Gothenburg: Archipelago, Museums and City History

From the Saltholmen ferry terminals or Stenpiren in central Gothenburg, public ferries take you to the southern islands of the Gothenburg archipelago. There, beaches and nature reserves meet hidden swimming spots, saunas with views of the Vinga lighthouse and seal safaris. Ferry services, timetables and individual activities may change; check the details when planning an island day.

Green Spaces and Park History

The Gothenburg Botanical Garden combines landscaped plant collections with a more expansive setting: its cultivated section covers 20 hectares and is home to 20,000 species and cultivars from more than 130 countries. Collection figures may be updated over time. The garden also includes a 55-hectare arboretum in the Änggårdsbergen nature reserve. Scheduled public tours run throughout the year; private groups can also arrange a tour, when possible.

Slottsskogen has large lawns with space for picnics. When the park was laid out in 1874, its features included winding paths, a zoo, houses modeled on those from various countries and a dance pavilion. The zoo is open year-round and free to visit; check current visitor information before your trip.

Museums and Hands-On Experiences

The Museum of Gothenburg has four permanent exhibitions on the city’s history. Their themes range from a medieval silver heart to the world’s first Volvo. The Äskekärr ship is also on display, and the museum explores the history of the Vikings. The exhibition setup may change.

The Röhsska Museum focuses on design, crafts and fashion. Its collection comprises around 50,000 objects; the permanent exhibition Designhistorier displays more than 500 items from the museum’s collection. The open storage area features a selection of chairs from a collection spanning more than 300 years. Access to the open storage area may vary during booked conferences.

Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet combines maritime themes with an aquarium that is home to animals and fish from around the world. It also has one of Europe’s largest aquariums for live corals. You can navigate a simulated ship as it enters Gothenburg’s harbor. Aeroseum has a different focus: its exhibitions primarily cover the Cold War as well as aviation. The simulator hall contains several aircraft and a helicopter; interactive exhibitions and Aero stations invite visitors to experiment with technology and physics.

At Universeum, science, technology and mathematics come together with experiences exploring topics from atoms and artificial intelligence to ecosystems and equations. The venue is also home to Wisdome, Sweden’s largest full-dome visualization dome. You can book a Wisdome show as part of a visit to Universeum or as a standalone experience; booking options may change.

Neighborhoods, Art and City Life

Haga is one of Gothenburg’s oldest neighborhoods. Cobblestones and the distinctive Landshövdingehus houses give it its historic character. Along Haga Nygata, you’ll find boutiques and shops selling antiques, design and crafts; the selection of shops may change. Cafés serve Swedish fika classics and other sweet and savory treats.

Röda Sten Konsthall presents exhibitions by Swedish and international artists across four floors. Painting, photography, dance, performances, and video and sound art are showcased side by side. Tours, talks and creative workshops are also offered in connection with the exhibitions. World of Volvo is a brand experience center in the heart of Gothenburg that brings together the past and future. Parts of the Volvo collection, including cars, trucks, buses, and boat and aircraft engines, can still be seen there.

Leisure activities range from relaxed visits to amusement rides: Liseberg offers attractions including carousels for young children, as well as adrenaline rides and haunted houses for older visitors. Individual rides and the seasonal program may change. If you’d like to explore Gothenburg by bike, Styr & Ställ rental bikes are available at more than 130 stations; the network and number of stations may change.

Tailor Your Stay to Your Plans

Many central sights and services in Gothenburg are within walking distance. Island connections depart from Saltholmen or Stenpiren; check the timetable before making firm plans for an outing. This makes it easy to choose where to stay based on your trip’s priorities, without having to follow the same itinerary every day.

Discover more destinations: Hovås, Kvisljungeby, Tibro, Månstad, Lysekil, Sunnersberg, Vänersborg, Hålta

See the broader travel overview: Västra Götaland.