Gothenburg Travel Guide

Göteborg is Sweden's second largest city with about 770 000 inhabitants. It is situated on the west coast of Sweden at the mouth of the river Göta Älv.

The city was founded in 1621 by the king Gustav II Adolf, but was developed largely by city planners and canal experts from the Netherlands and Germany. This explains the Amsterdam-style canal around the city centre.
 
To this day the city owes much to the influence of people from abroad. Tourists and other visitors return year after year - the Göteborg region is one of the most popular tourist areas in Scandinavia.

The amusement park Liseberg, the largest of its kind in Scandinavia, is situated in the centre of the city. It has entertained millions of people since 1923. Here you can ride roller coasters or see popular artists perform.

The street Avenyn has the highest density of restaurants in Sweden, and the terrace cafés, nightclubs and bars are vibrant with life. This is the place to stroll at your leisure, to see and be seen, whether you’re a local or a tourist.

One of the many reasons to visit Göteborg is definitely the food. Göteborg is known for its fine, locally produced ingredients and top-notch restaurant life.

The Botanical garden is situated within walking distance of Slottsskogen. It is one of the biggest in Europe. Here you can enjoy 13,000 different species of plants, stroll around in the Wood Anemone Valley gully, or stop for a coffee in the cosy café. Come, relax and enjoy the diversity of the gardens. The Gothenburg Botanical Garden has been named The Most Beautiful Garden in Sweden and the third most beautiful in the World!

The city is often likened to San Francisco because, like the American city, this west-coast location has plenty of bridges, hills, water, trams and seafood restaurants.

Göteborg has a long trade and industrial tradition. Many of Sweden's most famous companies have their roots in Göteborg. Some of these companies are Volvo, SKF and ESAB.

The Port of Göteborg is the largest in Scandinavia. Even though the port has largely moved from the centre of the city, it still plays an important role in the city's life and atmosphere.


In 2006 Göteborg hosted the 19th European Athletics Championships.
 
Göteborg has everything a modern city can offer, combined with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Gothenburgh's official tourist website www.goteborg.com offers the Gothenburg City Pass which allows entry into many tourist attractions, grand houses, museums as well as offering free travel on trams and buses and free parking.  The pass also gives tourists access to vouchers and special offers and specific shopping areas.  It is the most cost effective way of getting around Gothenburg and visiting the city's hot spots.

Recently, this City Pass was made available on people's mobile phones making it not only the most cost effective means of sight seeing but also the most convenient.