Travel Before: Gothenburg

Gothenburg Sweden

Gothenburg is Sweden's second city and the largest port in Scandinavia. Despite this, a wonderful blend of city hustle and small town friendliness has made it renowned as Sweden's friendliest city for years. In essence, Gothenburg is a vibrant city with interesting sights and an unmatched seaside atmosphere. Poseidon governs the city, the gigantic bronze sea god statue flexes his muscles in the heart of Gotaplatsen, the city’s art centre, but his realm extends much further. Seafarers auction their catch weekday mornings at the Fiskekorka, or fish church. It's an indoor fish market that got its name from the building's resemblance to a Gothic church. Although Gothenburg is a bustling city, it can be quite pretty and peaceful, especially in the many parks. Slottsskogen has lakes, birds, and a zoo with Swedish animals. Just beyond are the famous Botanical Gardens, with collections from all around the world. Museums are plentiful, but two are of particular interest. The Röhsska Museum, the national museum of Swedish design and applied art and the Gothenburg Art Museum, housed in a magnificent building flanked by the theatre and concert hall, it features a world-class collection of Nordic art. Gothenburg's Cathedral, Domkyrkan, was built in 1815 on the ruins of two earlier churches which burnt down in 1721 and 1802. The neo-classical building is located at Vastra Hamngatan in the heart of the city centre. Gothenburg is not at all an industrial city as such but more a logistic centre. No grim environments or tall chimneys at all. Instead you have a huge amount of green areas, archipelago and loads of sport and culture. The hustle and bustle of crowds, the cosmopolitan restaurants, the cafes along the popular Avery, and the nearby western coast of Sweden make this city a buzzing one.

Recommended airport

Landvetter (GOT)

Points of interest

Nearby destinations