Best things to do in Gothenburg – a full guide
Welcome to the second largest city of Sweden: Gothenburg. Located on the West coast of the country, the city is known for its university, beautiful landscape around and the picturesque Old Town. If you want to see more of the Swedish city life, Gothenburg definitely is a good idea. Especially for the young travellers, the city has quite a few things to offer. Plus, it can easily be combined with exploring more of the Swedish West coast. But what are the best things to do in Gothenburg? Which highlights should be on your list when planning the trip?
Stroll through the Old Town
Let´s start this guide with one of the most basic, yet most beautiful things to do in any city: exploring the Old Town. Gothenburg´s Old Town is mainly constructed around the picturesque quarter of Haga. The beautiful old houses are one of the many reasons why you should explore the area.
Have a fika in Haga
This leads us to the next, and maybe even the number one best thing to do in Gothenburg. Haga is the absolute highlight of the city. It is home to cute cafés, restaurants and artsy shops. You can buy some souvenirs or just find yourself a nice place to sit and do people-watching.
And it would not be a trip to Sweden without the famous Fika. Plus, there is rarely a better place for it than Haga. The great selection of cafés makes your choice even harder as you can find a delicious cinnamon bun and a good coffé on every corner.
Make sure to take some time to just sit down and enjoy the atmosphere. During the summer months, you can of course sit outside. But even if its cold and rainy, this thing to do is one of the main recommendations when visiting Gothenburg.
Visit the Skansen Kronan for a view over the city
What’s better than getting a nice overview of the city? Gothenburg doesn’t really have higher buildings or a special viewpoint. But why not find your own? The Skansen Kronan is a landmark close to the Haga district. You can reach it within 10 to 15 minutes from Haga. From here, you can enjoy the view over Gothenburg. If you´re lucky and visit the city on a warm and sunny day, you could as well bring some snacks to enjoy during the view.
This as well a secret place for the sunset. You can watch the sun go down over the roofs of Gothenburg and watch the city go dark. Hands down: aren’t these the best moments when travelling? Who agrees?
Explore the Palm Huset
Ready for a tropical plant paradise in the heart of Gothenburg? If yes, the Palm Huste is one of the best things to do in Gothenburg. It is located in the center of the Trädgårdsföreningen, which is the Central Park of the city. For many, this is the prettiest area in the city. Especially during the summer months, you can spend a whole day just exploring and relaxing in the park.
The park has been part of the city since the 19th century. You can visit the historic buildings, sit in a café or walk through the pretty rose garden. And of course, the absolute highlight is the Palm Huste. With 5 different parts, you can walk around and admire the green beauties. For plant lovers, this is a true paradise.
Good to know: in the Palm Huset, there are a few tables and chairs. It is common among the locals to spend the lunch here or to just come and sit in the house. If you look for a quiet place and want to escape the city for a few minutes or if you are looking for shelter from the rain, this is the place to go!
Go for a shopping tour
It wouldn’t really be a city trip without some shopping, right? Gothenburg really is a shopping paradise. If you want to stay in the city, you can find the typical shops in the city center. For something rather special, stroll through the vintage shops in Haga.
And for those, who want the true shopping experience, you can find many outlets outside of the city.
Have a picnic at the river side
This is the reason why the best time to visit Gothenburg is the summer time. During the warmer months, you can really take advantage of the parks and beautiful spaces around the city. A picnic by the river is highly recommended. Especially if you are travelling with a group of friends, this will spice up your summer evenings in the city.
Take a day trip to the Gothenburg archipelago
Last but not least, you should take a trip outside the city. Sweden cities are nice and should be on your list, but the true heart of the country is the stunning nature. Luckily, it is not far from the city center. The Gothenburg archipelago is a gem of Sweden´s nature. You can either take a day trip and visit the islands in one day by boat or you could take a few days and experience it more deeply. Both is absolute worth it.
The archipelago is also known as the Göteborger Schärengarten or the skärgård. For most travellers, this really is the highlight of Gothenburg (even though it is not directly in the city). Other blogs refer to it as the number 1 must thing to do in Gothenburg. Even if you just have one single day to see the area, make sure to put the islands on your list.
The ferries to the Gothenburg archipelago go regularly. Click here to see the timetables and get updated information.
How many days should you spend in Gothenburg?
It is totally possible to see the city in just one day. If you prefer your trip to be more relaxed, you should spend two nights in the city. For more impressions of Sweden, make sure to plan one day only to visit the islands. If you have more time left, spend a few nights on the islands to get the full experience of the Gothenburg archipelago.
Are you ready for Gothenburg? And remember: do not forget to see more of Sweden than just the cities. They are worth a visit, but not more. Sweden is all about the nature. It is therefore a good option to stay outside of the city and get a cute Airbnb (maybe even a red Swedish house?) and travel to Gothenburg for a day.
