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Top 10 ways to spend a weekend in Gothenburg

The Local Sweden
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Top 10 ways to spend a weekend in Gothenburg
Photo: Malin Skoog/imagebank.sweden.se

In The Local's new series highlighting tourist destinations across Sweden, we head to Gothenburg, the country's second biggest city, where you can eat seafood aplenty, and enjoy the beautiful islands.

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If you're taking a trip to Sweden's second biggest city for a weekend, you're going to need to know where to go and what to see.

Luckily for you, we've scoured the must-sees and what-to-dos and have come up with the definitive guide for a weekend in Gothenburg.

1. Avenyn


Photo: Göran Assner/imagebank.sweden.se

Starting at Götaplatsen and ending up by Vallgraven (the moat), Avenyn (the avenue) is probably a good a place as any to start your weekend away. It runs right through the middle of the town, so it's an easy landmark to find for even the most confused of tourists. If you like shopping, cafes, and parading along fashionable boulevards, or prefer simply drinking coffee and watching those who do, Avenyn is the place for you.

2. Slottsskogen


Photo: Marcus Hansson/Flickr

Slottsskogen (Castle Forest), labelled "the park of the people of Gothenburg since 1874", is a must-see green space, including two zoos and an abundance of flora and fauna. Take a picnic, dance at the pavilion at Gräfsnäsgården, or enjoy the fresh air with a long walk or a jog. And the best thing? It's free - even the zoos. 

Read also: The Local's ultimate guide to travel in Sweden

3. Botanical Garden


Photo: Nicho Södling/imagebank.sweden.se

If you've been to Slottsskogen and still haven't had enough of nature, head to the Botanical Garden, with its 175 hectares making it the largest of its kind in Europe. It boasts 16,000 species of plants and the largest collection of exotic lilies in Sweden. Inside its greenhouses, you can find over 1,500 species of orchids. 

4. Andra Långgatan


Photo: Carpe Lumen/Flickr

This street is the hip alternative to Avenyn; this is where the cool kids hang out, watch live music, drink beer from local micro-breweries, buy vinyl, and – perhaps the ultimate hallmark of Swedish coolness – shop second-hand. If you want to get in with the in-crowd, Andra Långgatan is the only place to be.

5. Archipela-go!


Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se

The car-free Southern Archipelago includes Köpstadsö, an island where the prime means of transporting goods is by wheelbarrow. But who needs motorized transport, anyway?

Hönö, the largest and perhaps most beautiful of the northern islands, is not only pretty but has activities such as scuba-diving and kayaking, and even a Fishing Museum for the adrenaline-phobes amongst you.

6. Liseberg and Universeum


Photo: Claeskrantz/Flickr

If you have kids, these are guaranteed smile-raisers. Liseberg theme park is full of rollercoasters, thrill-rides, and sugar-laden treats.

The Universeum Science Discovery Centre is full to the brim with animals, hands-on exhibits and giant dinosaurs with feathers. If big fluffy dinos don't tickle your fancy, there are seven floors to explore and Europe's largest aquarium. 

7. Take the paddan


Photo: Göran Assner/imagebank.sweden.se

Not heading out to the archipelago but still want to experience the water? Take the Paddan boat trip along the 17th century canals, which floats under 20 of the city's bridges.

8. Feskekôrka - Fish church


Photo: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se

Be sure to check out the Feskekôrka market - even if only to tell your friends you've been to a Fish Church – named so due to its architectural likeness to a Gothic church and the fact that it sells fish. If eating fish in a church isn't your thing, there are also brilliant options on Avenyn (See point 1). Learn more here (in Swedish).

9. Volvo Museum


Photo: Photo: Widmatt/Flickr

 If you tire of the luscious parks and romantic canals and need something a tad more mechanic or macho, head to the Volvo museum. It's filled with over 100 vehicles from the very first Volvo back in 1927, to modern day trucks, cars, construction vehicles and marine machines. Learn more here.
 

10. Way Out West


Photo: Rodrigo Rivas Ruiz/imagebank.sweden.se

If you're here in August, Way Out West is a big deal.

"It's a big music festival that takes place all over the city – in the city park and in concert clubs in the evenings – it's one of Gothenburg's biggest events," says Gothenburg's tourism officer.

If your trip takes place outside of August, don’t fret, there’s plenty of music throughout the year

Read also: The Local's ultimate guide to travel in Sweden

 

Victoria Hussey

Follow Victoria on Twitter here

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