Tourist in Gothenburg - your complete guide

Accommodation is of course one of the most important factors when you're travelling. Luckily, there are plenty of hotels in all different categories and styles in Gothenburg. The stylish Hotel Pigalle in the city centre is a favourite for many. The individually-designed rooms ooze Parisian-style elegance and decadence. Just a few steps away, on lively Kungsportsplatsen, the Avalon Hotel has exciting architecture and interiors influenced by feng shui (don't miss the iconic pool on the rooftop terrace). If you want to stay right on the city's central boulevard, Avenyn, the Scandic Rubinen has elegant and well-designed suites in pared-back Nordic style. Their rooftop terrace, Ruby, serves up fabulous cocktails and magnificent views over the city. If you're looking for a romantic getaway, check into the Clarion Hotel Post in Gothenburg's former post office building. Modern architecture characterises the romantic suites and their weekend brunch is famous. Romance is also the watchword at the the glamorous Dorsia Hotel. 1920s decadence and "more is more" are the themes at this magnificently overblown fantasy world. The hotel's restaurant serves food from all over the world, or drop by for afternoon tea, all in the same extravagant style. You can also check into family-friendly Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel, or glamorous Jacy'z if you want pool party vibes, and restaurants and bars with a view. 

Art, fashion, history and shipping - Gothenburg's range of museums is extensive and has something for all tastes. At the magnificent Gothenburg Museum of Art you can admire classic Scandinavian and other European art, alongside exciting contemporary art. Right next door, the Hasselblad Foundation exhibits major photographic exhibitions. Just a short walk from the art museum on Götaplatsen is the Röhsska Museum of Design and Craft, which focuses on fashion, design and crafts from different periods. The Museum of World Culture, housed in a spectacular building, has exhibitions that tell stories from all the cultures of the world, and they regularly hold special events and workshops for both children and adults. If you want to find out more about the city, a visit to Gothenburg's City museum is a must - learn all about the history of Gothenburg over the past 400 yerars and how the city's future looks. The sea and the city's harbours are an important part of Gothenburg and at the Maritime Museum and Aquarium you can try out how it feels to steer a ship into harbour, check out the fascinating sea life and see what life was like in the dockyards. For even more Gothenburg history, Maritiman or the enormous Götheborg of Sweden ship replica, better known as the East Indiaman Götheborg, a must.

Gothenburg has a fantastic restaurant scene, offering something for tastes and wallets. If you're looking for Scandinavian flavours and grown-up luxury, book a table at Koka, one of the restaurants in Gothenburg with a Michelin star. The prawn sandwiches at Heaven 23 are legendary and they're accompanied by fantastic views over the city. If you're a fan of bubbles, head to Champagnebaren, where French fizz is served alongside fish dishes in one of the city's most charming inner courtyards. Eating fish and shellfish in Gothenburg is a must, and the iconic Feskekörka is home to both fish restaurants and fishmongers. At Björk och Bambu, Nordic flavours meet Asian techniques, and at Oizo relaxed socialising over pizza, artisanal beer and natural wines is the order of the day. If you're more in the mood for Texas-inspired BBQ, check out Mugwort's BBQ Shack. Don't miss historic Sjömagasinet, the unique Saluhallen or grand Tavolo. And if all you really fancy is a hot dog, get down to the city's legendary hot dog stand Korv Kiosk on Mariaplan.

As you may already have discovered, fika (taking a break for coffee and something to eat) is a strong tradition in Sweden and Gothenburg has a huge choice of cafés. Whether you're in the mood for a classic cinnamon bun, coffee roasted with nerdy precision or enjoying an alfresco break in leafy surroundings, the options are endless. At trendy Da Matteo, which has branches all around town, barista craft is taken very seriously. The charming Haga district is packed with cafés; classic Café Husaren is home to the famous Haga bun, a gigantic cinnamon bun. If you're heading up to Slottskogen, Villa Belparc makes a nice stop-off. Sit in the large park gardens and enjoy a coffee lying in one of the hammocks or sitting on the jetty. For a traditional Swedish fika of coffee and cake, bag a pew at Gothenburg's oldest café Ahlströms Konditori. If you'd rather stay put in the city centre, you're guaranteed an excellent cup of coffee at the retro-trendy Viktors Kaffe. Don't miss Bönor & Bagels in Linné, a small café with a large outdoor dining area serving coffee, bagels and juices. Kafé Magasinet is open all day, from breakfast to post-work drinks, and if it's classic cakes and pastries you're in the mood for, Brogyllen and Konditori Kampanilen are safe bets. For a coffee experience, check out award-winning A43 Coffee.

Checking out the local bar scene is on many visitors' agenda, and there are plenty of bars in Gothenburg - everything from stylish cocktail bars to specialist beer bars and delightfully unpretentious budget bars. Bon Bon Bar is known for its well-blended cocktails, as is popular Familjen, where innovative ingredients include bacon vodka. Haket is another popular spot among beer aficionados. The bar has the largest selection of beers in the city, is expressly HBTQ-friendly and serves tasty pub grub. The area around Järntorget, particularly Andra and Tredje Långgatan, is one of the city's most popular bar areas. This is Gothenburg's cultural hub with a constantly buzzing bar life. If you're looking for cheap beer, head for Dansken. At Kafé Magasinet and Tacos & Tequila one street away, the prices are slightly higher and the crowd slightly older, but the atmosphere's just as lively. Steampunk Bar transports you to a world of 19th century Victorian industrialism and if you want to drink top-notch organic and biodynamic wines, Bar La Lune is well worth a visit. During the summer months, sun-worshipping Gothenburgers and tourists alike gather at Bar Himmel, filling the steps in front of the Gothenburg Museum of Art. 

When you're on holiday you want to stretch your days out as far as possible, and the same goes for the nights. Experience Gothenburg's buzzy nightlife and strut your stuff into the wee hours. Avenyn, the city's central boulevard, is packed with clubs and is a natural meeting point for anyone looking to party. Glamorous Push from the Stockholm-based Stureplan group always draws a big crowd. As does the more house music-oriented Lounge(s) right next door. Nearby you'll also find the popular Yaki-Da, which has a lively house-party feel over four floors with different music styles in the various rooms. They often book big names. The city's more alternative types generally stick to the western part of the city, where popular spots include the legendary club and concert venue Pustervik on Järntorget. You can also kick up your heels at Port Du Soleil, dance the night away at the Stureplan group's social club Bardot or party at exclusive nightclub 8ight.

Great shopping is an important part of many people's holiday experience, and Gothenburg has something for everyone shopping-wise. As well as the huge Nordstan shopping mall, the nearby areas around Brunnsparken and Kungsgatan are classic shopping destinations. If you'd rather explore smaller design shops, head to Grönsakstorget and Magasingatan. You'll find iconic Swedish fashion brand Acne Studios there, along with cool Scandinavian concept store Grandpa. Gothenburg has something of a reputation as a denim city and several well-known jeans brands, such as Nudie Jeans Co., are based here. Haga Trätoffelfabrik & Läderaffär is the place to go if you're looking for classic Swedish clogs. Vallgatan 12 is a meeting place for fashion and interiors where you'll find trendy brands, something you'll also find plenty of at Miss Ragtime and Ted & Teresa. If you're a fan of Japanese denim Göteborg Manufaktur could be just the spot for you. Don't miss Broadway & Sons, a family-run military and vintage store which was founded in 1982 and has become famous among vintage fanatics all over the world. 

Scandinavian design is famous all over the world. Gothenburg has a wide selection of inspiring concept stores selling cool interiors details and furniture. The best-known is design temple Artilleriet, which represents both well-known brands and new design talents. Linnéstan is another neighbourhood worth visiting for anyone interested in interior design. Charming Alvhem Mäkleri & Interiör specialises in lighting and stylish details created by small-scale producers. There's something for everyone at Tell Me More in Haga, even if you haven't got much space in your luggage. The emphasis is on gorgeous interiors details, such as candle holders, which will give your home a little lift. Over 1000 square metres, Vallgatan 12 is a favourite among anyone interested in fashion and design. If you're looking for vintage, antiques, art, design and fashion, Forum Göteborg has everything you could possibly want. 

Everyone plans their holidays differently, some enjoy sightseeing while others prefer to discover new cities on their own. Of course you can always do both, and a short sightseeing tour is often a great way to learn more about a city and see sights you might otherwise miss. In Gothenburg, the famous Paddan canal boats are a classic way to experience the city. Another fun and different way to discover Gothenburg is with Ocean Bus, which is exactly what it sound like - a bus that transforms into a boat when it drives down into the water, where the tour continues.If you want to see Gothenburg from the sea, there are several options: the historic Strömma Skärgårdsbåtar have several trips to various historically significant spots and the M/S St Erik takes guests out to sea while enjoying a generous seafood buffet. If you'd rather stay on land, Stinsens Sightseeing takes visitors to different parts of town on their charming red trains. Strömma also have hop-on-hop-off busses that take you past the city's attractions. If you fancy a slightly more physical activity, you can rent a kayak or pedalo on Kajakbryggan, take a guided cycling tour with Bike Tour Gothenburg or join a guided walking tour with, for example, Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet. If you're interested in culture, peek behind the scenes of Göteborgsoperan or Göteborgs Stadsteater with one of their guided tours. 

There are masses of exciting things to do for both adults and children when visiting Gothenburg. Naturally, the city's amusement park and pride and joy Liseberg tops the list for many. The numerous rides and attractions and fun atmosphere draw in crowds of all ages. Another must-visit in this seaside city is Maritiman, a maritime museum where you can experience life on a battleship or go onboard a submarine. Children can join the museum mascot Virvelina for nautical adventures. Slottsskogen is Gothenburg's central green space and there are lots of activities just for children, many of them free. At Barnens Zoo you can stroke goats and rabbits, or try out pony riding. Kids from all over town meet up at Plikta Parklek, a fantastic outdoor playground. At the Trädgårdsföreningen, just a stone's throw from the central train station, you'll find Alfons Åbergs Kulturhus, where you can meet Alfons, a beloved Swedish children's book character, see a theatrical performance and much more.