Gothenburg's best shopping

Cute independent shops - from carefully curated secondhand to modern interiors and Scandi fashion - dotted among old wooden houses and cobblestone streets. Haga Trätoffelfabrik & Läderaffär and Charlston are just a couple of the names. If you're hungry or ready for a coffee break there are plenty of inviting cafés and restaurants along Haga Nygata, including the popular Sjöbaren and Café Husaren - famed for their gigantic cinnamon buns.

A popular shopping street where you'll find several of the major chains. From fashion for children and adults to sports stores, opticians and shoe shops, but also smaller stores such as gift and interiors store Tinna and renowned jewellers Jarl Sandin. In the middle of Kungsgatan is Gothenburg cathedral, surrounded by a lovely park perfect for a pitstop on a park bench or picnic on the grass. If you're hungry Ma Cuisine and Sorellina serve great lunches for anyone needing a pause from their shopping.

Magasinsgatan has become one of Gothenburg's absolute hottest destinations for both shopping and restaurants. You'll find the clothes shop Miss Ragtime here, which sells curated fashion from brand favourites such as Ottod'Ame, Stina Goya och American Vintage. It's also home to barista-award-winning Da Matteo, which houses both a coffee bar and coffee roastery/sourdough bakery, flagship stores for hip Swedish fashion brands such as Acne Studios, as well as uber-cool interiors stores Artilleriet and Norrgavel. The street's lively restaurant scene includes some popular restaurants and you can enjoy some of the best burgers in the city at The Barn just one street away. Or hang out in the square and grab something to eat from one of the food trucks.

Avenyn has long been regarded as something of a tourist trap by locals but recently the street has undergone a makeover thanks to facade renovations and new additions in the form of fashion stores, restaurants, hotels and lunch spots. Götaplatsen with its iconic sculpture of Poseidon at the top end of the street is one of the city's most famous landmarks. The street is also home to the Gothenburg Museum of Art and Gothenburg City Theatre with its Foajébaren. Restaurant-wise, options include Ristorante Bellora with its hotel and rooftop bar. Don't miss Avenyn's trendy parallel street Teatergatan, home to cool, intimate spots such as Poh-Keh and Jimmy & Joan's New York.

Majorna is more than a part of town, for many it's an entire lifestyle; cultural life is alive and well here alongside lots of delightful shops and great restaurants. The area is large and stretches from Stigbergstorget, where the landmark Seafarer's Wife sculpture looks out over the entrance to the city harbour, to charming Mariaplan and Röda sten. The secondhand store Majornas Saker från Förr and deli Gudagott are just a stone's throw from the Italian neighbourhood restaurant Enoteca Maglia and it's adjacent sister bar, Vinbaren Majorna.

In the swanky Lorensberg area, you'll find plenty of small-scale shops where you can browse everything from home decor to fashion. It's also an area packed with restaurants, perfect for a shopping lunch when you need to re-energise. Avenyn and Södra Vägen both run through the neighbourhood and are great for leisurely strolls. Don't miss out on the famous prawn sandwich at Heaven 23 or taking a walk over the moat to Saluhallen indoor food hall.

This department store, sister store to the original Stockholm store, opened in Gothenburg in 1971. Be inspired by timeless design classics, Swedish and international premium quality brands and a large department for beauty and perfumes. The store's 50 departments offer everything from clothes and shoes to interior design and cosmetics. 

Arkaden has been an important part of Gothenburg's retail scene since the 1800s. Naturally a lot has happened to the department since then, but the emphasis on an enjoyable shopping experience remains. There are around 25 stores spread over three floors, mainly focusing on fashion, design, beauty and interiors. When hunger sets in, Löfqvist å vi serves a great shopping lunch, with a glass of fizz if you fancy.

Sweden's leading department store for fashion, lifestyle and beauty shopping can be found at several different locations in Gothenburg, the largest of which is Åhléns City in Nordstan. Since their opening in 1889 they've offered a complete concept for the whole family and their own fashion brands provide fashion-conscious clothes at great value prices. The department store also includes haberdashery, shoes, beauty, music and entertainment departments.

With several thousand square metres of retail space and some 200 different stores, Nordstan and the adjacent Femman galleria make up one of Sweden's largest shopping centres. Whatever the weather, you can shop here comfortably and find everything you need for all the family. The shopping centre has numerous entrances and you can easily get here by public transport. There's also a gigantic indoor car park next door, with direct access to the shopping centre. If you need to recharge your batteries there are plenty of restaurant, fast food and café options. 

Torget, "the square", as Gothenburgers call it, has undergone a major makeover in recent years, in terms of size, appearance and selection. The shopping centre was opened in 1966 by politician Olof Palme and since then it's gone from some forty stores to 150. Browse among everything from fashion stores, sport and interiors to delis, bakeries and toy stores. There are also several restaurants and cafés. Frölunda Kulturhus next to the shopping centre includes an indoor swimming pool, library and youth centre. If you're coming by car, there are two large car parks, along with a newly-built bus and tram hub.

The darling of the Swedish fashion scene is Acne, with its modern and minimalist style with a twist of unexpected elements. Their clothes are often simple in cut, focusing on clean lines and quality materials, often in neutral colours like black, white, grey, and beige, but they're not afraid to add some colourful elements. The brand is also known for its unique and innovative details, such as asymmetric silhouettes, interesting textures, and unexpected combinations of materials.

Quality, timeless style and sustainability are a few words that summarise Grandpa. Their range consists of carefully selected garments from both established and new designers, with a blend of Scandinavian simplicity and international elements. In other words, you can buy both basic and statement pieces here, and in addition to clothing, accessories and interior decor are also sold.

At Aplace, personal style and creative expression are encouraged rather than blindly following trends. It started out as a fashion magazine focusing on progressive Scandinavian fashion, which later evolved into stores and an online shop featuring over 50 designers. They also have a second-hand department.

Just stepping inside Vallgatan 12 is enough to get inspired by their stylish combination of colour and form. They sell a mix of fashion, sneakers, accessories and interior design in different styles and from various brands, from street fashion to super strict.

Ragtime is the sibling of the women's store Miss Ragtime. The selection here is just as carefully curated, but caters to both men and women with a focus on second-hand designer clothes in various styles. Workwear, party attire, shoes – you name it. You can also drop off clothes here and sell them on consignment.

The Finnish design company Marimekko is known for its colourful and expressive patterns, such as the Unikko flower and the Tasaraita stripes. These, along with many other classic and new designs, can be found on clothing, home decor, accessories, and other products.

With a focus on quality, style, and personal service, Ströms is a popular store for fashionistas in Gothenburg - and perhaps primarily for those seeking classic fashion. They place a great emphasis on service, whether you are buying your first suit, dropping by to buy a tie, or want to colour-match your existing wardrobe.

The Karltex store in the charming Haga neighbourhood they've handpicked a selection of brands such as Adidas, Stüssy, Carhartt, Champion, Brixtol and Elvine for both women and men. The focus is on timeless products that they believe should be part of everyone's wardrobe, whether it's clothes or accessories.

Arkivet is a second hand store with high standards when it comes to both the condition and brand of clothes they select. They accept clothes that are modern, in season, and in good condition without stains, holes, or other signs of use in a mix of clothes, shoes, and accessories. They sell mainly clothes from well-known brands, along with a few gems from chain stores.

Miss Ragtime offers a personal shopping experience, from the carefully selected items to the dedicated staff. You'll find everything you need in terms of clothing: clothes, shoes, accessories and jewellery from brands such as Stine Goya, American Vintage, Stand Studio and Baum und Pferdgarten.

A quick look at Bazaar's social media provides a hint of what to expect to find on the shelves here - namely, bold, colourful second hand items. Sequins, feathers, colour, and intriguing shapes can describe the range of clothing, shoes, and accessories available. The store is restocked weekly and can also open upon request.

Gothenburg has a lot to offer for fashion-minded women, including Bitte Kai Rand, a brand not afraid of colour and shape. Their collections are characterised by their focus on fit and details, combined with both more earthy colours and fun patterns that can be found on both trousers and tops as well as outerwear.

Looking for a pair of well-fitting jeans? Look no further than the sustainable and durable Nudie, especially in Gothenburg where the brand was founded back in 2001. They sell models to suit all tastes – from super tight to trendily wide. When you've worn them as much as you think you can, just take them to their Repair Shop and get them fixed up like new.

Located right on the edge of Haga, in a building from the late 19th century, Göteborg Manufaktur offers high-quality goods and garments with a main focus on denim. The shop is run by, among others, Jonas Melin and Olof Norrman, who met at Textilhögskolan (the Swedish School of Textiles) and have a preference for sustainably and fairly produced clothes.

There are numerous gems in Gothenburg for fashion-conscious men, and Holmens Herrekipering is one of them. Buy suits, ties, shirts, and other classic men's clothing in various materials and from designers who value timeless design. Their own tailors can help you if you want your favourite garment to fit even better.

For clothes and suits of Italian quality, Spiga 3 is the place to go. Linen shirts, down jackets, chunky knits – the range is wide and the style is mainly classic.

As you'd expect, the classic department store Nordiska Kompaniet, NK, founded in 1971, has a well-stocked shoe department. Shop for shoes, bags and accessories from major international brands such as Gant, Nike and Adidas, but also newer brands and Scandinavian favourites.

Since 1933, Haga Trätoffelfabrik has been providing the people of Gothenburg with high-quality clogs that last for years. The range consists mainly of clogs in classic wooden designs and with fun colours and patterns, as well as wool jumpers, leather products and bags.

Karltex store on Vallgatan may be small, only 36 square metres, but it's still packed with shoes from floor to ceiling. Shop for timeless shoe models such as Adidas Stan Smith, Dr. Martens 1460, Clarks Desert Boot and Reebok Classics, but also the occasional carefully selected new arrival.

In 2001, Lester began his mission to provide quality shoes to the inhabitants of Gothenburg. With a focus on classic brands from both America and Italy, the selection includes everything from Wellington boots to dress shoes.

Fabriken is a favourite store among interior design enthusiasts in Gothenburg. New and used furniture, lighting, ceramics, glass, art from 1900 and onwards are sold in an inspiring mix. The ambition is to create a personal and inspiring selection where allmoge, art deco and Nordic classics are mixed freely.

Artilleriet aims to offer a range of unique interior designs in both classic and innovative styles. The keyword is eclectic, and the price tag often reflects that. The range is wide and includes everything from large furniture to storage and decorations.

Floramor & Krukatös is a charming florists that entices with a wide range of plants, flowers, and garden items. With their service and expertise, they help their customers create beautiful and welcoming environments both outdoors and indoors.

Tiberg has been on Bangatan in Majorna for over 100 years, with plenty more to come. It's one of the largest independent furniture stores in Sweden and sells both design classics such as String shelves and new, lesser known brands in different price ranges.

Villervalla's colourful children's store attracts many who enjoy dressing their children in fun patterns and colours. The goal is to create clothes for children that allow them to really be children, play, have fun, and climb in comfortable and durable clothing.

Polarn o Pyret's classic stripes are equally beloved by children and adults, and are an ideal gift for both newborns and slightly older children. Nowadays, the range is wide and includes everything from baby clothes to outerwear in all sorts of patterns, but the iconic stripes remain.

Little Karin is a toy and gift shop in Haga. They sell unique and fun toys, christening and baby gifts, as well as nursery decorations. The owner is passionate about her selection and regularly attends trade fairs in Sweden and abroad to offer a slightly different range from the major chains.

If you have high fashion standards when comes to children's clothing, Guapa is the place to go. They sell designer clothes for ages 6-16. You can also book a private appointment if you want to browse in peace and quiet.