Weekend in Gothenburg

The harbour city of Gothenburg is the perfect weekend destination. Here you’ll find all the shopping and entertainment of the big city but with all the advantages of a smaller city, with everything within a comfortable distance. Things like being able to take the tram to the archipelago…

Gothenburg's harbour in sunset.

5 small adventures in Gothenburg

In Gothenburg you will find world-class food whether you choose a star restaurant or a sandwich with fresh catch at the harbor. Walking along the harbor you can pass by Röda Sten Konsthall and Göteborg Opera and then take the tram to your favorite café and the best shopping streets. Liseberg is unbeatable if you are looking for thrilling adventures for the whole family, as well as visiting Ullevi, one of the big arenas for a sports event or concert.

1. Restaurants and cafés in Gothenburg

Holy Feskekyrkan

Feskekôrka, one of Gothenburg’s most beloved (and holy) landmarks. If you want to buy and sample fresh fish and shellfish over the counter, or eat them carefully prepared at neighboring restaurants, this is a place not to be missed. With its special architecture, the building is one of the major attractions.

Fish market Feskekorka in Gothenburg

Photo by: Tina Stafrén/ Mediabank Göteborg & Co

Star restaurant or street food?

Do you prefer gourmet restaurants with a star in the Michelin Guide or do you rather grab something quick from a food truck? There are restaurants for all tastes here, although fish and shellfish are often a specialty. Gothenburg is teeming with clubs, cafés, and other entertainment to discover, so get ready for festivities into the early hours.

2. Shopping in Gothenburg

Shopping near Avenyn and Nordstan

Around Avenyn there are plenty of good stores, restaurants, and nightclubs. Walk down Avenyn and come to the area within Vallgraven, a cozy area to stroll around and shop in.

In Nordstan you can hide from rain and snow with shopping indoors and around 200 stores with everything in fashion. For exclusive shopping, there’s NK (Nordiska Kompaniet) and it’s not far from Nordstan where Arket is also located in the area. Kungsgatan, Magasinsgatan, and Victoriapassagen are also good shopping streets.

Sustainable, wallet-friendly, and unique shopping has good opportunities in the city’s large selection of second-hand and vintage, especially in the Majorna district.

Hotel tips near Nordstan and Gothenburg Central Station:

3. Activities in Gothenburg

Enjoy art, design, and opera

In Gothenburg you’ll find everything from local crafts to furniture classics. Be sure to visit the Röhsska Museum with design, fashion, and crafts on the agenda. If you are in Gothenburg to experience opera, music, and dance, head to the Gothenburg City Theater where you can admire the stately statue of Poseidon just outside, or visit the Gothenburg Opera at the harbor.

Hotel tips near Avenyn:

Intimate music experiences to grand concerts

From the music and film festival Way Out West in Slottskogen to the big concerts and sports events at Ullevi and Scandinavium. There are many live and music scenes in the city.

Cruise along the river with a passenger ferry

The passenger ferry Älvsnabbare runs across the river, between the stops Stenpiren and Lindholmspiren, and along the river runs the passenger ferry Älvsnabben. The ferry runs under the same ticket that applies to trams and buses. An easy way to cruise on the Göta River.

Gaze out over the city

In the middle of the Haga district, the fortress Skansen Kronan rises. Fantastic view over the city, don’t forget to bring a picnic! This old defensive facility from the 17th century has been both a prison and an emergency home and museum. Well worth a visit.

4. Things to do in Gothenburg with kids

Adventure at Universeum and Liseberg
Visit Liseberg, the largest amusement park in the Nordics, with rides and experience attractions for both big and small kids year-round. Thrilling across the board. Have you experienced Halloween at Liseberg? Frightening! Sing along at concerts to cozy up at glittering and fairy-tale-like Christmas markets. Here you find opening hours for Liseberg.
At Universeum, which is Sweden’s national science center, you can experience rainforests, exotic animals, space, chemistry labs, and much more exciting things on a whole 9,000 square meters. Here you find opening hours for Universeum.
Maritime Museum Aquarium
Exhibitions for big and small, underwater worlds and coral reefs. The new-old museum is even bigger and even better! Here you see opening hours for Maritime Museum Aquarium.

5. Parks and Nature in Gothenburg

Picnics and Concerts in the City's Parks

On the other side of Haga lies the Linné district with the lush greenery of Slottsskogen. Each year, you can enjoy concerts at the Way Out West music festival in the park. You can also visit the penguins and seals at the zoo or have a picnic on the lawn. Nice places to eat or have coffee include Café Björngårdsvillan, dating back to 1906, or Villa Belparc by the Big Pond. The Botanical Garden next to Slottsskogen is one of Europe's largest botanical gardens. Here you can learn more about plants and enjoy the changing seasons. If you need to rest your feet after all the shopping and sightseeing, you’ll find the oasis Trädgårdsföreningen just a stone's throw from Avenyn.

Discover the beautiful archipelago or accessible hiking trails

Attracted by swimming, boat trips, or dancing at Brännö dock? Then take a day trip to the southern archipelago of Gothenburg. You can enjoy the sea air all year round. Take the tram to Saltholmen and take the archipelago boat to Styrsö, Brännö, Donsö, or Vrångö. If you want to combine exciting nature hikes with proximity to the city, the Gotaleden is recommended with its nine stages which you can also reach by commuter train.

Gothenburg in Sweden. Granite hills and view over the archipelago.

View over the archipelago.