible. This Gothenburg land and water sightseeing tour is a great option. You’ll see the city’s top attractions while your guide tells you fascinating stories as you travel on both land and water.

Trams in Gothenburg

Gothenburg has a great tram network that covers most parts of the city.

The blue trams that take you around the city are easy to use and one of the most efficient ways of getting around.

I’d recommend downloading the Vasttrafik app while visiting Gothenburg as you can use this to buy tickets, and check schedules and maps.

Buses in Gothenburg

Gothenburg has a good bus network that goes to parts of the city that the trams don’t quite reach.

You can see the bus maps and schedules on the Västtrafik website and app and the bust stations have schedules (that are actually pretty easy to read) on them too.

Scooters and cycling in Gothenburg

One of my favourite ways to get around Gothenburg is by bike or by electric scooter.

Gothenburg has a bike share scheme, Styr & Ställ, where you can rent a bike from stations across the city and pay for the time you use.

You can download the app to use the bikes and it’s both cheap and easy to do.

There are also multiple e-scooter companies operating in Gothenburg that you can find all over the city. We used Voi mostly, but Bolt scooters are also available.

Gothenburg has great bike lanes and cycling around the city feels safe. It’s a great way to explore the parks and along the waterfront too.

Walking around Gothenburg

Despite being Sweden’s 2nd largest city, the central area of Gothenburg is pretty small and very easy to walk around. It’s also compact and very pedestrian-friendly with wide pavements and some central areas which are completely pedestrianised.

Best things to do in Gothenburg Sweden

Go kayaking in the southern archipelago

On this return trip to Gothenburg, we knew we wanted to visit the archipelago again as it was one of our favourite parts of our trip from the first time around.

Though it’s very easy to get the ferries out to the southern archipelago, we decided to make the most of the beautiful weather in Gothenburg and went kayaking instead.

We rented kayaks through Arc Adventure in Fiskebäck and it was incredibly easy to do. You just book online and they sent you a code to get the kayak yourself from what’s essentially a vending machine for kayaks!

We turned up, put in the code, and pulled out our kayak with the lifejackets and paddles in them. At the end of your trip, you just try them off and put everything back in the ‘vending machine’ locker.

We kayaked from Fiskebäck to Donsö, one of the more southern islands and enjoyed a tasty lunch at Popsicle Cafe which has a super pretty outdoor seating area and does great lunch crepes.

This is a must on a summer Gothenburg visit as the islands are truly one of the top Göteborg attractions.

You can read more about the Gothenburg archipelago in my guide to the islands.

Alternatively, you can book a sightseeing boat cruise of the archipelago. On this boat tour, you’ll start at the Gothenburg Harbor, Scandinavia’s largest port, pass the Älvsborg Fortress and explore the stunning southern islands of the Gothenburg archipelago.

Or, buy the GoCity Gothenburg Pass which includes a sightseeing tour to the archipelago as well as a kayak adventure through the centre of Gothenburg.

Visit Trädgårdsföreningen & Palm House

Trädgårdsföreningen, “Garden Association,” is a super pretty park located right in the centre of Gothenburg bordering the two rivers that run through the city.

The grassy areas in the garden society park are a great spot for chilling out with friends and a picnic and there’s also the Palm House which is worth a visit.

The Palm House is a Gothenburg must see and was built in the 19th century from cast iron and glass and looks a little like the botanical gardens in Edinburgh and Glasgow, or even the one in Lund, Sweden.

Inside, there are tonnes of exotic plants and it’s a great place to explore especially if you’re looking for things to do in Gothenburg when it rains. It’s also one of the best free things to do in Gothenburg!

There’s a nice cafe by the Palm House too where you can grab a drink if you’re in need of a refreshment.

• Opening hours: Park is open from 7 am – 8 pm daily, and closes at 6 pm over winter. The Palm House is open from 10 am to 7 pm closing at 4 pm in winter.
• Price: Free

Wander the pretty Haga neighborhood

Haga may be touristy but it’s one of the prettiest parts of the city too.

Haga has lots of independent stores, great cafes, timber houses, and cobbled streets. It’s a must-see in Gothenburg.

Take your time to wander the streets, pop into the shops, and do the next item on this list of what to do in Goteborg!

Take a walking tour to learn more about the history of this area.

And get a massive cinnamon bun!

You’ve likely never seen cinnamon buns this big.

Café Husaren in Haga does absolutely huge cinnamon buns that are actually really tasty too so they’re not just a gimmick. I bought one and it lasted us a few days! I definitely think getting one of these is one of the best things to do in Haga!

This cafe gets super busy from mid-morning so go there early if you want a more peaceful experience. I went not long after it opened and there weren’t many people around which was nice but when we went back through the area later in the morning it was heaving.

There’s also another cafe just a few doors down that does similarly sized cinnamon buns if Café Husaren is too busy.

Grab drinks outdoors at Stora Teatern

Stora Teatern, the Grand Theater, is just across from Trädgårdsföreningen. Inside you’ll find events from gigs to theatre taking place throughout the year and outside there’s a huge bar area, Storkoket.

The outdoor bar area was always packed whenever we passed this area on a sunny evening and looked like such a lovely spot for a drink.

The drinks here aren’t too expensive and they have different food options too which change but can include burgers, pizza and poke bowls.

Walk through the woods to Stora Delsjön

Our Airbnb backed onto the woods of Delsjön which was the perfect place for a morning walk. The park is absolutely huge and has tonnes of walking and biking trails, a beautiful lake, Stora Delsjön, as well as others, a golf course, a rowing club and more.

It was one of my favourite spots in Gothenburg that we found this time around; probably because it reminded me so much of BC!

Along the way, there’s Kaffestugan Lyckan not too far from Stora Delsjön which serves waffles – the perfect treat after a walk in the woods or a swim in the lake!

Take a canal boat cruise

One of the most unique things to do in Gothenburg is to take a canal boat tour.

Similar to the canal boat tours in Copenhagen or Malmö, this is a great way to see the city from a different perspective while learning more about the city.

Starting on the Gothenburg canals, you’ll then head to the Savean River sometimes referred to as Gothenburg’s Amazonas with rich nature where you might see beavers and plenty of bird species.

You can book a canal boat tour here.

Alternatively, if you decide to buy the GoCity Gothenburg pass, a Paddan tour is included.

Visit Majorna

Majorna is our favourite neighbourhood in Gothenburg. It’s by the water and not far from Slottskogen City Park either. Plus, it has some great restaurants and bars.

We walked through the neighbourhood and grabbed lunch at Hasselssons Matlucka which was absolutely delicious. Can highly recommend the mussels with fries.

We also got beer from Ölstugan Tullen Majorna which had a nice outdoor patio area.

Afterwards, we picked up some of the city bikes and biked along the river to Saltholmen and some pretty swimming spots.

Save money while visiting Gothenburg with the GoCity pass. This card helps you save up to 50% on Gothenburg attractions and includes many of the top attractions in Gothenburg on this list such as canal boat tours, cruises around the archipelago and museum entrance tickets. Get yours here.

Discover the Gothenburg botanical garden

The Gothenburg Botanical Garden is one of the best things to do in Gothenburg and is a must-do if you’re a nature lover.

The park spans over 175 hectares and is one of the largest and most diverse botanical gardens in Northern Europe with over 16,000 plant species including rare and endangered ones.

The garden has several different and unique areas such as the Rock Garden, and the Rhododendron Valley which bursts with vibrant colours during the blooming season. There’s also the Japanese Glade with traditional Japanese garden elements, including a tranquil pond and bridges.

The Victoria House is a highlight and houses the giant water lily Victoria Amazonica. These plants can reach 2 meters in diameter!

If you want to extend your walk, you can head from the botanical garden into Änggårdsbergen which is a huuuuge park with some hills, plenty of trees and walking and biking trails.

• Opening hours: 24 hours a day

Go to Liseberg Gothenburg

Liseberg is one of the best Gothenburg attractions and easily one of the best things to do in the city, whether you plan to ride the rides or not.

Liseberg is the city’s amusement park much like Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. It has a bunch of rollercoasters and rides for all ages, food stalls, and fairground amusements.

There are regular live music performances during the summer and we saw some dancing taking place that looks like the place to be in the park.

In winter, Liseberg hosts the Gothenburg Christmas market which is undoubtedly one of the best in Europe. There’s an ice skating rink, Christmas gift stalls, plenty of places to get Glog (like mulled wine), and a chance to visit Father Christmas and the Elves.

My favourite time to visit is in the evening when you can get discounted evening tickets at the door. Plus, the rides are still running, the park is a bit quieter and you can catch a beautiful sunset.

• Opening hours: 11 am to 10 pm in summer
• Price: From 95 SEK (~€8) for entrance only. Bundles are available for ride passes
• Where to buy tickets: Either at the gates or online

Take a fika break

Have you heard about Sweden’s love affair with coffee? I never used to associate Sweden with coffee, but turns out it’s a huge part of the culture when it comes to Fika which is one of those things to know about before travelling to Sweden.

Though Fika is often translated as “coffee and a cake,” it’s so much more than that. It’s a ritual, a state of mind, an attitude, and above all, a social event.

Fika is meant to be shared and enjoyed with someone else because that’s the essence of it all.

For the best Fika in Gothenburg, head to the Haa district for cute cafes. A good spot elsewhere is Da Matteo which is a local chain that does great locally-roasted coffee with tasty bread and cinnamon buns.

Shop the stores in Victoria Passage

As you might expect, there are some beautiful stores in central Gothenburg. They sell cool Scandi-style clothes, furniture and home goods and even walking into the stores feels like taking a lesson in Scandi-style.

Some of the best stores in Gothenburg that I found were along Victoria Passage just off Vallgatan and around Magasinsgatan. I recommend just wandering around here and going down any of the little side streets that branch off from this road.

Some stores to look out for include Artilleriet, Grandpa, and Rum för Papper.

Walk up to Skansen Kronan

At the top of a Risåsberget hill in Gothenburg’s Haga district sits Skansen Kronan.

Skansen Kronan is an old fortress that was built in the 17th Century between 1687 and 1700 to keep Gothenburg safe from potential attacks by the Danish.

Nowadays, it has a different role. It’s a place where you can go to enjoy some of the best views of Gothenburg and spend time with friends in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.

The climb up to the top might get you a little out of breath, but the views are worth it. Plus, there’s a cafe at the top where you can get a drink and enjoy the views.

Save money while visiting Gothenburg with the GoCity pass. This card helps you save up to 50% on Gothenburg attractions and includes many of the top attractions in Gothenburg on this list such as canal boat tours, cruises around the archipelago and museum entrance tickets. Get yours here.

Check out the Gothenburg Opera House

The Gothenburg Opera House is a beautiful building right on the water and its modern design seamlessly fits with the surroundings.

At the Opera House, you can enjoy performances of opera, ballet, and musical theatre or just take a tour. of the building to see what happens behind the scenes. It’s actually really interesting to see what goes on behind the curtain!

Get BBQ from Brisket & Friends

When my brother-in-law came to visit us in Gothenburg we went out for dinner at Brisket & Friends and it was so good!

We’d had BBQ not too long ago at WarPigs in Copenhagen, but Brisket & Friends was even better in my opinion.

We got a huge platter to share between us that came with sausages, brisket, a miso-flavoured brisket and all the sides. They also had quite a few beers on tap, as well as in bottles to go alongside your BBQ.

I advise going earlier in the evening since it gets busy. This Gothenburg restaurant also cooks all its meat for the day and then serves until they sell out so earlier in the evening you’ll get the best choice.

Check out Feskekörka

Feskekörka, also known as the Fish Church, is one of Gothenburg’s most famous and recognizable landmarks. Despite its name, Feskekörka is not actually a church but rather a fish market and seafood restaurant.

The building’s resemblance to a Neo-gothic church is what earned it its unique name and even if you’re not a fan of seafood, the architecture alone is worth a visit.

It’s a must-visit for seafood lovers, as you can buy fresh-caught seafood to take home and cook, or eat in the market at one of the restaurants and takeaway places on the upper level.

• Note: Closed for refurbishments until Autumn 2023

Grab lunch from Stora Saluhallen

If you’re looking for an affordable lunch experience among the locals, Stora Saluhallen is the place to be.

This large indoor market hall is a bustling hub filled with charming little shops, cosy cafés, and tempting restaurants.

Dating back to 1850, the building itself is worth looking at too, and that’s before you get to the food you’ll find inside. You’ll find stalls selling spices, coffee, fruit and cheese as well as some small restaurants and bars too.

While I personally think the food hall in Malmö was better with more food options and a more bustling vibe, this market seemed to come more alive in the early evenings as people headed there after work so perhaps that would have been a better time for my visit.

• Opening hours: 9 am- 6 pm Monday to Thursday, 9 am – 7 pm on Friday, 9 am – 5 pm Saturday, Closed on Sundays.

Gothenburg Museum of Arts

The Gothenburg Museum of Art is home to a great collection of artwork and includes pieces from Rembrandt, Picasso, and Van Gogh as well as contemporary artists.

The Hasselblad Center displays photography exhibitions and pays tribute to the Gothenburg-born company that made cameras for the moon landing in 1969! It’s definitely worth checking out during your visit.

There are six floors to explore and the museum building is beautiful sitting at the top of one of the city’s main streets.

Some of the best pieces in the Gothenburg art museum are on the top floor so starting there and working your way down is a good way to go about things.

• Opening hours: 11 am to 5 pm, some evenings later. Closed on Mondays.
• Price: 65 SEK (€5.50)
• Where to buy tickets: Buy here online, or get the GoCity Card.
• Included in GoCity Card? Yes

Visit the Volvo Museum

While visiting a car museum may seem an unusual thing to do in Gothenburg, the Volvo Museum is well worth visiting during your trip.

I hadn’t realised until our most recent visit to Gothenburg that Volva was actually founded in Gothenburg in 1927 and so it’s an important part of the city’s history.

I get a car museum isn’t on everyone’s idea of fun, so this is probably one of the more unusual things to do in Gothenburg, but if someone in your group is into cars, this place is pretty cool.

The Volvo Museum displays every model ever produced by Volvo including vintage cars and fan favourites.

As you wander the museum you’ll learn more about how technology has evolved and even non-car enthusiasts will find something of interest here.

• Opening hours: Monday – Friday 10 am to 5 pm, 11 am to 4 pm on weekends
• Price: 160 SEK (~€14)
• Where to buy tickets: At the door
• Included in GoCity Card? Yes

Save money while visiting Gothenburg with the GoCity pass. This card helps you save up to 50% on Gothenburg attractions and includes many of the top attractions in Gothenburg on this list such as canal boat tours, cruises around the archipelago and museum entrance tickets. Get yours here.

Universeum Science Centre

Universeum is Sweden’s national science centre and it’s a huge science-focused playground spanning that offers an immersive and educational experience in science, technology, and sustainable development.

When you visit Universeum in Gothenburg you’ll soon see why Sweden is renowned for its focus on the natural world and sustainable practices.

Inside, you’ll be able to visit the Rainforest Hall, where you’ll be transported to the humid environment of a tropical rainforest, surrounded by fascinating wildlife.

There’s also the hands-on experiment department that offers coding and invention activities, while the “Deadly Beauties” zone features reptiles. The aquarium, crime investigation exhibits, and space displays are great fun too.

• Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm daily
• Price: from 190 SEK (~€16)
• Where to buy tickets: Online, at the door or through GoCity card.
• Included in GoCity Card? Yes

Visit the Blue Whale in Göteborgs naturhistoriska museum

This free museum on the edge of Slottskogen Park in Gothenburg is well worth a visit even if you only go to one piece in it.

The natural history museum in Gothenburg is home to a blue whale, the Malm Whale, and is one of few places you can see a blue whale like this. That makes this museum easily one of the top 10 places to visit in Gothenburg!

The body of the whale is exhibited next to its skeleton and the sheer size of the whale is crazy.

You used to be able to go inside the blue whale in Gothenburg by walking through its mouth into the body. While you can’t do this any more (except for a couple of days a year), it’s still worth visiting.

The rest of the museum shows other wildlife you can expect to see in Gothenburg and nearby. There’s a bird gallery and an exhibition of life on earth throughout the ages and temporary exhibits throughout the year.

• Opening hours: 11 am – 5 pm daily (closed Mondays)
• Price: Free

Take a leisurely walk through Slottsskogen City Park.

Slottsskogen City Park is an absolutely beautiful park in Gothenburg, Sweden that I highly recommend walking through on your trip to Gothenburg. It’s one of the best places to visit in Gothenburg in my view.

Slottsskogen, which translates to “Castle Forest,” spans over 130 hectares and is not only a picturesque natural retreat but is also home to a free zoo where you can see penguins and seals, and a cafe and the park also hosts music festivals and the best Gothenberg events in the summer and has plenty of space for picnics, sports and more.

Visit the Gothenburg Museum

The Gothenburg City Museum is housed in a building that was once the headquarters of the East India Company in the 18th century and so holds plenty of history from how Gothenburg came to be and how it got the nickname “Swedish Amsterdam.” It’s somewhere I recommend if you’re looking for what to visit in Gothenburg.

When you step inside the museum you’ll take a journey through time to discover the lives of people who lived in Sweden 12,000 years ago.

Among the highlights is Äskekärrsskeppet, the only Viking ship exhibited in Sweden alongside other history about Viking boats and one of the top things to see in Gothenburg.

While you’ll learn more about Viking history if you visit Oslo this museum is still worth a visit to learn more about Sweden and the city’s history in particular.

• Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm most days (closed Mondays)
• Price: 65 SEK (€5.50)
• Where to get tickets: Online or at the doors
• Included in GoCity Card? Yes

Take one of the great day trips from Gothenburg

There are loads of great places to visit near Gothenburg that make a great day trip from the city.

There are the southern and northern archipelagoes just off the coast of Gothenburg, as well as the lakes and forests to the east such as around Floda and Nääs Slott. These forests and lakes are excellent destinations near Gothenburg for hiking and canoeing!

You could also head south and visit Malmo or Lund.

Go skiing near Gothenburg

Did you know you could go skiing in Gothenburg? When it comes to what to do in Gothenburg Sweden, I certainly didn’t know about this until fairly recently but there are so many awesome ski hills in Gothenburg as well as an indoor Ski Dome.

There are some great ski resorts in Swede that are within a couple of hours away from the city, as well as some a bit longer away that make a great weekend trip from Gothenburg.

One of the best is Isaberg which is small, but super close to the city and the perfect place to get some laps in!

Where to stay in Gothenburg

When it comes to the best places to stay in Gothenburg, these hotels are all in a central location with great reviews. I’ve included a mix of budget hotels and midrange or luxury options depending on the type of stay you’re looking for.

Budget – Linnéplatsens Hostel and Hotel: Enjoy an affordable stay in either a dorm or private room at this Gothenburg hostel. There’s a full kitchen and optional breakfast and you’re right next to Slottsskogen Park and central Gothenburg.

Mid-range Scandic Göteborg Central: The Scandi brand is a reliable option for a good, reasonably priced Gothenburg hotel. This location has a gym, and rooftop terrace. There’s also a kids’ club, restaurant, and on-site parking.

Mid-Range- Hotel Lorensburg: Family-owned hotel conveniently just a 5-minute walk from Gothenburg’s Liseberg Amusement Park. The hotel has a sauna and garden terrace and you’re super close to the best attractions in Gothenburg.

Mid-range Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel: A 4-star experience with city views, a fitness centre, and a bar. With free WiFi, buffet breakfast, and helpful staff, you can enjoy comfortable accommodations within walking distance of popular Gothenburg activities like Liseberg, Scandinavium, and the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre

Luxury Dorsia Hotel & Restaurant: A stylish boutique hotel located a short walk from Gothenburg Central Station. With bold décor, comfortable Carpe Diem beds, and a contemporary restaurant and bar, it offers a convenient and upscale stay for guests exploring the vibrant city.

How to get to Gothenburg Sweden

As the second-largest city in Sweden, it should come as no surprise that Gothenburg is well connected to the rest of Europe.

Below are some further details on how to travel to Gothenburg.

Gothenburg flights

There are two airports in Gothenburg, there’s Gothenburg Landvetter Airport (GOT) and Gothenburg City Airport (GSE). International flights usually arrive at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport, located about 20 kilometres east of the city centre.

Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.

From the airport, you can take a taxi or the airport bus to reach the centre of Gothenburg.

The airport bus takes about 20 minutes and costs around 12€. You can book the bus through Omio online where you can also see the schedules and any price variations in advance.

Omio is a great platform for booking European and UK travel on. You can check train and bus prices and schedules and book super easily!

Buses to Gothenburg

Several bus companies operate routes to Gothenburg from various European cities.

Eurolines and FlixBus are popular providers that offer connections to Gothenburg both of which can be booked through Omio.

Buses generally arrive at the Nils Ericson Terminal, which is near both the city centre and the main train station.

Trains to Gothenburg

Gothenburg Central Station is a major railway hub, well-connected to domestic and international destinations.

We actually took the train to Gothenburg from Malmo, and you can also take the train from Copenhagen to Gothenburg, or carry on by getting the train to Oslo. Stockholm is just 3-4 hours from Gothenburg by train too.

There are high-speed trains, regional trains, and night trains that serve Gothenburg and they’re comfortable and efficient.

Omio is a great platform for booking European and UK travel on. You can check train and bus prices and schedules and book super easily!

FAQs about what to do in Gothenburg

Final thoughts on the best things to do in Goteborg

There are so many fun things to do in Gothenburg that you could easily spend 4-5 days exploring just the city, and that’s before you get to the day trips!

For first time visitors to Gothenburg, I recommend wandering the pretty Haga district and getting cinnamon buns, visiting Liseberg (especially in the evenings), and visiting the beautiful parks around the city such as Slottsskogen and Trädgårdsföreningen and Slottsskogen.

If you’re looking for more things to do in Gothenburg, then check out the Liseberg Christmas market in winter, this guide to Gothenbuerg’s southern archipelago, or read my Scandinavia travel guides.

Don’t forget, you can save money while visiting Gothenburg with the GoCity pass. This card helps you save up to 50% on Gothenburg attractions and includes many of the top attractions in Gothenburg on this list such as canal boat tours, cruises around the archipelago and museum entrance tickets. Get yours here.

Last Updated on November 24, 2023 by Hannah