Sweden: Gothenburg – Aeroseum

January 5, 2025
Västra Götaland
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I was not sure how good the Aeroseum would be, and the first impressions when we pulled into the car park were not great. Apart from a couple of helicopters, minus their rotor blades and the fuselage of a fighter jet, there was nothing else on display. So, we followed the arrows that led from the car park to see what else was around.

The trail led us to the entrance of an underground bunker. 30m below the surface, cut into the rock is a 22,000 m2 Cold War hangar. Completed in 1955, this was an extension to the Göta Air Force Base (F9) which is now Säve Airport.

The underground hanger is ginormous and contains a surprisingly large number of helicopters and other exhibits. The were several fast jet aircraft including a J 29F, ‘Barrel’, several J 35J ‘Dragons’ and YES 37 ‘Thunderbolts’ and one of my favourite aircraft of all time the JAS 39 “Gripen’. As well as being able to see the aircraft from the ground there were a few of the aircraft set up so you could climb into the cockpit. They even had an area set aside for flight simulators where you were sat in the cockpit of the aircraft during the simulation. There were several other smaller aircraft that were in various stages of assembly as they had workshops down in the hangar to repair aircraft to flight worthiness.

As well as the winged aircraft there were many helicopters. This included the Augusta Bell HKP-3 (Huey), the impressive AS332 Super Puma and our favourite Boeing-Vertol Model 107 / CH-46 helicopter, a double-rotor helicopter that looks like the Chinook. It has a lighter payload and has one landing wheel on the front instead of two. This helicopter was fully rigged out and you could go inside and pretend you were inside flying a mission. As well as the helicopters there was an exhibit on the Coast Guard including an air-sea rescue exhibit, with a helicopter and winch. This brought back memories for Karen of her father’s death during a mission in a helicopter and made her feel very sad.

In addition to the aircraft, there were a lot of specific exhibits hidden away in alcoves along the side walls of the hangar, including the Cold War, the atomic bomb, spies and space missions.

We came here we were unsure what the museum would be like, and our first impression was not great. But it turned out to be fabulous. It is a unique setting with some incredible exhibits, and we were really pleased we’d come.

Planning your visit to Aeroseum

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.