As the sun goes down, bright lights from stately buildings reflects off the sedate Göta älv River, and the city’s nightlife begins to awaken. Gothenburg, Sweden‘s second largest city, is one of its most handsome and known for hosting some of Scandinavia’s largest film and music festivals.
Influenced by the Dutch, Germans and Scots, the city is charaterised by wide avenues and elegant squares with a network of canals weaving their way past imposing neoclassical buildings from the 18th century. Gothenburg, which sits on the west coast, is a wonderfully relaxed city and one that is absolutely perfect for exploring on foot.
The old town is a wonderful place to start, its grid of streets lined with beautiful buildings and museums. There are also parks to explore and spend long, lazy afternoons in, and for those who love the nightlife, the main boulevard Avenyn is home to a variety of music venues and bars.
Gothenburg also has a buzzing café culture and is known for its fresh seafood. The city is a haven for foodies with wonderful markets, plenty of great restaurants and lots of bars from which to sit and watch the world go by.
When to go
For the best weather, visit Gothenburg in summer, from June to August. The days don't get too hot, so spending time sightseeing is pleasant, and in July the sun can set at around midnight so you'll have plenty of time for enjoying the outdoors.
What to do
- Browse museums and galleries like the Museum of World Culture, the Gothenburg Museum of Art and the Aeroseum, housed in a former underground air force base.
- Families can head to Liseberg, Scandinavia’s largest amusement park, in the middle of the city, or visit some of the city’s theatres.
- Pay a visit to the Feskekôrka (fish church) that was built in 1874 and looks like a church.
- Wander through the city and you’ll be able to see evidence of the changing architectural styles and trends over the years.
