Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden, is slowly gaining popularity. Therefore, it is worth visiting before it finds itself on the radar of tourist guides.
Built in the 17th century, Gothenburg was created as a planned trading post at the height of the power of the Swedish Empire. As the largest port in Sweden, it became a center of shipbuilding, which is responsible for the accumulation of wealth in this part of the country. Despite the latter, the city managed to maintain a rather down-to-earth, working-class character. The wave of construction in the 1920s saw the creation of a number of cultural centers in the city, including the Art Museum, which you should not miss during your visit.
When to Gothenburg?
The best period to visit the city is between May and August, when the temperatures are pleasantly spring-like - 23 C. In winter, it can be quite cold.
Photo: Unsplash/Aron FjellWhat should I see in Gothenburg?
Prestigious Gothenburg Museum of Art were opened in 1923, in time for the international exhibition that was held in the city at the time. The Gothenburg Museum of Art is well worth a visit with its magnificent architecture and impressive collection of artworks. The museum is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, as its collection includes works of art dating from the beginning of the 15th century to the present day.
The most interesting is the collection of Nordic art from the 19th century, created by famous and well-known names such as Edvard Munch, Peder Severin Krøyer, Bruno Liljefors and Anders Zorn. Among the French works, you can find works by Gauguin, Picasso, Monet, Chagall and van Gogh. For fans of the Renaissance and Baroque, there are works by van Dyck, Rembrandt, Rubens and Jacob Jordaens.
If you want to find inspiration for artistic expression yourself, visit the botanical garden. Gothenburg Botanical Garden covers 175 hectares and also includes a nature reserve and an arboretum. Around 4,000 types of plants are kept in greenhouses, so the attraction is full of life in all seasons. In the botanical garden, you can also find the Easter Island tree, which will delight botanists, as it is extinct in its natural habitat.
Photo: Unsplash/Linda Tate WolfbardLooking for something more exciting and fun? Liseberg Amusement Park is the correct address. The fun-filled park from 1923 with a traditional character is interspersed with green forests and flowering plantations, above which entertainment attractions rise. The Helix steel roller coaster was introduced in 2014, and the state-of-the-art Valkyria is in 2018.
After the entertainment experience, take a walk around neighborhood of The Hague. The former shanty town with a bad reputation is now a modern neighborhood with plenty of excellent restaurants, cafes and shops. Here you will find a network of cobbled streets surrounded by brick warehouses and houses with uniform wooden facades from the 19th century. These charming buildings were slated to be demolished during renovations in the 1970s, but Gothenburgers fought back to preserve the neighborhood's character.
Southwest of The Hague is the main city park, its eastern side is planned as an English garden, everything else is left to nature and forests. But as mentioned, it is also worth getting on a boat and exploring the nearby archipelago. In the vicinity of Gothenburg, you can go on a trip to the small granite islands of the southern and northern Gothenburg archipelago.
Photo: Unsplash/Ellen MelinHow to explore Gothenburg?
The easiest way to get around Gothenburg is by tram. You can take up to three children with you when using a 24- or 72-hour ticket, making it an affordable option for families. If you prefer to travel by bus or ferry, you can use the mentioned tickets there as well.
How much is a plane ticket to Gothenburg?
You can get flight tickets from Vienna to Gothenburg with Ryanair from 30 euros.
Photo: Unsplash/Aron FjellCovid-19 restrictions in Sweden
Even during the epidemic, Sweden had rather relaxed conditions for entry, so even today it is not necessary to show vaccination certificates or negative test results when entering the country. Check all current information about Covid-19 restrictions HERE.
Accommodation in Gothenburg
Hotell Onyxen
The hotel is located in a building from the 19th century, opposite the Scandinavium arena. The luxuriously furnished hotel offers guests free coffee and tea throughout the day, and Italian dishes are served in the hotel restaurant. Liseberg Amusement Park and the main Avenue Avenue are a 10-minute walk away.
Bellora Hotel & Restaurant
This stylish boutique hotel overlooks the main street Avenyn in central Gothenburg. It offers rooms with a flat-screen TV and free WiFi. Tram station Valand is 100 m away. Sights such as Liseberg Amusement Park and Ullevi Stadium are a 15-minute walk away.
