The Top 10 Places to Visit in Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg is a beautiful city with so much to see and do! To get you started, here are the top 10 places to visit in Gothenburg! Most of the places you will find on this list are iconic to Gothenburg and make the city what it is, however, I definitely recommend heading off the beaten path and exploring more of what Gothenburg has to offer if you have the time!

You will find most of these places included in my one day in Gothenburg itinerary and my weekend Gothenburg itinerary, as well as my list of all the best things to do in Gothenburg, along with some other things you shouldn’t miss!

Spending more time in the city? Don’t miss these posts:

So, let’s get started!

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Top 10 Places to Visit in Gothenburg

Haga

Haga is the “old town” of Gothenburg, a small district filled with cosy cafes, designer shops and souvenirs. Walking down Haga Nygatan you will see Cafe Husaren, home of the famous giant cinnamon bun that Haga is known for! This is not the only great place for a fika though – no matter which cafe you choose you will be pleasantly surprised! A few of my favourite spots are Cafe Kringlan and Le Petit Cafe.

Liseberg

Liseberg, the amusement park in the centre of Gothenburg, is one of the city’s main attractions. Ask anyone who knows the city, and this will probably be in the top places that they suggest you visit in Gothenburg. Liseberg has been around for over 100 years and gives so much atmosphere to the city, especially at Halloween and Christmas when they put up special decorations! If you are visiting Gothenburg at this time of year, visiting their Christmas market is a must!

Liseberg is unfortunately only open during certain times of the year, namely during the summer, over weekends in the spring and autumn, and at Christmas. If you are not into rides or are only visiting Gothenburg for a short period then the best way to visit Liseberg is to buy an entry ticket! This gives entry to the park where you are free to walk around. On top of this, you can buy ride tickets, or partake in “femkamp” which is a 5-round competition of carnival games!

The other great thing about Liseberg is the concerts they hold in the summer which only cost 50 or plus your entry ticket! Or, if you want to do something really Swedish, you can buy tickets to Lotta på Liseberg, the Allsång where the crowd gathers to watch performances and sing classic Swedish songs together!

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Skansen Kronan

Skansen Kronan is an old fortress dating back to the 16^th century. It sits on the hill above the district of Haga and has one of the best views in Gothenburg. From here, you can see the harbour, Linnéstaden, Haga and the beautiful Oscar Fredriks Church. The walk up to Skansen Kronan can be accessed from several directions, but one of the easiest ways to get up is following the path from Skanstorget. On your way up, you will find the cosy little waffle café perfect for a stop if you are visiting in the winter.

While the Skansen Kronan fortress is not open to the public, you are free to wander around the grounds and take in the view. In the summer, the terrace bar and café is open. In December they serve a classic Julbord (Christmas table) inside the fortress which is a really special experience.

The Gothenburg Archipelago

The Gothenburg Archipelago is one of the best things about this city. With so many islands, it’s hard to pinpoint just one as the place to visit so instead I’ll give you a brief overview here and if you want to know more you can head to my complete guide to the islands in the Gothenburg Archipelago.

The best time to visit the archipelago is during the late spring, summer, and early autumn when all of the cafes and restaurants are open, the weather is warm enough for a swim, and they are beginning to wake up after the winter! The best way to get out to the islands is by ferry – from Saltholmen to the southern archipelago and from Lilla Varholmen to the northern archipelago. Alternatively you can take a guided tour around the islands and see them all at once.

If I had to pick a few islands, then I would suggest Vrångö, Styrsö, Vinga, or Hönö. Vrångö is the southern-most island and perfect for anyone who is looking for nature and a remote atmosphere. Styrsö is the biggest of the islands in the southern archipelago and really feels like a holiday resort, with beautiful leafy roads and hidden beaches!

Vinga is the most westerly island in the archipelago and is home to the famous Vinga Fyr (Lighthouse). This island has played a big role in Gothenburg’s harbour over the years and has a really interesting history. Lastly, Hönö is the largest of all the islands and has a very “lived in” vibe. Head here if you want a mix of nature, good food and nice shops.

If you want more tips on which island to visit, make sure to read my complete guide to the Gothenburg Archipelago.

Slottskogen

Slottskogen is the biggest park in Gothenburg. It’s a favourite for locals in the summer, meeting up here for picnics and celebrations in the sun. Not only is there a big grassy park, forests to wander though, and several nice cafes and restaurants, there is also a small animal park which is the perfect place to visit with kids!

The animal park, Barnens zoo, is home to moose, goats, deer, seals, penguins and more! The park is really great as they work to preserve endangered species and unique races of animals, mostly from the Swedish region.

The best way to visit Slottskogen is to take the tram or bus to Linneplatsen and walk from here through the park. It is quite big, and you could spend hours walking around if you wanted to. Some places to make sure you visit are Barnens Zoo, Dalslandsstugan, Bragebacken Lookout, and Slottskogen Water Tower!

Masthuggskyrkan

Masthuggskyrkan is another of the big churches in Gothenburg, sitting on a hill that towers over the city. From Masthuggskyrkan you will find one of the best viewpoints in Gothenburg – especially at sunset. The view looks out over the harbour all the way to the Älvsborgs Brigde and into the archipelago.

You can either get to Masthuggskyrkan by starting from Stigbergstorget and follow the stairs up from Åsgatan. This route is quick but quite steep. Otherwise you can begin on Linnégatan near Haga, follow the road towards Oscar Fredriks Church and then continue along Fjällmansgatan and Kjellgatan to the top.

Palmhuset and Trädgårdsföreningen

Trädgårdsförening is the main city park in Gothenburg, located just opposite the central station. A mix of big open grassy space, “forest” and precured gardens, with Palmhuset, the tropical Victorian style greenhouse in the centre, this is a local’s favourite for a summer picnic. If you are interested in visiting some of the most Instagrammable places in Gothenburg, then Palmhuset should definitely be on your list.

Worth mentioning here is Rosenkaféet, the garden café where you will find a very cosy little seating area out in the garden. This is one of my personal favourite places to head on a warm summer’s day for a drink or a coffee.

Saluhallen

Saluhallen is the picturesque, old food market in the center of Gothenburg and definitely one of the top 10 places you should visit. Often quite quiet, this is the ideal stop to pick up some local delicacies or stop by one of the cafes for a coffee or bite to eat. Don’t miss the popular sandwiches from Hasselssons Macklucka, or a nice lunch with a view over the market stalls from Kajutan Stora Saluhallen.

Saluhall is open every day except Sundays, with the bars and cafes with outdoor seating open later than the food hall itself!

Nya Älvsborgs Fästning

If you are visiting Gothenburg during the summer (May to September) make sure to add in a visit to the island fortress of Nya Älvsborgs Fästning. This 16th century fortress which once protected the harbour of Gothenburg from Danish invasion is now one of the most iconic places to visit in the city. On the island, you can wonder around the old castle walls, through the barracks and dungeons, visit the cafe and stroll through the exhibition hall in the old infermary. To get out here, you need to take a boat (you can find the trip possibilities here). I recommend spending around 4 hours – just make sure you are there at 2pm when they fire the old cannons.

Kronhuset

Kronhuset is the oldest buildings in Gothenburg and one of the places you have to visit during your time in the city. Built in 1654, this old storehouse is today and meeting place of culture and design. In the little boutiques surrounding the inner courtyard you will find local craftsmen selling beautiful pieces. There is also a cafe, Cafe Kronhuset, which is one of the best places in Gothenburg for a fika during the summer. They have an outdoor seating area right in the middle of the Kronhuset courtyard – protected from the wind and surrounded by history.

While this spot is one of the best places to visit in Gothenburg, it is almost considered “off the beaten track” so doesn’t get too busy! If you’re visiting Gothenburg in winter, make sure to stop by their atmospheric Christmas market!

Overview: The Top 10 Places to Visit in Gothenburg

Gothenburg is not a city of many sights, but there are a few places you should visit on your trip! In combination with this list of the top 10 places to visit in Gothenburg, don’t miss the beautiful old buildings, viewpoints over the city, and if you can, make sure to take a trip out into the archipelago!

Staying for a few days? Make sure to read my short itinerary for visiting Gothenburg or the Gothenburg Archipelago island guide! Or mix it up and take a day trip to explore more of West Sweden.