World of Volvo takes you on a journey from the past to the present and into the future. Take a nostalgia trip and explore the most iconic vehicles that best represent the Volvo brand’s historical development.
Sweden: Gothenburg – A visitor’s guide
CONTENTS
1. About Gothenburg
2. Things to do
– Check out Maritiman – a dock side marine museum
– Visit the German (Christinae) Church
– Gothenburg Cathedral
– Check out Saluhallen – food hall
– Spend time walking the trendy Haga District
– Try eating a Hagabullen – if you can.
– Take in the views from Skansen Kronan
– World of Volvo
– Aeroseum
3. Getting to and around Gothenburg
4. Vegan dining options in Gothenburg
5. Best time to visit
6. Where to stay
About Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the gubernatorial seat of Västra Götaland County in Sweden. It is the second-largest city in Sweden, after the capital Stockholm, and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. It is situated by the Kattegat on the west coast of Sweden, with a population of approximately 600,000 in the city proper and about 1.1 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area.
Friendly and laid-back, Gothenburg has the hip up-and-coming neighbourhoods, Michelin-starred restaurants and vibrant cultural mix you’d expect in a much bigger city – as well as a world-class craft beer scene and some of the best seafood restaurants in Sweden.
Things to do
Check out Maritiman – a dock side marine museum
Maritiman consists of a unique collection of ships, boats and barges with both military and civilian affiliations. An armada of 15 museum vessels are gathered here, all in one place. You can climb over and scramble inside these boats and check out the onboard exhibitions. This makes it a great floating-ship experience for the whole family
Visit the German Church
The German Church, also called Christinae Church, was named after Queen Christina. It was inaugurated in 1748, and used by the German and Dutch congregations in Gothenburg. The church contains a 42-bell carillon, which was cast by the Bergholtz Bellfoundry in 1961
It looks very plain on the outside, but the interior is beautifully decorated, albeit in the usual understated Scandinavian style.
Concerts are often played inside the church, so it is well worth checking out the music schedule.
Visit the Gothenburg Cathedral
A church has stood on this site since the early 1600s. The initial small rectory was Gothenburg’s first church and one of the new city’s first buildings. Construction on the first cathedral began in 1626 and was completed in 1633. The church was designated as a cathedral in the 1680s.
Gothenburg Cathedral burned during a fire on April 15, 1721. However, the original walls survived the fire, and officials quickly rebuilt the cathedral. The cathedral was rebuilt with the same dimensions and reopened on May 25, 1722. Renovations and upgrades continued with a new copper roof and tower capital.
Another terrible fire burned the cathedral on December 20, 1802. This fire also destroyed 179 houses in addition to the cathedral’s cemetery. The cathedral was so damaged that a complete rebuild was necessary. The current cathedral was completed in 1815. The tower was built in 1825, and its copper cladding was complete in time for the second inauguration in 1827.
The current cathedral features classical architecture. The impressive main portal features four Doric columns. The interior features classical and Empire style. Many interior fittings, including the pulpit, feature Empire-style white and gold leaves.
The cathedral has classical-style ionic pilasters. The altar’s 18th-century angelic figures feature Baroque styling. Gothenburg Cathedral was Sweden’s first church to have central heating in 1852.
The cathedral’s grandfather clock was built in 1751 and survived the 1802 fire. The organ was made 1962 but features a traditional white and gold facade. The cathedral’s tower began to lean in the early 20th century and was reinforced.
Check out Saluhallen (food hall)
Saluhallen, is an old-fashioned gourmet food hall with vendors offering cheeses, baked goods, deli sandwiches & more. Sadly, there was not a lot on offer for there for vegetarians or vegans – but it was still interesting to spend a few minutes looking around.
Spend time walking the trendy Haga District
Haga is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Gothenburg. The pedestrian street Haga Nygata is lined with well-preserved houses, many in the characteristic Gothenburg style called “landshövdingehus” with one floor in brick and the rest in wood. Today they house plenty of independent shops and cafés.
Haga is conveniently located within walking distance of the city centre, but if you arrive by tram you can get off at the stops Hagakyrkan or Järntorget. The area is found between the neighbourhoods Vasastaden and Linnéstaden and the main street Haga Nygata stretches from one end to the other.
Try eating a Hagabullen – if you can.
Since the 1920s the cinnamon roll has become Sweden’s most common fika bread. For those who like to eat more than just one bun at a time, you can visit Café Husaren in the Haga District. Here you only need to buy one bun for the whole party (or for yourself) because the buns here are gigantic. The “Hagabullen” is considered to be almost holy by the citizens of Gothenburg, and a must for you who love cinnamon buns.
Take in the views from Skansen Kronan
Adjacent to Haga is a hill, Risåsberget, on top of which sits a small fort, Skansen Kronan. The fortress and its twin, Skansen Lejonet, were built to protect the city of Gothenburg against possible Danish attack and thus had a similar purpose to the sea fort of New Älvsborg, which was built around the same time. We were not at our best, so by the time we got to the top we were sweating and out of breath, but the views across Gothenburg were amazing. Sadly, Skansen Kronan was not open to climbing higher
Visit the World of Volvo
Founded in Gothenburg the Volvo brand has a long association with the city.
Recently a new, world-class exhibition space called the ‘World of Volvo’ was openned.
World of Volvo takes you on a journey from the past to the present and into the future. Take a nostalgia trip and explore the most iconic vehicles that best represent the Volvo brand’s historical development.
Aeroseum
This unique air museum lives inside a 22,000 m2 hanger that sits 30m under a mountain. It was completed in 1955 and was built at the then Göta Air Force Base. gravel pits overgrown with pine trees.
Getting around Gothenburg
In Gothenburg, trams, buses and boats are always included, regardless of which ticket or public transport card you travel with. All tickets and travelling cards can be purchased at any of the public transport operator Västtrafik’s sales outlets, or in the app To Go. The outlets are recognised by their blue flags and façade décor. Most of them are kiosks like Pressbyrån and 7-Eleven, or grocery stores.
Single ticket
A single ticket for an adult is available from 36 SEK, and can be purchased in the app Västtrafik To Go. Please note that you need to have bought your ticket before the journey begins.
24-hour ticket
Västtrafik offers 1- and 3-day tickets that are suitable for visitors that are travelling a lot in a short time. The day ticket costs from SEK 115 (2024) and is purchased in the To-Go app. Read more about different day tickets at vasttrafik.se.
Summer ticket
If you want to stay a little longer in Gothenburg and want to explore the surrounding region, Västtrafik’s summer ticket may be suitable. With it, you can get around on summer excursions in the entire Västra Götaland region and Kungsbacka municipality for 30 days. As an adult, can bring up to three people under the age of 20 for free.
Boats and ferries
There are three routes that takes you across and along the river Göta älv.
- The ferry line 285 takes you along the river, from Lilla Bommen to Klippan, via Stenpiren, Lindholmspiren, Slottsberget and Eriksberg. The ferry is included in your regular bus and tram ticket. Timetable line 285.
- The ferry line 286 takes you across the river between Stenpiren and Lindholmspiren. It’s free, so you don’t need a ticket. Timetable line 286.
- From May 6, 2024, the new ferry line 287 runs between the stops Stenpiren and the new ferry stop Lundbystrand at Hisingen. Timetable line 287.
Eating out for vegans in Gothenburg
- MIM (More Is More) – Open: Wed-Thurs 5pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm, Sun 4pm-9pm. Herkulesgatan 40, mimgbg.com
- Kafé Frilgret – Open: Tues & Wed 9am-8pm, Thurs & Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 12 noon-5pm. Heurlins Plats 1, frilagret.se
- Blackbird Vegankok & Bar – Open: Tues-Thurs 5pm-9pm, Fri & Sat 5pm-11pm. Stigbergsliden 3, blackbirdvegan.se
- St Agnes Kafé – Open: Tues-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat & Sun 11am-4pm. Teatergatan 30-32
- Kafé Magasinet – Open: Mon-Thurs 9am-midnight, Fri & Sat 9am-2am, Sun 9am-midnight. Tredje Långgatan 9 kafemagasinet.se
- Brewers Beer Bar- Open: Mon 4pm-11pm, Tues-Thurs 4pm-midnight, Fri 4pm-1am, Sat 1pm-1am, Sun 1pm-11pm. Tredje Långgatan 8, brewersbeerbar.se
The best time to visit Gothenburg
Resting on the west coast of Sweden, Gothenburg, experiences a Marine west coast, warm summer environment, categorized as Cfb according to the Köppen climate classification. This predominate climate signifies that the city experiences a moderate temperature range annually, with no dry season and a warm, but not hot, summer. Given this geoclimatological setting, Gothenburg’s weather fluctuates throughout the year, demonstrating distinct variations in different climatological parameters.
The best time to visit Gothenburg
Owing to the city’s climate characteristics, picking the most suitable period to explore Gothenburg mainly depends on the desired activities and temperature preferences of the visitors. June, July, and August are the best months for those who prioritize outdoor activities. Temperatures during this period are not excessively high, staying between 20.1°C (68.2°F) and 22.9°C (73.2°F). Furthermore, the city enjoys the highest levels of daylight, ranging from 15.2 hours in August to the impressive 18 hours in June.
The worst time to visit Gothenburg
If visitors prioritize warmth and extensive daylight, the months of January and February might be less appealing for a trip to Gothenburg. Although the city does not experience harsh winters, temperatures can drop to an average low of negative 2.1°C (35.8°F), while the average high during these months hardly exceeds 2.7°C (36.9°F). Precipitation is relatively low, with 68mm (2.68″) in January and just 41mm (1.61″) in February, yet these are also the months that receive the fewest daylight hours: 7.4 in January and 9.4 hours in February.
Where to stay in Gothenburg
1. Mid Range: Hotel Lorensberg
The family-owned Hotel Lorensberg is within 5 minutes’ walk of Gothenburg’s Scandinavium Arena and Liseberg Amusement Park. It offers free WiFi and free coffee throughout the day.
Over 100 unique paintings decorate the walls of Lorensberg Hotel. Rooms include a flat-screen TV. Some also have a seating area.
2. Luxury – Dorsia Hotel & Restaurant
This modern and exclusive boutique hotel, 6 minutes’ walk from Gothenburg Central Station, is just 200 metres from Kungsportsplatsen Tram Stop. It offers free WiFi and a contemporary restaurant with bar.
Bold décor and luxury Carpe Diem beds with Egyptian cotton bedding are featured in all Dorsia Hotel rooms. Each includes a minibar, bathrobes with slippers and an internet-connected Lava Invit TV with free movie channels.
International cuisine with French influences is served at Dorsia Hotel & Restaurant
3. Budget -City Hotell Avenyn
Located next to main pedestrian street Avenyn, the convenient City Hotell Avenyn offers easy access to all of Gothenburg’s sights. Stay just a 10 minute walk from the Liseberg Amusement Park and the Svenska Mässan Conference Centre.
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