Things to Do in Gothenburg

Since 1971, the castle has been maintained as a tourist attraction and boat cruises to the island are a popular choice for visitors to Gothenburg. Visits to Nya Älvsborg typically take the form of a dramatized guided tour, narrated by historic figures like King Christian IV of Denmark and Admiral Peder Tordenskiöld, while the castle's prison cells, square tower and chapel provide an atmospheric backdrop.

The biggest indoor food market in Gothenburg, upmarket Saluhallen hosts over forty shops and places to dine. Built in 1889 on the site of the former boatyard at Götaverkan, its iconic barrel roof was designed by Swedish architect Hans Hedlund.

Inside, shop at independently-owned delis for spices and cheeses, olives, fruits and chocolates. Look out for tasting samples as you wander! Organic, locally-sourced produce is as big as you'd expect in Sweden: look out for Saluhallen bakery, which sells all kinds of organic breads.

Saluhallen Kungstorget, also known under the name Stora Saluhallen, is located a block from the canal on Kungstorget (Royal Square) in central Gothenburg, There are lots of bistro style spots with daily-changing menus that offer everything from soup to fresh fish. A few of its restaurants stay open late for summer too, and have terrace bars where you can sit outside and enjoy the Swedish sun. 

Of course, the main draw is the amusements and there are around 40 hair-raising rides to choose from. Thrill-seekers can defy gravity on the award-winning Balder wooden roller coaster or the 1.4-kilometer Helix roller coaster; brave Europe’s tallest free falling ride, the AtmosFear; or enjoy the views atop the iconic Liseberg Ferris Wheel.

Liseberg is also the center of Gothenburg’s yuletide festivities with the amusement park getting a festive makeover during the holiday season, serving up seasonal delicacies, mulled wine and traditional handicrafts at its atmospheric Christmas market, and even erecting an Icebar, built with ice blocks shipped in from Swedish Lapland.

Join the city's creative types for a stroll around Haga and once you've finished browsing the shops and admiring the unique architecture, stop by the legendary Cafe Husaren, famous for its giant cinnamon rolls "“ a Swedish specialty "“ or relax at the stylish Hagabadet Spa. Another popular pastime is climbing the nearby RisÃ¥sberget hill, where the 17th-century Skansen Kronan fortress offers stunning views over Haga below.

The museum’s star attraction is the huge naval destroyer Smålan, measuring in at 121 meters long, but other notable vessels include the Sölve, the museum’s oldest ship, which dates back to 1875; the 69 meter long submarine Nordkaparen; and the 1915 lightship, Fladen. Highlights of a tour include visiting Småland’s secret cryptograph room, getting a glimpse of life at sea in the medical rooms, cabins and kitchens, and stepping onboard everything from fireboats and U-boats to local fishing boats. The best part is that visitors are allowed to freely roam the ships, so you can climb the ladders and ramps, check out the views from the top deck or lose yourself in the labyrinth of cargo rooms, while enjoying the interactive exhibitions.

Start your walk at Götaplatsen square, home to the City Library, Gothenburg Concert Hall and the Gothenburg Museum of Art, as well as one of the city's liveliest nightlife areas, then follow the boulevard all the way to the Rosenlund Canal, where you'll find the grand Neo-Renaissance Stora Theatre and the Kungsportbron bridge, from where boat tours set out along the city's canal ways.

Built in 1629 and known simply as Stortorget (Big Square) for two centuries, Gustaf Adolf Square gets its name from the plaza's statue of Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden from 1611 - 1632. Notice how the statue's finger points to the ground. Story goes, the king rode up Otterhällan Mountain and pointed to the fields surrounding the canal below, saying "The city shall be placed here." 

Snap a pic of yourself doing the same pose as Gustaf, and you won't be the only one. Said to be one of the great military leaders of European history, the king is said to have steered Sweden to greatness in the Thirty Years War, so Gothenburg's main square seems a fitting place for his statue.

On the north side of the square, see Gothenburg City Hall, a neoclassical dream of gleaming white pillars, and a popular place to get married. Also look out for the city's law court. Its 1934 extension, by leading Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund, has been much lauded by fans of his modernist style.

At Christmas, a huge Christmas tree lights up the center, and Gothenburg's most famous winter market fills the plaza, harking back to the 17th century when farmers' carts filled the square and boats filled with food for sale jammed the canal.

Additional highlights include the Barken Viking, an early 20th-century merchant ship permanently moored in the marina and now home to a floating hotel and restaurant, the grand Gothenburg Opera House (Goteborgsoperan) and the nearby Maritiman, a floating museum of around 20 restored ships. Lilla Bommen is also the launch-point for boat cruises to the island fortress of Nya Älvsborg.

A large part of the opera house's popularity is due to its varied roster of entertainment and the 1,300-seat stage plays host to an array of operas, musicals, classical concerts and ballets throughout the year.  Behind-the-scenes tours are also available, offering visitors the chance to peek into the dressing rooms, watch the expert wigmakers, stage designers and costume tailors at work, and browse the extensive library, said to contain over 15 tons of sheet music.

Today the busy market remains largely unchanged from its 20th-century heyday, with elaborate displays of fresh, seasonal produce and a steady stream of top chefs, local families and visiting foodies haggling over the morning's catch. From fresh-off-the-boat cod and halibut, to live spider crabs and lobsters, seafood lovers will find everything they need here, but even if you're only browsing, head to one of the food stalls or restaurants, where you can sample local delicacies like pickled herring, smoked salmon or seafood smörgÃ¥s (open sandwiches).

Today, the striking four-masted ship floats proudly in the Lilla Bommen marina and has been transformed into a hotel and restaurant, with marine-inspired decor designed to complement the ship's original fittings. Although the ship is closed to non-guests, many visitors choose to enjoy lunch or dinner at the onboard restaurant or sip a beer at the top-deck bar "“ the perfect excuse to explore Scandinavia's largest vessel.

Universeum is a public science center and museum in Gothenburg, Sweden. Opened in 2001, it offers hands-on workshops in each of its six sections, including a technology lab and an rainforest exhibit, and houses one of Europe's largest aquariums.

Universeum is divided into six sections: Health, where visitors can test their flexibility and learn about the human body; Ocean Zone, an aquarium featuring over 30,000 species of fish; Space, which houses models of space pods and immersive outer space experience; The Rainforest, a greenhouse where monkeys, birds, and sloths roam free; The Reptilarium, a collection of snakes and lizards; and Water's Way, an exhibit dedicated to the biodiversity of Sweden.

Located on Sodra Vagen, the main thoroughfare in Gothenburg, the museum is often visited in conjunction with Liseberg amusement park and the Museum of World Culture.

Centrally located on the Evenemangsstraket, or "thoroughfare of events," Universeum is easily accessible on foot or by public transit. Vasttrafik trams 6 and 8 both stop in front of the museum.

While busiest on weekend afternoons, the museum's size means that it never feels overly crowded. For a quieter visit, go on a weekday afternoon.

Your Universeum admission ticket grants you access to the Chemistry Lab, open daily 2:30"“5:30pm on weekdays and 10:30am"“5:30pm on weekends. Gear up with a lab coat and goggles: Ticketed guests can take part in hourly hands-on demonstrations that range from slime making to balloon physics. Tickets are released 15 minutes before the start of each program from the board outside the Chemistry Lab.