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Jan

10

Gothenburg Travel & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under Sweden

A trip to Gothenburg

A wonderland for adults and kids alike, Gothenburg has a lovely harbour, which is situated on Sweden’s west coast. The city is captivating, with its array of canals and beautiful parks, while those into interesting displays can do a lot of museum-hopping. Also known as the ‘Natural Gateway to the West’, Gothenburg is a major base for exploring the wonderful sceneries of Sweden. Those travelling with children cannot miss a trip to Liseberg, one of the world’s best amusement parks, to enjoy heart-stopping rides like the renowned Spaceport Liseberg. Nightlife in Gothenburg is ecstatic, even for the Swedes.

Flights to Gothenburg
Located about 16 miles from Gothenburg is Landvetter Airport, handling a number of domestic flights to and from Copenhagen and Stockholm. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Gothenburg try lastminute.com. From the airport, there are airport buses (Flygbuss) operating into the city centre regularly. Travellers can also get here using the Oslo-Copenhagen express train that stops in Gothenburg.

Optionally, Stena Line offers connections by sea from North Jutland and Harwich in England. Getting around the city is easy. Tourists can buy a Gothenburg Pass, which offers access on buses, trains, trams and archipelago boats, as well as discounts on museums and parks.

Gothenburg

Sightseeing in Gothenburg
Gothenburg is a city of museums, and those wishing to soak in the city’s rich culture won’t be disappointed. Visit the Stadtsmuseum where you can gasp at beautiful collections of porcelain and the famous Äskekärr Viking ship. Maritime Centrum offers a memorable trip on a destroyer and submarine, while Götaplatsen, a very well equipped cultural centre, unveils a fascinating nexus between Gothenburg’s glorious past and promising future.

The artsy lot can nip to the Konstmuseet (Art Museum), with its wonderful collections of artworks including Impressionist paintings and Pop Art, as well as impressive Swedish masterpieces. Also, you should plan one fun-filled day to Liseberg, the country’s most famous amusement park. With or without the kids, enjoy a number of spine-tingling rides and scream like there’s no tomorrow.

Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Gothenburg is literally dotted with restaurants. Take a pick between the city’s 570 restaurants and try its signature seafood dishes. Those into Michelin star stuff can visit one of the four Gothenburg’s eateries starred in the guide.

After a fulfilling meal, it’s time to discover Gothenburg’s nightlife. The town is vibrant during the summer, with many pubs and restaurants offering outdoor areas which are always packed with locals and tourists alike. There are also many dance clubs where you can shake your body all night long. Another option is to hit the casino, where you can practice your poker face and hope that lady luck is on your side.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
To the delight to shoppers worldwide, Gothenburg is home to the biggest shopping mall in Scandinavia. Nordstan boasts a wide range of dazzling designer goodies. Another good bet is Kungsgatan/Fredsgatan, the longest pedestrian mall in the country where you can shop until you drop, or at least until your credit card is maxed out.

There are many things to do in Gothenburg, apart from sightseeing and museum-hopping. Avenyn, lined with outdoor cafés where you can relax and watch the world go by or check out the local Swedes, is a nice area to walk around.

Daytrips
If you are looking for a change of scenery, there are a number of attractions and areas which are worth visiting and all a short drive away from the city of Gothenburg. The Bohuslän coast, north of the city is stunning and in the summer months when the sun is shining is an excellent place to enjoy some sunbathing. The Swedish Riviera on the southern coast is another place worth exploring in a car. Halland is particularly beautiful.

Much closer to the city, the islands which form the Gothenburg archipelago make great daytrips. The islands of Vrångö, Brännö, Styrsö, Vargö are home to quaint fishing towns, beautiful architecture, friendly people and a number of excellent restaurants. For somewhere with historical importance, head to Vadstena, east of the city. This stunning town is home to Vadstena Slott, a Renaissance castle still largely in its glory.

Must-see attractions
Gothenburg boasts canals, parks, gardens, a number of museums and the largest amusement park in Europe. Avenyn is the main street in the city and is brimming with cafés, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and shops. Not many people visit Gothenburg without taking a trip down Avenyn. Kronhusbodarna is the oldest non-religious building in the city, dating back to the 1660s. It has been a meeting place for the Swedish Parliament, a warehouse, museum and an art studio - which is what it remains as today.

Gotaplatsen is the main square in the city. It was built in 1923 for the World Exhibition. There is a large statue of the sea god Poseidon and as superstition goes, if you are unmarried and take a photo of the statue, you will remain single so be careful when you are snapping away. The Gothenburg Art Museum, Concert Hall and City Theatre can all be found here. Sweden’s largest botanical gardens, Botaniska Tradgarden are found in Gothenburg and are home to over 12,000 species of plants. There are plants from all over the world although the Japanese gardens are without doubt the most popular, boasting bamboo, orchids and a range of other beautiful tropical plants.

Best time to go
Gothenburg experiences four distinct seasons, getting colder as the year progresses. If you are considering spending time at the beaches on the coast, the best time for you to go is over the summer. June, July and August see the best temperatures although these are also the busiest time of the year with large crowds and expensive hotel rates. If you are on a tighter budget, the months of April and May can still be warm but prices are a lot cheaper.

Rainy day suggestions
Being located in northern Europe, Gothenburg typically sees a great deal of rain throughout the year. The chances are that while you are on holiday there you will have to find alternative attractions for a day due to the rain. The city boasts a number of museums which offer a distraction during those rainy days. Gothenburg Konstmuseum is the premier art museum in the city boasting a number of works by world-famous artists. For marine enthusiasts, Gothenburg’s Maritime Museum details the last 400 years of Swedish maritime history. It is located on the harbour and gives fascinating insights. The Rohsska Museum of Arts and Crafts is home to an extensive collection of European pottery and furniture; Asian artefacts and a modern exhibit.

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