Gothenburg Travel Guide | What to See and Do in Gothenburg, Sweden
Gothenburg isn’t always the obvious choice for a European city break and that’s exactly its charm. Sitting on Sweden’s rugged west coast, think laid-back canals, design forward cafés & a strong seafood culture.
The Practicalities
Getting There:
Gothenburg is well connected, with frequent flights into the main airport. From there, it’s an easy transfer into the city via bus or taxi, nothing complicated after a travel day. TIP: Use Uber from the airport for a cheaper fare.
Where To Stay:
We stayed at the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Gothenburg, which is perfectly placed right in the centre. It made getting around incredibly easy, and having the spa onsite was a huge bonus after long days of exploring. It felt like a bit of a retreat without sacrificing location.
When To Visit:
Summer is ideal. The days stretch out endlessly thanks to the northern light, which means more time to explore, eat, and just enjoy being outside.
How Long To Stay:
A long weekend works perfectly. You can cover a lot in a few days while still leaving room to slow down and soak up the atmosphere.
Getting Around:
The public transport system is simple and reliable trams, buses, and ferries all connect seamlessly. Once you’re central, though, a lot of the city is walkable, which is the best way to experience it.
What to See & Do in Gothenburg
Wander through Haga
Haga is one of those neighbourhoods that feels almost too picturesque but somehow still genuine. Cobbled streets, colourful wooden houses, independent shops, and cafés tucked into every corner. It’s the perfect place to start your day slowly, coffee in hand, with nowhere particular to be.
Unwind at the hotel spa
Instead of heading to a public sauna, we kept things simple and spent time at the spa inside the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Gothenburg. It was the perfect way to slow things down: quiet, calming, and exactly what you want after a full day out. If you’re after that classic Swedish wellness experience without leaving your hotel, this is an easy win.
Take to the water on a music boat
One of the highlights of the trip was the Musiek Flotten boat. It’s a completely different way to see the city. Floating along the canals with music, a great atmosphere, and a mix of locals and visitors. It felt fun, slightly unexpected, and added a different energy to the trip.
Explore Gothenburg’s green spaces
Gothenburg has a way of blending nature into the city effortlessly. A walk through Kungsparken gives you leafy paths alongside the canals, while Trädgårdsföreningen offers something a bit more curated. It’s a peaceful break from the city streets and easy to dip in and out of as you explore.
Browse vintage and independent shops
If you enjoy slower, more thoughtful shopping, Gothenburg does it well. The vintage scene here feels curated rather than chaotic, less digging, more discovering. You’ll find a mix of Scandinavian minimalism and retro pieces, all tucked into small, independent spaces across the city.
Eat your way through the city
Food is a big part of Gothenburg’s identity. Being by the coast, seafood is a highlight, but the bakery culture might steal the show. Expect incredible pastries, strong coffee, and plenty of places to stop for a fika (which you’ll quickly realise is less of a break and more of a lifestyle).
From casual cafés to more refined dining spots, the city strikes a balance between relaxed and high quality, nothing feels overly formal, but everything feels considered.
Eat & Drink in Gothenburg
Food in Gothenburg feels grounded in its location, close to the sea, seasonal, and quietly confident. There’s no need for anything overly elaborate when the ingredients speak for themselves. Expect fresh seafood, relaxed dining rooms, and a café culture you’ll quickly fall into.
Where We Ate
Fiskbar 17
Right in the centre, Fiskbar leans fully into Gothenburg’s seafood reputation. It’s known for serving fresh fish and shellfish in a relaxed, lively setting, with dishes inspired by port cities around the world. (Fiskbar 17)
It feels social, unfussy, and exactly the kind of place you want to settle into for the evening.
Noot
A slightly more low-key spot, but still thoughtfully done. Ideal when you want something easy and well-executed without the formality, one of those places that just works.
Capricci
A shift away from seafood, Capricci brings a more comforting, European feel. Simple dishes, warm atmosphere, and the kind of place where dinner turns into a longer evening without much effort.
Ekmans
If you’re looking for something distinctly local, Ekmans is worth knowing about. Located inside Gothenburg’s iconic fish market hall, Feskekôrka, it focuses on seafood in a more casual, tapas-style format, think oysters, small plates, and drinks at the bar. It’s a great spot to try local flavours from the west coast in a setting that feels genuinely tied to the city.
Coffee & Fika (Cinnamon Buns)
Da Matteo
Fika quickly becomes part of your daily rhythm here, and Da Matteo is one of the best places to lean into it. The coffee is strong, the atmosphere is effortlessly cool, and the cardamom buns are a standout—soft, fragrant, and just sweet enough.
What to Bring Home
Lakrids by Bülow
Even if liquorice isn’t usually your thing, this is different. The chocolate-coated versions are rich, slightly salty, and surprisingly addictive—one of those things you try once and immediately wish you’d bought more of.
Final note
Gothenburg’s food scene really does centre around seafood, especially shellfish like oysters, thanks to its West coast location. Places like Ekmans and Fiskbar highlight that local connection in slightly different ways, from casual oyster bars to more polished dining.
