Tourist in Gothenburg - your complete guide

Tourist in Gothenburg - your complete guide

Gothenburg has everything you could wish for as a tourist: a rich cultural life, world-class food and drink, great shopping, fascinating history and proximity to the sea and the countless islands of the archipelago. In other words, there's plenty to do. In order to tailormake your holiday in Gothenburg, we've put together a complete guide for anyone visiting Gothenburg as a tourist. You'll find the city's best restaurants, bars, cafés and hotels, along with recommendations for museums, shopping, attractions and activities for children. We hope you have a wonderful stay in Gothenburg!

In this guide
  1. Guide for tourists in Gothenburg
    1. Hotels
    2. Museums
    3. Restaurants
    4. Cafés
    5. Nightclubs
    6. Shopping - fashion
    7. Sightseeing

Guide for tourists in Gothenburg

Hotels

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.

Världskultur­museet – Tourist in Gothenburg
Världskultur­museet
Världskultur­museet – Tourist in Gothenburg
Världskultur­museet
Världskultur­museet – Tourist in Gothenburg
Världskultur­museet
Världskultur­museet – Tourist in Gothenburg
Världskultur­museet
Göteborgs konstmuseum Hasselblad Foundation Röhsska museet Världskultur­museet Göteborgs stadsmuseum Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet Göteborg
Göteborgs konstmuseum
goteborgskonstmuseum.se
Hasselblad Foundation
hasselbladfoundation.org
Röhsska museet
rohsska.se
Världskultur­museet
varldskulturmuseerna.se/varldskulturmuseet
Göteborgs stadsmuseum
goteborgsstadsmuseum.se
Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet Göteborg
sjofartsmuseetakvariet.se
Göteborgs konstmuseum
@goteborgskonstmuseum
Hasselblad Foundation
@hasselbladfoundation
Röhsska museet
@rohsska
Världskultur­museet
@varldskulturmuseet
Göteborgs stadsmuseum
@stadsmuseetgbg
Göteborgs konstmuseum Hasselblad Foundation Röhsska museet Världskultur­museet Göteborgs stadsmuseum Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet Göteborg

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 sealife and see what life was like in the dockyards.

  • Götaplatsen, Centrum/Avenyn Ekmansgatan 8, Centrum Vasagatan 37-39, Centrum Södra Vägen 54, Centrum/Johanneberg Norra Hamngatan 12, Centrum Karl Johansgatan 1-3, Majorna
    Göteborgs konstmuseum
    Götaplatsen, Centrum/Avenyn
    Hasselblad Foundation
    Ekmansgatan 8, Centrum
    Röhsska museet
    Vasagatan 37-39, Centrum
    Världskultur­museet
    Södra Vägen 54, Centrum/Johanneberg
    Göteborgs stadsmuseum
    Norra Hamngatan 12, Centrum
    Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet Göteborg
    Karl Johansgatan 1-3, Majorna
  • Göteborgs konstmuseum
    goteborgskonstmuseum.se
    Hasselblad Foundation
    hasselbladfoundation.org
    Röhsska museet
    rohsska.se
    Världskultur­museet
    varldskulturmuseerna.se/varldskulturmuseet
    Göteborgs stadsmuseum
    goteborgsstadsmuseum.se
    Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet Göteborg
    sjofartsmuseetakvariet.se
    Göteborgs konstmuseum
    031-368 35 00
    Hasselblad Foundation
    031-778 21 50
    Röhsska museet
    031-368 31 50
    Världskultur­museet
    010-456 12 00
    Göteborgs stadsmuseum
    031-368 36 00
    Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet Göteborg
    031-368 35 50
  • Göteborgs konstmuseum Hasselblad Foundation Röhsska museet Världskultur­museet Göteborgs stadsmuseum Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet Göteborg

Restaurants

Gothenburg has a fantastic restaurant scene, offering something for tastes and wallets. Pan-Asian Toso is famous for its top quality, Asian-inspired medium-sized dishes and unique atmosphere. If you're looking for Scandinavian flavours and grown-up luxury, book a table at Koka, one of the six restaurants in Gothenburg with a Michelin star. For a slightly more relaxed and rustic vibe, The Barn American/Swedish fusion restaurant is a great option. Burgers are taken very seriously here. If you want to experience Swedish food and snaps and a slice of Gothenburg's restaurant history, a visit to Kungsportshuset Matbar is recommended. Cellar restaurant Totale serves up locally-produced and organic produce, food is cooked over open fire and there's always a lively atmosphere. If you're looking for really great vegan food, head to Blackbird. Or want to try some really classic Gothenburg dishes? The prawn sandwiches at Heaven 23 are legendary and they're accompanied by fantastic views over the city. Are meatballs on your wish list? Berzelius and the classic budget alternative Café du Nord really know their meatballs.

Cafés

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. Bagel fans and New York aficionados should head to Jimmy & Joan's New York, just off Avenyn. 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. In Majorna, the vegan Crippas Café is a popular spot, both for fika and lunch. If you'd rather stay put in the city centre, you're guaranteed an excellent cup of coffee at the retro-trendy Viktors Kaffe.

  • See also : Gothenburg's best cafés

Nightclubs

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.

Shopping - fashion

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 shoppig 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 Dr. Denim Gallery and Nudie Jeans Co., are based here. If you're on the hunt for stylish shoes, Lester Store sells high-quality leather shoes and boots, while Sneakers Corner stocks the latest sneakers in a cool concept store. som satsar på coola sneakers och en unik shoppingupplevelse bland arkadspel. Haga Trätoffelfabrik & Läderaffär is the place to go if you're looking for classic Swedish clogs.

Ocean Bus – Tourist in Gothenburg
Ocean Bus
Ocean Bus – Tourist in Gothenburg
Ocean Bus
Ocean Bus Paddan Strömma Skärgårdsbåtar M/S St Erik Stinsens Sightseeing
Ocean Bus
oceanbus.se/goteborgsturen
Paddan
stromma.com/sv-se/goteborg/sightseeing/batsightseeing/rundtur-paddan
Strömma Skärgårdsbåtar
stromma.com/sv-se/goteborg
M/S St Erik
stromma.se
Stinsens Sightseeing
stinsensightseeing.se
Ocean Bus
@oceanbusgoteborg
Strömma Skärgårdsbåtar
@strommagoteborg
M/S St Erik
@strommagroup
Ocean Bus Paddan Strömma Skärgårdsbåtar M/S St Erik Stinsens Sightseeing

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. 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.

  • Kungsparken 1, Centrum Kungsportsplatsen, Centrum Pusterviksgatan 13, Linné Lilla Bommen, Centrum Gustaf Adolfs Torg, Centrum
    Ocean Bus
    Kungsparken 1, Centrum
    Paddan
    Kungsportsplatsen, Centrum
    Strömma Skärgårdsbåtar
    Pusterviksgatan 13, Linné
    M/S St Erik
    Lilla Bommen, Centrum
    Stinsens Sightseeing
    Gustaf Adolfs Torg, Centrum
  • Ocean Bus
    oceanbus.se/goteborgsturen
    Paddan
    stromma.com/sv-se/goteborg/sightseeing/batsightseeing/rundtur-paddan
    Strömma Skärgårdsbåtar
    stromma.com/sv-se/goteborg
    M/S St Erik
    stromma.se
    Stinsens Sightseeing
    stinsensightseeing.se
    Ocean Bus
    070-961 50 55
    Paddan
    031-60 96 60
    Strömma Skärgårdsbåtar
    031-60 96 70
    M/S St Erik
    031-60 96 70
    Stinsens Sightseeing
    070-761 64 86
  • Ocean Bus Paddan Strömma Skärgårdsbåtar M/S St Erik Stinsens Sightseeing

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.