Göteborg in two minutes
Göteborg – Sweden’s second largest city – and some say its friendliest!

A quick overview
Founded in 1621, built by the Dutch, Göteborg became an important international trading port with German then British influences.  Present-day Göteborg retains both this industrial heritage and a strong international character – a big city in a small town.

 

Göteborg really is a city of culture and contrasts.  From the Opera House overlooking Sweden’s busiest port, beautiful city parks that host classical and rock concerts, to unusual museums next to Liseberg – Scandinavia’s largest amusement park – you’re never far from the diverse delights of the city.  Göteborg life is about taking it easy too.  Famous for its cafés, it’s common to while away the hours over a coffee with friends.  Being the largest student town in Sweden, the parks are alive in summer with people playing sports, barbecuing, or just soaking up the sun.  And then there’s the food!  From the fresh catch of the day to a bewildering variety of restaurants, Göteborg is foodie-heaven.

Getting to know the city
It’s easy to quickly feel at home in Göteborg.  Both Göteborg University and Chalmers Technological University are based right in the city making Göteborg a real town for students.  Situated at the mouth of the Göta River, the centre of the city has three key areas within walking distance of each other.

Göteborg prides itself on being a city of events and major indoor and outdoor arenas for sports, music concerts, and international exhibitions are clustered in the east of the city.  This area is also home to Universeum – Sweden’s Science Centre – The Museum of World Culture, and of course Liseberg, the amusement park.

A 5-minute walk from there and you’re on the Avenue (Avenyn), the tourist heart of Göteborg.  The Art Museum, the City Theatre, and Concert Hall dominate the square – Götaplatsen – at the southern end, while the Avenue itself is packed with shops, cafés, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.  Its northern end is flanked by lush city parks bordering the city canals.  Further along are enticing shopping districts, the harbour and Nordstan, Scandinavia’s largest indoor shopping centre.

In the west of the city, the quaint Haga district houses unique boutiques and relaxing cafés along its cobbled streets.  The adjoining Linné & Långgatan area mixes old-style pubs with cool bars, contemporary arts and theatre with independent galleries, and of course, more cosy cafés with a lively restaurant scene.  Nearby are the world-renowned Botanical Gardens and Slottskogen park, home to the Way Out West music festival and the Göteborg Symphonic free summer concert.