While you may not already know it, Gothenburg is home to so many incredible fortresses and castles that are open to the public to visit. Within an hour there are so many different interesting sites to visit, all with a unique story. In this guide, you will find 4 fortresses, all of which once played an important role in Gothenburg’s defence system, and 7 castles with interesting architecture and years of history to explore. The castles on this list are all open to visitors and make for the best day trips from Gothenburg.
*Please note that this post contains affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase through the link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I make sure to only ever promote products and brands I have used and like, and that all links are to trusted websites.
Fortresses and Castles near Gothenburg, Sweden
Bohus Fästning
Bohus Fästning (Bohus Fortress) is a medieval fortress ruin located in the city of Kungälv, just 20 minutes outside of Gothenburg. Built in 1308, this was once the site of one of the most important defence structures in the area. Today the fortress is much more of a ruin, although much of the wall and the northern tower are very much still intact. However, this doesn’t take away from the grandeur of the building itself. Visiting Bohus Fästning, you can explore the inside of the castle ruins, following the digital guide to discover what once way. Afterwards, make sure to wander around the fortress walls, following the bath by the water.
Opening times:
Bohus Fästning is open to the public during the summer months, and for special occasions such as their Medieval Market and the Karolina/ Swedish Empire Re-enactment. You can find all the events on this page. Around the end of November/ beginning of December they also hold a very cosy Christmas Market with different stalls and medieval performances spread around the castle. This is one of the best Christmas markets in Gothenburg and worth adding to your diary this year.
To visit Bohus Fästning you will need to buy an entry ticket. You can buy tickets and find their opening hours on this page.
Address: Fästningsholmen, 442 31 Kungälv (map)
Gunnebo Slott
While technically named Gunnebo Castle, Gunnebo Slott is more of a palace or big manor house located just outside of Gothenburg City Centre in Mölndal. Built in 1782, Gunnebo Slott is one of the best examples of Neoclassical architecture. Surrounding the house are beautiful baroque gardens and a book area of woodland that is open to the public to explore.
Today, one of the most interesting parts of Gunnebo Slott is their continual work with preserving historical and cultural techniques when it comes to gardening, forestry, and building. The Gunnebo Cultural Reserve and the Orangery are just two examples of this. You can find out more on their website.
Opening times:
Gunnebo Slott is open to the public all year round, however, to enter the castle and orangery you must be on a guided tour. These can be booked in advance and cost 175kr for adults and are free from children under 16. Find out more here. They too are open for special events such as their cultural heritage weekend and Christmas market. This Winter they will even have a light show over a 1.5km path through their gardens from November to January.
Address: Christina Halls Väg, 431 36 Mölndal (map)
Nya Älvsborgs Fästning
Nya Älvsborgs Fästning (The New Älvsborgs Fotress) is one of the more impressive of the fortresses and Castles on this list and without a doubt one of the best things to do in Gothenburg. Built on an island in Gothenburg’s Harbour, Nya Älvsborgs Fästning started out as important point of defence for the harbour of Gothenburg before being transformed into a hospital for prisoners. The most interesting thing about the fortress is its star shape, with walls that surround the inner buildings looking out over the harbour.
Opening times:
Nya Älvsborgs Fästning is only for visits from late spring to early autumn. To get to the fortress you will need to head out with one of the charter ferries run by Strömma (from Lilla Bommen) or K-Sea (from Långedrag). Entry to the fortress, the digital guided tour, and the activities are all included in the price of the boat ticket. You can find the updated opening times and ferry options on this page.
Address: Nya Älvsborgs Fästning, 426 76 Västra Frölunda (map)
Carlstens Fästning
Carlstens Fästning (Carlstens Fortress), on the island of Marstrand, is a large centre of defence which has passed between the hands of the Danish, the Norwegians, and the Swedish since it was built in 1658. However, the castle is more well known for its later use as a prison, in which iconic historical criminal Lasse-Maja was sent here. Today, the castle sits high on the hill looking over the picturesque island village of Marstrand and can be spotted from all along the southern Bohuslän coast.
Find more things to do in Marstrand.
Opening times:
Carlstens Fortress is open to the public from June to August for guided tours. Marstrand is one of the most popular tourism destinations in West Sweden so definitely book your visit in advance. If you want a special experience, some areas of the fortress have been converted into a hotel where you can stay overnight – or you can visit the restaurant for one of their themed dinners or amazing Christmas table. You can find all their current opening times and all upcoming events on this page.
Address: Carlstens fästning, 442 67 Marstrand (map)
Tjolöholms Slott
Tjolöholms Slott (Tjolöholms Castle) is more of a manor house located in Halland, just 40 minutes south of Gothenburg. Inspired by Tudor Style houses and built in the early 20th century with manicured gardens and a church on the same land, this is the most classic “manor house” of those in this guide. Not only is the house open for guided tours, but they also hold some fantastic events – namely their Skördesfest (harvest festival) and their christmas market. The Christmas market is particularly cosy and one I personally make sure to visit every year.
Opening times:
Tjolöholms Slott is open for visitors throughout the summer and then weekends during the remainder of the year. When there are different activities and markets taking place, it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance as these are very popular events. You can find all their updated opening times and events on this page.
Address: Tjolöholms Slott, 439 74 Fjärås (map)
Thorskogs Slott
Thorskogs Slott (Thorskogs Castle) is technically a private castle, however, it is open to the public as hotel with packages including a Christmas dinner or hiking package. It’s the perfect small getaway for a special occasion with a beautiful interior and castles to wander around. You can find the hotel on this page.
Address: Thorskog 100, 463 93 Västerlanda (map)
West Sweden Map
Get 300+ tips on West Sweden
In this map and guide to West Sweden you will find over 300 tips for places to visit in and around the region. These are places I have visited and personally recommend – some hidden gems and a few more well known spots!
Läckö Slott
Läckö Slott (Läckö Castle) is reminiscent of a Disney castle, perched on a peninsula looking out over Lake Vänern. This baroque style castle built with beautiful gardens, surrounded by forest land, is the perfect day trip from Gothenburg. Take a tour of the castle, wander through the gardens and make the most of the beautiful environment by taking ashort walk through the nearby forest. Here you will get some amazing views of the castle nestled into the archipelago. Make sure to also head down to the Naturrum, thenature education centre, where you can learn all about the landscape and the different flora and fauna that reside live near Läckö Castle.
Read my guide to visiting Läckö Slott.
Opening times:
The castle is open to the public for guided tours on selected days (mostly weekends) from April through to November. You can find their updated opening hours for the exact time you want to visit on this page.
Address: 531 99 Lidköping (map)
Ragnhildsholmen Castle Ruin
Ragnhildsholmen Castle Ruin is one of the “hidden gems” when it comes to castles near Gothenburg. Located just outside of the city of Kungälv, these ruins date back to the mid 13th century when the Norwegian King Håkon Håkonsson built the fortress to defend the medieval city of Kungahälla against invaders along the Nordre Älv river. If you want to find out more about the castles history this is a great page from the Bohusläns Museum.
Today, the ruins still show the structure of the once grand fortress, with the foundations very much still intact. It is the perfect castle to visit if you are interested in the medieval history of Bohuslän or are looking for a good spot for a picnic or perhaps a day trip with children.
Opening times:
Being castle ruins, Ragnhildsholmen is more of a park, open to the public 24 hours a day. There is a small carpark by the ruins, alternatively you can take the bus 37 from Kungälv to get there.
Address: Kongahällavägen, 442 90 Kungälv (map)
Gräfsnäs Castle Ruins
Gräfsnäs Castle has the most interesting story of all the places in this guide. A ruin today, legend has it that the castle burned down on three separate occasions – all on the same day exactly 100 years apart (1634, 1734, and 1834). Today the castle and its large parklands are a perfect day trip – whether you go to enjoy the castle itself, the small beach, or one of their many events.
Opening times:
The Castle Ruin is permanently open to the public, however, the nearby café (Lindelöv Gräfsnäs slottscafé) is only open during the summer months.
Address: 441 72, Kungsallén 35, 466 95 Sollebrunn (map)
Koberg Slott
Koberg Slott is a beautiful castle located just outside of Trollhättan. Still lived in by members of Sweden’s Royal Family, the castle is only open to visitors once a year – for their annual Christmas market. While the castle itself isn’t open for tours, you are welcome to wander around the grounds, view the carriage museum in the stables, and enjoy the stalls in the barns.
Nääs Slott
Nääs Slott (Nääs Castle) is a castle located near Floda out in a peninsula on the Sävelången, surrounded by parkland and oak trees. The castle is most well-known for its history as a centre of craft, where students flocked from all over Sweden to learn different crafts and traditions. Still today, Nääs Slott is a centre for traditional crafts, with exhibitions, events and active craftsmen still working in the area. If you are interested in learning more, you can find more information about the castle’s history on this page.
In the nearby area you will find Nääs Fabriker, a factory turned hotel, spa, and boutique shopping area. If you are interested in hiking, then definitely look into the Gotaleden – a beautiful hiking trail that runs from Gothenburg to Alingsås and passes right by Nääs Slott. Here you can read my guide to the hiking the Gotaleden.
Opening times:
Address: Nääs allé 8, 448 92 Floda (map)
An Overview: The Best Fortresses and Castles near Gothenburg
With this guide to castles near Gothenburg, hopefully you have found somewhere new to visit. These castles are all great as day trips from Gothenburg but especially cosy when they hold different festivals and events. I wholeheartedly recommend checking out the Christmas market at Tjolöholms Slott – it is one of the best Christmas markets in Gothenburg. While this list is not exhaustive and there are several other castles near Gothenburg to explore, Kobergs Slott and Gåsevadholm Castle to name a few, these are not open, or very rarely open, to the public.
Looking for more day trips and places to visit near Gothenburg? I have written a guide with over 300 recommendations! You can download it here.
Want more inspiration in and around Gothenburg? Check out these guides:
