While Gothenburg is not known as one of the most Instagrammable cities, there are still quite a few picturesque photo spots to visit for that perfect Instagram photo! Here is a list of my favorites that not only look good, but they capture the essence of the city which is what travel photography is all about!
Want to know more about visiting Gothenburg? Here, you can read all my Gothenburg travel guides!
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The best Instagram photo spots in Gothenburg
Haga
Haga is known as one of the oldest neighborhoods in Gothenburg, with pretty wooden houses, flags hanging over the streets, and the best cafes! This is where you probably have Sweden’s most Instagrammed Cinnamon bun – the giant kanelbullar from Cafe Husaren! You can’t miss a photo opportunity with these (and it’s a plus you get to eat it afterward)!
The street itself is also very picturesque! Head down to Fåfängans Antik for the perfect photo browsing the antiques, or Cafe Kringlan for their cosy Fika stall!
When to visit Haga
I would recommend visiting Haga both in the morning before it is too crowded, and in the afternoon when all the shops are open! Truthfully, there is no better time to visit Haga than when it’s time for Fika!
Want some more cozy, picturesque Fika spots? Here, you can find all my recommendations for Fika in Gothenburg!
Palmhuset
Palmhuset is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Gothenburg, much like any other city’s tropical greenhouse. Located in the middle of Trädgårdsföreningen, Palmhuset is a tropical oasis filled with exotic plants in all shades of green. Here you can find the opening times for Palmhuset!
When to visit Palmhuset
I recommend visiting Palmhuset either in the morning just after opening or in the late afternoon. At these times it is much less busy so it will likely be easier to get that perfect Instagram photo!
While photos from here are perfect all day round, I think the best time to photograph Palmhuset is an hour or so before closing on a sunny day. At this time, the light shines directly through the glass roof creating depth, and beautiful shadows and bringing out the rich greens of the plants.
Kungsparken Canal Banks
Not only is this one of the best photo spots in Gothenburg, but it is also one of my favorite places to sit in the city (especially with ice cream from Gelateria)! Here you can capture the canal system, the pretty Gothenburg-style buildings, and if you’re lucky; a tram as it passes over the bridge.
When to visit Kungsparken Canal Banks
The best time to visit this photo spot is in the afternoon when it is still light but the sun is not directly above. As I said, this is a really popular place to hang out so don’t be surprised if there are a lot of other people around when you go to take your photo!
This spot is also beautiful in the evening, just before dusk when the bridge lights turn on. It looks almost like a fairytale standing on the bridge looking over the reflections on the water!
The Botanical Gardens
The Botanical gardens are filled with colorful, picturesque little gardens perfect for shooting the perfect Instagram photo! While this spot is best in the late spring and summer when all the flowers are blooming, there is also a viewpoint called Håberget Viewpoint which is quite picturesque all year round!
When to visit the Botanical Gardens
If you are visiting in the spring I recommend walking to Vitsippordalen, a forest area filled with white wood anemones, or up to the Japanese Dell where the cherry blossoms are in full bloom!
Make sure to read this post if you want to find out more about visiting Gothenburg and the Botanical Gardens in spring!
If you are visiting in the summer then the whole park is beautiful to wander through! They have big displays of Dahlia lining the pathways and all the gardens are in full bloom!
Fiskekyrkan
Fiskekyrkan is the main fish market in Gothenburg, located on the banks of the canal. The architecture of the building is very special, with a high gable roof and large roofed windows on each side, it could be mistaken as a church! This is one of the most iconic Instagrammable spots in Gothenburg!
When to visit Fiskekyrkan
While the inside is currently closed for renovation, Fiskekyrkan is a great spot to visit all day every day!
Liseberg
While it is an amusement park, Liseberg certainly has its fair share of Instagrammable photo spots, especially around Halloween or in the winter when the Christmas markets are on! Make sure to wander around the harbor area, spot by the flying swings, and help yourself to a big cotton candy!
When to visit Liseberg
Liseberg is not open all year round, instead, it is mostly open around school holidays, throughout the summer period, and then for Halloween and Christmas! Christmas at Liseberg is one of my favorite Christmas markets in Gothenburg and I definitely recommend choosing this time of the year if you are in Gothenburg in the winter! It is also one of the most popular places to visit in Sweden in the winter!
Heading to Gothenburg this Christmas and want all the tips on the best markets? You can find a complete guide to Gothenburg’s 2022 Christmas markets here!
Skansen Kronan
Skansen Kronan has one of the best views in Gothenburg and is the perfect place to capture the city from above. On one side, you have a beautiful view down to Haga and Skanstorget, and on the other, you can see Oscar Fredrik’s Church and Linnegatan. Don’t forget to stop at the waffle cafe on the way down, it’s the perfect place for a cozy photo in the winter months!
When to visit Skansen Kronan
The best time to visit Skansen Kronan is at sunset as the light over the city at this time is magical with different hues of orange, both in the sky and on the rooftops. However, it is also nice to come up here at any time during the day.
Magasinsgatan
Magasinsgatan is probably the number 1 most Instagrammed place in Gothenburg. This little courtyard is a hub of activity, with coffee shops on both sides, food trucks, and outdoor seating. The walls are decorated with street art and there are lanterns hanging from the walls.
When to visit Magasinsgatan
This is a very popular area for locals to hang out, with several of the best food spots in the city! So it can get really busy both around lunchtime and fika time (2-3 pm). I recommend visiting in the morning before too many people have started to arrive.
Make sure to read this post if you want more recommendations on the best cafes to visit in Gothenburg!
Tavolo
Tavolo is probably Gothenburg’s most Instagrammable restaurant! Located in an old restored warehouse with a beautiful glass roof, with big reconstruction of Leonardo da Vinci’s Cavallo di Forcione horse in the center, this is definitely one of the best photo spots! Tavolo itself is an Italian restaurant that served great food and drinks!
When to visit Tavolo
If you are eating here purely for photo-taking reasons then I recommend visiting just after they open! At this time there are much fewer people and the light is best! I do also recommend staying for dinner – the vibe here in the evenings is great!
You can find tips on all of Gothenburg’s best restaurants here!
Röda Sten
Röda Sten is a red stone sitting at the edge of the Gothenburg canal. While the stone itself isn’t that Instagrammable, the view from this area over to the Älvsborgsbrön is incredible! Don’t miss walking past the Röda Sten Konsthall (Art Museum) where they have a wall completely covered in street art!
From here you can also see the cranes from Hisingen, the more industrial side of Gothenburg.
When to visit Röda Sten
I recommend visiting at sunset as the lights turn on on the bridge and create a magical contrast! If you walk slightly further down the path there is a very picturesque industrial harbor.
Lejontrappan
Lejontrappan is a staircase in the middle of Gothenburg that goes down to the water. Here you get a great view of the canal, perfect for a Gothenburg city Instagram photo! Occasionally boats, kayaks, and the paddan pass by giving the area a little more atmosphere!
When to visit Lejontrappan
I think this photo spot is a great place to capture all throughout the day! While it can get a little busier during the afternoon and evening, you will most likely be able to get a photo without people no matter when you visit!
Victoria Passagen
Victoria Passagen is the coziest alleyway in Gothenburg, with fairy lights hanging from the roof, a flower boutique on one side and a little coffee shop at the other end. This is one of my favourite places to capture the winter in Gothenburg as it has a really intimate feeling to it on a dark and cold day!
When to visit Victoria Passagen
I recommend going here either in the morning or the evening. It’s the best shot when the shops are open but there are not too many people around crowding the alleyway.
Masthuggskyrkan
This is another place where you can capture the perfect view of Gothenburg. Further down the river, Masthuggskyrkan sits on top of a rocky hill looking out over the city, the canal, and over to the islands. From here you can see a lot of Gothenburg’s major landmarks, including the Eriksberg crane and Sjömanstornet.
Gathenhielm Cultural Reserve
Gathenhielm Cultural Reserve is a very cozy little area with houses dating back to the 17th century. This area of Gothenburg is very culturally important – one of the oldest and best-preserved areas that depict the city’s history. The houses are very picturesque, with bridge colours and flowers lining the street.
When to visit Gathenhielm Cultural Reserve
The Cultural Reserve is open 24 hours a day to walk through. However, the houses themselves are not open to the public. The outside is what is prettiest though!
Kuggen
Kuggen is a really interesting piece of architecture located in Lindholmen Science Park. It is an easy trip with the free ferry from Stenpiran to Lindholmen. If you visit Kuggen, make sure to spend some time exploring Lindholmen. If it’s a saturday, head to Lindholmen Street Food Market.
When to visit Kuggen
This is a busy student and business area so it can be busy during weekdays! I recommend visiting on the weekend or during the late morning, or early afternoon when it tends to be a little quieter.
Cafe magasinet
Cafe Magasinet is probably the most well-known Instagram spot in Gothenburg! The cafe, with its glass roof and plant-full, the airy decor is the perfect spot for a cafe photo in the city!
When to visit Cafe Magasinet
I recommend visiting Cafe Magasinet just after the lunch rush (around 13:30)! This way you can still order lunch and the cafe is much less busy so better for photos! They have really good salads so I definitely recommend eating here!
Saluhall
Saluhall is Gothenburg’s main food market, a big food hall filled with fish, meat, fruit, and cheese counters! It is something you can’t miss when visiting Gothenburg and a great space for photos! If you have time, I also recommend eating at Kajutan Stora Saluhallen, the cafe on the upper level. From here you get a great view of Saluhall from above and a different perspective of the building itself.
When to visit Saluhall
The best time to visit Saluhall is in the morning or the afternoon on a weekday when it is much less busy unless you want to take more street photography style shots and then I recommend visiting at the opposite times!
Throughout the different seasons, there are a few more really photogenic spots to visit in Gothenburg to get that perfect Instagram picture!
