Maritime Gothenburg is the second largest city of Sweden and is situated on the estuary of the Göta River and west coast of the country, by Kattegat Strait. It has appr. 540, 000 residents. The city was ranked as the 12th-most inventive city in the world by Forbes magazine in 2013.

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What to do and see in Gothemburg

Skansen kronan

This 17th century fortress lying on the hilltop, southwest of the city center, is one of most important sights of the city. It has been used as a prison during the 19th century and as a military museum in the 20th century. Nowadays it houses a restaurant and conference facility. In the old army barracks next to it, there is a summer café serving home baked goods.

Kronhuset

This majestic house was built in 15th century and it was briefly home of the Swedish Parliament. The buildings nearby houses currently cafes and crafts workshops.

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Art Museum

Gothenburg Art Museum (Götaplatsen 412) houses a splendid collection of 19th century Nordic art. Exhibition shows works from e.g. famous Norwegian painter Edvard Munch as well as masterpieces of Rembrandt, Picasso and Monet. Museum also offers art classes every second Wednesday.

Haga district

This historical district, locating partially on the south bank of the Göta River, has population about 4,000 and it is known as a former working class suburb full of beautiful 19th century wooden houses. Whole district was renovated in 1980s, and today it is a ”hipster area” with its cozy cafés.

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Gothenburg archipelago

The archipelago of Gothenburg is a glorious entirety of 20 islands full of treasures. There is no need to leave far away from the city to find charming villages and fascinating nature and beaches. There can be done, for example, seal safaris, sea-fishing and boat trips. The southern part of the archipelago is a car-free zone, so there are possibilities for long walks and bike rides. The whole way from the city can be done with the same ticket, which also includes the ferry from Saltholmen. The northern part is accessible with a car ferry from Lilla Varholmen at Hisingen, and in the most islands, cars are allowed.

Universeum

The Universeum, located in the nuclear center of Gothenburg, is the largest science center in Scandinavia. From seven floors can be found natural-size dinosaurs, a tropical rainforest, large aquariums and plenty of exciting experiences, which can be examined either alone or with guides. The center has a lot to offer: Swedish nature with its fishes and birds are displayed comprehensively, and in addition, you can admire, for example, sharks, rays, snakes and other poisonous animals, monkeys, sloths and caimans. The aquarium is one of the biggest in the world, and there is over three million liters of water. The center also makes you familiar with the idea how nature has inspired new technologies. Small children can try out their dream jobs at Job Land. Even a space station can be found from there. More information: https://www.universeum.se/en/

Parks

There are lots of parks in the city which are a great choice for walking in the open air, relaxation and picnic and which are loved by those with green fingers. In the compact city center it is easy to walk from the green groves of the forest Slottskogen to the flower beds of the Botanical Garden or drop by the Garden Society.

Slottsskogen

Slottsskogen (The forest of the castle) is the main park of Gothenburg. There is a zoo where you can admire elks, Gotland ponies, Gute sheep and many other Nordic animals. In summer, it is

possible to visit in the petting zoo, in which are piglets and kid goats. During the feeding time of seals and penguins it is worth of being there!

The most part of the park is natural parkland with native trees such as linden, beech, maples and oaks. The Dawn Redwood and Serbian spruce are some examples of the more exotic plants. Also azaleas are popular, although they are not native trees in Sweden.

There is also the playground Plikta, which is an excellent daytrip attraction for families. There is, for example, a 15-metre whale to climb on. Also guided activities are offered.

Gothenburg Botanical Garden

The Gothenburg Botanical Garden with the total area of 170 hectares is one of the biggest in Europe. From the different greenhouses can be found around 16 000 species. There are, for example, rock garden and herb garden. In the greenhouses are the largest collection of orchids in Sweden, carnivorous plants and the rare Easter Island tree, which is extinct in its natural environment. Annually is held several exhibitions, and the garden is open all the year round. Guided tours are offered in summer. The garden is located near the nature reserve Änggårdsbergen.

Aeroseum

Aeroseum is an aviation museum located in the former subterranean hangar of Swedish Air Force, dating from the 1950s, 30 meters below the rock surface. The place was one of the most secret defense facilities during the Cold War. There you can, for example, try the flight simulator and admire countless flight machines. In the collection are included fighter planes such as Draken and Viggen, civil aircrafts, helicopters, engines and much more. More information: http://www.aeroseum.se/

Gothenburg City Museum

In The Gothenburg City Museum you can make yourself familiar with the exciting pre-history, the 19th century life, the development of the modern industrialized Gothenburg and the only Viking ship in Sweden, Äskekärrsskeppet. The museum is located in the old, historic building of East India Company dating from the 18th century. The visitor will find out, how the Swedish people lived in this part of the country 12 000 years ago and why Gothenburg is called Swedish Amsterdam. Also temporary exhibitions about current topics, guided tours, city walks and much more are offered.

Natural History Museum

In the Gothenburg Natural History Museum you have the opportunity to admire, for example, the only mounted blue whale in the world, big African elephant and fish and birds from all over the world. In the museum, there are also presentations of Earth, life in the sea and various kinds of environmental issues. There is also a café and gift shop. More information.

Tramway museum (Göteborgs Spårvägsmuseum)

Old trams are an essential part of Gothenburg street scene. This is thanks to an uncommercial organization, Tramway Society Ringlinien (Spärvägssällskapet Ringlinien). Volunteers preserve, maintain and operate these fantastic trams in cooperation with the tram company Göteborgs Spårvägar and Gothenburg City Council. The collection has about 20 trams from the 20th century. Fifteen of them are in working order. You can make yourself familiar with these and other local-traffic related trams in the Tramway Museum, which is located in Gårda, only five minutes tram or bus ride from the city center. The visit consists of two parts. After you have examined the exhibits, a guided tour of the depot is offered, in which you can see the trams. The guide speaks Swedish and English. The oldest vehicle is a horse-drawn tram from the 1800s and the newest is from the year 1969, when the line to Angered was opened. Also documents are offered as well as a tram simulator simulating a vehicle from the 1950s. The depot dates from the

1930, but it should not be confused with the new depot situated nearby. More information: http://www.ringlinien.org

Gothenburg Cathedral

The city of Gothenburg was founded by King Gustav II Adolf in the year 1621. A church was built on the same basis where the modern cathedral is located. The modern church is already third in the same place. The original church was named in 1633 Gustavi kyrka (The church of Gustav) after the king who died in the previous year tin the battle of Lützen. The church became cathedral in 1665. The former churches were destroyed in the conflagrations of 1721 and 1802, and in 1815 the modern church was dedicated by Bishop Johan Wingård. The church representing Classical style was designed by Carl Wilhelm Carlberg. More information: http://www.svenskakyrkan.se/gbgdomkyrko/

Recreation

• Liseberg amusement park is one of the most popular in Scandinavia and a splendid all-family site. It has over 30 different rides, and many restaurants as well as stages and a dance hall. Additional to the summer season, the park is also open during November and December, and it hosts a Christmas market.
• The nature reserve around the lake Delsjön is a popular walking site.
• Paddan tourist boats offers boat rides in the city’s canal system and harbour.

Shopping

• The most important shopping area in Gothenburg is Nordstan. It is located next to the Brunssparken and main railway station. There are many shops in the street selling quality brands.
• Saluhallen near the Kungstorget square is a fascinating market hall offering fresh bread, meat and vegetables.
• Feskekôrka (fish church), opened in 1874, is a fish market hall, from which can be bought every kinds of seafood delicacies caught during the same day.
• Avenyn is the main boulevard of Gothenburg stretching from the bridge Kungsportsbron to the square Götaplatsen and the Museum of Art, the City Theatre and the Concert Hall. There are shops, restaurants and night clubs. The side streets are also worth of visiting, because smaller shops can be found from there.
• From the Magasinsgatan stretching from the square Lilla Torget to Vasastan can be found trendy shops, restaurants and bars. For example, the stores of Swedish fashion brands Acne, Velour and Emma och Malena are located there.
• The boulevard of Linné stretches from the square Järntorget to Slottsskogen Park and is full of shops, cafés, restaurants and bars. The selections of the stores include, for example, fashion, health, beauty and interior design.
• Järntorget & Långgatorna is an area offering alternative night life.
• From the student- and art area of Vasastan can be found several cafés and restaurants.
• Nordiska kompaniet located in the city center is one of the most popular department stores of Sweden, which has 4 floors and 45 shops. They sell, for example, clothes for children, men and women, books and stationery, sport, lingerie, shoes, bags, accessories, foot care and hairdressing services, manicure, facial treatments, flowers, glassware, chinaware, kitchen and hair and cosmetics products. The services include also dry cleaning, shoemaker and key service. Transportation and shipping services are given on the lower floor.
• Arkaden is a fashion and design department store in the city center, which has around 20 shops. From there can be found, for example, the stores of Zara, Vans, Mango, Tommy Hilfiger, Benetton and Tesla.

Kuvat: Wikipedia Commons with the CC licence / David Lindecrantz, Andrzej Otrębski, B****n, JensPersson, Västgöten