Gothenburg Overview

The relaxed pace of life in Gothenburg attracts visitors and encourages locals to live in this major Swedish city near the Göta Älv River. The history of the city dates back to 1621, when it was a heavily-fortified town while the Thirty Years' War between Sweden and Denmark was taking place. During the 18th century, the city grew exponentially, becoming an important port as the Swedish East India Company turned it into a major trade and shipping venue. Today, Neoclassical architecture lends a Bohemian feel to the streets lined with hip cafés. Avenyn Boulevard is a particularly trendy place with chic boutiques and bars that really are the places to be. The waterfront is cool and peaceful with sailboats, aquariums and nautical museums. The Vasastan, Haga and Linné areas of the city to the west are alive with creativity, including street artists adding a touch of colour here and there. Gothenburg is full of museums, including the city's Art Museum, City Museum and Museum of World Culture. Events that pull the crowds include the annual Gothenburg Book Fair and the International Science and Film Festivals.

Things to Do

Gothenburg spoils you for things to see and do and is a city brimming with history, culture, shopping and magnificent green open spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Historical buildings

Those who appreciate history and architecture will marvel at the city's Cathedral, the Christinae Church and the city's most decorative church: the Oscar Fredrik Church. There's also the 17th-century Crown House, once the seat of the Swedish Parliament.

Open spaces

Slottsskogen is a wonderful place to relax and have picnics and has a fascinating zoo with seals, penguins, deer, moose, pigs, goats and birds. The nearby Botanical Gardens cover 175 hectares and are extremely beautiful, while Trädgårdsföreningen in the city centre offers peace among the roses.

High-end shopping

Nordstan in central Gothenburg has an expansive range of shops of every sort, providing a great shopping experience with may Swedish brands to discover at affordable prices.

Calendar of Events

Gothenburg is second to none when it comes to annual events to entertain, educate and enthral visitors and locals alike with a rich programme of festivals throughout the year. Some of the highlights include:

• The Book Fair. The city's book fair has been taking place since 1985. Initially a trade show, it's now Scandinavia's largest literary festival, taking place at the end of September.

• The Film Festival. As well as being an important event for movie makers, the city's International Film Festival is Scandinavia's largest film event. Since its inauguration in 1979, it's grown to extend over 10 days from the last week in January to the beginning of February.

• The International Science Festival. The city's International Science Festival takes place in early May every year and puts on hundreds of activities for many thousands of visitors. As one of the most popular science events in Europe, it's also totally unique in Sweden.