A Travel Guide to Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg, Sweden’s second city, is a place that you’ll quickly grow to love. It’s not as polished as Stockholm, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still beautiful. This is a place where you can consume cinnamon bun after cinnamon bun while walking along the city’s cobblestone streets, and perhaps you’ll even end up in one of Gothenburg’s many intriguing bars at the end of your wander.

As great as Stockholm is, I would argue that Gothenburg is my favorite city in Sweden. And having visited on three separate occasions, I believe now is the ideal time to put together their comprehensive Gothenburg travel guide.

We’ll cover how to get to Sweden’s second city, along with what you can do when you’re there. You’ll also learn more about your different food options and find a list of handy FAQs.

Quick Facts

• 🤠 Population: 631,000
• 💶 Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)
• 🇸🇪 Main language: Swedish
• 🇪🇺 Can I visit with a Schengen Visa?: Yes

Getting To and From Gothenburg

Landvetter Airport 🛫

If you’re arriving in Gothenburg from outside of Scandinavia, you’ll most likely fly to Landvetter Airport. Navigating Landvetter is efficient, and you should be out in little time.

You can take a bus from Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg. The journey takes around 20 minutes, and you can find more information here.

You can fly from various European cities to Gothenburg, including London and Amsterdam. SAS operates direct flights from New York City, and the airport is also well-connected to other Swedish cities. So, if you can’t fly directly to Gothenburg, consider going to Stockholm instead. From there, you can take an onward flight or catch a train.

Gothenburg Central Station 🚝

Traveling by rail is often the easiest way to reach Gothenburg from within Scandinavia. Direct trains operate from both Copenhagen and Oslo, and the journey from both cities takes between three-and-a-half and four hours.

Gothenburg is also easy to reach by train from Stockholm and Malmö, along with many other parts of Sweden.

Although Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are both in the Schengen Area and Nordic Passport Union, border checks occasionally take place. So, when arriving in Gothenburg from further afield, remember to bring your passport.

You can view trains (as well as flights) on Omio, as well as SJ (Sweden’s main rail operator).

Nils Ericsson Bus Terminal 🚍

The main bus terminal in Gothenburg is right next to the station, and bus trips to Sweden’s second-biggest city take roughly the same amount of time as the train if you’re coming from Copenhagen, Oslo, or Malmö.

Traveling by bus to Gothenburg is often less expensive than the train, especially if you’re going from Oslo. FlixBus has several routes per week.

Ferries 🛳️

Gothenburg places a lot of importance on its maritime history. And if you want to enjoy a slower way of traveling, consider taking the ferry to Sweden’s second-biggest city.

You can get the ferry from Kiel in Northern Germany, along with Frederikshavn in Denmark.

Transport Around Gothenburg

Västtrafik operates all public transport in the Gothenburg area. 90-minute single tickets for the tram cost 35 SEK (c. $3.40). You can also buy day tickets, which cost 115 SEK for adults and 85 SEK for youths aged 7-19.

Three-day tickets are available, too, for 230 SEK/170 SEK respectively. You can purchase your transport passes in the Västtrafik To Go app for iOS and Android.

Tram 🚃

Gothenburg’s iconic blue trams connect many parts of the city center together, and they’re an excellent way of getting from the area around the main train station to Linné and surrounding districts.

Boat ⚓️

If you want to visit the beautiful Gothenburg Archipelago, you’ll need to take the boat. The network is extensive, but you should note that Sundays have reduced operating hours. I missed my flight on one of my trips because I didn’t check this before, so that’s just something to keep in mind. 🙂

Bus 🚌

Gothenburg has a strong network of buses connecting the city and its suburbs. If you’re staying out of town and not on a tram line, you’ll probably use this mode of transport more frequently.

Bicycle 🚲

Gothenburg is a relatively bike-friendly city, and many streets have cycling paths. The locals use these throughout the year, and you can rent a bike from multiple places in the city.

Walking 🥾

Gothenburg’s city center is easy to get around on foot, and you’re better off walking than taking public transport in most cases. You should, however, keep in mind that some parts are quite hilly.

Things to See in Gothenburg

The Gothenburg Archipelago

Even if you never leave the cities, you’re never too far from stunning nature in Sweden. The Gothenburg Archipelago is a shining example, and both the northern and southern islands are incredibly easy to reach from the city.

You can visit the islands year-round, and—thanks to allemansrätten—you can roam freely. Many of the islands have seafood restaurants and cozy cafés worth checking out. If you’re not sure where to start, consider visiting Hönö, Öckerö, and Donsö. The ferries are included in your public transport ticket, which you can book via the Västtrafik app (iOS and Android).

It’s also possible to book an archipelago cruise.

Haga

Haga is a lovely district where shops and cafés sit inside quaint wooden houses that line cobblestone streets. The area is worth walking around, and café-hopping is a must.

In particular, you need to try the famous Hagabulle; I’ll reveal the best place to go for this later in this guide.

Skansen Kronan

Skansen Kronan was once used to protect Gothenburg from potential attackers, but the area around this hilltop fortress is now popular with locals and tourists alike. You’ll get an excellent view of Gothenburg from all angles, and it’s on the fringes of the Haga district—making it easy to reach.

Things to Do in Gothenburg

Grab a View of the City

Skansen Kronan is one of many superb vantage points in Gothenburg. You can also visit the top of the Lipstick Tower for a view of the city and its port area, and the Landala High Reservoir is another excellent place to watch the sunset. Compared to Skansen Kronan, you won’t need to deal with such large crowds.

Go Shopping

Gothenburg has several independent stores worth checking out, and it’s a great place to get your fix for Swedish interior design items. You’ll also find many popular Scandinavian clothing brands with stores in the city, such as A Day’s March.

Liseberg Amusement Park

If rollercoasters are your jam, you’ll love Liseberg Amusement Park. It’s celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023, and you can hop on dozens of rides. Liseberg also has plenty of spots offering Swedish and international foods if you feel hungry.

Food and Drink in Gothenburg

Café Husaren

My favorite place for a fika break in Gothenburg is undoubtedly Café Husaren. This is where you’ll find the famous (or infamous) Hagabulle, but that’s not the only reason you should come here. Plenty of great pies and tarts are also available, and the coffee is also pretty good.

Magazzino

Best. Pizza. I. Have. Ever. Had.

Magazzino is close to the main church in Gothenburg and has gigantic pizzas that are delicious in equal measure. You’ll also receive generous portions for your starters, and the wine is excellent as well. It’s worth booking in advance, and you can do that here.

Ahlströms Konditori

Ahlströms Konditori is about as central as you’ll get in Gothenburg, and it’s another excellent place for sweet treats. Besides cardamom buns, you’ll find other Swedish classics—such as the Princess Cake. The patisserie has been satisfying the people of Gothenburg since 1901.

Coco Orangerie

We stumbled across Coco Orangerie by accident because we couldn’t find anywhere else that had spaces for brunch. But I’m pretty glad that we got here in the end because the food was superb. My recommendation? Go for the tuna sandwich and chocolate smoothie. Obviously not on the same plate.

Where to Stay in Gothenburg

Radisson Blu Gothenburg

The Radisson Blu Scandinavia hotel in Gothenburg is around five minutes from the station by foot, but it’s far enough that you won’t hear passing trains and trams outside. The beds are comfortable, and the rooms feature that minimalist design you probably associate Sweden with.

One thing to keep in mind is that on Friday evenings, the bar downstairs plays pretty loud music. Of course, you can join the fun—but it can also feel like you’re trying to sleep in a nightclub. Fortunately, the music goes off quite early—so you should still get a good night’s sleep.

Book Radisson Blu Gothenburg

Slotsskogens Hostel

Scandinavian hostels are hit-and-miss when it comes to meeting people, but Slotsskogens is one of the best I’ve ever stayed in. Some of the rooms don’t have windows, but the beds are comfortable—and the shower facilities were pretty clean. The hostel also had a pub crawl on the weekends when I stayed there, which was a great opportunity to say hi to the other guests.

Book Slottskogens Hostel

You can also look for alternative accommodations in Gothenburg if you’re on the lookout for something else.