Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with approximately 485,000 inhabitants (2005) in the municipality. It is situated on Sweden's west coast at the outlet of the Göta river. With over 60,000 students Gothenburg is the largest university city in Scandinavia. Gothenburg has a reputation of being a friendly place, even more welcoming than the Swedish capital.
Gothenburg is a city founded in the beginning of the 17th century by the Swedish King, Gustav II Adolf. It was once the center of the Swedish ship-building industry but with rising competition from foreign ship wharves, many of the dry docks had to close down. Much of the inner harbor area has changed from industrial ship building to high technology and education, representative of the general change in the city. Today Gothenburg has both international sporting events, concerts, and conventions as well as a small town feel.
Politically it is dominated by the Social Democrats (Roughly equivalent to the British Labour Party), and has been for many years, though Swedish politics is moving slightly to the right.
The working-class history is easily visible, for example in the harbour area. Traditionally there has been few fashion houses or posh cafeterias, but that has changed in recent years with the reconstruction of the indoor malls in the city centre and with the opening of quite a number of American-styled coffee shops. In the city centre, where the university is located, there are many students.
PLACE TO VISIT
Skansen Kronan (Crown Keep) is a hilltop fortification, southwest of the city center, built in the 17th century. In the 19th century it served as a prison, and now houses a military museum. Its twin Skansen Lejonet (Lion Keep) unfortunately finds itself in the middle of a railroad and industrial area but guided tours are held the first and third Sunday of every month.
Close to Skansen Kronan is Haga, a city district with picturesque wooden houses from the 19th century. Don't forget to explore the more bohemian Långgatan streets (Första, Andra, Tredje and Fjärde Långgatan) nearby.
The indoor Fish Market, called "Feskekôrka" (Fish Church) because of the shape of the building, is located by the canal near the harbor.
Gothenburg Art Museum (Göteborgs Konstmuseum), Götaplatsen, . Housed in a magnificent edifice flanked by the theater and concert hall, it features a world-class collection of Nordic art. The adjacent Hasselblad Center periodically holds public exhibitions, and the Art Hall (free entry) features contemporary art.
Gothenburg City Museum (Göteborgs Stadsmuseum), Norra Hamngatan 12, Covers the history of the city and region from prehistoric times to the present, with emphasis on the 19th-century Swedish East India Company, which was once housed in the building.
Universeum, Södra Vägen 50 (Liseberg), A new museum focusing on the environment with an indoor rainforest, experiment workshop etc. (recommended)
Museum of World Culture, Södra Vägen 54 (Liseberg), A cultural counterpart to the science-oriented Universeum, it's a museum of ethnography and anthropology, with a thoroughly contemporary approach. There are regular special events such as concerts, films, and lectures. Free entry to some of the museum's exhibits. Entrance fee: 40 SEK per year!
Maritiman, Packhuskajen 8½, "The world's biggest floating museum of ships" consists of 19 boats of all sizes. The biggest attraction is the former military destroyer Småland.
Maritime Museum, Stigbergstorget, Majorna, explains the maritime history of Gothenburg, West Sweden and of the fishing industry; has models of sailing ships. There is a lookout, in pillar of the "Seamans wife", just by the museum where you can view the harbour.
Gothenburg Natural History Museum, Slottsskogen (Linnéplatsen), . The oldest museum in Gothenburg includes a stuffed blue whale and is situated in Slottsskogen.
Volvo Museum, Hisingen, . Yes of course, in the home town of Volvo you can view the past and present models of the Swedish car.
Kviberg Military Museum, at the former Artillery Regiment at Kviberg shows guns and equipment of the Artillery and the Anti Aircraft Artillery. Opening hours: June to August, Tuesday and Wednesday 12PM-2PM. Rest of the year Tuesday to Thursday 12PM-2PM. First Thursday of every month except January 5PM-7PM.
Slottsskogen, tram stop Linnéplatsen, a big English garden close to the Botanical Garden and a popular spot for relaxing and picnics. Within the park you'll find the Museum of nature history, a observatory, a mini golf course, and a child zoo. Slottskogen is famed for it's valley with over 60 different kinds of Azalea that blooms during early summer.
The Gothenburg Botanical Garden, Carl Skottbergs Gata 22 A, . Has an area of 175 hectares and was selected as the most beautiful garden in Sweden in 2003. Don't miss the rare Easter Island tree. Free entrance, except for the greenhouse.
Trädgårdsföreningen,. A picturesque garden in the city centre with a very nice collection of roses awarded with three stars in the Guide Michelin. No entrence fee during off season, otherwise 40 SEK.
WHAT TO DO
Liseberg, The biggest amusement park in all of Scandinavia, with lots of different rides for all ages. Be sure to try Balder, the new wooden roller-coaster. Liseberg is the number one attraction, by number of visitors, in Sweden.
The sailing ship Götheborg has returned from China and will be available for visits in Göteborg from 4 of aug 2007. During the summer it will be on tour on the westcoast. Its wharf Terra Nova has closed but an exhibition about the project has opened at Eriksberg Pir 4 (Norra älvstranden).
The Paddan,. Tourist boats run in the city canals and in the harbour.
In summer, you can go canoeing in or walking around the lake Delsjön. Only 6 km from city center, it can be a good way to experience nature.
Lisebergslinjen is a vintage tram line that runs during summer from the central station to Liseberg. Prices: Adults 18 SEK, Children 9 SEK, Small children Free.
Börjessons, . Does tourist boat tours in the archipelago every day in the summer and is very popular.
Southern Archipelago. For a low price one can visit the islands in the southern archipelago with regular passenger boats. These islands are car free and very picturesque. The boats go from the tram stop "Saltholmen". Note that it is difficult to park there. Tram tickets are valid on the boat too.
Charter a Sailing Yacht sBoats.com or yachtbooker.com give you independent information on how to find a yacht charter in Gothenburg.
Göteborg Opera House, at the Packhuskajen quay in central Göteborg. One of the world's most modern opera houses.
The square at the top of Avenyn is the location of the magnificent Gothenburg Concert Hall and the city's drama theatre.
Guldhedstornet . May till October. At 300 meters above sea-level this is the highest point and the highest café in Gothenburg. Sitting inside with a panorama view, or outside on the balcony, you get a view of the downtown, the old and new harbors, the Göta Älv River, the sea (Kattegat), the archipelago, the suburbs and the hilly, forested areas surrounding the city.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Landvetter Airport is Gothenburg's main airport, located 25 km east of the city. About 30 airlines fly to Landvetter e.g. SAS Sterling , Lufthansa , KLM , Finnair , and City Airline .
There is a Flygbussarna bus service from Landvetter into the city. It runs every 15-20 minutes, costs 75 SEK one way (140 SEK return), and the journey takes approximately 20-30 minutes. It stops at several locations (first stop near Liseberg; final stop: the Nils Ericson terminal).
By train - Trains from all different parts of Sweden arrive and leave from Centralstationen (tram Centralstationen/Drottningtorget). International train services include Copenhagen via the Öresund bridge, and Oslo. Information and booking of train tickets at SJ
By car - The roads E6, E20 and E45 pass through Gothenburg. If you come by car from Stockholm, you should take E4 and national road 40.
Be aware that parking in Gothenburg can be difficult and expensive, as free parking doesn't seem to exist. Prices per hour vary between 7 different zones and can be as high as 20 SEK per hour. Free parking is however included in the Gothenburg pass if you happen to own one.
By bus - Several coach services operate in and out of Gothenburg including Eurolines , Säfflebussen and Swebus Express . Nils Ericsson Terminalen, located in connection with the central station, is the most common bus stop.
By ship - Stena Line operates ships to/from Denmark (Frederikshavn) and Germany (Kiel). The terminals are situated near the city centre. Tramway stops: Masthuggstorget (Frederikshavn), Chapmans Torg (Kiel).
DFDS Torline is a cargo line with limited passenger capacity. They can take a small number of passengers (and their car) to Gothenburg from Belgium (Ghent) and United Kingdom (Immingham and Tilbury).
