10 Best Things To Do In Gothenburg, Sweden

things to do in gothenburg
Solrunn
Solrunn 
Updated
| 4 min read

It’s easy to get stuck for ideas when planning a trip to Gothenburg, Sweden. With must-see attractions and interesting sights in practically every corner of the city, here’s a little inspiration to help you along the way.

Read on to find out about the 10 top things to do in Gothenburg, Sweden:

1. Enjoy the rides at Liseberg


It doesn’t matter if you’re 10 or 85, you’re never too old for amusement parks. Liseberg has entertained the people of Gothenburg since 1923, so it’s safe to say they know what they are doing. Liseberg boasts one of the biggest roller coasters in the world, a free fall carousel, bumper cars, and many more attractions. Loke, the spinning gondola taking you 42 metres (137.8 ft) up in the air, is the latest addition but has already become a favourite with adrenaline addicts. The amusement park also holds concerts in the summer.

Liseberg

Address: Örgrytevägen 5, 402 22 Gothenburg

Website: Liseberg

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2. Explore the archipelago


Make the most out of Gothenburg’s seaside location by going on a boat ride in the stunning archipelago. Some tour operators offer high speed boats with guides on board, while certain hop-on hop-off bus tours also include boat trips. Want to take in the beauty of the archipelago for longer? Hop on a boat to Marstrand, a picturesque jetsetter destination. You could easily go there for a romantic lunch and head back to Gothenburg in the evening. Don’t forget your camera–the archipelago is full of lovely little islands with tiny doll-like houses.

Grand archipelago tour

Price: From 34 USD / 297.88 SEK

Website: Grand archipelago tour

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3. Check out Masthugg Church

things to do in gothenburg | check out masthugg church
Source: instagram

Masthugg Church is a must when visiting the Majorna neighbourhood. There are a couple of churches in the vicinity, but Masthugg is undoubtedly the most famous and became a known landmark immediately after its completion in 1914. The church is open for visits during daytime on the weekdays. But don’t despair if you’d rather come here in the evening, nothing beats a picnic on the church grounds overlooking the Gothenburg harbour.

Masthugg Church

Address: Storebackegatan 15, 413 18 Gothenburg

Website: Masthugg Church

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4. Stroll the Botanical Garden

Göteborg Botanical Garden (2860502724)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Michael Caven used under CC BY 2.0

Do you know your rhododendrons from your dahlias? There’s only one way to find out. Visit the mind-blowing Botanical Garden! It’s free to enter the garden, but the on-site green houses charge a small fee. Instead of exploring the whole garden of 175 hectares / 432.4 acres (cultivated with some 15,000 species…), there are various paths to choose from. Whatever you do, don’t miss the beautiful Japanese valley at the north end of the park.

Gothenburg Botanical Garden

Address: Carl Skottsbergs gata 22A, 413 19 Gothenburg

Website: Gothenburg Botanical Garden

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5. Visit the fish market


Gothenburg’s everlasting love for seafood is manifested in Feskekôrka, the city’s famous fish market. It’s not your ordinary tourist attraction, but truly a sight to behold for any visitor. Soak up the bustling atmosphere and check out the amazing choice of freshly caught fish and seafood. When hunger gets the best of you, there are a couple of restaurants here and if you’re on a budget it’s possible to buy a take-away box of goodies from the sea.

Feskekôrka

Address: Fisktorget 4, 411 20 Gothenburg

Website: Feskekôrka

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6. Spend a day at Universeum

Universeum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Stefan.lila used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Why not take the opportunity to learn a thing or two about the world while in Gothenburg? Scandinavia’s biggest science centre will be a fun day out for everyone, as it allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Here you can conquer an actual rainforest with sloths and everything, and enter enormous aquariums where rays swim right over your head. There is also a space section and a tech centre where visitors get to bring out their inner inventor.

Universeum

Address: Södra Vägen 50, 400 20 Gothenburg

Website: Universeum

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7. Discover the bohemian district of Haga


Haga Nygata, the main street of Haga, has become a symbol for this quirky area bursting with character. This is where you want to take your holiday selfies, trust us. It’s actually one of Gothenburg’s oldest neighbourhoods, with its pretty wooden houses kept intact. If independent cafés, second-hand shops and outdoor terraces sound like your cup tea, then Haga is an excellent choice. A Swedish ‘fika’ (coffee and pastries) break is a must!

Haga

Address: Haga, 411 22 Gothenburg

Website: Haga

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8. Get cultural at Gothenburg Museum of Art

2012-05-12
Source: Photo by Flickr user Guillaume Baviere used under CC BY 2.0

Plan to spend at least a couple of hours in the splendid Museum of Art. Centrally located by Avenyn, this six floor museum is one of the most popular attractions in Gothenburg. For as little as a few dollars you get to enjoy art by Picasso, Rembrandt, Henry Moore as well as famous Nordic artists including Edvard Munch and Anders Zorn. What’s more, your ticket gives you entry to several other museums in Gothenburg.

Gothenburg Museum of Art

Address: Götaplatsen 6, 412 56 Gothenburg

Website: Gothenburg Museum of Art

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9. Take in the views from Skansen Kronan


The fortress of Skansen Kronan from the 1600s now functions as a conference and party venue, rather than protecting the city. In fact, Skansen Kronan was never attacked, which probably is a good thing as the citizens of today get to behold this beautiful fortress. Located on a hill, it’s hard to find better views of Gothenburg, which is why people tend to gather here especially in summer. Enjoying a scoop of home-made ice cream from the café is the perfect way to while away the afternoon.

Skansen Kronan

Address: 436 50 Gothenburg

Website: Skansen Kronan

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10. Experience the Horticultural Gardens

00 3104 Trädgårdsföreningen, Göteborg
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user W. Bulach used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Few European cities love its parks and gardens as much as Gothenburg does. But then again, few cities actually boast as many extraordinary parks as Gothenburg does. The spectacular Horticultural Gardens provides an escape from reality, with its exotic 19th century palm house and a magical rose garden housing more than 1,200 kinds of roses. Why not grab a latte from the garden café and enjoy a long walk around the gardens?

Horticultural Gardens

Address: Slussgatan 1, 411 06 Gothenburg

Website: Horticultural Gardens

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Discover the best of Gothenburg

Gothenburg
Source: Photo by user Craig Dennis used under CC BY 2.0

No day is ever the same in vibrant Gothenburg. Make the most out of your visit with a wide range of activities to suit your budget and travel needs.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Solrunn loves discovering new corners of the world and writing - preferably at the same time. She currently based in the UK, which is the 5th country she's lived in. If she could travel anywhere......Read more

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