Sights and landmarks in Gothenburg

Sights and landmarks in Gothenburg

1. See

   Aeroseum

   An aircraft museum in a former military underground air force base. Also home of the annual Göteborg Aero Show and other events.

2. See

   Botanical Gardens

   Botaniska Trädgården

   Built in 1923, the botanical gardens has an area of 175 hectares and was selected as the most beautiful garden in Sweden in 2003. It contains a rock garden, arboretum and green houses, along with a restaurant and café. Don't miss the rare Easter Island tree.

   9AM-sundown·Free entrance, except for the greenhouse

3. See

   Christinæ Church

   Deutsche Kirchengemeinde Göteborg

   The church of Gothenburg's German community, built in 1748. This church is likewise the third church standing here, as the earlier ones have burned down.

4. See

   Crown House

   Kronhuset

   Built in 1643-1655, and briefly home of the Swedish Parliament. It houses Göteborgs Musik, and the surrounding buildings are now cafes and crafts workshops. It is Gothenburg’s oldest still-standing non-religious building.

5. See

   East Indiaman Götheborg

   A full-size replica of the mid-18th century Götheborg. The original ship made three voyages to China on behalf of the Swedish East India Company, but on its final voyage it ran aground and sank just outside Gothenburg on 12 September 1745. Open to visitors, the current ship is one of the largest operational wooden sail ships, although it does have diesel engines installed as well.

   120 kr

6. See

   Feskekôrka

   The indoor Fish Market, called "Feskekôrka" (Fish Church) because of the shape of the building and Gothenburgers mythical devotion to fish.

   Tue-Fri 10:00-18:00; Sat 10:00-15:00

7. See

   Gothenburg Art Museum

   Göteborgs Konstmuseum

   Housed in a magnificent edifice flanked by the theatre and concert hall, it features a world-class collection of Nordic art (60 kr, people up to 20 years and students with ID free). The adjacent Hasselblad Center periodically holds public exhibitions. The Art Hall (free entrance) features contemporary art.

8. See

   Gothenburg Cathedral

   Göteborgs Domkyrka

   Built in 1815, in the centre of old town. The seat of the Diocese of Gothenburg. It is the third church standing there – the earlier two burned down in city fires. Domkyrkoplan, the park surrounding the church, used to be the cemetery of the second church.

9. See

   Gothenburg City Museum

   Göteborgs Stadsmuseum

   Covers the history of the city and region from prehistoric times to the present, with emphasis on the 19th-century Swedish East India Company, which was once housed in the building.

   40 kr, people under 20 and students free

10. See

    Gothenburg Natural History Museum

    Göteborgs Naturhistoriska Museum

    The oldest museum in Gothenburg includes a stuffed blue whale and is situated in Slottsskogen. Here you can learn about the history of animals from around the world. Among other things, they have a permanent exhibition dedicated to whales.

    Tue-Sun 11:00-17:00·40 kr, under 20 years and students (with valid ID) free

11. See

    Gothenburg Radio Museum

    All kinds of historical radio equipment on display from crystal radios to police radios and TV sets to vacuum tubes as well as a library with radio manuals.

12. See

    Haga

    A city district with picturesque wooden houses from the 19th century. Don't forget to explore the more bohemian Långgatan streets (Första, Andra, Tredje and Fjärde Långgatan) nearby and to visit the Haga Church (Hagakyrkan).

13. See

    KA 4 Museum and the Fort of Oskar II

    A museum at the former Coast Artillery Regiment at Käringberget. The fortification was built in the early 20th century and used until WWII, but there have been fortifications here for centuries. As warfare evolved, fortifications like this became outdated and therefore usually dismantled (as they did not have a historical significance being just a few decades old then), and as such the preserved Oskar II fort with its guns is a quite rare sight even around the world.

    Irregular opening hours

14. See

    Karlatornet

    The tallest building in the Nordic countries at 247 metres, visible from many parts of Gothenburg. Karlatornet is part of the new Karlastaden district, which is being built during the 2020s. It's observation deck will open to visitors in 2026.

15. See

    Maritiman

    "The world's biggest floating museum of ships" consists of 19 boats of all sizes. The biggest attraction is the former military destroyer Småland.

    100 kr, children (5–15) 50 kr, family 270 kr, students & senior citizens 70 kr

16. See

    Maritime Museum and Aquarium

    Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet

    Explains the maritime history of Gothenburg, West Sweden and of the fishing industry; has models of sailing ships. An aquarium in the basement, consisting of an "ocean lab" for visitors, a main tank with sharks and kinds of small fishes and some small tanks with coral, jellyfish and starfish. There is a lookout just by the museum, on the top of the pillar of the "Seamans wife", where you can view the harbour, but it is not open every day.

17. See

    Museum of World Culture

    Världskulturmuseet

    A cultural counterpart to the science-oriented Universeum, it's a museum of ethnography and anthropology, with a thoroughly contemporary approach. There are regular special events such as concerts, films, and lectures. Free entrance to some of the museum's exhibits.

    Tue Thu Fri 12-:00-17:00; Wed 12:00-20:00, Sat Sun 11:00-17:0·40 kr (annual pass), free for people under the age of 19 years

18. See

    Oscar Fredrik Church

    Oscar Fredriks kyrka

    This Neo-Gothic brick church with a tower about 70 meters high is the largest and most well decorated church in Gothenburg. Built 1893 and named after then-Swedish king Oscar II, it has been renovated four times afterwards.

19. See

    Röda Sten

    Edgy art hall in an old industrial furnace station covered in graffiti. Also hosts courses and hands-on art events.

    Tue-Sun 12:00-17:00; Wed 12:00-19:00·40 kr/20 kr/free

20. See

    Skansen Kronan

    Crown Keep

    A hilltop fortification, south-west of the city centre, built in the 17th century. In the 19th century it served as a prison, and now houses a military museum. Its twin Skansen Lejonet (Lion Keep) unfortunately finds itself in the middle of a railroad and industrial area but guided tours are held the first and third Sunday of every month.

21. See

    Skanskaskrapan

    Läppstiftet / Lilla Bommen

    Informally called "the lipstick" by the local, it features a viewing platform (Götheborgsutkiken) at 86 metres, which offers great views over the city.

    Jul–Aug: daily 11:00–16:00 (lift goes several times per hour); rest of the year: Mon–Fri 11:00–15:00 (lift goes every hour)·40 kr, children 5–15 years: 20 kr, family: 100 kr

22. See

    Slottsskogen

    A big English garden close to the Botanical Garden and a popular spot for relaxing and picnics. Within the park you'll find the Museum of nature history, an observatory, a mini golf course, and a child zoo. In the zoo, you can also pay a visit to the quintessential Swedish animal: the älg, also known as moose. Slottskogen is famed for its valley with over 60 kinds of Azalea that blooms during early summer. The museum and the zoo don`t have an entry fee. Slottskogen can be very crowded with people going for a barbecue in Summer. On the night before the 1st of May, there is usually a big bonfire in the park, which is worth watching.

23. See

    The Röhsska Museum

    The national museum of Swedish design and applied art, with both permanent and temporary exhibitions.

    Tue Wed 11:00-18:00, Thu 11:00-20:00, Fri-Sun 11:00-17:00, closed on Good Fri, 1 May, 6 June, Midsummer’s Eve, Midsummer Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day·Adult 60 or, under 25 or with the Gothenburg Pass free

24. See

    Trädgårdsföreningen

    A picturesque garden in the city centre with a very nice collection of roses awarded with three stars in the Guide Michelin. No entrance fee during off season, otherwise 20 kr.

25. See

    Universeum

    A new museum focusing on the environment with an indoor rainforest, experiment workshop, etc.

    Adult 175 kr, under 3 years free, 3-16 years 120 kr, family 545 kr

26. See Not mapped

    World of Volvo

    An exhibition centre for Volvo Cars and Volvo Group (the commercial vehicle brand). In addition to cars and trucks on display, there are visualisations of the history of Volvo, activities such as operating an excavator, scale models and occasional music events. The former museum in Arendal Skans is closed.

27. See Not mapped

    Gothenburg Synagogue

    Göteborgs synagoga

    The city's main synagogue, built in 1855.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Gothenburg (CC BY-SA 4.0).