Gothenburg

Volvos, rain and bad jokes.

Sweden's coastal gem with a rich maritime history, vibrant culture scene, and welcoming locals, known for their unique humour.

4.3
out of 5
Photo of Slottsskogen in Sweden

Slottsskogen

Explore Slottsskogen's zoo, vast green spaces, and Natural History Museum in Gothenburg for a blend of recreation, education, and leisure.

Gothenburg, Sweden's second-largest city, stands out for its maritime heritage and lively cultural scene. Known for its friendly locals and a lot of green spaces, the city combines its industrial past with modern innovation.

In the heart of Gothenburg, the Avenyn is the main street filled with restaurants and shops, leading to the Götaplatsen square, where the Gothenburg Museum of Art has an impressive Nordic art collection. The city's enthusiasm for culture is further shown in its several festivals like Way Out West, which attracts music fans from around the world.

The historical side of Gothenburg is well-kept in the Haga district, with wooden houses from the 19th century. Here, visitors enjoy Sweden's fika culture – taking a coffee and pastry break. For a more in-depth look at local history, the Maritiman museum displays maritime life with a collection of ships open for visitors.

Gothenburg's dedication to nature is seen in the Gothenburg Botanical Garden, one of Europe's largest, with about 16,000 plant species. Visitors often relax at Slottsskogen, a large park that has a zoo and natural history museum. The Liseberg Amusement Park, with its rides and games, offers fun for the whole family, while the Universeum offers an interactive science experience.

The city's food scene is significant, especially for those who love seafood, who head to the FeskekĂŽrka, an indoor fish market that looks like a church. Traditional Swedish dishes are easy to find, and Gothenburg also welcomes a range of international cuisines.

When visiting Gothenburg, it's smart to use the effective public transport network. Buying a Gothenburg City Card can give unlimited travel and free entry to many attractions. Weather-wise, the best times to visit are late spring to early fall.

Average temperatures during the day in Gothenburg.

What people say about Gothenburg

4.3
People
4
Food
4
Spaces
5
Value
3
Safety
5

I have been living in Gothenburg for 6 years. Food is not the reason to come here but museums, raves, the islands, Liseberg and definitely the people make this an extremely wonderful city!

5
5
3
4
2
5

I was born here and moved back a few years ago. For fans of metal, Gothenburg is probably best known for its music scene. It even has its own genre called "The Gothenburg Sound" or "Gothenburg metal" a.k.a. melodic death metal. My favorite bands in this genre are In Flames and Avatar, and they play concerts in the city fairly frequently even though they often tour the world.

If you are not a metalhead, there is still plenty to enjoy with many great concerts throughout the year. The festival Way Out West is a highlight for many. I prefer smaller concerts at the club Pustervik, but will go to the stadiums and arenas when bigger acts are visiting. There is a never-ending flow of great new bands, so do take the chance to go see a live show!

Another great thing about Gothenburg is that it is such a green and walkable city. The massive city park Slottsskogen is popular among locals and visitors. If you want to go for a hike you can head to one of the nature reserves DelsjöomrĂ„det or ÄnggĂ„rdsbergen.

I also always bring visitors to the beautiful southern archipelago. You can easily take a tram to Saltholmen and using the same public transport ticket to head out to explore the islands.

The toughest part of living here for me is the weather with many rainy days and a looong fall/winter. Make sure to visit sometime between May and September when life is good here :)

I find the average restaurant to be pretty bad, so it is key to do some research. For the best value of money, eat lunch out during the weeks as you then get a full high-quality meal for half the price or less compared to the evenings. And Swedish everyday food like köttbullar (meatballs), raggmunk med stekt flÀsk och lingon (potato pancake with fried pork and lingonberries), and Wallenbergare (veal burgers) are some of the best meals to try here.

4
4
3
5
3
5

This is my home. Love Annedal and all the places you can walk to in the neighborhood, as Botaniska, Slottsskogen and Haga.

5
4
4
5
4
4

I'm bias because I live here. That should be a icon next to the review/comment (local citizen-mark).

4
3
3
4
4
4

It was a pleasant trip in Summer. People looked nice and calm. I did not go out as much but I loved walking through the forest nearby the residential areas. I would love to go back here some day soon.

5
5
4
5
5
5

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