Gothenburg: City Trip and Island Vacation Combined

Have you visited Sweden's capital, Stockholm, and want to explore another Swedish metropolis? Then Gothenburg is the best choice. The country's second-largest city is located on the picturesque west coast, opposite Denmark's northernmost point, and is repeatedly awarded for its sustainability.

In the city, cultural and historical attractions combine with culinary highlights, just a short boat ride from the archipelago's islands. Gothenburg is a wonderful city to enjoy all the benefits of a metropolis, then relax on one of the islands. We'll show you which attractions you shouldn't miss in Gothenburg and which are the most beautiful islands of the archipelago.

Whether you're interested in history, architecture, museums, or cuisine, Gothenburg has something for everyone. Some of the city's most beautiful attractions include:

Picturesque old town alleys with small shops and cozy cafes? You can find them in Gothenburg's old town, known as Haga. The houses typically have a lower part made of stone and an upper part made of wood. The oldest house has stood since 1790. The heart of this district is the Haga Nygata street, branching off from Järntoget Square.

Haga is largely car-free and ideal for a leisurely stroll or picking up souvenirs for loved ones at home. A popular spot is the Haga Wooden Clog Factory, where beautiful items made from leather and traditional Swedish clogs are crafted.

Very important: When you are in Haga, indulge in a 'Fika', which is the Swedish coffee break. It includes a coffee and something sweet, like a cinnamon roll. If you're very hungry, we recommend Café Husaren - it is said to have the largest cinnamon rolls in the country!

Once you've refueled in Haga, a visit to Skansen Kronan in the old town is worth it; this is a fortress from the 17th century. The octagonal tower of the fortress is impressive, but most visitors are even more thrilled by the view: over Gothenburg and its harbor.

The fortress is surrounded by plenty of greenery with benches and areas for picnicking. In other words, here you'll find a moment of relaxation if your feet are sore from exploring the city.

The Oscar Fredrik Church is the most imposing place of worship in Gothenburg and sits atop Dahlinsberg Hill. The red, conspicuous brick building in a neo-Gothic style opened in 1892. The green towers provide a beautiful contrast to the red facade and became green only due to weather influences!

The Oscar Fredrik Church is considered one of the most impressive neo-Gothic churches in Sweden and looks nothing like typical Nordic church styles. Instead, it resembles a cathedral in central Europe. A look inside is worthwhile, where you will find, among other things, a triptych altar and a lovely rose window.

Regardless of whether you like fish or not, the Gothenburg Fish Market (called 'Feskekörka' in the Gothenburg dialect) from 1874 is worth a visit due to its unique architecture. It shows influences from Norwegian stave churches and Gothic stone churches and has no partitions or columns.

Inside, locals love to buy fresh fish and seafood delicacies. For a quick snack, there are fish sandwiches or other small treats, and for a larger appetite, there are two fish restaurants. From Sunday to Thursday, the fish hall is open from 11:30 AM to 11 PM, and on Friday and Saturday from 12 PM to 1 AM.

Gothenburg is home to Sweden's largest port, where you'll also find several tourist attractions. Some historic ships are open for visits, and the Maritiman Experience Museum with its submarine is worth a visit.

The harbor's most striking feature is the red-and-white striped skyscraper called 'Lilla Bommen', often referred to as 'The Lipstick'. It is considered one of the city's landmarks and has a popular observation deck at 282 feet. At the time of research, the platform was closed due to renovation work - so it's best to check if it's open before your planned visit.

Whether you are a plant lover or looking for a retreat in nature, the Gothenburg Botanical Garden is a city highlight. It spans 185 acres and contains about 20,000 different plant species. The 'Rock Garden' with around 5,000 species is particularly beautiful and has been awarded three Michelin stars.

Don't miss the Rhododendron Valley or the Japanese Garden either. There, you not only get an insight into the world of Japanese plants but also can breathe in the aesthetically designed ambiance, where you will feel transported to Japan.

Want to sit back after city exploring and continue getting to know Gothenburg? Then a Paddan Boat Tour through the city's canals is worth it, passing by numerous sights and under many beautiful bridges. One of the most beautiful bridges is the 3,060-foot-long suspension bridge Älvborgsbron, even considered one of Gothenburg's landmarks.

You can find the excursion boats, for example, at Kungsportsplatsen, and a tour lasts about an hour.

If you're interested in art, Gothenburg's Art Museum is the perfect destination for you. It has been awarded three Michelin stars and houses a Nordic collection dating back to the 15th century. You will find works by Rembrandt, Edvard Munch, and Anders Zorn among others.

There are also exciting temporary exhibitions and activities for children - in addition to the museum shop and a cafe for a 'Fika' in between. Currently (until January 2025), the exhibition 'Ilon Wikland's Worlds of Images' around the theme of legends, adventures, and everyday life might impress visitors, especially younger ones.

If art is not your thing but you like history, then instead of the art museum, the Gothenburg City Museum is the right place for you. There, you dive deep into the history of Gothenburg and learn how the city developed into an important trading port. The museum building itself, from the 18th century, is interesting and once belonged to the East India Company.

The exhibition includes historical boats, documents, pictures, and weapons, showcasing the development of 'Älvsborg', the predecessor to modern Gothenburg. The region is said to have been settled by people as early as about 12,000 years ago. For children, there is a special kids' museum with options for playing, climbing, and building.

A name has been connected to Gothenburg since 1923 - Liseberg, a 49-acre amusement and theme park, is a great destination for families with children. The rides are very creative, with not just a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster, but also flying teacups and the infamous 'AtmosFear'. Expect 'Europe's longest free fall' of 381 feet at 68 mph - not for the faint-hearted!

In addition to the rides, there's stage entertainment, the theme of Nordic mythology, and wonderful attractions during Advent and Christmas time. An ice bar with ice brought from northern Sweden is one of the highlights.

Have you had enough of the city air and you're ready for the islands? Gothenburg offers plenty of opportunities. For instance, you can explore the archipelago's islands with an excursion boat for a few hours or a day, with or without stops on various islands.

However, you can easily arrange the island hopping yourself thanks to many ferry connections and stay on any island for as long as you wish. Here are some of the most beautiful islands of the Gothenburg archipelago:

The island of Styrsö is located at the heart of the Gothenburg archipelago and is home to about 1,400 people. You'll experience a relaxing, authentic island life with small shops, cafes, and restaurants in the four villages on the island. The oldest village is Byn, with a small church dating back to 1752. Besides, the traditional fishing village of Tången with its cozy alleys is worth a visit.

From the island's highest point, called Stora Rös, you have a fantastic view, even up to Bohuslän's outer archipelago on clear days. Styrsö also has some beautiful sandy beaches, such as Uttervik in the northwest or Bratten in the north.

Donsö, with its roughly 1,500 residents, lies east of Styrsö and revolves around fishing and shipping. You can best explore the island by its walking trails, naturally taking breaks to dive into the sea at the cozy small beaches. Alternatively, you can rent a kayak to appreciate the shore from a different perspective.

In the restaurants, you can enjoy freshly caught fish and seafood, and if you get bored, you can stroll over to Styrsö across the Styrsöbron bridge.

The southernmost inhabited island of the Gothenburg archipelago is Vrångö, home to about 380 people. They predominantly live off fishing, so you'll also enjoy delicious fresh fish in the island's restaurants. A special experience is staying overnight in a fisherman's cabin (with a bathroom) on the west coast.

Most notably, Vrångö is known as a nature paradise with nature reserves, a pilot lookout, and lovely rock and sandy beaches. One of the prettiest sand beaches is located on the east coast, north of the island village. The islet is car-free, so it's best explored on foot or by bicycle. Locals sometimes use cargo motorcycles for transportation.

Also easily accessible from Gothenburg by ferry is the historic island Asperö, whose first house is said to have been built around 1550. Today, Asperö is entirely under nature protection, making it perfect for nature lovers as well as for those who want to relax by swimming.

You can circle the island on foot in about two hours while observing the varied landscapes. If you still have energy afterward, it's worth visiting the Gula Udde headland with the Valen lookout point. From there, you have a wonderful view over the surrounding islets and across to Gothenburg.

Brännö is livelier than some of the other islands in the Gothenburg archipelago, even though the island has only about 800 permanent residents. Brännö is well-known through the ballads of singer-songwriter Lasse Dahlqvist. Music is generally significant on the island: traditional summer dances are performed in the village of Husvik in the southwest in the summer.

Small houses and narrow streets are part of the island ambiance, as are lovely beaches and bays. Near Husvik, there's the child-friendly Ramsdal beach, and in the north, the sandy beach Gröna Vik. The island has several restaurants and inns, as well as an interesting local museum, where you can learn more about Brännö and its history.

Fancy an uninhabited island with only a nature reserve? Then don't miss Galterö. You'll find 1,609 acres of nature offering a genuine wilderness feeling not far from the city. Moreover, swimming in the sandy bay in the northwest is popular. The beach meadows host many rare plant species and serve as a nesting site for birds.

In summer, you can see many sheep in the meadows, tasked with keeping the island free of scrub in the long term. You reach Galterö by ferry to Brännö first. From there, a pedestrian bridge leads to Galterö.

Although Hönö is the largest island in the Gothenburg archipelago, it's still considered an insider tip on Sweden's west coast. You arrive at the harbor where you find food and accommodation. On Hönö, bicycles are primarily used to get from one place to another, so it's best to rent one too. When you've explored all of Hönö, you can even cycle to the neighboring island of Öckerö. Keep an eye out for seals sunning themselves on the rocks.

A great attraction on the island is the Ersdalen nature reserve in the northwest, featuring beaches made of cliffs or sand and bouldering spots. Another must on Hönö: try the island's own bread, Hönökaka, which is popular throughout Sweden. At Havskatten, you can even bake it yourself in a wood-fired oven!

As just mentioned, the island of Öckerö is reachable via bridge from Hönö. There you can spend relaxing days in a bed and breakfast or a simple hut, enjoying walks in the nature. Around the island, there are ideal bays and beaches for swimming.

If you'd like to continue island hopping without a ferry, there's another bridge to the island of Halsö, which has food options as well, located north of Öckerö.