Are you thinking of going to Sweden's second-largest city, Gothenburg? Will you stay a couple of hours, a day or overnight? What do you want to see and do during your visit? What are the top sights? What museums and attractions are worth a visit? Which restaurant serves the tastiest food? What is the best sightseeing tour? Finally, what must-sees are available in Gothenburg? Read and be inspired by our tips on things to do!
Sightseeing – Experience Gothenburg from Land & Water
Do you want to see and know as much as possible about Gothenburg in as short a time as possible? Then a sightseeing tour is the absolute best way. You'll see sights and places all around the city – choose whether you want to go by bus or boat.
The Paddan Tour – 50 Minutes
Sweden's perhaps most classic sightseeing tour is the Paddan tour – see Gothenburg from the water, go under 20 bridges and experience the harbor area. The guide on board humorously tells you about Gothenburg's history, the port, and much more.
Hop On-Hop Off bus - Sightseeing from Land
Strommas Hop On-Hop Off buses show you interesting streets, buildings, and places from both a historical and contemporary perspective. Get on and off the bus as many times as you want. The tour is guided in 5 different languages and the entire tour takes about 50 minutes.
Hop Off-Hop Off boat – Sightseeing from the Water
See Gothenburg from the water and board a Hop On-Hop Off boat that takes you between the most famous attractions as well as you learn more about the places passed along the way. You can get on and off as many times as you want. The entire tour takes about 80 minutes.
Visit the top Attractions in Gothenburg
We have listed Gothenburg's top five most famous and popular attractions. Do you have limited time and want help to select the gems? Here are our top tips:
- Gothenburg archipelago – beautiful archipelago with barren cliffs
- Liseberg – an amusement park with rides, concerts, and restaurants
- Feskekörka – seafood market hall (temporarily closed due to renovation)
- Avenyn – Gothenburg's main street with shops and restaurants
- Slottsskogen - Gothenburg's largest, oldest, and most popular park
Tips of Things to do in Gothenburg - Places to Visit
Check out our list of things to do in Gothenburg. Choose the tips you want to do based on how much time you have and based on what you are interested in and want to know more about.
Experience the Archipelago
The Gothenburg archipelago is usually divided into two parts – the southern and the northern archipelago. The unique and special thing about the archipelago is the barren cliffs and beautiful views. Depending on how much time you have, here are three different tips for excursions in the archipelago:
Vinga – Guided Boat Excursion to Lighthouse Island
Join us on a guided boat excursion through the archipelago with a stop on the lighthouse island Vinga at the far end of the outer archipelago. See the famous lighthouse, visit the island's museum, or sit down on a cliff and gaze out over the water. Top the day by booking lunch on board the boat.
- The departure point for the boat: Lilla Bommen
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off boat.
Tour of Hisingen – 4 Hour Boat Tour
If you want to experience a classic guided boat trip around Sweden's fifth-largest island, the Tour of Hisingen is something for you. During the four-hour tour with M/S Carl Michael Bellman, you will experience Göta Älv and Nordre Älv's winding waterways, Björköfjorden and finally the Port of Gothenburg.
- The departure point for the boat: Lilla Bommen
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off boat.
Archipelago Tour
See the most and best of the archipelago aboard an archipelago boat - Archipelago Tour with guide. During the 2.5-hour tour, the guide on board will tell you about the places that are passed, including the New Älvsborg Fortress and the Port of Gothenburg.
- The departure point for the boat: Lilla Bommen
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off boat.
Gothenburg’s Best Museums
In Gothenburg, there are many interesting museums. To make the choice a little easier for you, we have listed five of the most popular ones. To several of them, you can easily travel with Strommas Hop On-Hop Off buses or boats.
The Museum of Gothenburg
12,000 years of history based on real events is what you get to experience at the Museum of Gothenburg. There are various exhibitions for both adults and children.
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off bus or boat.
The Gothenburg Art Museum
Are you interested in art? The Gothenburg Museum of Art has one of northern Europe's foremost art collections. Here, works by masters such as Rembrandt, Picasso, and van Gogh coexist with contemporary artists such as Charlotte Gyllenhammar, Lina Selander, and Cajsa von Zeipel.
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off bus.
Universeum – The National Science Centre of Sweden
At Universeum, there is science in nature, technology, and sustainable development. Go here if you can't get enough of science and adventure – from vast oceans and the Amazon rainforest to chemistry labs, experiments, technology workshops, and space.
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off bus.
The East Indiaman Götheborg
Visit the historic destination of the East Indiaman Götheborg – a replica of the ship that sank on return to the port of Gothenburg. Join us on a guided tour on board and take part in history. The East Indiaman is out sailing for periods, so check opening hours before planning a visit.
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off boat.
The Volvo Museum
Interested in cars or not – the Volvo Museum is interesting for everyone, big or small. Step into a world full of iconic car models, groundbreaking innovations, and imaginative concept vehicles. At the museum, you can follow a journey through Volvo's historical heritage, from its inception in 1927 until today.
Gothenburg’s Best Shopping
In Gothenburg city, you will find everything from small local stores to the larger brand chains – what type of shopping interests you? Here are our best tips on good shopping you can easily get to on foot or with a Hop On-Hop Off bus or boat.
Magasinsgatan – Trendy Shopping
On Magasinsgatan you will find fashion, interior design, and street food from mostly local and Swedish brands and designers.
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off bus or boat.
Nordstan – Shopping Center
Nordstan is Sweden's third largest-shopping center where there are about 200 shops and restaurants, all gathered under one roof.
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off bus or boat.
Classic department store NK
Want to shop the latest in beauty, fashion, and interior design? Then you should visit the classic department store NK on Östra Hamngatan.
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off bus or boat.
Enjoy a Great Meal – Restaurant Tips
Gothenburg is a city full of nice and reputable restaurants for both lunch and dinner. Seafood and fish belong to the west coast so several of our tips on the list below offer just that.
Shrimp and Salmon Cruise
A luxury three-hour dinner cruise in the archipelago with M/S S:t Erik. Enjoy a buffet full of delicious food from the sea, singing troubadour, and beautiful views. The buffet includes salmon, shrimp, herring, mussels, salads, and much more deliciousness.
- The departure point for the boat: Lilla Bommen
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off boat.
Brunch Cruise with M/S Göteborg
Do you want to see the southern archipelago and at the same time eat one of Gothenburg's best brunches? Then book a place onboard the archipelago boat M/S Göteborg – first-class views, a well-composed brunch buffet, and three hours in the archipelago.
- The departure point for the boat: Lilla Bommen
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off boat.
Sjömagasinet – Gastronomic Experience
Right by the water and the harbor entrance to Gothenburg is the classic Sjömagasinet where many well-known Swedish restaurateurs have left their mark over the years. It now serves gastronomic food made from the best ingredients from the sea.
Andra Långgatan – The Bar Street
At Järntorget in central Gothenburg is the popular restaurant street Andra Långgatan. Here you will find bars and restaurants with inspiration from all corners of the world. Go here and have a beer or sit down and eat something delicious!
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off bus.
Shrimp Sandwich at Heaven 23
Gothenburg's best and world-famous shrimp sandwich can be eaten in the sky bar Heaven 23, located on the 23rd floor of Gothia Tower with a view of the entire city. The restaurant also offers international cuisine with both classic and modern touches as well as good cocktails.
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off bus.
Linnégatan – Popular Street with Restaurants
From Järntorget to Slottsskogen runs Linnégatan, which is one of Gothenburg's most popular and restaurant-dense streets. The street is lined with bars and restaurants from all corners of the world.
- You can go here by Strommas Hop On-Hop Off bus.
Walking Trails in Gothenburg
One of the best ways to experience a city is to do it on foot. In this way, you get close to the places and can also feel and soak up the atmosphere. We have listed three different walking trails in Gothenburg – which one suits you?
The Garden Society of Gothenburg
In the middle of the city is one of Europe's best-preserved 19th-century parks, The Garden Society of Gothenburg. During the summer, it blooms with thousands of fragrant and colorful roses. In the greenhouse, the Palm House, there are palm trees and other tropical plants from all over the world.
Stroll through Haga
Take a walk through Haga - one of Gothenburg's oldest districts. Haga is a charming area with traditional wooden buildings and cobbled streets, and here is the defense facility Skansen Kronan. Stop and have a coffee at Café Husaren – known for its huge cinnamon buns.
The Botanical Garden
One of Western Sweden's most popular destinations is the Botanical Garden, located in Änggården. There are world-class plants and crops and in areas such as Klippträdgården, Örtagården, and Japandalen there are about 16,000 different species. Don't miss out on going up to the viewpoint Håberget!
Multi Destination Ticket - the perfect option for cruise guests
Are you visiting Gothenburg and planning shore excursions at multiple Nordic cities? Then you should choose our affordable Multi Destination Ticket – you will save both time and money. It is an unique ticket that gives you unlimited rides for 12 days with Stromma Hop On-Hop Off products in all our destinations in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
