HOTEL DEALS

COMPARE GOTHENBURG HOTELS

GOTHENBURG BREAKS

Both a municipality and a city in the province of Vastergotland located on the west coast of Sweden, Gothenburg is Sweden’s chief port, the country’s second-largest city, Scandinavia’s largest university city, and the gateway to northern Europe rolled into one.

Situated where the Gota Alv flows into the Kattegat, the city of Gothenburg is divided into two halves, with the upper portion of the city located in the island Hisingen. The city’s layout is reminiscent to that of Amsterdam with its network of streets separated by canals. That fact is not surprising though as the city indeed was designed by Dutch architects in the seventeenth century. Some of the old canals have been filled out, but if one still wishes to explore the city’s major remaining waterway and the bustling harbor, one can take the city’s famous Paddan sightseeing boats. Paddan is actually a Swedish term for “toad,” an allusion to the boat’s squat shape that allows it to float under many of the city’s low bridges.

Gothenburg was founded in 1621 by King Gustavus Adolphus, also known as Gustaf II Adolf. If you would like to see a statue of Gustav himself, it’s right in Gustav Adolfs Torg at Gothenburg’s central canal.

Today, Gothenburg is a beautiful and picturesque city with its welcoming and friendly atmosphere that makes it a favourite among tourists and locals as well. Dubbed as Sweden’s greenest city, Gothenburg boasts of numerous parks and open spaces with flower gardens enriching its appeal even more. Its large number of museums and cultural establishments presents numerous opportunities for a fun-filled yet enlightening holiday. Gothenburg is also a convenient center for pleasure trips to fishing villages and lovely holiday resorts found in the north of the city.

What better way to start enjoying Gothenburg firsthand than to take part in a Gothenburg tradition, a walk downKungsportsavenyn. Kungsportsavenyn (the Avenyn) is a wide boulevard lined with trees and just as many sidewalk cafes that offer a tempting retreat if one needs a break or so in his sightseeing spree. The Avenyn leads directly to a square that maps the city’s artistic and historic center, the Gotaplatsen, where a huge bronze fountain with a statue of the sea god Poseidon stands as the centerpiece, a work of art sculpted by Carl Milles.

The city also offers an extensive selection of cultural establishments that are a feast for the eyes as they are for the mind.Gothenburg Museum of Art and Goteborgs Konsthall are two of the most popular art museums in the city. For design and handicrafts, one can head off to visit the Rohss Museum while the Museum of World Culture will enlighten you with sea history, natural history, and science.

The Gothenburg Opera is also one place where you can immerse yourself culturally. Another perfect alternative would be theStora Teatern, Goethnburg’s Neo-Renaissance theater and opera building.

If you’d like to a view the central city and the harbor, the quickest way to do it would be to view the whole panorama at the Gothenburg Lookout. But if you are in for a leisurely visit at Gothenburg, a visit to the Goteborg Botanical Garden is a must. It is in fact considered to be one of Europe’s most outstanding botanical gardens.

Another great place to spend a delightful afternoon with the family in Gothenburg would be at Slottskogen, the city’s largest park. Here, one can visit Gothenburg’s Natural History Museum, a tropical animal park or a children’s zoo, the family animal park or just let time flitter away by sunbathing, having a picnic, or by taking a leisurely stroll through the city’s shady forests. Slottskogen is also home to Gothenburg’s oldest observatory.
When you’re traveling with children, Liseberg Park is the best place to treat them out on their first trip to Gothenburg. Liseberg Cirkus features comic characters, a pony merry-go-round, children boat rides, just to name a few that will surely keep your youngsters entertained. You may also want to take them to Naturhistoriska Museet I Goteborg where stuffed and mounted animals from all over the world, including the only stuffed blue whale in Sweden, are displayed.

At Gothenburg, shopping is a varied experience with its wonderful array of Swedish wares. You will find almost anything in Nordstan, Scandinavia’s largest shopping mall. Kungsgatan/Fredsgatan, the longest pedestrian mall in Sweden, is also a favorite shopping place among many.

When you’re tired of touring and shopping in the city during the day, nothing beats a relaxing evening out in Gothenburg than sitting in an outdoor café along the Avenyn.

Find flights & hotels to Sweden and compare flight prices with all the major airlines and travel agents.

Other City Breaks in Europe