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Introduction to Gothenburg

Welcome to Gothenburg! This is Sweden's second city and it’s a first-rate place to visit, with great seafood, festivals, green spaces, and kid-friendly attractions.

Icelandair offers return flights to Gothenburg from the US and Iceland over the summer months. Book today for your chance to experience some Swedish midsummer sunshine.

Before you explore Gothenburg's thriving food and music scene, how about comparing it with Reykjavík's on-trend offerings? When you book flights to Gothenburg with Icelandair you have the opportunity to add a stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare.

Exploring Gothenburg

Scandinavia's second cities tend to be overshadowed by the capitals, but they make for excellent, less-hyped destinations and offer a great taste of local life and cool city sights.

600,000 people call Gothenburg home – or Göteborg as it’s called in Sweden. It sits on the country’s west coast and is a great jumping-off point for the picturesque islands that make up the Gothenburg archipelago which is just a short ferry ride away.

Alongside being the birthplace of Volvo, Gothenburg consistently rates as the world’s most sustainable destination (according to the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI)). The index began in 2016, and Gothenburg has been placed at the top every year across ecological, social, and economic sustainability.

Top attractions

Start exploring with a stroll along the city's main boulevard, Kungsportsavenyn (often shortened to Avenyn). It's lined with cafes, bars and boutiques, and at its southern end you can admire the Poseidon statue before visiting the Gothenburg Museum of Fine Art.

Not far away is another highlight - the Universeum. Billed as ‘the whole world in one place’, its 10 floors are filled with animals, nature, technology and fun experiments under one roof, including a rainforest and aquarium.

You’ll also find many cultural gems along Gothenburg's canals and waterfront. In fact, there's no escaping the city's maritime history and port action at Maritiman, a floating museum full of ships, including a submarine, warships and towboats. And of course, you should visit the World of Volvo, an exhibition center dedicated to the Swedish brand.

Activities and adventures

For a fun-filled day out, one of Gothenburg’s most beloved destinations is Liseberg, Scandinavia's largest amusement park. Its rides span from rollercoasters to cute carousels, while its summer concerts, ice-cream stands, and leafy grounds are super popular with all ages.

Gothenburg also excels in green spaces. Göteborgs Botaniska Trädgård is one of the largest botanical gardens in northern Europe, and neighboring Slottskogen is a sprawling park with woods, lakes, nature trails and a zoo.

More great outdoor activities include canal tours and boat cruises. Gothenburg’s local archipelago has over 20 picturesque islands, split into a northern and southern archipelago. Some are tiny and uninhabited, while others are big enough to support a year-round population. The islands are easily reached on public transport.

Dining in Gothenburg

Gothenburg has gourmet pedigree, with five Michelin-star restaurants to choose from. And there are plenty of food markets, cafes, and the buzzing alfresco terraces too for a more laid-back dining experience. The city is also known as one of Europe's hottest craft beer hubs.

Check out the central food market, the Stora Saluhallen, to sample traditional Swedish dishes. Seafood lovers shouldn't miss the 150-year-old 'Fish Church' (Feskekörka) or fish market, with fresh treats from fishmongers and fish restaurants.

Avenyn is home to busy restaurants and pubs, but the Haga neighborhood has a more down-to-earth feel and picturesque charm. Among its wooden houses are cozy cafes where you can take part in fika, the revered Swedish custom of the coffee break, often enjoyed with a cinnamon bun.

Shopping in Gothenburg

This is Sweden, so naturally you can expect to find good design in the city. Names to know include Nordstan, a large mall close to the central station, and NK – Nordiska Kompaniet, an exclusive department store that's home to leading Swedish and Nordic design brands. The Röhsska Museum is the only museum in Sweden specializing in design and craft – as you might expect, the store here has beautiful locally crafted items.

The city-center street Magasinsgatan and the hip Majorna neighborhood, west of the center, are also popular shopping spots. In both areas you’ll find great options for browsing local design, vintage and second-hand shops, and cool cafes, too. The Haga neighborhood has a lovely selection of artisan stores and is a good place to find traditional Swedish handicrafts, art, ceramics, design, and souvenirs.

Traveling around the city

Your flight from the US will land at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport, which is about 25km (16 miles) east of the city center. Buses run frequently between the airport and the city center, a journey of approximately 20-25 minutes.

Once you get into the city, you’ll find almost everything within walking distance. But there’s also an excellent network of trams, buses, commuter trains, and ferries. The iconic blue city trams are a charming way to get around. The best way to investigate ticket options is via the app Västtrafik To Go.

In good weather, follow the city's sustainability lead and hire a bike. Gothenburg and its surrounds are great for biking. The woods and the lake areas are made for mountain biking, and along the coast, scenic country roads stretch along beautiful beaches and fields.

Go beyond Gothenburg

South of Gothenburg is the Halland coast, full of sandy beaches and campgrounds that are a summer magnet for holidaying Swedes and visitors from the US alike. In the other direction is the Bohuslän coast, one of the loveliest natural areas in the country. The rocky islets overflow with red cottages, fishing villages, seafood shacks, and yacht-filled marinas, and visiting feels like you're stepping into an advertising campaign for Idyllic Sweden. You can get an easy taste of Bohuslän on the island of Marstrand, a summer hotspot for yachties and Swedish royals that's just an hour from Gothenburg.

For some peaceful wilderness, head inland from Gothenburg and explore the forests and lakes of the Dalsland region, rich in opportunities for canoeing, cycling and hiking to your heart’s content.