Gothenburg

Gothenburg (Göteborg) is Sweden’s second-largest city and the gateway to the west coast. It lies where the Göta älv river flows into the Kattegat and has the largest port in Scandinavia. Gothenburg is considered more relaxed and down-to-earth than Stockholm. Its residents are known for their sense of humour, and the mix of canals, parks, seafood and islands on the doorstep makes the city a popular choice for a city break.

Last updated: October 2026

Gothenburg at a glance

• Population: 613,278 in the municipality of Gothenburg (end of 2025, according to SCB), almost 1.1 million in the Gothenburg region
• Location: west coast, in the province of Västergötland, with Bohuslän north of the river
• Founded: 1621 by King Gustav II Adolf, modelled on Dutch canal towns
• Airport: Göteborg Landvetter, around 25 km east

A brief history

Gothenburg was founded to give Sweden an ice-free port on the North Sea, away from the Øresund tolls controlled by Denmark. Dutch builders laid out the canals and fortifications, and the moat (Vallgraven) and Stora Hamnkanalen still shape the cityscape today. In the 18th century the Swedish East India Company made the city rich. Later, shipbuilding, ball bearings (SKF) and cars (Volvo) became its big industries.

The districts

Inom Vallgraven – the city centre

The historic centre lies within the old fortress moat, with Gustaf Adolfs torg, the cathedral and many shopping streets. This is also where you will find the neo-Gothic fish hall Feskekôrka (“fish church”), which sells fish and seafood.

Haga – wooden houses and cinnamon buns

Haga was once a working-class district and is now known for its restored wooden and stone houses, small shops and cafés. It is famous for the giant cinnamon bun, the “Hagabulle”. From Haga, a short, steep climb leads to the Skansen Kronan fortress, with views over the city.

Avenyn and Götaplatsen – culture and nightlife

The grand boulevard Kungsportsavenyn, known as “Avenyn”, leads up to Götaplatsen and Carl Milles’s Poseidon statue. The art museum, city library, city theatre and concert hall are all here.

Linnéstaden and Majorna

The districts south-west of the centre are quieter, with old apartment buildings, restaurants and the large park Slottsskogen, which has a small animal park with moose, seals and penguins. Admission is free.

Top sights

• Liseberg: one of Scandinavia’s largest amusement parks, right in the city. In winter it turns into a large Christmas market.
• Universeum: a science centre with a rainforest, aquarium and experiments, ideal for families.
• Göteborgs konstmuseum: Nordic art from Carl Larsson to Edvard Munch on Götaplatsen.
• Botanical Garden: one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe, with a nature reserve and greenhouses.
• Nya Älvsborg: a 17th-century island fortress at the harbour entrance, reachable by boat in summer.
• Volvo Museum: car history on the island of Hisingen, a must for fans of the brand.

The southern archipelago

A highlight of any visit to Gothenburg is the car-free archipelago islands south of the city, such as Styrsö, Vrångö, Brännö and Asperö. The ferries from the Saltholmen pier are part of Västtrafik’s public transport network and can be used with a regular city ticket. The islands have swimming spots on smooth rocks, walking trails and small cafés. If you want to explore the coast further north, see our West Coast and Bohuslän page.

Our tips for your visit

• Take a canal boat: the Paddan boats run through the canals and under some very low bridges in the warmer months.
• Try the seafood: shrimp sandwiches, lobster in autumn and fresh oysters from Bohuslän are all part of the Gothenburg experience.
• Summer events: the Way Out West music festival in August and the Gothia Cup youth football tournament in July draw large crowds. In January and February, the Göteborg Film Festival, one of the largest in Scandinavia, takes place. Book accommodation early for these dates.
• On foot or by bike: the city centre is compact, and rental bikes are available at many stations.

Getting around Gothenburg

Gothenburg has the largest tram network in Sweden. Trams, buses and ferries are run by Västtrafik; buy tickets in the app or pay contactlessly. As in Stockholm, cars pay a congestion tax in the city centre.

The city is one big building site: the Västlänken (West Link) rail tunnel is being built under the centre. According to the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), the new underground Centralen station is due to open as a terminus in December 2026, with the full tunnel and the Haga and Korsvägen stations expected in 2030. Until then, expect diversions and construction fences, especially around Central Station.

Getting there

• By ferry: an overnight ferry runs directly from Kiel to Gothenburg, ideal if you are travelling by car. The crossing from Frederikshavn in Denmark takes only a few hours.
• By train: trains run along the west coast from Copenhagen and Malmö. From Stockholm, the high-speed train takes about three hours.
• By plane: from Landvetter Airport, airport coaches reach the centre in about 30 minutes.

All routes to Sweden at a glance: Getting to Sweden.

Best time to visit

Gothenburg is at its best from May to September, when the canal boats run and the islands are perfect for swimming. The west coast is milder than the east of the country but also wetter, so pack a rain jacket. Autumn brings the lobster season, and December the Christmas market at Liseberg. More on our Best Time to Visit Sweden page.

Sources and further information

• SCB: Population statistics 2025
• Trafikverket: Västlänken – current status of the tunnel project
• Göteborg & Co – official tourism website
• Västtrafik – public transport and archipelago ferries