So, you have one day in Gothenburg and want to know exactly how you should spend it? As an international who has lived here for a number of years now, I have spent countless days showing friends and family around the sights of Gothenburg and have slowly but surely perfected our 24-hour itinerary. In this guide, I will share with you the best places to visit, where to eat, and exactly what to see in Gothenburg. With this one day itinerary, you should be able to not only discover the touristy side of the city, but also the local hidden gems that make it so special.
Staying for longer? Here you will find all of my Gothenburg travel guides.
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What To See and Do – A One Day Gothenburg Itinerary
Breakfast at Fröken Olssons
Start your day early with breakfast at Fröken Olssons Café. This is a local’s favourite, serving up a delicious breakfast buffet that will set you up for the day. While this café isn’t anything super instagrammable or overly unique, it is a Gothenburg classic and really reflects the vibes of the city. It’s the perfect way to get into the Gothenburg spirit on your first morning in the city. On weekdays, until 11 they serve a range of sandwich, coffee and yoghurt deals, and on weekends, they have an amazing buffet served between 9 and 12.
Staying for longer or want something a little different? Make sure to read this guide to the best breakfast and brunch spots in Gothenburg.
Palmhuset and Trädgårdsföreningen
After breakfast, head to Trädgårdsföreningen, just across the canal from Fröken Olssons. This is one of Gothenburg’s city parks – a popular spot for short walks and picnics in the summer. There are a few different areas to explore here with beautiful plants no matter what time of year you visit! In the spring, you will find lots of blossoming magnolia and cherry blossoms, and in the autumn the whole park is transformed into different shades of orange.
Make sure to stop by Palmhuset, this big Victorian era greenhouse filled with tropical plants. You could spend a good half hour walking around here looking at the different species it houses (if plants are something that interests you). Otherwise, this is one of the most popular Instagram spots in Gothenburg due to its beautiful colours and architecture.
Explore the Gothenburg Canal
After Palmhuset, head out of the park and towards the canal. Running along Kungsparken, you will see the Gothenburg canal, a remnant of the original Gothenburg city built in the 1600s. If you have more time in Gothenburg, I definitely recommend also visiting the Gothenburg Museum. They have a great exhibition there about the history of the city which gives so much insight into how it is today.
The best way to explore the canal is by boat. By Stora Teatern, at the edge of Kungsparken, there are several tours you can take depending what sort of sightseeing you prefer. By far the most popular is the Paddan. This is a calm river cruise that takes you through the many canals of Gothenburg. There is a guide who talks about the history of the area and it is all round a lot of fun! You can find out more here.
The other tour is the Amphibus Tour, a bus that can travel on land and water that passes the best sights of the city. This does not travel though the canal, but it still gives you an opportunity to see Gothenburg from the water. The most fun part is that the bus looks like a shark – making this a really fun activity for children! You can find out more about the Amphibus tour here.
Want to explore more of the city from the water? Head out on a day trip into the Gothenburg Archipelago!
Lunch on Magasinsgatan
Magasinsgatan, specifically the courtyard outside of Da Matteo is another local favourite. On your way there, make sure to stop by Stora Saluhall, the big food market just by the canal. It’s about a 5 minute walk from here to Da Matteo. On a warm summer day, you will find that people flock to this spot for a good coffee under the sun. However, it’s not just good, locally roasted coffee you’ll find here. At lunch time, there are two food trucks that open up, serving bao and tacos. The food here is really good so I recommend coming early if you want to grab something from either of the food trucks.
Across the courtyard, you will find Fiskbar 17, a lovely little seafood restaurant perfect for anyone wanting to taste some of the local cuisine. And then, of course, you have the two Da Matteo Cafes which serve really good lunch food, fika (pastries) and coffee.
For a hidden gem, head into Da Matteo Magasinsgatan and up the stairs out the back. Here you will be met with the courtyard of Floramor and Krukatös, a beautiful little flower/ homewares shop.
From here, you can head through the little alleyway back out onto the main street.
Take the ferry to Lindholmen
Next, it’s time to hit the water again and take the free ferry over to the other side of the river. Head down to Stenpiran and look for signs for the 286. This is a free 5-minute ferry which takes you across to Lindholmen, a university area with a big harbour and soon Scandinavia’s tallest building, Karlatonet.
If you turn right from the harbour across to Lindholmensbron, there is a beautiful view of the modern architecture, the water. Alternatively, you can take a 15-minute walk along the harbour to Lindholmensdockans Hamn and get a taste of a little Swedish harbour. With red boat houses lining the harbour, it gives you the vibes of the Gothenburg Archipelago without travelling so far. From here, you can either take a short walk up to the viewpoint at Slotteberget, head back to Lindholmspiran for the free ferry, or take the ferry from Slottsberget to Stenpiran/ you do unfortunately have to pay for this ferry but it is still relatively cheap (look for an A zone ticket on the Västrafik app).
Fika in Haga
From Stenpiran, wander along the harbour towards Järntorget and towards the district of Haga. Make sure to look out for the iconic Feskekörka on the canal on your way. This is a beautiful building that was once Gothenburg’s main fish market. Unfortunately, it is down for renovation at the moment.
Haga – This is one of the oldest parts of the city, renowned for its cosy little cafés and small shops. If you are looking for souveniers to remember your time in Sweden, this is the place to get them, whether it’s a magnet of a moose of a beautiful handcrafted vase from one of the homewares shops.
One thing you should not miss in Haga is a fika. If you don’t already know, this is a Swedish coffee pause, a moment to stop and reflect on the day with a pastry of some sort. There are so many great cafes in this area to explore. One of the most popular is Café Husaren, famous for their giant cinnamon buns. My personal favourite is La Petite Café which is on the end closest to Järntorget. This café has a really cosy interior and the cakes are all amazing! However, wherever you choose to fika in Haga, there’s no doubt it will be good.
If you want a more detailed guide, here’s my tips on the best fika in Gothenburg!
Skansen Kronan
After a long fika pause, its time for a bit of a walk up to one of Gothenburg’s best viewpoints; Skansen Kronan. This was once one of the most important fortresses in protecting the city of Gothenburg, and today it sits high on a hill overlooking Haga, Linné and the harbour. The best way to get to Skansen Kronan is to follow the path that starts in Skanstorget carpark. When you reach the top, you can head down the path on the other side which will leave you back in Haga.
Dinner at one of Gothenburg’s best restaurants
In this itinerary I will suggest a few different options for dinner as I know that every traveller has different taste and budget. However, if you want to see the full list, make sure to read my guide to the best restaurants in Gothenburg!
On a high budget: Sjömagasinet
Sjömagasinet is an amazing restaurant, located down on the water. They serve a delicious range of seafood, all inspired by traditional Swedish flavours but often with a special twist. It is quite an expensive restaurant, but definitely worth it if you want something nice or are celebrating! It is best to book in advance if you plan to visit Sjömagasinet as it is quite a popular place.
On a medium budget: The Barn
The Barn is a really nice burger restaurant, with a super cosy inside and great food! You can start with a drink at The Bar next door, before heading in for an amazing burger. This is a mid-priced restaurant – expensive compared to other burger places but you pay for the service. Definitely recommend booking in advance here too.
On a low budget: Benne pasta
Benne Pasta is one of our go-to restaurants in Gothenburg. They serve fresh, homemade pasta dishes for as little as 50kr. It is the perfect budget-friendly dining option if you still want something wholesome and good to eat!
I have so many more tips to share – but you can find all then all in my guide to Gothenburg’s best restaurants!
Finish the night with a drink
Make the most of Gothenburg’s nightlife before heading back to your hotel and ending your one day in the city. If you feel like a glass of wine and some nibbles, try Björns Bar, the cosy underground hideaway, or Wolfgang’s Winebar for some cool vibes. For cocktails, head to Bar Bruno or Gumman Elvira, and for something a little wilder, head to Andra Långgatan and try out one of the pubs there.
One Day in Gothenburg: 24 Hour Itinerary Overview
24 hours in a city is never enough to really experience all that it has to offer, however, in this one-day guide to Gothenburg you should begin to get some sort of idea. Fika in a cosy café, spending time on the water, and visiting one of the old watchtowers, followed by good food and a nice bar is the best way to really take in the vibe of Gothenburg.
Want more tips? Here you will find all my guides to visiting Gothenburg.
You might also be interested in:
- Gothenburg 2- 4 Day Itinerary
- Gothenburg Archipelago Island Guide
- The Best Places to Visit During Summer in Sweden
- A Guide to Gothenburg’s Best Fika
- 70 Things to see and do in Gothenburg
- All Sweden travel guides
As always, if you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to leave them below!
