Stora Saluhallen
Stop: Kungsportsplatsen
Stora Saluhallen has been an obvious trading place for the citizents of Gothenburg since 1889. Today there are about 40 shops and restaurants with food and delicacies from all over the world. Here you can buy everything from meat and seafood to cheese, bread and olives. Or you just enjoy the lovely atmosphere and unique architecture. The market hall is a listed building. There are also market halls in other parts of the city. The market hall Briggen is located in Linnéstaden and Kville Saluhall at Vågmästareplatsen.
Photo: Peter Kvarnström/Mediabank Göteborg & Co.
Slottsskogen
Stop: Linnéplatsen or Botaniska trädgården
Slottsskogen is one of Gothenburg's largest and most popular parks. No wonder, as it is located in the middle of town and is the perfect place for both relaxation and outdoor life all year round. There are large grassy areas for picnics, walkways for walking, forest paths for running trips and playgrounds for children. As if that were not enough, there is also one of Sweden's oldest zoos where you can watch everything from moose to penguins. During the summer months you can meet pigs and goats in the Children's Zoo and soon you can again enjoy music at the Way out West festival.
Photo: Steampipe Production Studio AB/Mediabank Göteborg & Co.
Götaplatsen
Stop: Götaplatsen or Valand and a five-minute walk
At the top of Gothenburg's parade street Avenyn is Götaplatsen. The well-known landmark Poseidon is surrounded by impressive buildings that all offer culture of various kinds. Here is the City Library, which in addition to books also usually has activities such as author talks and film screenings. Gothenburg City Theatre is the country's oldest and has the important mission to engage, create debate and amuse people. The Gothenburg Museum of Art has one of northern Europe's foremost art collections and at Göteborgs Konsthall, contemporary art is at the center. The concert hall's beautiful premises house the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, which is the Swedish National Orchestra.
Gothenburg Museum of Art
Göteborgs Konsthall
City Library Gothenburg
City Theatre Gothenburg
Photo: Mika Aberra/Mediabank Göteborg & Co.
Southern archipelago
Stop: From Stenpiren or Saltholmen you can reach several of the islands with the archipelago boats, including the islands Styrsö, Brännö, Donsö, Köpstadsö, Asperö, Knarrholmen and Vrångö.
Gothenburg's southern archipelago is both fantastic and easily accessible. All islands are car-free and you can quickly and easily get to many of them with the archipelago boats that run all year round. From Brännö in the north with flak tops, winding roads and dancing on the classic jetty to Vrångö in the south with red fishing sheds, beautiful nature and long sandy beaches. Just pick and choose among the pearls. Or you don't bother choosing and visit them all. With the archipelago boats, it is easy to island-jump, or just go on your own sightseeing tour. The same ticket is valid all the way from the city and out to sea!
Guide to the Gothenburg archipelago
Photo: Emil Fagander/Mediabank Göteborg & Co.
Red Stone
Stop: Vagnhallen Majorna and about 10 minutes walk or Klippans Färjeläge and about 15 minutes walk
At the entrance to the port of Gothenburg, directly under the stronghold of the Älvsborg Bridge, is the Röda Sten area. The graffiti-adorned brick building houses a restaurant and Röda Sten Konsthall. On the four floors of the art gallery you can experience both exhibitions and performances by Swedish and international contemporary artists. For children and young people, lots of creative activities are also organized. Next to the old boiler house there is a popular skate park and the jetty just outside attracts both hanging and tango dancing.
Photo: Johannes Berner/Mediabank Göteborg & Co.
Kvarnbyn
Stop: Gamla torget or Mölndals stadsmuseum, alternatively commuter train to Mölndal station and 10 minutes walk.
In Kvarnbyn in Mölndal there is Mölndalsfallen, which already in the Middle Ages was used as hydropower to power mills. The drop height is 48 meters and the water throws its way between the high factory house walls that have remained since the industrial era in the late 1800s. In the evening, the falls are illuminated and on cold winter days, frost and icicles make the falls extra beautiful. Along the rapids and on the buildings there are information signs with Kvarnbyn's history. In an old stocking factory at the top of the village is Mölndal's city museum with historical exhibits. Here you can also have coffee with a view of the foaming rapids.
Image: Clara Vollrathson
Gunnebo Slott och Trädgårdar
Stop: Gunnebo Park or Nötåsberget and 20 minutes walk.
At Gunnebo castle and gardens you can stroll around in a genuine 1700s environment. The castle itself and its history are best discovered through a guided tour. During the summer months, the large garden is in bloom and the vegetables are crowded into the growing beds. The harvest from the kitchen garden is taken advantage of by the restaurant, where you can enjoy an organic lunch or coffee. Right next door is Gunnebo's farm with horses and playground and a bit away is the English park with paths that take you to lakes and mountain cliffs. Gunnebo also hosts regular concerts, lectures and markets.
Photo: Lina Ikse/Mediabank Göteborg & Co.
Jonsered
Stop: Jonsered station or Jons väg and 10–15 minutes walk.
The old mill town of Jonsered has well-preserved industrial environments from the second half of the 1800s. Today there is, among other things, a brewery with a restaurant and a hotel in the old traditional factories. Nearby are Jonsered's Gardens, also dating back to the 1800s. In 2015, they won the award "Sweden's most inspiring park". In a beautiful manor house environment there are lots of flowers, arbors and figure-cut bushes. There are also "guest gardens" created by, among others, Anna Mannheimer and Tomas von Brömssen. The café offers locally produced lunch and coffee. For those who want to enjoy nature more, the beautiful hiking trails pass Gotaleden and Bohusleden Jonsered.
Jonsered's Gardens
Jonsereds Brukssamhälle
Photo: Partille municipality
Hönö
Stop: Hönö färjeläge
With only an hour's travel time from central Gothenburg by bus and ferry, you reach Hönö, which offers everything that belongs to the archipelago – swimming, cliffs, boathouses, eateries and nature. There are things to experience all year round. In the harbour area of Hönö Klåva there are shops, restaurants, excursion boats and piers that invite you to crab fishing or walk. Here you can also rent a bike to get around between the different parts of the island. In the nature reserve Ersdalen, on Hönö's northwest side, there are rocky and sandy beaches and fantastic opportunities for climbing the boulders. The bread Hönökakan also comes from here. For those who want to learn how to bake the classic, there are courses on the island.
Photo: Peter Kvarnström/Mediabank Göteborg & Co.
Vättlefjäll
Stop: Kryddnejlikegatan and a few minutes walk to Kanotpoolen – Vättlestugan.
Vättlefjäll Nature Reserve is one of Gothenburg's largest natural areas. Here you can canoe, fish, hike and swim. Both Bohusleden, Pilgrimsleden and Vättlefjällsleden are hiking trails that go through the beautiful hilly landscape. There are also a number of shorter trails to follow. During May–September, it is possible to rent a canoe and paddle between the various lakes where narrow and lush canals bring to mind the Amazon rainforests. In the area, remains from the heather and moisture heaths of the 1900s remain. They are now habitat for rare species both in flora and fauna.
Photo: Mediabank Göteborg & Co.