A perfect city break in Gothenburg

Gothenburg’s appeal is diverse but its coastal location and maritime heritage play a central role. With an archipelago of 1,000 islands scattered around its shores, Gothenburg offers a wonderful, rocky playground which can easily be explored by visitors. Take a tram to Saltholmen and a ferry on to the southern archipelago for walks through quaint villages with picturesque, cheerfully painted wooden houses. Enjoy a taste of island life - go swimming and sailing followed by a laze in the sun and a taste of the ocean’s plentiful supply of first-rate seafood.

Sweden’s West Coast produces some of the best fish and shellfish in the world and has helped Gothenburg build a burgeoning reputation as an award-winning, gourmet destination. Visitors are spoilt for choice with dining options ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to cafes and bistros. In fact, Gothenburg’s foodie focus means it has no less than four Michelin-rated restaurants, with prices cheaper than many of their counterparts in other European cities. Try the laid-back elegance of Fond, overlooking Gotaplatsen, for a dining experience to savour, or crack open a crayfish or two during a seafood buffet at Restaurang Gabriel, above the Feskekorka fish market. Eating out in Gothenburg will by no means break the bank as most restaurants serve a daily lunch special for £5-10, including a main course, drink, salad and coffee. Continue a food-themed journey through the city with a visit to the bustling Saluhallen market for more delicacies. Stop off at a coffee shop in the old town, Haga, or along the main boulevard, Avenyn, for cosy seat and a cake while you decide where next to visit.

Gothenburg is a compact city which makes exploring it on foot a breeze. And with attractive thoroughfares to tread, plus canals and parks to see, this is one of the most enjoyable ways to visit it. Avenyn, lined with cafés, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, is a great place to stay, right in the heart of the entertainment district. And from here, all the main attractions are close at hand. Stroll down to the waterfront with its striking Opera House, naval ships and Maritime Museum, or check out the city’s wide range of interesting museums. Children will need to be dragged away from the interactive fun of Universeum, the inventive science and discovery centre. Top-up your cultural intake with a visit to the Art Museum, with fine Nordic art collections, the Museum of World Cultures or the Röhsska Museum for Design and Decorative Arts - Sweden’s only museum of design. For out and out fun, enter Liseberg, the Nordic region’s biggest amusement park, with a pulse-quickening selection of roller coasters, rides and attractions. With attractive flowerbeds, a real parkland setting and restaurants, it’s a pleasant change from some of the amusement parks which can be found in the UK.

A number of other parks in and around Gothenburg provide the city with its lungs. Trädgårdsföreningen, the Horticultural Society Gardens, provides a green oasis in the centre with rose, herb and spice gardens and expansive lawns. The Botanical Garden will be at the heart of the celebrations to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of botanist Carl Linnaeus when the Linnaeus Garden opens on 30 June, hot on the heels of its appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show.

No city break would be complete without a bit of shopping and visitors’ faces will light up when they discover the interesting little shops lining the cobbled streets and passageways. Get a feel for Swedish style in the boutiques and wander through the impressive Nordstan centre for a mighty selection of stores.    

The Gothenburg Pass is a great value way to explore the city. The pass gives you free entry to the city’s top attractions - including Liseberg and all the museums mentioned here - as well as a host of other venues and activities. Don’t forget to take a Paddan canal cruise to see Gothenburg from the water. The pass also offers free transport on buses, trams, trains and boats plus a host of discounts at stores and eateries. You’ll even enjoy a 50% discount on the airport bus, transporting you right to the heart of the city.